Today’s tour takes us around a little and also to a nursery. I took the liberty of ordering off the menu from Roosevelt’s in Port Aransas. They have a wine and food pairing. Pay no attention to the price. I got this.
For dessert, we have a deep dish Hot Dutch apple pie with home churned vanilla ice cream.
Our entertainment today is Bon Jovi
Time to get on the bus and let’s get going.
The first stop ismy backyard to take a look at the first crossvine blooms.
Now on to see the beginning of the California Poppies. Three so far.
A close-up of the California poppy
Now to a nursery where we are sure to see some blooms. First a nice porch planter.
Various baskets of blooms against the backdrop of a palm showing the results of the freeze.
More hanging baskets.
Some New Guinea impatins hanging baskets
A giant hanging basket filled with yellow and pink begonias, golden creeping jenny, and ivy.
A hanging basket with fern, pink pokadot, and yellow begonias
A hanger with pink impatins, and purple dragon.
Lovely nasturtiums
Geraniums
Red begonias with a little creeping jenny
Terrific porch planter.
We are now in the greenbelt checking on the bluebonnets. Here’s a close up of a few.
They are not out in force yet. Hard to see the few scattered about a meadow. We’ll have to come back when there are more.
That is the tour today so have some more food and listen to the music. I hopeyou all have a great Ā week.
Fiction Favorites 
Lots of lovely flowers that it is too early for us to plant out in the garden yet. Daffodils, wallflowers and primulas in my garden now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds lovely, Janet. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely images of Spring. In our area, someone must have planted daffodils beside the road, because they are in their glory for all to see. Thank you, John. š»š¼š·
LikeLiked by 1 person
Daffodils are the best for winter sore eyes. Thaks, Gwen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the hanging baskets! It’s always such fun to go to the home center and pick out just the right one to grace our entry way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are gigantic too. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
š
LikeLike
It’s so wonderful to see these signs of spring. I’ve seen a few bluebonnets and some wild clover. I think everything is slower to bloom this year, but at least one of my azaleas is making a comeback.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good news on the azalea, Joan. I agree, things do seem slower.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those hanging baskets are fantastic! It’s sad to see the palm. We’ve got freezing temperatures in the forecast for later this week. I hope the flowers and trees that have bloomed don’t suffer the same fate. Thanks for the beautiful tour, John. I got my second jab yesterday and I’m feeling great! š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you , JIll. Two more weeks and you’ll be as protected as possible right now. I think your flowers will be okay since the temps don’t last too long. Have a great week. š
LikeLike
Great, John. Of course it is hard to move after all that good food – talk about fine dining!!
I was a bit perturbed by the nursery. You guys went through a snow storm and yet you have all these blooms. My still says – “Not yet in season.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a very interesting nursery too, GP. It is a pop-up and only open on the weekends and only until May 1. The layout you see is in a parking lot of an office building. All the fencing is temporary.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is odd. Do you know who owns it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, but here is the web site https://plasticpinkflamingos.com/collections/flash-garden
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, John!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Spring definitely has sprung. The palm certainly is artistic – but I assume is a goner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It might come back but hard to tell. It definitely needs to be cut back. Thanks, Frank.
LikeLike
Wow, all that food for only $78…the wine must be a great vintage. Enjoyed seeing the floral displays. Our daffodils have just started appearing and should be flowering this week, maybe. The word āsnow showersā was mentioned in the forecast. Thanks for the tour and Have a great day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Uh-oh. I remember snow showers when I lived in the Midwest. Ysyally meant two to three inches of new snow. Have a great one too. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Flowers always brighten the view, don’t they? I love that terrific porch planter – so colorful!
LikeLike
Great pictures, John. I’l have the halibut with the chili pepper threads, please š
LikeLike
Colorful collection there. Still waiting for the weather to allow flowers to live for longer than a few days here. It’s still ping ponging between warm and cold.
LikeLike
Every year about this time I go through the same internal dialogue: “Those hanging baskets are so pretty!” “Yeh, but hurricane season’s only a few weeks away.” Practicality vs color-hunger: what a battle!
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is only one way (not) to observe poppies on the rocks. Though it is a subtle and well intended clue.
LikeLike
Very pretty
LikeLike
That menu is divine! I love that Bon Jovi video!
As for the tour… absolutely lovely flowers. Is it wrong that I love the pretty blooms in front of the damaged palm?
LikeLike
Great to see some spring blossom action, John! And I ALWAYS enjoy Bon Jovi:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too, Becky. Thanks for going along.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always enjoy it, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those hanging baskets are inspiring! And it was good to see your vine blooming. Love the California Poppies. Roosevelt’s is a special place – thanks for making reservations for us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, Jo. Thanks for coming along.
LikeLike
My green thumb is twitching after seeing all these pretty plants, John, lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mine too, Jacquie. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for brightening up my chilly Autumn morning here in Oz, John! Our winter is approaching and these lovely spring images will serve as a happy reminder that spring will follow. I love the menu selection … although my diabetes went into hypo mode just looking at it. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always happy to bring a little spring into your heart. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
So much beauty here today, John — thank you! It’s like a breath of Spring seeing all these gorgeous flowers. Of course, it’s far too early to plant anything here yet, but I’m glad I get to enjoy yours vicariously (without having to weed and water, ha!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Debbie. Yes, you have to wait a little while. Virtual plant growing is a good thing for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think we are that far yet, But I need to take a look some time soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good idea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So very pretty, John.
Those bacon wrapped shrimp and scallions hit the spot.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you liked them. Thaks, Dan
LikeLiked by 1 person
All beautiful flowers … I want that hanging basket with the ferns! Actually, I want them all … other than my crocuses and Maha’s daffodils, we have nothing blooming yet, not even a dandelion. California poppies in Texas … who knew? The bacon-wrapped shrimp was wonderful, and the wine helped me tolerate the Bon Jovi! Great tour … now I need a nap!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jill. Yeah the baskets are spectacular. Not going to ask about Bon Jovi.
LikeLiked by 1 person
š¤£
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that’s Twiggy’s paradise, dear John! What a joy to see poppies so early! š And a grey palm-tree doesn’t seem old at all. Thank you for this romantic stroll in blossom! ššššøšŗš·
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for going along on the romantic stroll, Maria.š·
LikeLiked by 1 person
šš
LikeLike
š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely flowers. We’re catching up. Bought some more flowers to plant in our front yard to give the neighborhood a little color other than mud brown.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mud brown gets old for sure. Thanks, Noelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, it’s so nice to see the gorgeous blooms, John, and you had me at “I got this!” š
The food was delicious and loved the video, too! Thank you for a fine time! š·
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lauren
LikeLiked by 1 person
Spring flowers alway feel hopeful. We got the first blush of forsythia around here. Winter will still peek in from time to time, but it feels like a change.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Won’t be long. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, lovely!! We’re in the autumn colour splash here. I find it to be very bittersweet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, It has to be bittersweet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous flowers, John! I’m glad to see the bluebonnets poking through. A few more weeks and they’ll be solid fields. Great menu. Glad you picked up the check. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jan. š
LikeLike
I did a bit of yard work today. Cannot wait for my blooms. Thank you for sharing the pretty today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, Audrey.
LikeLike
All good stuff, John. After listening to the Bon Jovi tune, I’m breaking out an old CD. Jon Bon Jovi is one of the few rockers who are still on wife #1. Besides his music, I like that fact about him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a rough business and to keep a relationship alive takes a lot of work. Thanks, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish I had saved room for desert! Delicious:) Great song to pair with spring first blooms. Pretty red poppies:) Another fantastic tour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Denise. š
LikeLike
The hanging baskets are so ovely. This post makes me think about how much my mom loved flowers. WE are lucky to have flowers blooming all year round here in Spain. You have a knack of picking my favourite musicians and this Bon Jovi song is the tops!! Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Darlene. I’m glad you liked Bon Jovi and I hope the memory of your mom helps. š¤
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does, thanks. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
š¤
LikeLike
back in garden again, or soon š¤ :)) I also made some tours to the local boutiques šand despite of the weather (still cold š±) – planning my plants for April-may :))
the menu is ššš
LikeLiked by 1 person
Planning is important. We are still hunting for the perfect plants for our area. Our baskets have to take strong afternoon sun. Best wishes on your garden. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, similar hunting here š only for a shade & cold š„¶š š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah yes. I can imagine that. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
This really makes me want to plant flowers, but it’s still a little too early here. I usually get mine out around the last couple weeks in April.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I can imagine. When I lived in the Midwest we had to wait until after memorial Day to be sure of no frost. š
LikeLike
Ohh…bacon wrapped shrimp, pleeaaasse! Nothing like some Bon Jovi, while checking out the poppies. Great road trip, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Mark. I’m glad you liked it.
LikeLike
HAPPY SPRING!!!
BTW… did you ever get the email I sent you with a short story? It was a challenge thing with a tree with a strange nest.
Love the song!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just did a search in all mailboxes and did not find an email with the story. Could you resend to johnhowell(dot)wave(at)gmail(dot)com. Excuse the way I wrote this out but don’t need a bunch of bot e-mails.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll just put it here.
You can erase the email address… lol
xxxxxxxx
What theā¦? Who the hell did your hair?
Oh, a friend of mine who moved here from Australia. Heās studying hair styling at āShafts Modaā. He wants to be the next Vidal Sassoon.
Pffft, whatever! You know, I doubt you’ll get any robins nesting in your hair this year?
True, but Joyce Kilmer made a reservation!
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
I checked my sent email.
Somehow it went to a Keith Channing?
WTF?
Pardon if I have been a bit clumsy with all this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keith Channing is the guy who runs the prompt. I think this is terrific. I loved the idea of a hair school being named with reference to a boot. No wonder the style is a bit over the top. Enjoyed the Joyce Kilmer reference in that these had to be trees talking. (I think) Well done, Risa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Finger slipped Resa. Sorry for the i and e exchange.Left and right brain got confused.
LikeLike
YAY!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very pretty. Season of flowers and colour all over the Northern hemisphere. We have a short spring before it turns to a furnace, but it is enough for a splash of colour, even unusual ones like purple apart from the more common reds and yellows and their many shades.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always a trat to behold. Thanks, Ankur.
LikeLike
Good to know spring is more than a rumor.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes we are marching toward Hell’s porch (summer)
LikeLiked by 1 person
It goes right there, doesn’t it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup
LikeLiked by 1 person
Spring gets BBQ’d, again
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love spring, John. These picture are lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Robbie. I love spring too. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
They’re so cheerful! I love the hanging baskets with mixed flowers and vines. I wish I had success with them myself, alas I have not. I’ll just admire your images. šš¼
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are hoping to get a couple but they have to be able to stand hot sun in the afternoon. If we get them then I will produce a few photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wish you much success!! I am looking at faux trees for two pots in my backyard. I have no confidence in keeping anything alive in pots on my patio here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well faux trees might do it. š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Flowers, food, and wine…thank you, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you liked, Jennie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
š
LikeLiked by 1 person
š
LikeLiked by 1 person