God bless the U.S.A.

Happy 4th of July, everyone!

Is it possible that this November will mark 50 years since President Kennedy was assassinated? I was eleven years old and I remember it as though it happened yesterday. On our nation's birthday, this most special holiday, I hope you enjoy the following JFK quotations.

 "We dare not forget that we are the heirs of that first revolution." John F. Kennedy

(colored pencil filter)

 "Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." John F. Kennedy

(watercolor filter)

"We stand for freedom. That is our conviction for ourselves;
that is our only commitment to others." John F. Kennedy

"A man does what he must - in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles, and dangers and pressures - and that is the basis of all human morality."

John F. Kennedy

"Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.

John F. Kennedy

"The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God."

John F. Kennedy

(dry brush filter)

"And so, my fellow Americans - ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address

"With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own." John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address

In closing, I hope you enjoy God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July, everyone!!!

Linking to Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
and Cottage Garden Party at Fishtail Cottage.

Donna

... blooms, bunnies and birdhouses

We are working simultaneously on several backyard projects..


...and we just finished this corner of the garden.


It actually started last year when we planted this beautiful blue salvia. It's in full bloom right now and is a hit with the bumblebees!


The lazy gardener (me) has once again plopped 6-packs of plants down in the rusty white metal plant stands. Over the years I've had really good luck with this easy solution, just as long as I don't skip the daily waterings (the little pots can dry out quickly)...

Black bark mulch has been spread around Mr. Bunny, his cottage birdhouse, and the flowers... (the enlarged birdhouse entry hole is compliments of a family of Sammy Squirrels who lived in it for several winters back when it was still hanging from a tree!)

And now it's time to sit and enjoy the fruits of our labor for a few minutes before we start on our next project! (And thank you, Jill, for telling me about these awesome cottage blue Adirondack chairs at Home Depot!!)

I'll show the entire completed project very soon!

Be sure to visit Cindy at My Romantic Home for her Show & Tell Friday post and a list of other participants!

Donna

The garden's end-of-summer blooms....

A while back I showed you photos of our purple butterfly bush... At that time, our white one hadn't yet bloomed (more than likely because it didn't get as much sun as the purple one)....


...but, as you can see, it has now started blooming...


It has beautiful little white blossoms with tiny yellow centers....


There were no butterflies when I went out to photograph it, but this busy little bee said he'd happily pose for photos...

The salvia has made a second comeback, although not nearly as profound as the first time it bloomed. But it still gives that little burst of color around the base of the birdhouse....

And the scarlet runner bean (whose flowers are very attractive to hummingbirds) are winding their way up the pole with reckless abandon.

The tall garden phlox are now in bloom, although once again, I am hampered by a lack of sun here in the backyard.

The alternative would be to cut down some of our trees, which I am absolutely not willing to do, so we will just settle for a mostly shade/partial sun backyard...

I finally got one photo that showed the true colors of the phlox - they are breathtaking!


My red monarda, which bloomed first, is on the way out....

....and now the pale lilac monarda are taking center stage.


For the first year after being planted, I'm pleased with how the flowers are doing. Not being a natural at gardening, it is definitely a hit or miss process for me so I'm sure I'll be tweaking and moving things around for years to come!

But not today... It's too bloody MUGGY out and Sammy and I would rather just relax and enjoy the garden, just as it is... After all, there are only a few weeks left before the crisper, cooler fall air makes its arrival!!

Wishing you all a relaxing end to your summers!!

COMMENT UPDATE: Lyn, Sammy was taking a siesta on the deck railing, but he looked up when he saw me at the slider with the camera. When the weather is this hot and muggy, all our Sammy's lay as flat as pancakes on railings or tree branches and their little hind legs look like frog legs!

COMMENT UPDATE #2: Hi Betty! I got my birdhouse in the summer of 2008 from The Christmas Tree Shop, a chain of stores here in the Northeast. I did not see any this summer, however... If you do a search on-line, there are lots of great birdhouses available so I bet you'll be able to find just what you're looking for!

Donna