Flower Bulbs and Treasured Books

Nothing like a stretch of warm days to coax those bulbs to send forth their beautiful flowers.

With our thoughts turned to getting this house ready to sell, this very well could be the last spring we spend here.  With that in mind I am planning to enjoy each season in this garden.  Yesterday I gathered a daffodil bouquet for the table, a hyacinth bouquet above the sink and one little sprig of quince to force near the kitchen sink.

In all my years of gardening I have never forced spring blooms in the house.  I think it's time to give it a go.

This moving process is an interesting journey.

When the stager came she suggested removing almost everything from the living room.  Coffee table, side tables, all knick knacks, everything on the walls except a large mirror, throw pillows, fireplace screen and everything on the mantle GONE.  I was, however, relieved to know that the books were allowed to stay in the bookcases :).

Although I did spend a recent afternoon editing my book collection, there are still many that I don't want to part with.  That 10,000 Garden Questions above was a recent thrift shop find.  While it's not likely I will consult it with my gardening questions, the illustrations on the spine make my heart sing.

Two books to the left of that one sits Familiar Wild Flowers.

A very old book filled with illustrations like this.  So beautiful.  Sometimes I just like to curl up in a comfy chair and look through them.

The afternoon I spent editing our book collection yielded 4 boxes and 3 bags for donation.  Yikes, I just might be a book hoarder!

When we moved into this house built in bookcases were a top priority.  I hope to find room for some bookcases in the next house, but I doubt there will be as many as we have here.  Hence, the need to edit.

While touring a model home recently we came upon this headboard idea.  That looks like a super cozy spot for reading.  Come to think of it, it might also be a good idea for recycling some of those extra books.

Searching for Signs of Spring in the Garden

When the temperature rises to 75 degrees on a February day, there is only one place I want to be and that is in the garden.

These early gardening sessions are a good time to clean up limbs that have fallen, get a jump on the weeds while the ground is nice and moist and cut the old growth from the perennials.  It is also a wonderful opportunity to peek around for signs of spring.  Something many of us are craving right about now.

From inside the house I had noticed that some of the spring bulbs had started poking out of the ground.  It wasn't until I got out there that I see the hyacinths are forming their flower.  Oh joy!  I can hardly wait to take a whiff of that heavenly scent.

The hydrangeas had a surprise for me in the form of little green buds up and down their dormant looking branches.

What's this strange looking thing, you might ask.

Any guesses?

It is the big fat bud of a Lenten Rose.  This is something that would never be seen from indoors so I'm glad I went looking for it.  Many years I miss the blooming time entirely.  In this instance I was perched on a rock next to the pond (trying not to fall in) while holding the flower bud up with one hand and pressing the camera button with the other.  Amazing it came out at all.  Ha!

Now to remember to keep checking on it until the flower unfurls.

The anticipation builds upon spotting the daffodils almost ready to reveal their beauty once again.  It won't be long now.

Just when I thought it was a tad early for flowers, I spot these two peeking out from under an azalea bush.  Two tiny phlox.  I pause for a moment to appreciate their unique beauty.  Each little petal formed so perfectly with the lavender portion looking as though it had just been painted with a wee little brush.

"If you truly love Nature, you will find beauty everywhere."

- Vincent VanGogh

Happy Valentine's Day

~ Valentine's Greetings ~

I hope you are enjoying the day with someone you love or doing something that you love or, perhaps, enjoying a treat that you love.

Maybe all three.

Wouldn't that be lovely?

I loved each of these vintage Valentine's planters for many a Valentine's Day.  But now they have found their way to new homes across the USA through the magic of Ebay.

 It makes me happy to know that they have found new homes where they will be loved.  The first one up there was sold within an hour of being listed.  The buyer didn't even try to make an offer for a lower price.  Well, alrighty then.  

Glad to know that there is a market for my old treasures.

It kind of helps make parting with them a bit easier.

💘

Happy Valentine's Day!