Garden Tours

Personally, my favorite jewelry seems to always have a flower theme. I know it's because I so love flowers. Right now I'm enjoying my crape myrtles (as are the hummingbirds), and the last gasps of my annuals before autumn begins in earnest. And I've been congratulating myself on my brilliance of planting fall blooming daylilies (my favorite flowers) as I do my at-home garden "tours."

Sometimes, though, I'm in the mood to do more than look at my own plantings or those I see on P Allen Smith's show... so I head for the botanical garden in St Louis or scout for other annual or seasonal garden tours.

Sound good to you, too? Why not pack a picnic and make a day of it at a private garden open to the public. The Garden Conservancy has an Open Days program. Check their site for a calendar and to see what gardens might be open for a stroll near you.

Hummingbird Migration

It's that time of year. I'm filling our hummingbird feeders 3 and 4 times a day and, boy, is there a whole lot of fighting going on. The hummers are stoking up for their long flight to winter quarters. Gary and I are fascinated watching their antics all summer long.

If you're as hooked as we are, you might want to consider going to one of our favorite events, the Hummingbird Migration Celebrations held in Holly Springs, Mississippi every year.

Billed as one of the largest nature fesitvals in the US, this year's celebration will be held September 11-13 at Strawberry Plains Audubon Center. Expert naturalists from the Hummer/Bird Study Group will be on hand to interpret the life of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. You can watch as these tiny birds are caught and banded. You may even have a chance to release one back to the wild!

The event also features lectures and demonstrations with live bats and other wildlife, hummingbird viewing in the historic Davis House sunroom, a nature trade show, tours of native plant gardens, children's activities, food, and much more. More info

I have a confession...

I'm a chocolaholic. Some of you already know this because of my descriptions of brown gemstones in my jewelry. :-) I come from a long line of chocolaholics and, frankly, I don't care if it's nature or nurture. All I know for sure is that if a dessert isn't chocolate... what's the point?

Though I know it is a shameless marketing ploy on the part of the Mars company, I'm enthusiastic about the Mars Real Chocolate Relief Act. Silly title. I think they could just call it "Free Chocolate." Because that's what it is. They're giving away chocolate candy every Friday in September.

So, join me in chocolate madness and signing up today for your reminders and collect your free chocolate!