This Morning's Surprise

One never knows when a surprise will show up - maybe that's why it's called a surprise. This morning I was on the screened porch and thought I caught the wonderful fragrance of gardenia. I thought I was mistaken because I didn't plant one and just dismissed it from my mind. Later I decided to walk around the beds in back to see just how much work it will take to get them back in order. Guess what!! The little azalea that didn't bloom this spring is a miniature gardenia. Duh!! It was on a cheapie shelf at the nursery and obviously was mislabeled. I never had a small gardenia and I think it's so neat. Now nothing can ruin my day. It's not a good pic but the blooms are close to the ground.

While I was outside with the camera I took a couple of other pics. These are my balloon flowers. I put them in three summers ago and they come back every year. They are always get comments because the bud is folded and puffed up - guess that's why it's called a balloon flower.

This picture was an afterthought as I was coming inside. It was made standing under our Contorted Hazel - or "Henry Lauder's Walking Stick" It's branches are really interesting. They twist and turn in every direction but aren't intrusive. I have the bird feeders on the other side of this tree because the little birds love to perch in this tree. As an aside, I have been led to believe this tree is native to Scotland.

I'm waiting for a roofer to come and give me an estimate on replacing the porch roof. I'm also having a sunroom company do the same. I haven't heard anything bad about metal roofs. Thank you so very much to those of you who responded to my post and to those who emailed me. I think you are all correct - a metal roof will be my decision. Just waiting for estimates.

Each day is getting easier and easier. Thanks for your kind words - they help keep me on track.