GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE!

Wow, my early Saturday morning stroll through my garden was really awesome today!  Even though the temperature combined with the humidity is sweltering, even at 7:30 a.m., I will really enjoyed the stroll!  I would like to share some pictures with you:

HIBISCUS 'PLUM CRAZY'

This is the Hibicus that my girls got me for Mother's Day last year (2010)!  Can't wait to save some seeds this fall and try to grow some more of these beauties!


HYDRANGEA



HEN & CHICKS

This is a planter that my mom gave me, I love it!!



I was able to sneak up on this fellow sitting by my pond!



Ol' One Ear caught red handed chewing on some Hosta leaves!



GARDENING BUDDIES



I wanted to share a picture of one of my gardening buddies.  This is my 4-year-old miniature dachshund, Jake.  He mainly likes to go outside in the garden and watch the little bunnies run around.  He also likes to go to the pond and watch the frogs jump in!

This year we have had a lot of rabbits being born on our property.  The adults are having their babies close to our house (my gardening areas).  I guess they feel it is safer than getting further into the woods.  This particular bunny has been in my gardens since he was a tiny baby.  We call him Ol' One Ear.  He has gotten so used to me being out there with him that he isn't even afraid of me.  He was actually born with only one ear! 

Here are some four-o'clocks I bought from one of my neices fundraiser sales for her school.  They are beautiful come about 5:00 in the afternoon and the smell is awesome too!

HAPPY GARDENING TO ALL THIS WEEKEND!!!!



HIBISCUS BLOOM

Just wanted to share this beautiful bloom with everyone!  What a surprise to walk through my garden on a leisurely stroll, early in the morning, with a nice cup of coffee and find this beautiful bloom!  This particular plant is huge!  I have had it for at least nine years.  A friend I worked with gave me some seeds, which I in turn planted!  I still thank her each year it blooms!  My husband and girls purchased me a different colored Hibiscus plant for Mother's Day last year, and I am awaiting the blooms from that one!  I will share a picture once it blooms!

A beautiful bloom I found this past weekend on a stroll through my garden!

I am looking forward to collecting some seeds this fall from both plants!

 Happy Gardening!  Enjoy!

BASIL PRESERVING

My garden basil plant

My basil plants are producing very well this year.  I decided it was time to do some preserving.  Generally speaking you can get at least four major harvests of basil leaves during the growing season from one plant.  When I see flower buds forming, I go into harvest mode.  This encourages new growth and more harvests for the future!  I also have a basil plant in a pot on my back deck, I use this for cooking, as it is just outside the back door near my kitchen.  Great for quick access!

Chopping the leaves and placing them in ice cube trays.



I wash the basil leaves, chop them, and place them into ice cube trays.  The trays are then placed in the freezer until the cubes are frozen.  I then pop out the cubes and place them in a freezer bag.  I add the cubes, as needed, to sauces, soups, and other culinary creations!

I have also made a lot of pesto as well!  I keep some in the refrigerator to use and then I freeze the extra!  It is very nice to have some "fresh" pesto in the dead of winter! 



In the trays, water added, and ready for the freezer!



 BON APPETIT!



THE BEGINNING

Hi and Happy Fourth of July!  This is the beginning of my gardening blog, a way for me to share my gardening passion with others in the world.  When searching for the name of my blog, I found the perfect word to describe my passion for gardening - EBULLIENT - Meaning lively and enthusiastic, full of cheerful excitement or enthusiasm.  Well, that definitely describes me when I get into my gardening world!  There could be no better time to start my blog, but when the gardens are in full bloom and everything is looking its best! 

My name is Mindy.  My husband, two daughters, and I live on our "Little Piece of Heaven on Earth" which is 8 1/2 acres located near the Ohio River in Southern Indiana.  We have been lived here for 18 years.  What a beautiful place it is!!!

Pine Tree Daylily Bed

"Heaven is under our feet, as well as over our heads." 
Henry David Thoreau

I love Daylilies!