Backyard Bliss, Even in the Drought

June brought us hardly any rain, yet our Florida backyard continues to thrive. Even during the drought, nature has found a way to flourish. Every day brings the cheerful songs of birds, the graceful flutter of butterflies, and the sweet reward of homegrown treasures.

Zebra Longwing and Monarch butterflies dancing around. 🦋

Zebra Longwing butterflies love this firebush plant

bleeding heart

Bluejay and rabbit

My aunts' four mango trees are absolutely loaded with fruit this year. My own mango tree, on the other hand, had a much smaller harvest, producing just ten mangoes. The tree is the Thai variety Nam Doc Mai, prized for its rich sweetness, smooth texture, and thin pit. Something—most likely squirrels—helped themselves to two of them (sigh!), but we were able to enjoy the remaining eight, and they were incredibly sweet. Moments like these are a reminder that even during a Florida drought, nature still offers delightful surprises.

cherries and strawberries are store bought

The two mangoes on the left are from my tree

Our mango tree has a story of its own. About ten years ago, when we bought our house, my aunt gave us a young mango plant she had started from a pit. It was only about three feet tall at the time, but with a little patience, it has grown into a beautiful tree.

For much of those ten years, we were living aboard our boat, so we rarely had the chance to enjoy its harvest. Now that we've sold the boat and traded our sea legs for gardening gloves, we finally get to savor the fruit of that little seedling.

The mango tree in 2016

Blue skies after the rain—a happy mango tree (2026).

Not many mangoes this year, but every one is a treat.

While we're looking forward to the return of Florida's refreshing summer rains, I'm grateful for the life that continues to fill our backyard. Even in the stifling heat and dry conditions, there's still so much to appreciate—from colorful birds and butterflies to the simple pleasure of picking a perfectly ripe mango straight from the tree.

Just thinking about those sweet, juicy mangoes is making my mouth water!

How's your summer harvest coming along? I'd love to hear what you're growing this season, Stay cool and enjoy the rest of your summer!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday and Through My Lens.

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Tour of Monet's House and Garden in Giverny, France

I’m so grateful we visited France in early May. It’s hard to imagine navigating the massive crowds and long lines at the country's most popular attractions in the intense heat Paris has been enduring this week.

Summer heat in Florida is expected, but temperatures nearing 100°F are far more unusual in France, where air conditioning is not nearly as common there—only about one in four homes is equipped with it—making extreme heat much more challenging.

The Eiffel Tower and the Louvre even closed early for three straight days because of the extreme temperatures. Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate that we were able to experience France in the beauty and comfort of spring.

The Louvre

the closest we got to Eiffel Tower (as seen from Galeries Lafayette)

The Galeries Lafayette Dome. The crowd was unbelievable!

Coffee break at the historic Samaritaine department store

Watching the world go by at Tuileries Garden  

Savoring Angelina's famous Mont Blanc pastries.

Thank goodness the lines to Notre Dame moved quickly!

beautiful Notre Dame

lighting a candle

We began our trip in southern France, exploring the charming cities of Montpellier, Avignon, and Grenoble—each deserving its own blog post. Cold, rainy weather canceled both a tour and a train, but Plan B worked out rather well thanks to France's efficient transportation system. We refused to let the weather dampen our spirits. 😊

By mid-May, we arrived in Paris, where the weather remained cool, gray, and unpredictable. Since our main goal was to spend time with our cousins who live nearby, we weren't in a rush to check off tourist attractions.

stairway to Le Train Bleu, the legendary restaurant at Gare de Lyon

When they suggested a day trip to Claude Monet's house and gardens in Giverny, about 90 minutes northwest of Paris, I was all in. I'd wanted to visit on our previous trip. Assuming the gloomy weather would keep the crowds away, we skipped buying tickets in advance—a decision we quickly regretted.

We arrived 15 minutes before the ticket booth opened and found ourselves at the end of a very long line. As the wait stretched on, our patience wore thin, and more than once we considered giving up. Thankfully, our cousins persuaded us to stick it out—we had come all that way, after all.

This was one third of the line, and it moved at snail pace

Irises

Poppies

Three hours later, we finally reached the ticket window. 

The entrance to the ticket booth, after lining up for 3 hours!

Just as we stepped into Monet's gardens, it started to rain—hard. We, along with hundreds of other visitors, made a mad dash back to the gift shop for shelter. Thankfully, it was spacious enough to accommodate the crowd. Browsing the beautiful books, art prints, and unique souvenirs kept us happily occupied until the rain finally let up.

About thirty minutes later, the rain eased, and the sun actually appeared. Almost instantly, the gardens seemed to come alive with color. The flowers glistened with raindrops, and the fresh scent of spring filled the air. 

Iris

Peonies

Monet's house

Geraniums

looking at the garden from the house

Strolling through the gardens, it was easy to understand how this peaceful setting inspired so many of Claude Monet's most celebrated paintings. Vibrant flower beds, winding paths, and the iconic Japanese bridge arching over the water lily pond made us feel as though we had stepped into one of his masterpieces.

Monet created more than 250 Water Lilies paintings inspired by the ponds and gardens surrounding his home. Despite the three-hour wait and the crowds, stepping into the landscape that inspired those masterpieces was truly magical.

Would you have waited three hours to experience Monet's gardens?

If you'd like to learn more about Monet's home and gardens, here are some interesting articles:

The Last Living Monet

5 Fascinating Facts about Monet's Water Lilies

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday and Creative Artiste Mixed Media challenge #128, where the theme is always Anything Goes.

 
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Discovering Florida Botanical Gardens: A Hidden Gem in Largo, FL

We’ve always had a special place in our hearts for the Florida Botanical Gardens, visiting countless times over the years with family and friends. After moving back to the area last year, I finally had the opportunity to give back by joining the volunteer program.

Now in my second year as a volunteer, it’s deeply rewarding to work alongside other volunteers who share the same passion and to watch the gardens flourish, knowing I’ve played a small part in their care. Each season brings new lessons—about plants, gardening techniques, and the quiet dedication required to keep this hidden gem thriving.

Walking through the gardens, you’ll encounter winding paths shaded by towering oaks, vibrant flower beds bursting with color, and serene waters reflecting the sky, teeming with wildlife. Hidden nooks and charming benches invite you to pause and soak in the beauty, while meandering trails reveal native plants, butterfly gardens, and fragrant herb beds. Every corner offers something new to discover, making each visit a fresh and enchanting experience.

Light Bulb Clerodendrum, a spectacular flowering shrub

Here are a few photos I took just days before a cold snap rolled in — 39°F this morning! I’m hoping the sudden chill didn’t cause too much damage to the plants and flowers.

Volunteers at work

Can you smell the lavender already?

Giant milkweed

Quintessential Florida scenery

The Florida Botanical Gardens is dog-friendly, so your leashed furry companions are welcome to explore and enjoy the gardens with you. This hidden gem is slowly being discovered—and it likely won’t stay hidden for long. Of course, being a “hidden gem” is a double-edged sword: you want others to experience its beauty, but not at the expense of crowded paths, trampled plants, or worse—the audacity of people stealing them!

Click here to see hours and upcoming events at the Florida Botanical Garden.

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday Through My Lens and **Art*Journal*Journey.

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