Monday, June 8, 2015

The State of Louisiana...Belle

Warm greetings from Cajun Country! I'm as happy as a tick on a fat dog. :) Seriously though, I am incredibly thankful for the prayers God has answered after spending 2 years wandering around in the desert. My daughter and I both agree that this is our year, and we are going to enjoy and savor every moment. Here's the "State of Me" bullet points.

  • Helping plan my daughter's wedding, though she's so organized, she doesn't need any help. Still, it's fun talking about it with her.
  • Making new friends and reconnecting with old ones. (Many, MANY prayers sent up about this issue, as I tend to close myself off when depressed.)
  • Displaying my photography in different venues.
  • Participating in workshops and photography classes.
  • Starting a small vegetable garden.
And the big one...........drum roll..............................
  • Opening a booth at a flea market with my friend, B! 

B came up with our name: Bayou Belles. B has been a godsend. She's full of GREAT ideas and we work extremely well together. We have a logo, a Facebook page and a blog!

My cup runneth over. I am so energized every day with all the things I want to do, and there are not enough hours to get it done.

Okay, enough of this chit-chat.
Glimpse into Bayou Belles' space.

A new shrub for my garden: Indigofera

Indigofera with St. Francis statue in background.

Another new shrub: Angel's Earrings.

Planted next to my angel statue. :)

The heart-shaped leaves behind the bird ornament is called Moonflower.
It is vining quickly around my palm tree. I hope to attract hummingbird moths with it.

Bell peppers! Well, a single bell pepper, but the blooms promise many more!

Cherry tomatoes!!

Cucumbers!!

Female House Finch visiting the new feeder.

Linking with
Thanks, Anni!

41 comments:

Hootin Anni said...

Congratulations on the 'grand' opening of Bayou Belles!!! I wish you lots of luck and a great, fun, time all at the same time.

Beautiful images [that angel flower looks like a fuchsia my mother always had in a hanging basket.] Love the bird figurines most of all...you know me!!!

Thanks for sharing this link at I'd Rather B Birdin' Gail.


Keep us updated on your daughter's wedding and your new shop progress.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Congratulations on the new booth and good luck. I also tend to hermit myself away from people when I get depressed. It's an easy out for me, so I have to work to get back out in public.
Have a wonderful summer, Gail!!

EG CameraGirl said...

I'm so happy for you, Gail! It's so wonderful when everything works so well. Congrats on your new partnership! I will now check out your Facebook page.

eileeninmd said...

Congrats to you and your friend on the opening of Bayou Belles! Your flowers and plants are all looking gorgeous. And I love the sweet finch! Your daughter's wedding will be awesome! Have a happy day and week ahead!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

excellent shots...as alwasy :)

Kathy said...

Girl, you have been busy. I'm so happy for your excitement. I wish I had your energy but I'm kind of in a flux state right now too, closing out my mother's estate, getting a farm sold, and hopefully returning to Arizona in a few months. I'm leaving today on a road trip for the rest of the week but I'll be sure to visit your new blog site and check it out upon my return.

nookworm said...

You sound so happy and that makes all of us who see your pictures and hear your activities happy as well! Your little pink flower looks so much like fuchsia. Now to check out your new venture. Good luck in EVERYTHING you do.

Cranberry Morning said...

Those bird ornaments are just darling!!! Congratulations on your shop. Love the name Bayou Belles. Clever and fun. I hope you have a wonderful and prosperous summer.

Irma said...

Beautiful pictures Gail.
Congratulations on the opening of Bayou Belles.
The flowers I feel great, especially photo 2 and 4.
The finch is superb.
Best regards, Irma

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad to hear that life is good for you!

A lovely series of shots.

TexWisGirl said...

congratulations! got your feet firmly in the sneakers and have hit the ground running!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I am so excited about your flea market! How fun. If I lived closer I'd come shop!

Anvilcloud said...

It looks like a grand garden. Congrats on the rest of the good things too.

Inspired By June said...

You're garden is beautiful, Gail! and so is the shoppe! How exciting! So thankful for all He is doing in your life, my friend!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Beautiful images. I hope your new ventures are just beginning and you will have plenty more.

Kittie Howard said...

Congratulations on the opening of Bayou Belles. Perfect name with interesting items to pull one in. You're gonna have a successful venue, Gail! I think it's also a LA thing to withdraw when stuff's swirling in the mind. Like my LA friends, I do the same. I sometimes think, the good times and bubbly personalities aside, we're actually almost kinda solitary people, if that makes any sense. AND loving my new tech toys! Have a great week, Gail!

Debbie said...

oooooo such a happy post gail, so many things to be joyful about!!! your booth looks awesome, i adore shops like this!!!

and your veggie plants look a lot like mine. we are growing a lot of the same things. i have tomatoes and peppers too and i LOVE my tiny garden, it really makes me smile so i know yours will make you smile as well!!!

i always say "i am as happy as a seagull with a french fry"!! it's a jersey thing!!!!

hootnonny said...

Congratulations Gail on your new endeavors! Both my daughters planned their own wedding, but I was there enjoying every step of the way with them.

Next year I'd love to plant a garden. I recently had some trees removed and now I'm getting sunshine in the back yard.

As always I love your pics.

troutbirder said...

Good news and views all the way through....:)

Anonymous said...

Looks like your garden's off to a great start. I love the name Bayou Belles.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Best of luck on all the new and exciting ventures, Gail. I visited the Bayou Belles blog and hope it's a success for both of you talented ladies!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I wish you all the best in your new venture with your friend, B! You got a stunning shot of that female house finch.

Stephanie said...

Congrats on your new venture. Beautiful garden blooms and finch.

BeachGypsy said...

That finch photo is amazing! Love it!

Slamdunk said...

Haha, who can beat a happy tick??

I am excited for you with your booth. I hope you and your friend have fun with it. I bet you will meet some interesting folks there as well.

Bethany Carson said...

I LOVE your flower photos! You've captured so much beauty here. It must be very exciting with your daughter's wedding coming up! Sounds like you're keeping busy!

Indrani said...

You are truly an inspiration.
Great series of pics.
My best wishes for your daughter's wedding.

Joke (Joke's Camera) said...

Congrats with the opening of Bayou Belles, Gail. It looks wonderful. I have seen the FB page and the pictures. Fantastic! Also congrats with all your new challenges. I know that you need them at some points in your life. Maybe you can plan your own photo exhibition (one of my own challenges for the next future). Your pictures are always gorgeous. I "liked" the Bayou Belles page. So I will keep informed about your progress there. Greetings, Joke

Anonymous said...

Wow what an upbeat post. Is your butique in Baton Rouge by any chance. Might look you up when I get down your way.

rainfield61 said...

Congrats to everything you have done.

Petra Pavlátková said...

Oh Gail, your plans sound impressive and the energy is seeping through. Wishing you the best of luck with fulfilling the list and also many customers eager to shop in your Bayou Belles booth! :)

A Colorful World said...

Oh I have always wanted to do that! What fun! It looks like a great booth, and I wish you and your friend great success! What a lovely list of things to be thankful for!

Just love your beautiful shrubs and the cute little garden birds. Great post! Loved it all!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Happy days ahead Gail... It's been a journey and you deserve all the joy in the world! Thanks for sharing it all with us. Hope you find time to keep blogging occasionally anyway. (Remember your old virtual friends too ;))),

Susan said...

Congratulations on the opening of Bayou Belles- may it be very successful for you and your friend! The plants are beautiful. I have a feeder just like that yellow one, purchased it about 3 months ago- the tits love it! Looks like you've collected some wonderful moments so far this year :)

Wally Jones said...

Just the fact you have started the things on your list means you're already successful!

Like your garden plants, I sense growth, blooming and bearing fruit in your future.

Bonne Chance !

Ida said...

What a lovely post. I enjoy seeing your garden, learning about your new venture and just seeing your wonderful photos.

Kenneth Cole Schneider said...

Good luck in your endeavors. The Angel's earrings are unusually beautiful.

Helma said...


Nothing is more beautiful than you say you
answers prayers and that you now after 2 years of wanderings of your daughter can talk together about the wedding I also read that you are going to open a booth at a flea market together with your friend. It is indeed yours year Gal!
And then also this beautiful pictures in your post :-)))))))
Kind regards, Helma

BeachGypsy said...

Hi Gail, the booth at the market looks very very nice and FUN! i HAVE A dear lifelong friend who has had a booth for about twenty years now and she just loves it and also makes a profit. She has always encouraged me to do the same. I wish you the best with it...it will be a great success! Also planning a wedding is fun! Enjoy!

Juliana said...

I love such wonderful treasures in the garden... statues & monuments... cool shots

xoxo, Juliana | PJ’ Happies :)

Suzan said...

Congratulations on your booth and I enjoyed your delish-to-be garden!!