Friday Smiles is the brainchild of
Annie at
A Stitch In Time. I love the concept of ending the work week on a happy note, and a smile is catching. Although this fun event has been going on for 30 weeks, this is my first time to join these happy, smiling bloggers.
Some of you may have seen that my internet has been out for nearly three days, so being able to post this puts a BIG smile on my face.
So what, you ask, could make me smile in the rain? After all, it's been raining here solid for the past three weeks. We seem to be in a weather pattern that causes this to occur. But, with the rain, comes a bit of drought relief, a drought we have lived with the past two years. And there's always a rainbow at the end of the rain, too.
However, today, what is making me smile are these Surprise Lilies, also known as Naked Ladies, that shed their leaves in early spring, and arrive nude each August. Their single stems appear overnight, especially when no one is looking. This was the scene from my porch yesterday afternoon as I walked out to retrieve my mail. Imagine my joy and delight, even as the rain forbid me from getting closer.
Is it really still raining, you ask? Why yes it is, as can be witnessed by the ripples in my small pond in my front yard. The vinca vines seem to be taking over the pond, but I'm still happy that this tiny "pond" is doing so well. Add to that, the "flower bed" that makes me smile each time I think about sinking two metal bed frames (headboard and footboard) into the ground a few years ago and declaring it my new flower bed. I apologize these photos are so wimpy, but I'm using a camera that has NO settings (no tulip, no mountain, no flash, and no SD card).
Another view of the Naked Ladies, the small pond, and the flower bed that put a smile on my face today.
A few hours later, the rain had stopped, and that made me smile even more. It allowed me
to get a closer view of these lovely flowers.
It appears they have bloomed while the rain beat down on my flower bed. And that is my final reason to smile this Friday.
Thanks for visiting, and thanks to
Annie for hosting this happy event each week. Now please find a reason to smile today, too.
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23 thoughtful remarks:
just saw about your internet so I was surprised - and pleased - to see another post! Love the flowers, but I hope the rain stops soon...
Those are stunning Elizabeth even though they sound a little shy. Isn't nature just amazing? Rain....we take it for granted but miss it terribly when it's absent.
Thanks for joining in and sharing this week.
Hugs,
Annie x
Gorgeous flowers Elizabeth and what a welcome sight after the rainfall. As Annie says, we tend to take the rain for granted here in the UK (goodness knows, we usually get enough of the 'wet stuff'). But, during the recent hot and dry weather it was amazing how fast plant life and grass suffered.
Have a happy Friday!
Di xx
Wow, these are gorgeous Elizabeth. Don't think I have ever seen these before....What a lovely rainy surprise. I saw that you were getting more rain and heat ugh, but I suppose it is better than drought and brown conditions. Love your floral wonders. Glad your internet is back. xox
What lovely flowers! I don't think I ever heard of them. Glad to know your internet is back.
I was thinking your internet was likely down...or worse yet your power was out. I LOVE those flowers. Now you've made me smile as well!!
Beautiful flowers. I can just imagine a few disappointed faces to anyone Googling "naked ladies" tho. Are they members of the amaryllis family - they look similar in their growth stage. x Jo
Those are gorgeous ...never heard of them before ...mind you that is not saying a lot for me lol.
Funny thing is that we are having far less rain this summer ...that makes me smile. In my life the UK has probably only had about 3 or four short droughts ...only one where we had to get water from stand pipes, in some areas. I dont envy your long ones ...so enjoy the rain xx
Naked ladies (the flowering type!) are seen all over my neighborhood. I'm delighted to see you have some too and that they brought a smile to your face. That and the fact that your internet is back.
Darla
Your post made me smile today! It is raining here today and very dreary, but looking at anything purple such as your Naked Ladies really makes me smile! Happy Weekend!
Every thing is soooo green here, isn't it? Your flowers look lovely. I have a pot of petunias that nearly drowned, the plug on the bottom was "too" plugged. But the other pot is happy. I wonder if we should build an ark?
I had to look it up to see where you are from, because, for once, my family back in UK seem to be enjoying a relatively dry spell. I have not heard of your lilies but they are beautiful and would certainly make me smile. You have a lovely verdant garden. I am getting used to vivid coloured cacti etc in pots! but sometimes I do miss my lovely garden from England. Kate x
internet access problems are so frustrating!
is the "naked lady" the same as the "surprise lily"? it looks the same, but i'm bad at judging from pictures.
Haven't seen Naked Ladies in a long while. My Mom used to have a flower be full of them. I think they are so unique and beautiful. Thanks for sharing, bring back lots of good memories.
What an amazing treat that they arrive so sneakily!
Thanks so much for sharing the joy of them. Have a great weekend.
Jo x
Hi Elizabeth
Isn't Mother Nature wonderful to surprise you like that. You might not like the rain but the naked ladies obviously do. Glad you have your connection back, I have just got my laptop back too just need to load everything back on it and I'm ready to go
Janet
Hope you are OK sweetie, persistent rain must make your wrists ache I would imagine? What a fab surprise for though, such beautiful flowers to cheer you up and raise a huge smile.
Huge hugs x x x
Brought a smile to my face :) And it has been raining here in lovely Aurora, Colorado USA, but we never get enough rain. Thanks for the lovely post :)
Hello and happy Friday! What a wonderful gift your rain brought you!! I haven't heard or seen those kind of flowers before but WOW, they are beautiful!!
Sorry to hear about your computer troubles. Mine has done that before and I go down the street and use the library's to read and post on my blog. Hope yours is working soon. Have a nice night out with your friend.
Happy that you are getting some drought relief...too bad it's feast or famine
that said
Your Naked Ladies are glorious and your photos are really lovely (nothing like natural light when it's not too bright)
Your pretty blooms make me smile too!
Glad you are plugged in again
oxo
I think your garden is totally enjoying this bountiful wet stuff... everything seems to growing like mad! Love the idea of flowers turning up without any announcement...and so pretty too!
well you certainly put a smile on the lily girls face!! and so glad you are back on line!
I have never heard of the naked ladies who pop up overnight and display themselves to the world! they are lovely! *smiles, too*
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