Outdoor Wednesday - 2/18 - Tour of Natchitoches

Today is Outdoor Wednesday. I can't wait for Spring and to see all the lovely gardens you will share. After you take a quick tour of our fun day Monday, head over to see Susan at a Southern Daydreamer. I love how creative everyone has been during the winter season.

Monday, I shared a few pics of Natchitoches. I had to laugh at some of your comments on wondering how you say Natchitoches. Well, here you go!



If you live near enough to visit Natchitoches, it will certainly charm you. The City of Natchitoches is the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. Natchitoches was established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis.

This was as we were leaving Lasyone's where we had lunch. This is the Old Courthouse Museum. Originally the courthouse, it was completed in 1896 and covered to the Museum in 1996. I love the architecture. That's Mr. Dumpling on the far right.



All through town are these wonderful old street lights with gorgeous, lush baskets. The baskets are always beautiful with seasonal flowers.



To the right of Lasyone's is one of the numerous old HUGE live oaks. Oh, if I could have just one in my yard!



This is the view on Front Street. Notice the brick road. Cane River runs along Front Street. If you catch it at the right time, you can see the Northwestern State rowing team. Very picturesque!



Looking across the street from the River, you can see the beautiful iron work. The building on the corner is The Landing Restaurant. We make reservations every Christmas season at one of the tables in the window. You can see the beautiful Christmas lights, fireworks and strolling tourist. Magical!



The Tulip trees (as we call them) are just about gone but I found one to show you that still has lots of blooms:



During the summer months, Natchitoches is in bloom with crepe myrtles everywhere! Most are the stunning watermelon color. These are very old crepe myrtles and bloom in abundance! You don't see crepe myrtles trunks this large very often.



How about a lovely camellia bush/tree blooming in front of the NSU Alumini building?




Since Steel Magnolias was filmed here, how about a few of my favorite Ouiser quotes?




Ouiser Boudreaux: He is a boil on the butt of humanity!

[about the new mayor's wife dancing]
Clairee Belcher: Looks like two pigs fightin' under a blanket.

Ouiser Boudreaux: I'm not crazy, I've just been a very bad mood for the last 40 years!

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Outdoor Wednesday 2/10 Caladiums, Crepe Myrtles and Lewis

It's been in the 70's here and I'm just dying to get out in the yard. So far, we're still trying to get my Daddy moved to his new home. I did peek in my flower beds and I see my daylilies coming up! Susan, over at A Southern Daydreamer has gathered a large crowd just waiting for you to come visit them in the Great Outdoors!

I love caladiums! We don't have a lot of shade in this yard so I keep these on the porch. I love to mix them all together!



We love the white Natchez crepe myrtles and planted several in front of the drive. Look at this one closely. One branch is white Natchez and the other branches are lavender!. Arrggg. We haven't decided what to do yet...dig it up and appreciate its uniqueness.



Between the Natchez crepe myrtles, we built a bed with Dynamite Crepe Myrtles. These are a true fire engine red. I can't wait until they grow and really put on a show!


While on vacation in Branson one year, we stumbled on this antique weathervane in a little antique store called Tuxedo Cat. He had been on an old general store in Lewisville, AR. We hadn't started building this home yet but I could just see him on a cupola. We left without him. He was just too much $$$. Well, we couldn't get him off our mind. We went back the next day, bought him, named him Lewis...and voila...he has a home now!




Boudreaux just had to get in the act today and says "Y'all come back now"! Yes, he is a genius talking dog.

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