Wordless Wednesday

The Maple Hill Hop 136

Welcome to 

The Maple Hill Hop.

This is a hop for folks who love the outdoors.

Feel free to post about anything that's going on

OUTSIDE

in your neck of the woods,
no matter the season.

(Please share only outdoor posts.)

*Grab the button above to link back to Maple Hill 101.*

This weekend at Farm School,
Lynn had a specific task in mind.
He decided that he needed a few more of these,
so we set about the business of making more plants.

This gorgeous specimen is the frangipani.
Also known as plumeria,
this tropical beauty can also be grown indoors
in areas that have harsher winter weather.
 

The flowers are best known for making 
the lei necklaces with which Hawaiian people 
greet their visitors.
The frangipani thrives in well-drained soil
and appreciates at least six hours of sun,
but will tolerate some shade.
If stored indoors over winter,
it is recommended to defoliate the plant first.
When bringing it back outdoors after colder weather,
wait until temps reach upwards of 65 degrees.

The yellow variety is the most fragrant
and will fill your senses with the most intoxicating aroma.
(The pink and red varieties do not have as strong a scent.)
If you close your eyes, you'll think you've landed on a tropical island.
They're not too tough to look at either!

 A multitude of blooms burst out of branches,
especially eager in late spring to strut their stuff.

On Sunday, our goal was to take cuttings and give them new homes.
Lynn used his trusty loppers to prune branches off the main plants.

You're basically left with sticks in pots,
reminiscent of a Dr. Seuss book. 
No worries, they will regrow.

The cuttings are simply placed in well-draining soil,
watered in well and left to their own devices.
It's really that easy!

We managed to get about 40 new plants
from the cuttings.

Just that much more beauty in the world.
I'm so grateful to be a part 
of something so wonderful.

That's what's going on where we are.
We hope you'll share your outdoor post(s) with us today.
HOP on!


 

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

The Maple Hill Hop 135

Welcome to 

The Maple Hill Hop.

This is a hop for folks who love the outdoors.

Feel free to post about anything that's going on

OUTSIDE

in your neck of the woods,
no matter the season.

(Please share only outdoor posts.)

*Grab the button above to link back to Maple Hill 101.*

This is a bit of a random post, be forewarned.

Without much going on in our garden at the moment,

and no field trips as of late,

today we're sharing a bit of this and that.  

  

Last week, Sister visited for a few days.

We went to see Faye & Lynn while she was in town.

Here, Lynn is explaining to her how this tree was felled by Hurricane Charley,

but stubbornly refused to die.

He made the decision to leave it alone

and it is still growing,

 albeit a little on the unconventional side.

Who doesn't love a tree fort?

This platform was spotted on a yard sale run

and it made me think of the fort my brother and his friends made

when we were young.

Of course, no girls were allowed.

Looks like the perfect spot to take a gander

at the action in the neighborhood.

Or maybe just a place to convene with the birds.

Maybe some day I'll have one of my very own.

 This little guy greeted us on the patio one fine morning.

It must have squeezed into one of the holes in the screen.

Needless to say, he was promptly ushered out.

 Our constant visitors and morning risers

(who needs an alarm clock?),

these frogs nestle inside the frames on our solar screens.

We welcome them, as they devour many undesirable bugs,

including mosquitoes.

This porterweed, given to us as a seedling by friends in the neighborhood,

 is blooming nonstop. 

It attracts a ton of pollinators and we love the pop of color right outside our front window.

Look for our June series on natives in the Florida garden, 

starting this Friday.

There is no shortage of wonder on our homestead.  
Although we currently live in suburbia, 
we are surrounded by amazing creatures,
beautiful blossoms, and plenty of lessons to learn.

What's happening where you are?
HOP on!

  

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

The Maple Hill Hop 134

Welcome to 

The Maple Hill Hop.

This is a hop for folks who love the outdoors.

Feel free to post about anything that's going on

OUTSIDE

in your neck of the woods,
no matter the season.

(Please share only outdoor posts.)

*Grab the button above to link back to Maple Hill 101.*

I had asked Faye & Lynn if we could have the nest 

that had recently been vacated by their pair of visiting Carolina Wrens 

so that C and I could study them.

He's really taken to bird watching this year.

On Sunday, awaiting me at Farm School,

was this collection of fantastic birds' nests.

It felt like my birthday and Christmas all rolled into one!

top

Each creation was a masterpiece!

bottom

We plan to dissect them to find out what materials were used

and research which breed of birds may have been the owners.

top

bottom

Some of the components were obvious,

like this Spanish Moss, which can be found abundantly here in Central Florida.

We look forward to learning more

about these amazing creatures.

We plan to use this website and others in our studies.

This type of learning is truly what unschooling is all about.

Natural learning at its best.

This pie-wedge shaped nest,

constructed by a male Carolina Wren,

was the catalyst for our studies.

It is like a delicate souffle,

with layers of dried leaves, paper and assorted found treasures.

Here's where the family called home.

These birds return every spring to this spot
on the inside of their garage door,

to raise their young and keep Faye & Lynn company.

What a marvel!

That's what's going on around here.
What's happening outside where you are?
HOP to it!   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

Wordless Wednesday