Monday, June 24, 2013

Front Porch View, Florida Style

click on photo to enlarge

Sunday AM I saw a glorious view when I glanced out the living room window, the sun was shining on the yellow flower ground cover, I grabbed the camera just in time to get Bob through the window as he  backed out.

I stepped out on the front porch and this is what greeted me.





bob planted this grapefruit tree from a seed in 1986 and moved it here in 1989
The tree guy that removed the tree next to this grapefruit tree said it is the biggest one he has ever seen. he was shocked when I told him Bob grew it from a seed. Thousands of Ruby Reds every year.


 All of this beautiful green comes from the 8 inches of rain we have had in two weeks. Our drought of 4 years is no more.

Well, YES! I did Do a Macro...you knew that!
UPDATE
this yellow flower is called Beach Sunflower and is a ground cover that we plant 10 small plants and in a years time the front yard was covered completely. it took bob days to get it to a border only



40 comments:

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

I know you don't like the bare now, but that tree is beautiful! Love the macro...bright sunny color!

RoeH said...

So beautiful!

Anonymous said...

That tree is amazing. Love your yard and that macro. Hope you have a good day.

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

something good did come from that tree falling, you have a beautiful view. How awesome to be able to go pick your fruit right from your own yard. LOVE that yellow flower~!

Deb said...

Bob is amazing with seeds...love your new header

GOOSE said...

MOM loves Ruby reds. How cool you can just walk out in your PJ's to get breakfast.
Blessings,
Goose

Linda P said...

Bob, like my hubby, has green fingers! I saw a picture in the local paper of a lady who had grown a pineapple plant which now has a 'baby pineapple' as big as a small melon which is most unusual in the north of England! Love your new header and macro shot of the yellow daisy. Hope you like my new rose on my post today, Sandra. I thought of you as I know you like yellow flowers.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Beautiful sun-lit greens and yellows!!! Love early and late day sun!!!

Gorgeous Header!!!!!! Wow!!!!

Have another pic of "BK" for you, today. :-) She poses for you now!!! -grin-

Chatty Crone said...

I have to agree - it is a beautiful look out your front door now - I think things will be good. So do you like grapefruit? That is a huge tree! Sandie

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Isn't that the cutest little red grill? (In my post today...) Really tiny. Fits a couple of hamburgers.

You COULD have your own Fire Pit!!!

Safely toooooo!!!

Oh Oh, Bob will be after me. -gigggles-

Husband probably got it at Lowe's or Sears or such. I'm sure you can find one. :-)))))))))))

TexWisGirl said...

hallelujah on the end of the drought for you! and i'm so jealous on the grapefruit tree. i'd love to try a lemon tree (or orchard) but i believe the watering bill would skyrocket...

Anonymous said...

oh beautiful ! beautiful!

Excellent Bob!

Aye wonders right from a seed.

Ann said...

what a lovely view from your front porch. Hooray for rain that gives lush green views :)

EG CameraGirl said...

Well, it IS amazing that Bob grew it from seed! The blossoms are very pretty!

DawnTreader said...

So he's Bobby Grapefruit Seed now... Well done indeed.

Angela said...

You better watch out! Us brown thumbers might try to steal your green thumbed Bobby Grapefruit seed to do all of our gardening! lol You sure do have such a variety of fruit trees in your yard there girl! I can't even get my husband to plant a simple ole apple tree! I bought seeds for the garden and they have not been planted! Too busy and too wet. So sad.... We live on a farm! lol We grow weeds in our garden! We need help! lol

Marie said...

What a beautiful view! The yellow flowers are so pretty with the sunshine on them. :)
That grapefruit tree is so big! We hope to have fruit trees in the future. :) Hubby is drying out a peach seed now and his plans are to plant it. :) My uncle in GA has peach and pecan trees...I'm so jealous!

Ginny Hartzler said...

Your yellow flower looks so much like a Coreopsis (DANG, the spell checker wants me to type osteoporosis!) that I looked it up. There are many many different kinds, and many of the yellows, but after looking through them, I think this is what your flower is! Like a little sun puddle. How long do the grapefruits grow, not all year? I now remember you have this tree, and eat the grapefruits, but not for how long! We are strictly forbidden grapefruit because we are on statin drugs for our cholesterol. I LOVE your beautiful header of the Passion Flower, and the way you made it a tail so now it is a Passion Bird!! Awesome Macro!

Ruth Hiebert said...

It is amazing what a little rain can do. The yellow flowers are lovely.

theconstantwalker said...

Fantastic... I hope the plants in my little garden last for as long...

Unknown said...

Beautiful sunshine, it's all so beautiful when the sun is shining upon it. I love the macro shot.
The sun is poking out here this evening, been a dry but cloudy day. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon :)

Susannah said...

Bob is quite the gardener...and you are, too. I know you are his right hand man. Now, what is going to be planted where the trees were?

S. Etole said...

Such sunshiny yellow flowers. And the tree is wonderful.

SquirrelQueen said...

You have a great view from your yard. I would say you have a quiet neighborhood but I'm guessing it's really early.

The yellow flower is gorgeous. You might want to take another look at the article, apparently the photo is wrong. This one looks like creeping oxeye. Still very beautiful however.

Christine said...

What a beautiful view Sandra! Glad the drought is over.

Cranberry Morning said...

I'm still stunned at the thought of having a wonderful, producing grapefruit tree - and having planted it from seed! Amazing!

Kathy said...

I enjoyed seeing pics of your tropical garden. It's good to visit your blog again. Thanks for your sweet comments.

Betty Manousos said...

your front porch view looks heavenly!

love those yellow blooms. i do wish i had a grapefruit tree in my backyard. glad to hear that the drought is over.

Amy Burzese said...

Beautiful, Sandra. And, I love that swoosh in your header. Cool!

diane b said...

It must be good to see some rain again. The flowers certain;y like it. The flower looks like what we call"Singapore Daisy" but it is regarded as a pest because it takes over everything. Love your header.

Declan said...

Wow! Growing your own grapefruit! We have lettuce....hehe! Deccy x

ClickNCamera said...

Oh, man...I'm jealous. Homegrown grapefruit, YUM! (Great macro!)

Willow said...

That beach sunflower is a beauty.

Inger said...

What a gorgeous tree! And everything looks so green and fresh after the rain.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Yay!! to the end of the drought! Great news!

You have a beautiful view! We don't have the climate for it, of course, but I'd love to have an orange tree. Love 'em! So what do you do with all those grapefruit?

Dee said...

I admire Bob's green thumb. :)

Anonymous said...

great yard!

Michaele said...

Thousands of Ruby Reds?! I can't even imagine being able to pick my own grapefruit.

Rose said...

Bob definitely has a green thumb...love the yellow flowers...the beach sunflower.

Catherine said...

That tree is fantastic!
Nature makes the best art doesn't it?
xo Catherine