"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands........" 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Mud Puddles

Mud Puddles.....not much to shout about .....unless you live in my area, and this is the prettiest and most welcome sight ever! Yes, we were blessed with rain this weekend. Good, solid rain, that leaves big mud puddles everywhere because the ground is soaked and can't absorb it all. And because mud puddles excite me so much!!!........click here http://countrykitchenkat.blogspot.com/ to go to my cooking blog, and get a great recipe for Mississippi Mud Pie!!
Last week, everything was hanging and limp from the exhausting heat and harsh wind. When we get a good rain, it's like a vitamin B shot for everything that holds a cell of life. Everything instantly perks up.

I just love the Yupon Holly bush by our front porch. When it starts budding, it looks like it is wearing clusters of pearls.


The bird of paradise tree is in full bloom and drawing hummingbirds close to
the house.


Out in the garden, the grape vines are putting on grapes,




the onions are getting taller and thicker,





the peppers are getting larger,








and the squash and pumpkins are in bloom.





Even the animals come out after a rain. This little rabbit decided to take advantage of the feed in the bird feeder as well.








What captured my heart the most, was this large bug. It was still heavily misting rain as I watched it cross the patio and stop where an indention in the patio held an amount of water. It leaned down and started enjoying a welcoming drink. It did not mind that I was down beside it, getting just as wet to take it's picture. If you look closely, you can see the spots of water on it's back.(Click on the picture for a better look.) {: It drank for a long time and then went it's way to where ever these kinds of bugs go. Now my question to you.......what kind of creatures have you noticed coming out after a rain......... some kind of animal......a rain frog..........snails perhaps?? I would love to hear.










20 comments:

Dirt Princess said...

Thank goodness for the rain! It has rain here everyday this week....but somehow managed to miss my yard everytime!!! But today...as we speak it is raining!!Whoo hoo!!!!!!! My flowers desperatley needed it! I see lots of butterflies and dragonflies drinking after the rain. I will try to run out there if it stops and gets somep pics

Lisa @ Life with 4! said...

Your excitement over the rain made me giggle a bit, Kathleen. I think living here in Oregon makes us Oregonians forget what a God-given blessing rain really is! Rain is what makes Oregon, Oregon. We have green lush land year round.
I can see why you get so excited about the rain!

Gingerbreadshouse7 said...

Kathleen, we got welcomed rain too! what a blessing it is...that's the best B. present..everything I planted is greateful... I love all your flowers especially the Bird of Paradise! I've never seen one before...and the peppers Yum! I'm going to freeze as many as I can get...they are so expensive in the store...Ginny

Jen's Farmily said...

Well, I don't think my last comment went through. Bugger.

I agree, I love how the rain perks the plants up. I DON'T like how it perks up the weeds too! :)

That bug shot is awesome! You must have a great camera, or maybe just a great eye! :)

TxFarmhouse said...

I love the pictures on your blog and the bird of paradise is such an interesting plant. I'll bet you hear lots of bugs and birds talking after the rain.

Anonymous said...

What beautiful pictures and welcome rainfall. That bunny and the bug are so cute. The most unique animal I saw after a heavy rain a few years ago was a fox. She looked like maybe her home got flooded - she was having a very bad hair day!!!!!!!

Nancy M. said...

You really like bugs, don't you! I guess I am too squeamish. It's rained here all weekend. The only things I have seen out are birds.

Debbie said...

When I was growing up in Midland in the late 50's I used to find those beatles and put them in a box. My dad would come home in the evening and release them. I haven't seen one of those in fifty years. Thanks. Still got any horned toads around there? Those were a favorite of mine also:)

KathyB. said...

Yes, the picture of the bug drinking was touching, and I could not help picture you down at bug's eye level photographing this wondrous sight!

I am so glad you were blessed with rain!Rain perks me up too.

Tipper said...

Yay for your rain! Amazing how it greens everything up. Loved the big bug-too cute.

Your embroidery in the previous post is so pretty. You are very talented!

peggy said...

Your plants are really interesting and the ones we have in common are so far ahead of here in Michigan (where we have lots of rain). I was so excited to go to your cooking blog, I love it too.

Debbie said...

Kathleen, Bless your heart; thanks for leaving your answer. After leaving Midland we lived in San Antonio, Olney (near Wichita Falls)and finally Dallas. I never saw another horned toad. They'd never make it in the hard winters here. Yes, they were especially cute when they were tiny! Thanks so much for allowing me to walk down memory lane.

Conni said...

Another great post, Kathleen! And I love your photo of the bug!

Linda said...

Wonderful pictures and thank goodness for the rain, it was a welcome drink for your wonderful garden. I love the bunny in the feeder and the little bug was getting his fill too.
When I was little I loved to make mud pies, set them on the fence to dry and then have a tea party..sweet memories...I'm off to see your yummy pie right now...hugs, Linda

Pam said...

We have had rain, rain, and still more rain here in Tennessee! But today, the sun is shining bright and beautiful.
One evening last week, after another day of rain, I found a small tree frog peeking into my kitchen window!
Have a great week-
Pam

papel1 said...

I can think of animals that come out before the rain so we know its on the way. The birds seem to go crazy and the tarantulas start crossing the highway. My garden herb plants have never looked so good after the last rain, but the tall grass weeds keep coming back and out comes the weedeater and mower. Over an acre to do. But the trees love the rain too. Oh yes ANTS come out when it rains UG.
Judy

DayPhoto said...

You took some amazing photos! Thanks for showing us, even the bugs in life.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/

Anonymous said...

wow...your garden is really coming along!

Connie said...

I'm so glad to hear you got some much needed rain. It truly is a blessing and relief when it comes after all the heat and dry weather you have had. That little bug seemed quite grateful to have the rain too. Great photos, Kathleen. Thank you. :)

Princess S said...

I have seen lots of snails and ANTS!!!!