This entailed cutting back a lot of the plantings around the house so workers could get at the siding. They'll come back, possibly even nicer after some aggressive pruning (the plants, not the workers). For now, however, they look like a kid with a new crew cut. My Crown of Thorns has generously put out new blooms; it's a plant, of course, so I don't suppose it has volition--but I find the coral flowers comforting when everything else is cut back.
It's next to a large red hibiscus that was drastically pruned (which it really needed); no idea how long that bush will take to make new shoots. Won't these look nice against the taupe siding eventually?
Later, I'm going to get some large agaves and other succulents to put along the front of the studio, replacing a bunch of unidentifiable green things that I inherited. I love the sculptural lines and gray-green colors of agaves, which grow well in our area. Plus, they take little care.
In between forays to discuss the paint work, I'm stitching on another iris piece. There are probably 2-3 more fabric pieces with iris in my stash. And my sister in law is bringing another damask tablecloth with her from Minnesota when she visits--this one with thistles woven in. Aahhh--thorny plants! Love it. I doubt I'll find damask with agaves in the weave, but one never knows.