Today's Visitor and Wedding

No he or she (I haven't learned how to tell alligator gender.) wasn't a guest at the wedding....But he/she did visit my yard!  It was just at dusk.  This little guy was probably over two feet.  I didn't get too close.   You wouldn't believe how fast these guys can move!

 Run in a zig zag!  Run in a zig ...ackkkk!  Really, who can remember to run in a zig zag pattern if an alligator chases you (that's the common advice from those locals who supposedly know how to escape the intentions of an alligator)....and I'm under the impression that by the time the thought makes it to your mind you're already lunch!

The little guy actually lunged at my cat.  So fast I didn't see it coming....luckily my cat is fast as well...and she has amazing survival instincts.  My cat adopted us after Katrina...which she survived...and has lived despite coyotes, bald eagles, dogs, and alligators that skirt and occasionally cross our property.  I was inclined to let 'em stay (the alligator), but when my cat almost became the appetizer or injured anyway...Byron captured the little guy with a net and we located him to a canal a few miles down the road.  The largest gator we've had in our yard to date was over 5 feet.

Here's some pics of today's wedding I did.  I'm a florist in case any didn't know.  I love the gardeny wild arrangements on pedestals in the back....here's the cake.....

....and a close up.....

....every table had a centerpiece....the  bride was from Argentina....she said in her country very few flowers are bought for the wedding party...most of the floral budget is spent on table centerpieces....yep....I'm fine with that!  She carried a lovely small bouquet of white french tulips.

Around The House and Gardens

There are promising signs in the garden. Just when the winter seems unbearable...spring breaks...and in just a few weeks the most luscious thick growth spills out....and it's just a joy to watch the dramatic changes day by day.

The pergola is partially finished. The swings are hung...and I must admit I have already "wasted" quite a bit of time enjoying the garden while sitting there until I catch myself dozing. Unbelievably relaxing...sigh.

Soon there will be a long bench across the back, a fire pit/coffee table, a candle chandelier and another row of rafters on the top. Byron also plans to put finishing trim along the top and bottom of the columns. A few bird houses and solar lighting should make up the details.

I recently planted quite a few varieties of peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant. You can see the lettuce seeding in the foreground and the beets. We are enjoying the yummiest sweetest beets.
In the back you can see the new trellises Byron made for the muscadine and the blackberries. Soon there will be a nice thick screen of them.

The garden plan includes nice views from every angle. To the left of the potager there is a quarter of an acre that has been planted with bald cypress, river birch, pears, camellias, spirea, mulberry, oaks, and bamboo. There are three mature pecan trees already there. The goal is to create a beautiful shady garden that is allowed to "grow up" with natives. A clearing will be cut every couple of months or so. Paths will be cut more often. There will be plenty of sitting areas to enjoy the wildlife and shade.

This is the view immediately to the left after stepping off of the front porch. I'm still removing some plants that died during the freeze.

Big juicy mulberries!

The chickens are quite miserable after the deluge we had last night. I'll have to get them some fresh hay. The fairy roses are covering the coop and are beginning to bloom. Soon it will be a cloud of pink.

Promising signs..... The giant bird of paradise that I thought had completely died has shown signs of growth from one of its smaller sprouts....

and to the thrill of my soul, my oldham giant bamboo is showing signs of life....Yeahhh!!!

But be careful where you step or drive.....
...the little snakes are out sunning themselves, and seem barely able to move when you approach them....

...I think this one I saw on the road (yes, and stopped to take a pic) is a blue swamp runner...

...These guys aren't poisonous, but the large cotton mouth I saw...shudder.....