Late Winter Garden Notes

Saturday's arrival brought blue, sunny skies.  

Oh my, what a welcome sight!

Our long stretch of cold, gray gloom was beginning to take a toll.

With nothing on the day's schedule, I promptly decided it was going to be an outside gardening day.  At first glance it may seem early for any gardening, but I knew there were a few early chores to be accomplished.  Before I began I just sat on the patio enjoying the sun on my face and the chance to breathe in the fresh cool air.  In the distance the sound of birdsong made me know that despite what the weather might be saying, springtime is just around the corner. 

Late winter is the time I cut back the ornamental grasses.  Trimming away last year's dry foliage to make way for fresh new green shoots always feels hopeful.

The one above is liriope (aka:  monkey grass).  There are five of them around the backyard water feature and five in the front yard.

     

I found a pair of scissors worked best to give them all a haircut.

Once done, things were looking much tidier.

This twiggy looking thing is my Annabelle Hydrangea.

Not too impressive right now, but come summer it should be filled with big white blossoms.  

In an effort to ensure that happening I cut it back to within 6-10" from the ground before it breaks dormancy.

 

Once the work was done I strolled the garden looking for signs of new life.  In the herb garden I noticed fresh green chives popping out.

Last fall I had a few crocus bulbs left over and stuck them into a patio pot.  We're expecting a few days in the 60s this week which I imagine will coax them into bloom.

My three little blueberry plants are filling up with buds.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a healthy harvest come summer.

Although most of my spring bulbs have poked out of the ground, the only bloom to be found is this one lone snowdrop.  A sign of things to come.   I can hardly wait for the show to begin.

Pandemic Projects

In the early days of this pandemic it seemed like a good idea to use the time at home wisely by tackling projects that never seem to make it off the "to do list".  I found this post to be very encouraging at a time that seemed so uncertain.

Looking back over these many months, in some ways it seems like not much got accomplished.  Perhaps it is because they weren't major accomplishments like learning a new language or perhaps it is because nobody comes in to appreciate the small fruits of our labor.

I guess we really have ticked off a fair amount of things that give us a sense of accomplishment and add a bit of variety to the days.

One such project happened last weekend.  I might add that it was a non-stop rainy weekend so a little project was most welcome.

This project involved a guest room wall that had not been decorated since moving in two years ago.  I couldn't quite figure out what to do with it so I did nothing.  

A recent visit to HomeGoods served as the inspiration to get things moving.  I might add that my shopping trips are still very limited at this point.  However, after seeing so many favorite shops go out of business, I try to do a small part in supporting those that are hanging in there.

Last week I felt lucky to find something that seemed like it might work for that wall across from the bed.  After measuring and pounding a few holes in the wall, a pleasing arrangement was found.

Just one thing was missing . . .

The photos!

In trying to decide which photos to include in this collage, I opted for memories made since moving into this house.  Sure do wish I could see them in person more often.  For now, I enjoy seeing their smiling faces every time I pass through this room.  Currently that is several times a day as it is on the indoor walking route :).  Another pandemic project (of sorts) has been to increase the daily steps.  During this long string of rainy days here that has made for a lot of passes through the guest room.

Have you tackled any projects recently?

Twas The Day After Valentine's Day

The other day I looked out the window to see four cardinal couples hanging out in my neighbor's crape myrtle tree.  Glad my phone was handy to snap a quick picture as not long after I saw them, they were gone.  Their visit seemed most appropriate in the days leading up to Valentine's Day.  Love was most definitely in the air 💘

I had intended to pop in here to wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day, but it never happened.  I hope you found a way to make the day special one way or another.

The pansies I was drying in my last post found their way into a Valentine I sent to a special someone.  While sorting through my vintage card collection I spotted this sweet little one with the pansies on it.  Seemed like just the one to tuck a few pressed pansies into.  I'm hoping that it carried the promise of spring along with it.

Speaking of spring, I finally got motivated to change my Christmas themed header.  As we are on the umteenth day of gray, gloomy weather, I am declaring it springtime on my blog :).

I guess my longing for springtime has carried over to the kitchen.

When Publix advertised Florida strawberries last week, the Valentine's Day dessert menu began to take shape.

Fresh strawberry pie with a generous dollop of whipped cream.

One pie for two people means it will be a very spring-like week.  At least in the kitchen.

I wish I could invite you over to share.  Since that's not a possibility, please accept my belated Valentine wishes along with a virtual slice of pie.

💟

Books and Flowers

While the winter garden lies (mostly) dormant outside, I'm glad we can still exercise our green thumbs a bit with winter blooming bulbs.

There is one thing that is still thriving in my outdoor garden.

Pretty Pansies

While watering them last week, I couldn't bear the thought of watching their pretty little faces shriveling up so I snipped some of the prettiest ones off and laid them out on a sheet of paper.

After bringing them in the house I laid another sheet of paper on top of them and gathered up some of my heaviest vintage books to set on top.

Voila... my homemade flower press.

Those old books come in handy for more than just reading.

Speaking of old books . . .

Have you ever purchased anything on Facebook Marketplace?

I never had until the recent day when I found myself a bit bored and began scrolling through the offerings.  It seems I'm always reading about people who find great items there so I thought I'd see what it was all about.

Before long I stumbled across this beautiful nature library.

Published in 1926 with the titles of

Animals, Butterflies, Birds, Wildflowers, Trees & Garden Flowers and look at the beautiful spines!

I was instantly intrigued so I contacted the buyer to ask a few questions.

In the course of our back and forth conversation I learned

that she ran an antique shop in her small town and had bought the books from a fellow antique dealer.  She had owned them for ten years.  Now that she was downsizing her home she had to let go of some of her things.  She also shared that as a master gardener she loved these books.

When I was downsizing my own home two years ago, most of my book collection had to go.

So, naturally, when I showed them to my husband his first question was...

Any guesses???

If you guessed "where are you going to put them?"  you win the prize :).

Actually he says that often.  In this instance, though, he had a point.

The thing is after also seeing a few glimpses of what was to be found inside the covers of these books, I was a goner.

Though I no longer have bookcases, I put that old saying where there's a will, there's a way into practice.

My little living room is one of my favorite spots to read and dream.

A little vintage vignette in that very room is just the ideal spot for them.

Books and flowers.

Two things that are adding pleasure to this endless string of at home days.

What's adding pleasure to your days?

                                                            

                                                                   

New Year ~ New Computer

Well, hello there and a belated Happy New Year!!

I'm composing this post on my new computer which is proving to be a hair raising experience!!

After years of having Windows PCs, we have gone with a Mac this time.  I guess it will take some time to get used to, but time is something I currently have plenty of so let the learning begin.

I was hoping to do a post last week when snow was in the forecast.  That is always cause for excitement around here.

Most of the day it rained and then an hour or so before sunset the flakes began to fall.

Good thing I documented with a few photos because by morning it was all gone.

Not much has been happening around here as we are staying home as much as possible.  One evening around dusk I looked out the window and saw a group of five deer in the backyard.  We see them come out of the woods from time to time.  This was the first time I've seen a buck, however.  Unfortunately the bird feeder was blocking the view.  Oh well, just documenting again.

The doe was a bit more photogenic.

I think this will conclude my first post on the Mac.

I hope you are all doing well.

Bringing Light To The Dark Days

It sounds like parts of the northeastern USA are preparing for huge amounts of snow.  Apparently we in NC are included in that storm system.  Although we are seeing it in the liquid form of rain.  If you are in the path of the heavy snow, I am thinking of you today.  With all that we are currently dealing with this holiday season, power outages and other storm related issues are the last thing needed.

 In an effort to bring a little light to this dreary day, I went around the house this morning and lit a few candles and overrode a few of the timers to cheer things up a bit.

This little garden snowman has his mower ready to assist those of you who need help clearing your walks and driveways.  Any takers?

I had fun decorating this area for the first time this year.

This is the view from the kitchen into the "smart space".  That's the fancy name for laundry room.  Considering that I do laundry, work my job daily, check my home computer, wrap gifts, pot houseplants and store much of my seasonal home decor, gift wrap, office supplies, laundry supplies, cleaning supplies and books I guess it is a pretty smart use of space : ).  

The door goes into the garage.  The built in bench is a great spot to put on or take off your shoes.

Since I do spend a lot of time in here it seemed an ideal spot to spread a bit of Christmas cheer.  Even better to make it vintage Christmas cheer.  So I selected some of my favorite old ornaments to hang on the tabletop tree.  The wreath hung there a few days when I had a lightbulb moment.  Literally.  Last year my neighbor had given me a strand of battery operated lights with little clothespins attached.

I decided to put them to use on my wreath to display some of my cherished old Christmas cards.

Ah, the good old days when we looked forward to receiving cheerful Christmas greetings in our mailbox all month long.  I'm one of the people who has been holding onto that tradition even though I see it declining more every year.  This year I bought the cards early.  When it came time to prepare them for sending, the motivation was nowhere to be found.  I found every excuse I could think of to avoid the task.  But, since I had bought the cards I was going to send them.

I've been dragging the task along all week.  Most have been mailed and the rest will be done today.  Last night I was reading about how overwhelmed the post office is.  Chances are the last of my cards will be late to arrive.

Bah Humbug!

I know a lot of us have wondered whether it was worthwhile to decorate when the holiday visitors would be in short supply or non-existent.  I'm glad we went ahead and decorated as usual.  There is a certain comfort to be found in the decorations collected through the years.   Plus, the lights are beautiful every day.  Starting in early December I begin the day with my cup of coffee in front of the lighted Christmas tree.  Evenings are often spent watching a Christmas movie with all of the Christmas lights glowing.  Christmas lights will always be magical to me.  Perhaps more than ever this year.

🎄🎄🎄

Holly Jolly

While I was getting my outside morning light today, I collected some greenery from the garden.  Rosemary and two types of holly. Back when I chose the plants for my garden space, I put a lot of thought into favorite plants that would serve more than one purpose. In other words, they needed to be not only pretty, but also be something that could provide bouquets, be edible, provide shade, encourage beneficial insects, be food for the birdies...  Well, you get the idea. With such a small garden, it was an exercise in restraint.

Hollies that provided beautiful berries made it onto the list.

We grew many different hollies in our last garden.  They do well in our naturally acidic soil.  Even though there were several varieties, I was usually hard pressed to find berries to use at Christmastime.  Sometimes the birds beat me to them and sometimes the plants didn't produce.  Therefore, I researched a size suitable for this garden and learned they were best planted with a male and female plant in close proximity.  When they were planted last summer they looked a bit scraggly.  But, it seems they did whatever they had to do to produce some beautiful red berries.  I was able to clip enough sprigs for an arrangement and there are still plenty for the birds.

🐦🐦🐦

Just the pop of red I was looking for and the rosemary is adding a nice pop of fragrance.

How are your holiday decorating plans progressing?