Tag Archive | gardens

Bad Milkweed Bugs

Juveniles
Found 2 of them mating–hopefully got them before they laid eggs

Everything is relative. If you don’t want milkweed, these bugs will take care of it! One thing too, no aphids! But then, no milkweed plants for the monarch caterpillars either.

Okay, I’m running like crazy this morning. My daughter and granddaughter will be arriving soon at the airport and I need to pick them up. We’ll be moving her corgis back home and probably have lunch or something.

Monarch butterfly laying eggs on milkweed

But I did make word count! Over word count! Now I just need to finish the story. I’ve been writing every day, despite the dog distractions. I’ve been filling in scenes that I skipped, wrote 4,000 words yesterday, but still need to write the final scene and keep thinking of things that need to be explained. How did they get their cars back home when they took a helicopter out of there? Little things like that. 🙂

Okay, off to type up notes before I have to run to the airport.

Have a great day!

Terry

“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy is reality.”
Connect with Terry Spear:
Website: http://www.terryspear.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/421434.Terry_Spear
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerrySpearParanormalRomantics
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear
Wilde & Woolly Bears: http://www.celticbears.com
Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/u63qP

Follow Me for new releases and book deals: www.bookbub.com/authors/terry-spear

Flowers that Bloom–Shortly

I don’t mean they’re going to flower pretty soon, but that they bloom for a short time and that’s it until the next year. This is a lavender azalea, love it, but I picked up a couple of Autumn azalea’s that are supposed to bloom 3 times a year. We shall see.

When I take a walk around the neighborhood, I see how others have planted their gardens. Some are humdrum–just how they were planted when the homes were built, no flowers, just a few shrubs and trees. I will say though, that at least they do landscape the homes, which is nice because some homeowners wouldn’t ever do anything with their yards otherwise and it makes the walk very pleasing. Others are creative.

I like the creative ones. My neighbor across the street has expanded her planting beds and what caught my attention were how beautiful her red roses are in various spots in the garden that help to please the eye. I have red roses too, one is a drift and the other a regular sized red rose bush that will get big, but I think I need a couple of more to make the eye wander around the property to really make the connection. I have a peach rose out front too, but red really stands out, though the peach one is small and spectacular. It’s the one that has pink and peach all on one rosebush. Really a beautiful rosebush.

Red crape myrtles will do that also–be showy and riveting, same with red snapdragons. I put in purple magic crape myrtles, but I would love to get some true red crape myrtles too. I need a bigger yard. lol

I could play in my gardens all day, wishing they were more “grown up,” but every year they are more beautiful. And every year I enjoy their more established look. Of course as they get more established, I realize some of the plants need to be moved because some of them are getting bigger and hiding the others. Then the poor plants have to readjust to their new homes. But they’re all doing well.

Got to run and work on the story. I put a splashpad out for my granddaughter yesterday late afternoon. My backyard was nice and shaded and she had fun for an hour. It kind of wore her out before her mom and dad picked her up.

Enjoy your lovely day!!!! I’m off to get writing!

Terry

“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy is reality.”
Connect with Terry Spear:
Website: http://www.terryspear.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/421434.Terry_Spear
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerrySpearParanormalRomantics
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear
Wilde & Woolly Bears: http://www.celticbears.com
Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/u63qP

Follow Me for new releases and book deals: www.bookbub.com/authors/terry-spear

Gardens

Dallas Arboretum, Waco Arboretum, Houston Gardens, San Diego Gardens

When you’re weary of winter….

Off to work on proofing more fae books. Four of the updated print books are available for sale, two I’m editing this morning and sending back in for review, and then I’ll proof two more today! Perseverance is the key!

Have a great day!!

Terry
“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy is reality.”
Connect with Terry Spear:
Website: http://www.terryspear.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/421434.Terry_Spear
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerrySpearParanormalRomantics
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear
Wilde & Woolly Bears: http://www.celticbears
Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/u63qP
Follow Me for new releases and book deals: www.bookbub.com/authors/terry-spear

signature line email Seal Wolf Undercover, Cougar Undercover, Dreaming of a White Wolf Christmas, My Highlander 300 x120

Hope Farms Gardens

Had a ball at the gardens–picked up 4 different hummingbird/butterfly flowering plants, and just thoroughly enjoyed the day. It makes me want to visit the local arboretum and other gardens now!! 🙂 <3

http://www.hopefarmsgardens.com/

But, I need to help with baby, and working on Flight of the White Wolf edits, and then back to finishing up Bounty Hunter Gets Her Wolf. And I need to plant my four butterfly plants! 🙂 <3

Oh, and I apologize for the blurry pictures, needed to set my settings for faster flying birds, but on our walk on Monday, the bird was a Swallowtail Kite. I’d never seen one before, so exciting! I figured he’d be gone before I had a chance to pull out my camera and when he wasn’t, I finally managed to pull it out and get a few blurry shots. lol But I wanted to learn what it was. Next time, MAYBE, I’ll be more prepared. I was pushing the baby stroller instead. 🙂

Have a lovely day.

Terry

“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy is reality.”

Connect with Terry Spear:

Website: http://www.terryspear.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/421434.Terry_Spear

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerrySpearParanormalRomantics

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear

Wilde & Woolly Bears http://www.celticbears

Earth Day…so?

I used to plant tons of trees, when I had a lot of acreage–I love forests. But I was so disappointed to learn the people who bought my home in Oklahoma clearcut most of the trees. Beautiful pines, helped to stop erosion on the hillside, and they provided homes for birds, beauty, solitude. There’s no prettier sound than wind blowing through a forest and hearing the rustle of branches or pine needles.

We have old forest in and around our neighborhood. Most new home developments, they just clearcut the trees, leaving barren land. But here, I have several old pines. And behind me, one of my neighbors has beautiful oaks. He wants to cut them down. Why? Because they drop leaves and twigs and he has to pick them up. Really? He has to cut the grass too!  Maybe he should dig it up?

In Texas heat, shade trees are at a premium. They’re beautiful. You see them towering a hundred feet above the homes. Why would you want to cut them down??? I had to have one of the pine trees taken down because it had died, but that’s the only reason to do so, or if the roots are getting into the foundation.

But with such a small lot, which I’m thankful for in that it’s much easier to water and maintain, I’m restricted to small shrubs and flowers and such for the most part. Though….I’d like to get some more crepe myrtles, they’re like small trees.

I have planted all of the flowers here, the zinnias from seeds which should turn into flowers soon, the marigolds and daylilies and Mexican heather, the dianthus, and much more. Many will come back next year as they’re perennials. Many will reseed and return even if they’re annuals. I started last year with the daylilies and a few salvia and coneflowers, and the builders had planted coreopsis and snapdragons. So each year, the flowerbeds should be even more beautiful. Oh, and sunflowers. They’re coming up from the seeds dropped by the birds, but I love seeing them in the garden as they remind me of my father who used to plant them.

What I love about the flowers, besides the color and vibrancy, is that the honeybees, bumblebees, hummingbirds and butterflies love them.

So think about Earth Day, and if you can, plant something to give back to nature.

Have a lovely day!

Terry

“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy is reality.”

Connect with Terry Spear:

Website: http://www.terryspear.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/421434.Terry_Spear

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerrySpearParanormalRomantics

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear

Wilde & Woolly Bears http://www.celticbears

A Bit of a Fairy Garden

close up of blue and silver wind chimes sunset 001 (640x427)Added some wind chimes with glass baubles and a blue glass bottle for some interest. A sparrow jumped on the wind chimes, scared himself and jumped on the feeder while a house finch watched him. The fairy wind chimes didn’t scare them off.

close up of blue and silver wind chimes sunset 002 (640x427)These are the copper ones on the other bird feeder.

tomato plants and a frog (640x427)The frog is protecting the 3 little tomatoes.

fairies in the garden 001 (640x427)And the fairies are watching over the chives.

fairies in the garden 003 (640x427)fairies in the garden 012 (640x427)While Max is watching over the rose and lavender garden fairy. I’d forgotten all about my fairies, still waiting to be unpacked and find a home here too.

I couldn’t decide, have everything blend in or be bright and colorful and whimsical? The fairy garden won out. 🙂

A Very Jaguar Christmas was sent back to the editor. And I’m back to working on Golden Fae!

Have a great Sunday!!!

Terry

“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy is reality.”

Connect with Terry Spear:

Website: http://www.terryspear.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/421434.Terry_Spear

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerrySpearParanormalRomantics

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear

Wilde & Woolly Bears http://www.celticbears.com

Gardens Take Me Away from Internet Woes

Arbor (427x640)

Photo taken at the Arboretum by Terry Spear

A little garden paradise. Everyone needs one.

I was scheduled to be part of a blog party to help with another author’s release and then…

the fae got involved.

I swear it.

It’s the truth.

My computer crashed.

I tried to restart it.

It wouldn’t.

I tried again.

It did.

Now this is 10 minutes out of the 30 minutes I have to be there.

No internet connection.

I try everything.

No internet connection.

I scramble to get my phone and tell the host I can’t be there.

Then I’m back to trying to fix the internet connection.

None. No. Forget it.

Fine.

Next morning, try a bunch of stuff, use my laptop, and there is an internet connection. Just not on my desktop. Live and learn.

The author had similar troubles where she lives. Her internet went out. And in a mess, she had to go to the nearest Starbucks.

So I’m writing on one computer and checking my internet stuff periodically on the other.

Remember how I was supposed to chase my muse?

I didn’t need to.

I just needed to lose the internet.

I wrote 4,000 words today.

And called the internet people, who wouldn’t call back.

So called my son.

He talked me through how to fix things.

I now have internet on my desktop.

My son is my hero.

Everyone needs one.

yellow roses pink background (427x640)

Photo taken in my garden by Terry Spear

The yellow roses in my garden are starting to bloom.

So this has been a good day.

Do minor disasters turn out to work well for you?

Terry

www.terryspear.com

Cougar’s Mate
Parnormal Romance – Cat Shifters
Cougar’s Mate: Instinct told her to run…

Shannon Rafferty learns that hanging out with the bad boys could be a dangerous business, but hooking up with a cop is even worse. Now she’s on the run, trying to avoid being murdered by his cougar shifter brothers and uncle. If that isn’t bad enough, a deputy sheriff hunts her down while she’s running as a cougar and trying to survive in the Colorado wilderness. He vows to protect her no matter what she’s done. With three dead boyfriends to her name, she’s sure she will be the death of Chase Buchanan before either of them can prevent it. No matter how much she knows she has to run again, he soon holds her heart hostage. But will that be enough to keep them both alive?

Chase Buchanan—as wilderness cabin resort owner, former US Army Special Forces, and part time deputy of the small town of Yuma, Colorado that boasts a love of cougars—is tasked to track down a cougar reported to be hunting human prey. Chase soon learns she’s a shifter, not a full-time cougar, and she’s on the run. When he takes her in, he vows to protect her. After losing his wife and baby to the human kind of predator years earlier, he’s not letting Shannon’s hunters kill her, too. But how is he going to hold onto the wild-cat woman, who is unpredictable at every turn, without losing his heart to her, and then losing her as well?
 
~ 5 Cougar Stars ~ 


Cover is awesome and sexy! Very attractive and inviting.

I love it when I find a book I can not put down even though I know I need to; because it’s so late. Cougar’s Mate is one of thous amazing book’s that you just can’t put down until you have finished. What an astonishing beginning to a wonderful new series by Terry Spear. She has created a fascinating world full of fun characters, adventure, suspense and passion. I can’t tell you enough how much I enjoy Ms. Spear’s writing style and the easy flow, the character development and the plot. I am such a fan of Terry Spear and was blown away by her new series Heart of the Cougar.

Now onto Cougar’s Mate :

So many things happen once you open the first page. Ms. Spear throws us into Shannon’s life. She is a strong woman determined to survive. She has made some bad decisions in the boyfriend department as well as had a difficult life growing up which has lead to her not trusting easily and wanting to just be loved, but it always seams to be out of her reach. I enjoyed her strong and feisty personality as well her character development and growth throughout the book.

Chase (fan myself) is a very sexy man with a sad past that will make anyone cry. He try’s to be a loner running his wilderness inn, but all his friends won’t let him. He works as a part time deputy which ends up getting him into an interesting situation. When Shannon and Chase meet for the first time it’s not in a normal way, no that would be to easy. (If you want to know what happens you’ll just have to read and find out.) Oh course all his friends keep bring up how a feisty she-cat got the better of him.

I really loved the Cougar run town of Yuma. We usually don’t see a lot of cat shifter run towns. I found this to be refreshing.  It was also sweet to see how they helped each other out and how very open and welcoming they where to Shannon. The chemistry between Shannon and Chase is off the charts. It grows throughout the book and it’s not until half way through that they finally hit the sheets. I like a story with a great plot and time for the romance to come together; before we are off to the bedroom. I also loved all the secondary characters that are introduced in this book. I am looking forward to their stories and learning more about them. We get suspense, adventure, passion and so much more that Cougar’s Mate will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Note: We get a sneak peek of book 2 Call of the Cougar at the end of Cougar’s Mate, so more is coming. YA!

 
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Author Terry Spear in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.
 

The Dangers of Yard Work

cardinal side 003

Do you see the elusive cardinal?

Okay, so yesterday was a glorious summery day, wind blowing, warm, beautiful, and I went out to rake. I startled a bunny from the jasmine ground cover as I raked the leaves from it and I swear it looked like a jack rabbit. But it moved so quickly before I had even spied it tear off, that it probably was only a bunny. Jack rabbits have really long ears and legs, and this one looked like one, but I would have had to have really seen more of it to be sure. However, with a road runner here too, it could have been.

So with the eau de skunk permeating the air, I was out raking. The one rake fell apart in my hands. The second worked, but it wasn’t broad enough for me as many leaves as I had to move, and so I went to the third rake, and it blistered my hand.

cardinal side 005

There you have it. I can fight mountain lions, battle snakes, fight for my life in the jungle, or against Highland warriors of old. But go rake some leaves and I’m wounded.

Now, if you read Jaguar Fever, I have where we have a wounded hero and the heroine has to get him some bandages, but all she has are animal bandages. You think I make all this stuff up, right?

So here I am looking for a bandage and what do I find? Toothy shark bandages as they’re ready to take a bite. LOL

Yep, so I now have a blue shark bandage on my hand as I type away. Where I got them from or when, I haven’t a clue.

And that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

What are the most fun bandages you’ve ever had? Or do you get those sheer ones so that no one knows you have a boo-boo?

If you want to know if I’m for hire for raking leaves? No. I’ve decided I have a princess’s delicate skin and photography is more my style. Oh, and writing about all this stuff. 🙂

Terry
“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male!”
www.terryspear.com

Gates that Lend Mystery to a Setting….

I took these pictures of interesting gates in Scotland. The first is a gate between the bed and breakfast and the next door home. I loved how it had a bell on top as if at one time the neighbors would ring the bell and say, “Hey, neighbor, want a spot o’ tea?”

Gate B and B Scotland spice (600x800)

In the next picture, this gate led out of  a castle garden and you see a glimpse of the well-manicured, spacious lawns and trees in the park-like setting.

Castle garden Scotland (2) (800x600)

This one surrounded by the hedges went beyond the garden at a different castle.  I loved how the hedge was trimmed as an arbor.

Crathes Castle, Oct, hedge arch pop (800x600)

Don’t you love glimpses of another setting? If these had just been walls or solid hedges, or just a walkway, it wouldn’t have been half as interesting. A gate says there’s accessibility. An openness, yet a barrier, too.  But not a permanent barrier. An invitation to explore what’s on the other side.

Terry
“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy IS reality.”