Baby Announcement

 

 I was sitting here this afternoon composing a post about a recent getaway when Brett came in the house telling me to drop everything, get the camera and follow him... pronto.

Once in awhile I'm glad I listen to him

;-D.

 

Look Quick

 

 

 

 

 Spring is taking on a new sparkle now that the pollen has been washed away.

Nothing like several days of non-stop torrential downpours to make one appreciate a sunny spring day.

Last week it was all about rain and dogwoods and rain and Kwanzan Cherry blooms and rain and a nest filled with bird's eggs.

As you can see this week it's all about azaleas, azaleas, baby birdies and azaleas.

  That birdhouse is on it's last leg.  We have a new one ready to replace it once the little ones fledge.  They don't seem to mind the condition of their abode.

While trying to capture a shot of the azaleas in their glory I looked down and noticed this lone bloom lying on the mulch.  Hard to believe that something so beautiful will be but a memory tomorrow.

That seems to be how spring goes.  Look quick or risk missing the glory of this most lovely season.

 

Every April, God rewrites the Book of Genesis. ~Author Unknown

 

Cottage Garden or Garden Cottage

 

~ another print from the under the bed collection ~

 

Our rainy weather is preventing me from puttering in my garden today.

  It isn't, however, stopping me from puttering indoors.

 During my recent (never-ending) decluttering mission, I found these little garden miniatures tucked away in a drawer.  I think they would be charming in a fairy garden, but today they became a part of my indoor garden.  The one in the little cabinet in the powder room. 

By now you've probably noticed that the garden seems to wind it's way right into my house.  If I had to dream up a theme around here, it would most likely be Cottage Garden.  

Recently I was thinking it might be time for a makeover in this little powder room.  I was envisioning the wallpaper coming down and being replaced with beadboard.  Around this time my sister-in-law presented me with these petite garden boots, which are actually soap.  That was all it took to make me decide I really do still like this wallpaper and it fits into the cottage garden theme just fine.

 

 Thinking the indoor garden could use a boost from the outdoor garden on this rainy morning, I wondered what I might be able to clip while still in my pj's.  Thank goodness for those pansies right outside the front door.

 

Monday Morning

 

Well, look who I found peeking into my window this morning.

 

I couldn't help but ask him why he wasn't at work today.

After all it is Monday.

 Hmm... let me think a minute.

Ya see, it's like this...

My coffee maker is on the fritz and I just can't seem to get going this morning.  It's a long walk to the office and I thought I smelled coffee as I walked by your house.  A peek in the window affirmed my thoughts.  I think if I had a nice hot cup of coffee I'd be able to make it to work today.

Really?

  I never knew geckos were partial to coffee.  I'm not sure I'm buying this story.

However, just to appease you, here's a cup for the road.

Now get going before you're fired.

 

Hi Ho, Hi Ho... it's off to work I go.

 I guess we all have those mornings once in a while.

;-D.

 

 Happy Monday,

(all images from here except the first 2 which are (unfortunately) mine).

Strolling Through the Spring Garden

 

 While enjoying my lunch on the patio today it occurred to me that it was time for some new material on the blog.  The only problem is I'm having trouble coming up with new material when really right now it's all about springtime.

 

 Every day there is something new happening right outside my door and I fear I'll miss it all if I stay inside too long.  The thing about spring blossoms is that they need to be appreciated promptly.  Procrastination in this area may mean missing the show entirely and that would mean waiting an entire year to see it all again.

To that I say... No Can Do.

So, I hope you'll join me for a springtime stroll through my garden.

 Most of my daffodils have come and gone already.

Thankfully a few of the late bloomers are still going strong.

For the most part tulips perform as annuals here.

This lone beauty came back for a repeat performance, much to my delight.

Hostas popping up here, there and everywhere.

A glimpse of the quince.

I planted it many years ago.  It didn't do much for most of those years.  It just sort of sat there... not growing, yet not dying.  Two or three years ago I dug it up and relocated it.  It seems to be very happy in it's new location.  It has doubled in size and is filled with blooms this year.  Had I not decided to stroll the garden today I might not have even noticed it as it is in a somewhat out of the way spot.  All the more reason to make it a point to stroll the garden in springtime :).

The dogwoods are always such a welcome sight to my eyes.

Sadly three of our trees seem to be nearing the end of their lives.  Much of the tree is now dead wood.  I'm choosing to crop that out and focus on the beautiful blooms that remain.

A stop at the bluebird nestbox revealed the work of a busy little Carolina Wren family.  Recently I set some of my dryer lint in amongst the branches of the butterfly bush.  It made me smile to see it appear in the base of the nest waiting to offer a soft place for the baby birdies to begin their new lives in.  I also spy bits of moss and some hair in there.  It seems there are lessons to be learned from the tender care our bird friend's show in preparing for their babies.  Amazing little architects they are.

Thanks for joining me in the garden today.

Perhaps you are still waiting for spring to arrive in your part of the world.  If so, I hope you enjoyed an early peak of what you have to look forward to.  If you are living in a southern location where spring is in full bloom, you will no doubt relate to the picture of my foot.  Notice the pollen covered toes and flip flops.  It was so thick out there today it looked like a yellow haze in the air.  We really could use a good rain to wash it all away.  I had to blow it off the picnic table before I sat down to eat. 

Oh well, I guess that's the price we pay for this profusion of blooms.