I fell in love with Camellias last year when I saw them blooming during my Adventure in Bonaventure.
I have an old Camellia in my yard that my next door neighbor passed on to me many years ago. I didn’t know what I was doing and just stuck it in the ground and hoped for the best. For years I would only get a few flowers each year. A few years ago it was covered with the white blooms in January and February. Seeing those blooms always make me smile.
White Camellia Bloom February 2020
New bloom
White Camellia
When the Camellia is blooming I like to have flowers all around the house.
I enjoy those winter blooms so much that I decided to plant some more Camellias. Last Friday I drove across town to visit a nursery that specializes in Camellias. I spent about an hour with the owner as he told me everything I needed to know about how to plant and care for them. He helped me select three bushes that should do well in my yard – a pink High Fragrance, a gorgeous white Sea Foam, and a red and white variegated Bobbie Fain.
It took me two days to decide exactly where I wanted to put them. Sunday afternoon before the Super Bowl I dug three holes and followed the instructions on how to plant my new plants. There are buds on each of them.
Bud on newly planted Bobbie Fain Variegated Camellia
High Fragrance next to the front stairs
It was a lot of work digging those three holes but it was worth it! Seeing the plants in their new home makes me happy.
October is one of my favorite months in coastal Georgia. The weather is finally cooling off, the sunrises and sunsets are gorgeous, and you never know what birds will show up to feed in the marsh.
I’ve been seeing gorgeous morning skies at sunrise.
Coastal Georgia Sunrise
The cooler temperatures are perfect for taking a morning walk.
Coastal Georgia Salt Marsh
I need to clean out the dying plants from my butterfly garden but I decided to wait before pulling them up. As long as there are butterflies stopping by for some nourishment the plants will stay.
Gulf Fritillary on Mexican Sunflower
Large flocks of White Ibis have been feeding in the salt marsh around our neighborhood.
As a retired senior, I’m lucky that I don’t have to go through the daily grind of a 40 hour work week any more. Even so, there are still times when even retired people need to take a break . Sometimes, reading a book, calling a friend, or watching an old movie is just what I need.
Other times, I need to get out in nature in order to soothe my soul. Whether it’s walking out into my back yard, taking a walk through the neighborhood, or getting in the car to do something new , there are plenty of things I can do outside to take a break.
When I’m busy at home, if I need a short break I can go outside to see what’s happening in my own back yard.
Bee in the Butterfly Garden
In the evening, I love to stop whatever I’m doing to watch a beautiful sunset.
Sunset over the Georgia Salt Marsh
The beach is my happy place, and any time I can get my toes in the sand makes me happy.
Ready for Beach Chair Sitting on the Gulf of Mexico
Getting out and exploring somewhere close to home is a great way to take a break.
McQueens – Tybee Island Rails To Trails, Savannah, GA
When we’re traveling in the RV, there’s no better way to take a break from driving, sightseeing, or hiking than relaxing right in our own campsite.
Just Chillin’ in our campsite
For longer breaks, taking a trip and experiencing new places is the answer.
It seems like we’ve been going non stop since we returned from our trip to Ireland and Scotland on May 23. Once I got caught up on laundry and got over the jet lag, I’ve been able to enjoy the summer.
With very little rain while we were on our trip, my garden was suffering when we got home. After a few days of digging in the dirt and a little watering, it is now thriving.
Zinnia
Daylily
Fiddler Crab on milkweed
Zinnias in the butterfly garden
Zinnia
Some days are perfect for a boat ride.
High tide in the Georgia Salt MarshDriftwood on a Georgia sandbar
The hummingbirds come by each day and a painted bunting bunting pair and other small birds come by the feeder regularly. Wading birds are frequent visitors in the neighborhood.
Wandering Dawgs 