Magnolia Blossom Time

This has always been one of my favorite times of the year in Memphis. This is the season when everything is so green, it's still not too humid and hot to get out in the middle of the day, school is just about to get out for the summer, and the magnolias are in bloom. Aaaahhhh...

My father and I took a ride through some of his favorite areas of town today, and we stopped for a little while in Chickasaw Gardens. A visitor left a message a week or so ago speaking of missing the magnolias, especially the ones surrounding Chickasaw Gardens Lake and lining some of the streets in that area (this photo was taken with you in mind). We found this magnolia bloom on a tree just by the lake in early afternoon, and we thought that the lighting was perfect. I wish that you could smell this flower; it's a sweet, lemony scent that's unmistakeable, and smells heavenly when there is a warm breeze.

Japanese Garden of Tranquility

Another view of one of my favorite places, the Japanese Garden of Tranquility at Memphis Botanical Garden.

I am still under the weather and just not quite feeling up to my energetic self, so I will be unable to post on a daily basis for a time. I will still be posting as I am able, and as always, I appreciate your stopping by!

Railroad, Collierville

Railroad tracks in historic Collierville, just to the south of the Collierville Town Square.

Feeding the Koi...

Feeding the Koi is a favorite activity for visitors to the Memphis Botanic Garden. The lake in the Japanese Garden of Tranquility is brimming with Koi, who enjoy this activity even more than the visitors, as you can see in the second photo.

Thank you so much for the warm wishes and nice messages! xo

A bit under the weather...but at least there are pretty garden photos to share!

Hello! I've been away from the computer for several days, so I figured I owed you a few photos in this post. This is the Tennessee Bicentennial Iris Garden at the Memphis Botanic Garden. It was the first garden at the Memphis Botanical Garden, and the plantings are primarily the results of donations from the personal collection of a Memphis family. The sculpture in the center of the fountain is the Iris Goddess (first photo above). Most of these irises bloom in mid-to-late April, but some also bloom in late autumn.

Chris left me a message asking if I'm ok...thanks so much for thinking of me, Chris! Actually, I have been under the weather healthwise. During a routine health screening, my blood pressure was abnormally high (family curse, I think), and we've been working this week on adjusting medications, etc, for that. Right now, it's actually too low, which saps every bit of energy you have. Not whining here...I'm very thankful that it's a fairly easily controlled condition. I just wanted to let you know why I may be a bit hit-n-miss with posting or visiting for a short time.

I hope that everything is wonderful with you!

Iris Bloom

My father and I visited the Memphis Botanic Garden last week, and were delighted to find the iris garden in full bloom. The Iris Garden is quite large, and centered around a fountain with a gorgeous statue in the middle. I will try to share a few photos of this beautiful spot in the next few days.

The babies are here!...and so is a new blogging friend!

When I posted recently about the nesting Canadian Geese in this post, several of you asked for me to please update you when the babies arrived. Well, this weekend we spied this lovely goose family enjoying a family outing on Chickasaw Gardens lake. Definitely an "awwww" moment for DH and me, and I hope for you, too.

I also want to introduce you to a blogging friend of mine, Pat, who is an excellent photographer, and an even sweeter and most genuine friend. I have known her through her personal/homemaking blog, Back Porch Musings, for over a year, and now she has a new photo blog. She took that gorgeous lily photo above. You can find her photo blog, Snapshots from the Back Porch, here. Every visit to Pat's blog is a delight, and I am always inspired by her beautiful photos, and I think that you will enjoy them, also. When I have a few more minutes, I will be adding her link to my sidebar. Please stop by and enjoy her beautiful photography, and welcome her to the photo blogging community.

A photo? Why, yes, of course...

We stopped by the annual Collierville festival, "Fair on the Square", for some traditional spring fun with lots of food, talent acts, arts and crafts, and of course, lots of animals.

When we stopped to take a photo of this mule hitch team, the mule on the left was looking right at me, and the one on the right was looking the other way. As soon as he spied my camera, he leaned his head in and posed, perfectly. Every time I raised my camera, he did the same thing...what a pro! Is this not a sweet pair? They are 20 and 21 years old respectively, and the sweetest animals you could meet.

This weekend has been very busy, but fun...I hope that yours has been the same!

Spring Creek, Spring Creek Ranch Golf Club

This is Spring Creek, for which Spring Creek Ranch Golf Club is named. This Jack Nicklaus-designed course opened in 1999, and is rumored to be the possible future home course for the annual Stanford-St Jude golf tournament.

This course is also a member of the Aububon Conservation Reserve with 330 acres used for wetlands and a natural habitat and ecosystem for wildlife.

Spring Creek Ranch was once a very large cattle farm, and the course design (by Jack Nicklaus) has made wonderful use of the natural beauty of this land.

Oaklawn Garden Residence

This is the Oaklawn Garden residence, built in 1854.

In this area, homes of this vintage are often painted white or cream. I think that green suits this residence, allowing it to remain in harmony with the gardens which Mr. and Mrs. Cloyes generously share with visitors.

Please do click on the photos for a more detailed view.