When we lived in our little house one of the things I loved was it’s front yard.  We replaced the lawn with drought tolerant plants to reduce our water usage.  My favorite plant was called the Butterfly Weed.

I planted the Butterfly Weed to attract Monarch Butterflies to the garden.  Monarchs use it  as host to lay eggs on.  The caterpillars hatch and eat the leaves.  For several years after planting no butterflies stopped by.  Finally the year before we moved several Monarchs came by and layed eggs.

The results were fabulous.  Dozens of caterpillars were found in my garden the following spring.  My family and I were thrilled when we saw all the chrysalis and finally the newly hatched butterflies.

When we moved to the new house I was determined to put a new Butterfly Weed in our backyard so we could enjoy butterflies again.  I planted a new plant last fall.  I didn’t expect any butterflies to find the plant so soon, but a few weeks ago I noticed all the leaves were gone.  A sign someone had nibbled.

Later in the week my little son noticed a caterpillar crawling around on the sidewalk.  We let it be and wondered if it might be a Monarch caterpillar.  A few days after my little son was outside playing when he noticed a beautiful chrysalis hanging from a board on our wood fence.  It looked like a jewel.

My family and I pay a visit to the chrysalis everyday to look for changes.  The wings are becoming more visible, so we expect the butterfly to emerge any day.

Few things are more magical than watching a caterpillar change to a butterfly.  It’s truly a miracle.  When she finally does hatch (of course it will be a she) I will post a photo for you.

Happy Friday.