Hi All! We’re back in civilization, and I’m in the process of organizing our photos. I’ll share a few once I’m done. The lake was beautiful beyond imagination, and the relaxation was a wonderful change. As much as technology is appealing, to be unplugged is a treasure!
For today, I thought of sharing some unusual flowers and bushes from our yard. #1 photo is of our first sunflower bloom, a red sunflower. Have you seen one of these before? #2 is our Abutilon bush with its orange/yellow blossoms, which is dearly loved by hummingbirds. We sit at our table on the patio and listen for their arrival, then watch them joyfully drink. #3 is our Butterfly bush showing off its gorgeous purple flowers, which yes, attracts butterflies. I have yet to catch a hummingbird or butterfly in a photo, though. Hopefully, someday soon. And lastly, here are some quotes from John Muir to take you into the weekend:
“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.”
“In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
“The world’s big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark.”
I hope you’ve all been well. Doing some camping clean-up is on the weekend agenda, along with reading some blogs. 🙂
Happy Friday! ❤🌼🌻
Baydreamer ~ Lauren Scott 
Our yard is looking beautiful and buzzing with all kinds of life!! These are the simple joys in life! Happy Friday hello back to you, Mom xo
It sure is, Steph, and thanks for your help, too! 🙂 Enjoying the beautiful blooms and all the buzzing are truly the simple joys in life. See you soon, and love ya! ❤🌻😊
Happy Friday, Lauren. The photos are beautiful
Thanks, John, for the wishes and the complement! Enjoy your weekend!
🙂
Good to have you back Lauren but glad you got time to enjoy nature and people whilst you were without internet connections. You sound so calm and happy.
I have never seen a Red sunflower, Van Gogh would be confused. 😊 .
No hummingbirds here or bushes to drink from. Now, Butterly bushes I have three and they are now in full bloom and the butterflies are a delight. 💕😊 .
Miriam
Thanks so much, Miriam, and I’ve never seen a red sunflower before either. They’re definitely different, but still beautiful. Though I think you’re right about Van Gogh! 🙂 I’m happy to hear you have Butterfly bushes. Aren’t they wonderful? And who doesn’t love the grace and beauty of butterflies? I hope you’re having a great weekend! ❤🌻🦋
Welcome home, Lauren! So glad you had such a great time. It must’ve been rejuvenating to be out in nature.
Beautiful pictures. I’ve never seen a red sunflower. That’s new to me. It’s gorgeous!
Happy Friday back to you. 😁
Hugs ❤️❤️
Thanks, Betty! It was fun and relaxing, and isn’t that red sunflower unique? I’d never seen one before either. And now I can’t remember if all that we planted were red or a mixture of red and yellow. 😀 We shall soon find out though. Hope you’re doing well, too, and enjoying your weekend! Hugs back! 💕🌻🌼
Hope you’ll post more pictures of them as they all bloom! 🤗❤️💕
I will! 🙂 😍🌻🌻🌻
There’s no place like home, is there? 🙂 Welcome back, Lauren. Thanks for sharing your beautiful photographs. I’ve never seen a red sunflower…it’s beautiful! Happy Friday! It’s been a rough week, so I’m definitely ready for the weekend. ❤
No, there isn’t, Jill. It’s great to get away, but it’s always comforting coming back home. Thanks for the welcoming and glad you liked the photos, too. It sounds like the red sunflower is new to most of us, including myself. 🙂 Sorry to hear your week was rough, but I hope you’re able to decompress and relax now that the weekend has arrived. Take care of you! 💗🌻😊
Being unplugged is certainly a treasure. Nothing like a getaway to get away from the online world and just be and exist in this world 🙂
Lovely set of photos. Never in my life have I seen a red sunflower. The one in your backyard does look very red. Maybe it’s one of a kind or maybe it will change colour over time. The hummingbirds must really like coming over. Not only nice water to drink but probably the plants are very nice and inviting creatures too 🙂 Have a good weekend.
Thanks for your lovely comment, Mabel, and for your visit. I think the red is here to stay – that it won’t change colors. I also thought that I bought the packet with both red and yellow, but we haven’t seen yellow just yet. Maybe I just bought red. I honestly can’t remember. 🙂 Anyway, it’s a rich color and beautiful, for sure. And yes, unplugging is good every once in awhile, too. Thanks again for chiming in and have a good weekend, also! Lauren 🌻🌻🌻
Maybe the yellow sunflowers are a bit shy. Or maybe you will just get all of them red this year round. Happy garderning, Lauren 🙂
I am glad you enjoyed your break Lauren…looking forward to all the pictures and stories. Your backyard is looking cool. 🙂 have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks, Balroop! I promised not to take as many photos, but I failed. 🙂 It’s too much fun, and it’s so convenient to be able to delete what we don’t want. I’m still organizing them and hope to share a few in the near future. Thanks regarding our backyard. I’ve never taken such an interest in gardening until this year, so it’s quite different for me. But I’m enjoying the rewards. Hope you have a wonderful weekend, too! 🌻😍
Welcome back, Lauren! So glad you had a wonderful time! Being unplugged for a change is indeed very nice, isn’t it? The flowers are beautiful and the red sunflower is so special, I’ve never seen one of those before! 😄💕🐝🌻
Thanks, Sarah, and yes, unplugging was so worth it! I’m happy you enjoyed the flowers, and like for most of us, the red sunflower is a new thing. 🙂 Sending love and hugs for a wonderful weekend! ❤🌻🦋🐛🐞
Now I´m kind of hoping for a blue or purple sunflower next time! 😉 Have a beautiful weekend too, Lauren! Much love! xoxo ❤
😂❤️💜💙
Welcome back, Lauren.
Red sunflower – have not seen one before. Unique one that – at least for me.
Cheers!
Eric
That red sunflower is gorgeous! 🌻💙 Never seen one before…
Interesting to see a red sunflower. I wonder if it is natural, or a hybrid?
A good question, and I honestly don’t know. 🙂 We have another one blooming and it’s a little of both!
A wee visit to admire your delightful hello with the beautiful flowers!Happy week ahead,dear Lauren 🙂 xxx
Thanks so much for your wee visit, Doda. You made me smile and I needed one today. 🙂 Happy week for you, too, dear friend! xoxo
🙂 ❤ xxx
Beautiful photos Lauren, welcome back! 🙂
Thanks, Debby! A break is always nice, but it’s good to be back, too. 🙂
🙂
Here we are at another Friday and I am trying to catch up. I’ve never seen a red sunflower – it is gorgeous. The hummers have been active in my garden this summer along with the butterflies. We’ve had some caterpillars, but I’m afraid the birds have gotten them. Your bushes are beautiful! I’ve been trying to find a place for a butterfly bush, but with our limited garden area (I guess that’s the idea of a patio home where everything is downsized), I haven’t found a place for one. I have never heard of an Abutilon bush, perhaps it’s native to California. Its lovely flowers are a stunning contrast to its dark green leaves, Love and hugs, dear Lauren. 💕💕
It’s hard to stay caught up, Michelle, but it’s good to see you. 🙂 That red sunflower has been pretty popular and unique to most. That’s great you’ve had butterflies and hummingbirds, too. Love them both! I’ve really enjoyed gardening and the rewards more this year than any other, so thank you! Happy gardening, my friend, and Happy Friday, too! Hugs! ❤🌻🌼🌷
I hope you had a wonderful time.. Beautiful photos. Love the Dahlias, and loved the Deer Prancing .. Hope you have come back refreshed and full of Joy.
Much Love. Sue ❤
We did, Sue, thanks! And I’m glad you liked the photos, too. I’m more refreshed, but we’re going out again next month so looking forward to that trip also. No luxury this summer, but there’s something special about getting outdoors and living in a campsite for a few days. 🙂 Much love back! 💗💗
Sometimes those are the very best of holidays, Enjoy .. 💗💕💗
A beautiful post to return with Lauren, your Sunflower is exquisite and enchanting in a way, have never seen or heard of one, love the birds nest backdrop. A pleasure to have you back.
Thanks so much, Ian, for your wonderful and warm words. I’m glad you liked this unique, yet beautiful sunflower. All of them have bits of red and yellow in them. Thanks again, and hope you’re doing well!
A beautiful post.
Thanks, Nico! I’m glad you enjoyed, and I appreciate your visits, too!
Peace