Hens of Discerning Taste

Here chick-chick-chick, here chickies, I've got a treat for you all!

Princess: For me?

Queenie: Not just you. For us. Last one there is a rotten egg.

Duchess: She said they're frozen blueberries to cool us off. They look weird, you try them.

Princess: Okay, I'll take the first bite. I'm not chicken.
Duchess: Well, technically...

Princess: Nope, don't like them. You can have them all.
Duchess: If you don't like them, I'm not going to like them.

Queenie: Come on girls...they're really not too bad...if you let them thaw a little...and then stand really far away from the plate...and then stretch you neck out really far like this...and then take a teeny tiny bite.

Princess: Hey, lady, don't you have anything better...like some bugs or something? You know the ones—those June bugs in the bottle. The ones that man handpicked under the glow of the porch light the other night.

Duchess: My favorite!
Princess: Now this is more like it!
Queenie: Leave some for me!

Poultry Palace and Gardens—Where Hens Live Like Royalty...

Myriad Botanical Gardens

We visited Myriad Botanical Gardens in Oklahoma City last Friday with the kids. As you can see, it was a gorgeous day!

A view of Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory (arched glass building) at Myriad Botanical Gardens.

There are gardens to explore outdoors, but we headed straight for the conservatory due to a chill in the air and the fact that I was suffering from a cold and a very bad case of laryngitis.

Along the way, we walked by flowerbeds filled to the brim with tulips, pansies, and daffodils.

Once inside Crystal Bridge Conservatory, we were surrounded by huge tropical plants and wrapped in a warm blanket of humidity.

I took a couple of pictures of some of the pretty blooms...

 but forgot to read the signs to find out what they are called. I blame my cold for that.

We really enjoyed seeing the Zebra Longwing butterflies that flitted about the conservatory. They were the most active in the upper levels where it was the warmest.

John found one that was freshly emerged from its chrysalis just outside the conservatory entrance door. He has a good eye. I would have walked right past it.

I was drawn to the pretty orchids that were displayed in the big circular window that overlooks the gardens and the city.

There were a few critters on display as well. John is showing Myles the Veiled Chameleon. I think Myles would like to have one of his very own. Future gift from Geep and Birdie??? Just kidding, parents.

I remembered to read the marker for this flower. It's the bloom of the shaving brush tree. Perfectly named.

By this time we were at the tip top of the conservatory. Here's a shot looking down through the tropical foliage at the tiered waterfall.

As we exited the building I had everyone pose for a parting shot among the flowers. We all enjoyed our time together at Myriad Gardens.

Myles and the Garden Boxes

This weekend we built garden boxes...and memories...with Matt, Carly, and Myles at their home in Oklahoma.

Myles was eager to help, but the shovel proved to be too cumbersome for him, so he took on the role of supervisor.

"See this bubble, Mama? When it's in the middle, then it's level."

"Not bad, Geep, but if you turn your hand this way it will be easier to mix the compost into the soil."

"Hmm, I hope Birdie is getting all this on her camera."

"We need more in here, Mama."

"Make sure you break up that big clod, Dada."

"Well done, everyone. We make a great team, don't you think?"

The March Garden

Not only are the Texas bluebonnets opening up in our garden, but so are many other flowers. Here's a photo roundup of what's in bloom this month.

Society Garlic

Wendy's Wish Salvia

Double Knockout Rose

Mystic Spires Blue Salvia

Mexican Honeysuckle

Lantana

Autumn Sage in a Pot

Mandarin Orange in a Pot

Lovely flowers, all.

Our Busy Chicks

The title of this post does not refer to the feathered variety in our backyard, but to our sweet, adorable grandchildren.

My grandmother name is Birdie, so it's only natural for me to think of them as my chicks.

Look at this, Rose!

Rose is our daughter's girl and Myles is our son's boy. Rose turned two in December and is nine months older than Myles. 

Our busy chicks spent a week together at Rose's house. We were there for the last couple of days of the visit. Even when we arrived, I could tell Myles was still not completely at ease in his new environment.

Arghh! 

But he really came out of his shell on the last day.

May I, please?

This is more typical of his personality—quietly reaching for a book and asking permission with his eyes.

No more monkeys jumping on the bed!

Rose, on the other hand, is constantly in motion...

Thanks for the chicken book, Birdie and Geep. I really like it.

until you give her a book. She loves to read...

Safe in Geep's arms.

and swim in the hotel pool with her Geep.

I can do it all by myself.

You could say she has a bit of an independent streak.

It's not too heavy.

And I believe you could even say it runs in the family.

Thank you, God, for our little chicks.

Rose

Myles

They're busy little people, but we wouldn't have it any other way.

Texas Bluebonnets

It's bluebonnet season in Texas.

A Texas bluebonnet in our garden just starting to bloom.

On our drive to Fort Worth last week to visit our children and grandchildren, we enjoyed the wildflower vignettes along the roadsides. 

Sometimes a large standalone patch of bluebonnets, deep blue in color, would make me think we should stop and take a picture. 

A photo of Texas bluebonnets I took in April 2013, Gay Hill, Texas.

At other times a mix of bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, and yellow wildflowers called to me, but I didn't listen.

We kept driving on in anticipation of holding our grandchildren in our arms, enjoying the scenery along the way, but never stopping for photos.

Another of our garden bluebonnets, more fully open.

I don't regret our decision in the least...

An armful of love!

because hugs from grandchildren are far better than flower pictures any day.

Keeping My Eye on This One

She looks innocent enough, right?

Duchess running to me for a mealworm treat.

Well, there's something you don't know about Duchess.

I only learned about it recently.

It seems she loves kale.

Remember that kale we planted? That's all it now—a memory.

I mean she REALLY LOVES kale.

She ate every kale plant in the garden right down to the stems.

I caught her as she was finishing up the last leaf.

I can't blame her, really.

She was only doing what chickens do.

It was our fault for not putting up a barrier to keep her out of the garden.

I forgive her.

No ma'am, not the bluebonnets!

But I'm drawing the line at my bluebonnet flowers.

I'm keeping my eye my on this one.