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Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Au Natural

What's It Wednesday #65

Since Spring is fast approaching, I figure it's time we go "Au Natural". Relax, not an inch of clothing has been removed for this post. It's time to be in awe of nature.

My mother and I have a wonderful friend who has the privilege and honor to reside in a nature preserve. This is the time of year that I love to pay her a visit. It's not to cold and it's not to hot. The weather is just right. 

Butterflies aren't the only creatures attracted to this Powder Puff Plant. I love the variety of colors they come in. 

This majestic Bailey Palm is one of my absolute favorite species of palm. 



Baker's racks in the garden add a very special element to the space. I love Baker's racks in my garden. 

If you look closely, you will see a rather large clothes line which houses a wide variety of gorgeous orchids. I would consider putting up a clothes line just to have a place for orchids. 

All of the ferns, in pots or in the ground, are absolutely gorgeous and lush. 

This beautiful fox squirrel came to visit us at lunch time. This little fellow is on our endangered mammal's list.

There are a wide variety of bromeliads on the property. The ones that are blooming have stunning inflorescence. 

 
Ever orchid in every corner of the property tells a different tale of beauty. 
I lost count of the number of beautiful Staghorns that are about the place.

I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined such a beautiful rose in the middle of the Preserve.

Living in the tropics is not without its hazards. A hurricane came through one year which caused a tree to fall into one of the  bathrooms of the main house. The bathroom was completely destroyed.  The man of the house built this outhouse, which is still in use although the main bathroom has been fully restored. I have to admit it's not a bad place to bring in Spring...Au Natural. 

What are you looking forward to this Spring?

XOXOXO
Paula

Here are This Week's Features

A Stroll Thru Life

The Porcelain Rose

At Home with Jenna
Penny's Vintage Home

An Extraordinary Day

Beautiful Ideas

Don't Forget to Add a Feature Button!
 Ivy and Elephants 




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48 comments:

  1. Penny @ Penny's Vintage HomeMarch 12, 2013 at 10:41 PM

    Thank you so much for featuring my Easter tree...hugs, Penny

    ReplyDelete
  2. Faye March 12, 2013 at 10:51 PM

    I love that palm! What a beautiful place. I have a powder puff plant growing in a pot indoors but I never knew the name of it....thanks! Thank you for hosting too.
    Faye

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Porcelain RoseMarch 12, 2013 at 10:53 PM

    What a wonderful surprise!
    Thank you for featuring my vintage ballet shoes with the scented lace inserts.
    Thank you for hosting such a wonderful party each week!
    Warmly,
    Elizabeth
    The Porcelain Rose

    ReplyDelete
  4. Terra March 12, 2013 at 10:53 PM

    That is a gorgeous nature preserve, flashy red bromeliad, and fun outdoor bathroom too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeMarch 12, 2013 at 11:13 PM

    Oh my, what wonderful flowers. Thanks so much for hosting. Hugs, Marty

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  6. Joy@aVintageGreenMarch 12, 2013 at 11:40 PM

    Thanks for the visit to my blog and your lovely comment. Thank you for hosting, always a treat to join in.
    Joy

    ReplyDelete
  7. Denise @ secondtimearoundfindsMarch 12, 2013 at 11:42 PM

    Thanks for hosting. Loved all the gardening pictures in your post today. It has been pouring rain here all day and still raining. Soggy. Waiting for spring so I can get out to work in my garden.
    Denise

    ReplyDelete
  8. MeghanMarch 12, 2013 at 11:48 PM

    What a wonderful post - I stumbled across your link party, linked up my post, and am now reading your gorgeous blog!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jemma@athomewithjemmaMarch 12, 2013 at 11:52 PM

    Patti,
    Your post has rejuvenated me! I feel as though I have taken a little trip out of the country-thank you! That powder puff plant is amazing and your little "furry friend," was so cute!

    What a treat and compliment to be featured-many thanks my dear!
    Sweet Hugs!
    Jemma

    ReplyDelete
  10. SwedishCorner ~ DownUnder...PernillaMarch 12, 2013 at 11:59 PM

    What a lovely garden! Beautiful photos. Thanks for hosting :) ~Pernilla

    ReplyDelete
  11. JunkchiccottageMarch 13, 2013 at 12:18 AM

    Thanks for hosting. I joined in the fun. Glad to see you posted about the garden since my post is about something made for the garden. Have a great week.
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
  12. Cottage and BroomeMarch 13, 2013 at 1:25 AM

    So nice to see the flowers, we are still a long way from spring! Thanks for hosting again this week, Laura

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  13. Maureen WyattMarch 13, 2013 at 2:09 AM

    How wonderful it must be to live in a nature preserve! Thanks for the tour and thanking for hosting the party.

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownMarch 13, 2013 at 2:29 AM

    Do you live in the tropics or were you on a trip to warmer weather? It looked like a peaceful place. Thanks for another party. Blessings, Patti

    ReplyDelete
  15. Collar City BrownstoneMarch 13, 2013 at 4:44 AM

    Living in a nature preserve is something that I would enjoy. I love all the flower pots around the place. I hope to get my own backyard looking like something out of an English garden magazine this year.

    I am so ready for spring!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Boxwood CottageMarch 13, 2013 at 6:24 AM

    Your friend has a beautiful tropical garden! I wish I could go back to gardening here too, but outside everything is frozen and burried under snow. Well next week is the first day of Spring so there is hope!:)
    Sending happy Spring wishes to you!
    xoxo~ Carola

    ReplyDelete
  17. Heirloom treasuresMarch 13, 2013 at 6:29 AM

    How lovely to have such a beautiful garden to visit.The plants are so exotic. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasMarch 13, 2013 at 6:39 AM

    Great features!!

    Thanks so much for hosting each week!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  19. Curtains in My TreeMarch 13, 2013 at 9:15 AM

    I am so glad I got back in town from The Dress Form Ball to greet you on your return from looks like the tropics/ nature preserve
    I just can't wait to get out and dig in my one flower bed
    Love that beautiful palm also Patti
    also a friend just turned me onto wanting orchids, may try some this spring

    Thanks for entertaining us again this week

    ReplyDelete
  20. SusieMarch 13, 2013 at 9:20 AM

    Paula, I get so excited when I see you have posted. You always have beautiful things to show us. I would love one of those palm tree. But I don't think it would live in Indiana. xoxo, Susie

    ReplyDelete
  21. Jeannie and LindaMarch 13, 2013 at 9:26 AM

    Patti, Thanks for hosting another great party! We appreciate all the work you do so we can show off! Lovely post today.

    Peace,
    Linda and Jeannie at The French Hens Nest

    ReplyDelete
  22. lynn cockrellMarch 13, 2013 at 11:30 AM

    Paula, thanks for sharing this wonderful and exotic place with us through your photographs. How wonderful you can visit this friend in such a place!

    ReplyDelete
  23. NanaDianaMarch 13, 2013 at 11:58 AM

    I sure miss living in the tropics...even with its downsides it is a wonderful thing to enjoy it on a day-to-day basis. Love this post today- xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  24. Gina @ VictorianWannaBeMarch 13, 2013 at 2:23 PM

    Hi Paula,
    Thanks for sharing all that beauty. The green and the bright colors are so nice to look at. Spring will be here soon! Yay!
    That fox squirrel is amazing, I've never seen one of those cute little creatures. Have a great rest of your week! Gina

    ReplyDelete
  25. Daniela @Frugal Aint CheapMarch 13, 2013 at 2:50 PM

    great nature pictures! got to love the outdoors

    ReplyDelete
  26. Barbara @ 21 Rosemary LaneMarch 13, 2013 at 4:01 PM

    HiLadies...What beautiful images...thank you so much for sharing. Also thank you too for hosting each week...as always wonderful features. I so enjoy linking up!
    XO Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  27. AlessandraMarch 13, 2013 at 4:26 PM

    What a beautiful place! Such natural and soothing. The palm is fantastic and the story of the bathroom is incredible.
    Kisses
    Alessandra

    ReplyDelete
  28. LindaMarch 13, 2013 at 7:17 PM

    Happy Hello, Paula!
    WoW! I LOVE that powder puff plant and the Bailey Palm is, indeed, a beauty. And, those staghorns...just so much to get excited about. I adore plants - they have healing powers on so many levels. I have been spearheading a breast cancer FUNdRaiser called "Pink Days In Bloom" all to do with plants.
    Thanks so much for the sweet surprise of featuring my post, "Majestic Hatley Park". You made my day!
    Thank you, too, for being so kind as to drop by my online home. I enJOYed having you and hope to see you again soon.
    Cheers to YOU and your lovely blog! Thanks for the parties.
    Hugs,
    Linda at Beautiful Ideas

    ReplyDelete
  29. Stan and Jody GabaraMarch 13, 2013 at 8:21 PM

    Thank you so much for hosting a wonderful party! Love all the beautiful garden photos!


    Jody

    ReplyDelete
  30. TrishaMarch 13, 2013 at 10:43 PM

    What a beautiful place you got to visit...makes me want Spring to get here even faster!

    ~Trisha

    ReplyDelete
  31. KellyMarch 14, 2013 at 10:00 AM

    Your tropical plant pictures are all so pretty! I would love to be there right now. It looks sunny and warm with a light perfume in the air. It is sunny here, but cold. I am looking forward to our grass greening up and leaves back on the trees and being able to leave my back door open in the morning while I eat breakfast. It will be here soon I know!

    ReplyDelete
  32. AnonymousMarch 14, 2013 at 10:22 AM

    WOW!...these photo's are amazing,your relative has a green thumb,I'm jealous,I can't grow anything.Beautiful!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  33. KarenMarch 14, 2013 at 11:41 AM

    Beautiful, it's like paradise.

    ReplyDelete
  34. DianeMarch 14, 2013 at 6:34 PM

    Love the beautiful outdoor pics and features. Thanks for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Relyn LawsonMarch 14, 2013 at 9:27 PM

    What a fun idea!

    ReplyDelete
  36. TeresaMarch 15, 2013 at 7:26 AM

    Best thing in Spring is to see Life retuning and rejoycing with it. And nothing and no one does it better than Nature in its wild -and natural - state.
    To see flowers blooming, trees budding, birds nesting it's a Religious experience.
    Wishing you a warm and cosy weekend.
    Now I need to get lost in so much amazingness you're hosting.
    Teresa

    ReplyDelete
  37. Crafts a la ModeMarch 15, 2013 at 1:01 PM

    That's funny. I was just going to ask you to come over and link to my party. I love your post. You can also link this party if you like since it is such a beautiful post! Linda

    http://www.craftsalamode.com/2013/03/what-to-do-weekends-10.html

    ReplyDelete
  38. Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble ChristmasMarch 16, 2013 at 11:33 AM

    Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and for your sweet comment!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
  39. JoaniMarch 16, 2013 at 1:05 PM

    Love the photos. Awesome flowers. Thanks for the invite. Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your HomeMarch 16, 2013 at 3:34 PM

    Such beautiful flowers and plants. Those ferns were gorgeous...huge and lush for sure! I've been out working in the garden, dripping hot and awful dirty and having to go to the potty!!! I'm kinda thinking that outhouse would come in REAL handy!!! (I might would keep a few lush ferns around it to cover me up though)...tee, hee! :)
    Blessings,
    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  41. Sandi@ Rose Chintz CottageMarch 17, 2013 at 6:48 PM

    Oh, how beautiful are those flowers and lush green plants! Makes one feel as though Spring is really here although when I look outside my window, we have snow blowing around today. But then, it is St. Patrick's day after all. Thank you for sharing at my HOME and have a wonderful week.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  42. PalomaseaMarch 17, 2013 at 9:45 PM

    Hello, dear Paula!
    What a much-needed taste of the warm months to come...
    This is such a lush and gorgeous place...beautiful photos...indeed an honor to live on a preserve!
    Thank you for sharing the beauty...
    Have a splendid week!
    xoxo,
    - Irina

    ReplyDelete
  43. Uniquely EllaMarch 19, 2013 at 3:58 AM

    What a heavenly way to have lunch and spend time with your mom. Love the orchids and the restroom, so a la natural, love it.
    Thanks for the spring post, what a nice treat.
    xxx
    Marlene

    ReplyDelete
  44. Jillian's Bella Rosa AntiquesMarch 19, 2013 at 9:33 AM

    The greenery is helping me on this dreary, snowy and foggy day! Spring should be here on Thursda but I am starting to doubt it!

    I am looking forward to going outside with my Sweet daughter and blowing bubbles, going to my favorite flea, yard sales and getting the deck ready! Yay! It should be soon, right??????

    ReplyDelete
  45. FABBY'S LIVINGMarch 19, 2013 at 10:36 AM

    Nice features! Thank you dear Paula for hosting and having me. Have a nice week.
    FABBY

    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete
  47. Rose :: Fine Craft GuildMarch 20, 2013 at 7:12 AM

    gorgeous garden. love that palmtree also. thank you for linking it up with us. A new party opens again later today. I hope to see you there again. Stay in touch! ~ Rose

    ps please be reminded to not link up other linky parties...

    ReplyDelete
  48. KathyMarch 20, 2013 at 3:27 PM

    Gorgeous, brilliant plants! Love the Palm - my brother-in-law loves putting those in his garden - the squirrel is beautiful - though I'm not really a squirrel fan! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for your comments! We enjoy hearing from you.