OK, I couldn't resist including a beach shot from Oahu. The azure blue water is mesmerising.

Who'd of thunk you can plant a pineapple in a wine barrel? How cute is this little guy?

Here is a completely different variety of pineapple. I was drawn to the bright colors.

Here is one variety of pineapple from the Dole Plantation in Oahu, Hawaii. It looks like the variety we have in stores in CA.

There are many types of Lavender plants. Some are more fragrant than others. I LOVE every single one of the types. Some are used for cooking and making floral scented items such a soaps and perfumes. Others hold up really well as dried flowers for arrangements. All lavender scents tend to calm people. When lavender harvests take place even the bees are calm and won't sting from what I am told. I still get a bit unnerved around bees regardless.

Watsonia corms are really hard to come by. They are my absolute favorite an old-fashioned flower that grow upright and similarly to gladiolus, although they are not invasive like glad's are. Thanks to my dear friend Leona for sharing these when she divided her sets many years ago. I think of her often and definitely think of her when these beauties are in bloom. Leona taught me so much about gardening way back when I had her darling daughters in my second grade classroom. Kendall is in her mid twenties now and her younger sister just graduated college. Where does the time go?

Here is a look at our new fence in the background. Our little cherub sculpture is a favorite of mine. I love everything about him. Note our two tiered rock wall is nearly unseen now that the plants have grown in over the past 10 years since we relandscaped this yard. Moss rock walls enchance a garden with the wonderful and often overlooked element of texture.

Nothing brings more relaxation to a garden than a nice water feature. Sound is important. All water features have their own sound. Be sure that before you buy one, that you are able to hear it. Ours sounds like a brook or small stream. Some may sound like a tinkle, which we prefer to stay clear of, ha!