Amongst the Thorns

It is overcast and chilly today, but yesterday, I took these photos to show you another of my favorite things friday when the sun was bright and warm upon us.  I save pics like these to brighten my day  as called for.  But, really, I'm not complaining - it's suppose to start raining late tonight and we so need it.  In fact, my husband said Monday before he started the rainbird:  "It's so dry even the weeds didn't come up this year"! Here is what I found amongst the thorns:

This one on the right is only an inch across.

These last little lovelies are only a 1/4" across!

I'm linking to Shay's Favorite Things Friday - on my sidebar.  What is your favorite thing today?

From the Garden

My husband grows cacti for their unusualness, their beauty, their difficulty to grow, their uniqueness.  One of their bountiful qualities is the beauty of their flowers.  I was watering the patio plants and spied this one in full bloom from a distance in his shade area.  Here it is in the full sun.  It is so bright that the color looks a little washed out.

Here it is with me shading it.  You can see the color better and the wonderful centers.  Bees love this cactus.



Garden Surprise

I don't pay a lot of attention to when my husband is planting something in the various locations of the yard because he is always planting something in the yard - after all botany is his main interest and hobby.  But as I was getting out of the car, I spied this beauty right to the left of me.  Isn't it spectacular?!  I sat there in the driver's seat a couple of minutes taking in the deep color and the number of flowers.  Then ran inside to get my camera.  DH is looking up the name for me.  I love finding things in bloom in our yard.