Flowers, Flowers, Flowers

Summer is going to end soon in Arizona and that means MONSOON SEASON! We've already had one major storm and a few smaller ones. The mountains have turned green and the flowers have started to bloom. In our backyard, we have a sage bush, which happens to flower this time of year and gives off a wonderful smell. Also, our Mexican Birds of Paradise have come back and are radiant in all their red and gold glory.

As well, the prickly pear cacti that line Paseo de los Altos, our street, have formed fruit. It is essentially what used to be the base for the flowers that grew there this past spring. Over time, they grow purple and drop off, feeding the animals as well as providing us with fresh prickly pear cactus jelly (though we have not tried to make any yet).

Bloomin' Arizona

Even more things have started blooming since I last posted. Another cactus has gone wild with yellow flowers that have red lining inside while our oleander has bloomed. The flowers look like mini white hibiscus. Our rose bushes have also bloomed too, which is exciting for me personally. Roses are one of my favorites.

Although I don't have a picture of it, we have a hummingbird nesting on top of our hanging outdoor lights. Dad is going to take the bulbs out so when we turn on the lights, she doesn't get electrocuted. Its quite cute really. I can't wait to show Aunt Susie when she comes out to stay with me next weekend! So exciting!

New Beginnings

Many new things have appeared in our yard, and not just in the trees or on the ground. In out front planter, we found a surprising little treat from a local quail: 12 quail eggs. Mum is going to try to plant new flowers around them. I remember the baby quails from last year before very cute. They look like little fuzz balls following the rest of the group.

We also have flowers blooming all over the place. Our cacti in the front yard are starting to bloom, their flowers a bright pink. As well, our orange tree has bloomed, which Mum and I absolutely love. In the early morning, the smell is overpowering and you can't help but stop to sniff the air. The bougainvillea at the front of the house are starting to climb up the trellis that we have and a bunch of other plants are sporting flowers.

The weather has been spectacular this week. Seventies and eighties in the early afternoon, dropping to the forties at night. Every day is sunny with almost no clouds in the sky. We've been enjoying it almost as much as the new episodes of American Idol, Project Runway, and Shear Genius.