Mooresville, Alabama

Yesterday, I got out and away for the first time in a long, long, long time. My road trip bestest buddy Carroll, she of Eagle and White Pelican fame, called to invite me for lunch. We agreed to meet in the middle as The Hubs is now capable of spending some time by himself. He was probably as grateful for the break as I was! The Middle is Mooresville, Alabama, where they have a delightful cafe called Limestone Bay Trading Company.


The day was sunny and Just Right temperature-wise. Warm, but low humidity and low 80's. Perfect for gad-abouting and meeting a good friend. You've read my former posts about Mooresville and know how I love the place. I was looking forward to seeing it all duded up for Autumn, but apparently we were too early for autumnal decorations. But then again, the place is picture postcard worthy without decorations, and we were there to eat and gab anyway.


The pink muhley grasses were gorgeous! Mine have never, ever bloomed so I think a windy lakeside environment is not their favorite place to grow. Here, though, coupled with yellow lantana, merlot coleus and a sage (I think it was a sage) they basically steal the show.

Limestone Bay Trading Company's front porch.
Tall, aluminum containers held zebra grasses.
I loved this!

Cool-o, neat-o birding decorations dangled in the breeze, welcoming us.

An outdoor party area was surrounded by a forest green picket fence adorned with all manner of cuteness.

Separating the outdoor area from a party area was a tall rustic wooden fence fitted with pretty stained glass windows, topped with wisteria.

Garden-y decorations were everywhere.

After our yummy lunch - we both opted for the salad trio - we strolled one of the nearby streets. We were careful to stroll no faster than 15mph and knew a permit wasn't required for our purposes.



The original blacksmith barn, which is nestled in behind the original stagecoach stopover building. We imagined a saloon was involved as well in some capacity. Beer and bread.

Rustic ladder hanging on the side of the blacksmith barn.

That's the original stagecoach house on the left. A bus of senior citizens from Georgia was visiting on this day - you can see some of them walking way up ahead. It was the perfect outing with a delightful friend on a glorious day. I am beginning to feel more like myself again.

Virginia Sweetspires

Virginia Sweetspire
"Henry's Garnet"

One of my favorite native plants is called Virginia Sweetspire. The variety I planted is called "Henry's Garnet," named for the rich garnet red stems that can stop traffic during the winter. Leaves of this variety turn a deep rich velvety merlot color in the fall, wearing well the diamonds of frost.

Virginia Sweetspire naturalizes through root-suckering process, which can become a nuisance if planted in the wrong spot. Full sun keeps them more compact with the promise of scads of spring blooms. Springtime leaves are bright, chartreuse green that mellows and remains a light green throughout the summertime. Tassels of white flowers attract butterflies and bees, while the arching branches dance in the winds.

A Question mark butterfly dines
on Virginia Sweetspire in the spring

Virginia Sweetspires are perfect native plants for naturalized gardens and especially grand for erosion control. Drought doesn't bother them. I miss my Virginia Sweetspires and vow to plant some here this autumn so that I can bring some LIFE into this yard. Without flowers ones yard is simply lifeless. Birds, butterflies and bees just don't bother visiting. That will change.

Enjoy my autumnal and springtime Virginia Sweetspire pics!

Scenic Sunday

This week's Scenic Sunday - Sunrise over Wheeler Lake in luscious North Alabama.

Scenic Sunday

Bald Eagle watching in Waterloo, Alabama. We saw only one eagle, but fell in love with the multicolored hues of clay topped with bright green mosses. Gray roots dangle like Rastafarian's hair. My favorite shot of the day.

Butterflies and Bees

Hackberry emperors are everywhere. They flitter through the air, dangle from leaves, stick to the side of the house and decorate my patio. One hitched a ride in my hair. This lovely guy was cold yesterday morning early, spreading his wings to catch some rays. Because he was cold he was mine to photograph.

His eyeball watched me carefully. What was this strange creature with a long, black cylinder sticking out of its face? The Canon with its macro and I crept closer, kneeling on the patio. His tongue must have needed warming, too.

He didn't budge, didn't blink, didn't move his antennae. Only his eyes traveled, mimicking my moves.

So how close can I get?


This close. My, what pretty eyes you have!

Later I head to the mailbox to see what's there and here's this lovely copper winged bumbler hanging on. Yes...this is our mailbox post and I offer no apologies. Normal people would have sanded and painted it but I'm partial to the lichens and mosses and its textured appearance. It reminds me of the forest and my lake so it remains despite the neighbor's imagined turned-up noses. Doesn't the bee look nice there? He was immortalized from all directions and never budged. Later, I went back to check on him and he was all warmed up and buzzing elsewhere.

Nature offers spirituality up in so many forms, so may ways. We have but to open our hearts and minds. Have a lovely Sunday.