Wordless Wednesday: Down on the corner...

Around the Block: Merry Christmas Y'all!

It's traditional to share a few of the displays around my neighborhood for Christmas and this year is no different so we're taking a brief break from our tours of western Pennsylvania to show you a few fun things from an evening walk around the block.

New neighbors up the street display a Texas-style (and sized) greeting.  It must be 6' tall.  The first plant they added was a Texas Mountain Laurel 'Silver Peso' (not shown) which is my favorite native plant and a nice addition to the street.  They might be Texans--just guessing of course.

Around the Block: ¡Feliz Navidad!

Like most of San Antonio our neighborhood lights up for the holidays.  The mild weather makes it easy to get out and decorate.

This house is a favorite

The luminarias ringing the lawn and across the wall of the courtyard are simple and inviting.  These are reusable and durable luminarias which are easier and safer than the traditional paper and candles.

Around the Block: Yard Makeover Needed

While out for a walk I often imagine yard makeovers for the neighbors.  I find it both entertaining and challenging.

One of the more interesting homes I see on my walk has been sold recently which makes it fair game for musings about its future.

Wordless Wednesday: Fall Gate

Around the Block: Cactus Blooms

Down the street and around the corner is a garden I enjoy seeing whenever I pass by.  On a recent morning these cactus blooms invited a closer look.

The blooms look similar to cereus and that's the closest I can get to guessing the name of this one.  Those are Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis) rosettes in the gravel just waiting to make their spring showing about five months from now.

Good thing I stopped when I did as the blooms were finished by the time I saw them again later that same day.  I've posted about this garden before and you'll likely see more from this lovely garden in the spring.

Around the Block: Aloe and Agave Blooms

Let's take a break from the Plant ABC's today with a few photos from around the neighborhood.  I enjoy reading the posts by Loree at Danger Garden showing yards and gardens from her neighborhood and all around Portland, so I decided to give it a try.  Far from "nailing it" on my first few trips around the block with a camera, I didn't like any of the photos at all.

That doesn't mean I'm not persistent or will give up easily.  Finally, this past Tuesday, I spotted this pretty bloom which I think is an aloe.