Shaded From Reality - A Texas Garden

08/27/2026

If you haven't already, be sure to Google: DOLLY PARTON as they pay tribute to her with butterflies! Thank you Google! That's about the coolest thing you've ever done.
Did you know that Dolly loved Butterflies? This is what she had to say about her love for Butterflies: “I just loved them because they were colorful and gentle, and I just kind of related to them with my own personality. I don't want to hurt anybody. Didn't want to bite. Didn't want to sting, and I still don't. I just kind of claimed them as my little symbol.” What an incredible person she was. This world won't be the same without her.🦋

08/18/2026

So very true...😰🔥☀🕶

08/15/2026

What do you think he’s thinking?🤔🤣🫣 No, Facebook, I'm offended that you take the liberty to label things as AI that aren't.😠 This is straight off of my camera!

08/08/2026

Nothing fancy… just a quiet evening relaxing in our backyard, watching hummingbirds dart from flower to feeder while the Texas sky starts to wind down. When they sit on the perch and you can see and feel their peace, there is no place I would rather be!🌺❤️

08/03/2026

I’m on a garden upcycle kick right now and who says beautiful garden decor has to be expensive? 🌿 Thrifting may take some time, especially when you’re looking for the perfect match! I thrifted this candleholder and this gorgeous cobalt blue large shallow bowl and they were a perfect pair! Now, they make up a cute, DIY birdbath that’s doubles as a a afe watering station for butterflies and bees.

This easy garden upcycle adds character to the garden while helping pollinators stay hydrated during the hot North Texas summer! Just remember to add a few small rocks or pebbles so bees and butterflies have a safe place to land while they drink and yes, you DO need to do this!

What’s your latest thrift store flip? I’d love to hear about it in the comments! 👇🏼

08/02/2026

I can’t believe it’s August already🔥 … hope it flies by quickly. I’m ready for fall! If you missed the full July Garden Tour, it’s not too late…hope you enjoy!

Welcome to my July garden in North Texas (Zone 8b) 🌿 Even in 100° h...

08/01/2026

hehe...

07/31/2026

Happy Friday, everyone! ☀️ Stepping outside early in the morning to see my garden at its very best. Flowers blooming, pollinators in action… 🌿🦋

I’ve learned that my garden tells a very different story at sunrise than it does at 3:00 in the afternoon.

In 100°+ Texas heat, don’t judge your garden by what it looks like in the middle of the day. Even healthy, well-established plants can droop as they try to conserve moisture. It’s one of the ways they survive. Let them do what they need to do, and whatever you do… don’t reach for the hose just yet!

Instead, stay focused on the big picture. Give your plants what they need to succeed. Here in North Texas, that starts with:

🌱 Healthy soil
🌱 Good drainage
🌱 A layer of mulch (living mulch, if possible)
🌱 Deep, infrequent watering
🌱 The right plants for your conditions
…and the most overlooked ingredient…
🌱 A welcoming habitat for beneficial insects and pollinators

One more thing I’ve learned along the way: you’ll get a lot of advice in gardening. Some of it will be incredibly helpful, and some of it won’t apply to your space at all. Every garden is different—your soil, your sun, your microclimate, and even your neighborhood can change the outcome. Trial and error isn’t failure… it’s how you figure out what actually works in your garden.

Some plants will still struggle. Some may not make it. That’s gardening in Texas. But when you’ve given your garden the right foundation, it’s amazing how resilient it can be.

So step back and enjoy those peaceful morning moments when everything comes together… because that’s when the magic happens. ✨

🎥 Want to learn more about building healthy soil and improving drainage? I share exactly what has worked in my North Texas garden in this YouTube video:
https://youtu.be/jcGD162XwqQ

What’s helping your garden survive this summer’s heat? 🌱