Blooming Huisache

Another lovely sign of spring - the Huisache trees are totally bursting with blooms! I wish my mom was here to see it with me. :)

Huisache in Spring

This year the Huisache is blooming all over the place like there's no tomorrow and they've got to show themselves now! It is pure eye candy this year in terms of flowering trees and bushes in addition to wildflowers. Everything is so lovely and colorful and green. Seems like we are getting rain every week or other week - what a great thing for us! The tanks are getting full as well. Many had dried out during the harsh drought last year and I didn't know how long it'd take or how it needed to rain to fill them all up but it looks like we are on the right track for sure. Love it.

Gorgeous Blooms in the Summer Heat

I have great news to share with you! Mark's book got a great review in Southwestern Historical Quarterly and I am SO PROUD of him! I read it and my chest felt like it was going to simply burst, I was so happy for him. Congratulations, honey!

What does that have to do with these pictures? :-D well...all weekend he tried a source where we could access the quarterly (typically an institutional subscription rather than an individual subscription) and read the review. Unfortunately, our public library didn't renew their subscription so we trekked over to Texas Lutheran University but they were CLOSED since it was a summer weekend! Rats! BUT...the trip was not wasted. I spotted these lovelies right outside the library. They are, by far, he largest Hibiscus blooms I have seen and I loved the color! Gorgeous splash of vibrant life in the sweltering summer heat. I loved it. Hope you all have a GREAT week!

Mesquite at Dusk

Also enjoying the spring sunshine are the mesquite trees. Today Mark saw the first bloom coming out.

More Spring Blooms

Things continue to bloom all around town and out in the country. This is a yucca plant and when they are in bloom, they are so gorgeous - I just want to stop and stare at them. The blooms are huge and abundant as you can see but for some reason, the bees don't seem to be interested in them. Not sure why.

You'll also notice the mesquite are finally coming out now. Mark was a little worried about them since they seemed a little late but we're happy they are catching up just fine. The flowers are amazing around here - full of color and vibrancy. We went driving Sunday evening and I had a lovely time soaking in the variety of blooms in the countryside. Flowers make everything look beautiful...even a dirty ditch!

Redbud Beauty

Yes, I realize there's a theme going here but who can blame me when there's a million blooming beauties all around town now?? This redbud is right in our front yard but as you drive around town, you will see this along with other gorgeous blooms. Today I even saw my first batch of Bluebonnets along Interstate 10 on the way to San Antonio.

In this shot, the female bee is checking out our redbud and she already has pollen on her hind legs, which she'll take back to a hive. That hive isn't in our backyard so I wonder where she's from. The entire tree is abuzz with bee activity! We have another redbud in the backyard and that's full of bees also.

Who can tell me what this is?

Anybody know what this is and which tree it came from (there's a hint for you)?

Thank you for all the comments on Sky Watch. I always enjoy seeing who stopped by and left a message and I try to return the visit as well. I liked how Erica described the clouds as looking like God pulling a blanket over us. That was a pretty cool idea, Erica. Thanks!