Spring--finally!

After a really warm winter, I expected an early spring. Silly me. It seems to have taken forever for the temperatures to warm up to the deep south's April standards. We had several days last week when the temperature stayed in the forties all day, unusual for early April around here.

But, the past couple of days have been glorious! We put a new swing near the river and my husband, Andy, and the children finally talked me into getting a trampoline. Maybe I've watched too many home videos on television, but trampolines just look like an accident waiting to happen. I kind of turn into the mom from A Christmas Story. Instead of "you'll shoot your eye out" it's "you'll break your neck". Hopefully, we won't need any trips to the emergency room this year.

The children are taking a break from jumping, and one is keeping me company on the porch. Apparently, moon sand hasn't lost its appeal.

Happy spring!

Knitting on the Porch

I'm one of those people who love Daylight Saving Time. I know I don't actually get more hours of daylight, but I really like having more light after dinner.

A couple of afternoons ago, I grabbed my knitting bag (currently contains a sock in progress) and sat on my porch. It was warm, but not hot and the light was perfect. The big dogs kept me company, although I fear that my sock may have a permanent doggy kiss smell. Thanks for that, Abby.

In the first picture, you can see my chair, complete with project bag, iPod, and drink. The other picture shows my view, looking toward the river. The grass is still brown, but I think we'll start seeing some green peek through in the next few weeks.

This is just about my favorite time of year. How about you?

Sitting on the porch

It's spring and prime porch-sitting weather around here. The weather is warm enough to be comfortable, but the humidity isn't too high yet. In addition, the bugs aren't out in full force yet. So, my husband and I decided to relax on our porch and do some reading and puzzles.

Wonder of wonders, the children didn't follow us so we had a bit of quiet time together. Then, Abby the Ginormous Dog joined us. She's pretty quiet, but really hates to be left out of anything. She offered to help Andy with his crossword (or sudoku, I can't remember). Abby was eager to help but she can't spell. Or count.

Then, she apparently wanted me to read to her. Nothing doin', Big Dog! Read your own books.

Finally, she settled down to what she does best. Lay around and pant. And drool a little.

How's your spring coming along? Or autumn, if you are south of the equator?

April already?!

How did it get to be April already? I've still got so much to get caught up on from winter--there's still wool to be spun and crocheted, there's a quilt started that needs work, even herbs dried last fall that need to be put into jars.

No matter! The days are getting longer, my porch has been cleaned (though it could use another rinse to get rid of the rest of the pollen), the hummingbird feeder is hung up and the new herbs are planted in the herb garden. The vegetable patch has been tilled (thanks, sweetie!) and there are container tomato plants already on the patio.

This week I plan to take a sample from the pool for testing. The water looks good, but I'm sure it needs something to keep it that way. The children are already asking when they can go swimming. We stalled them today by hooking up the sprinkler. April 1 and we're expecting 91 degrees tomorrow!

The strawberry farm is open for picking already and I have plans to go there this week with friends. We'll pick in the morning and then we'll head back to the house to make jelly and jam.

Whew. I'm tired already. Maybe I should sit on the porch for a while and watch for hummingbirds.

What's Green Around Here

Spring is in full splendor around here and the hostas are doing well. I went to my favorite shade plant nursery, Shady Characters, planning to buy a few heucheras to replace several that I lost this past winter (and one that Abby the Ginormous Dog dug up, grrr!) Of course I couldn't possibly get out of there without a new hosta or two, to add to the mix.

This heuchera is called citronella, and it has a wonderful lime green color. It just lights up the shade plant bed.

This one is called Southern Comfort, another heuchera, with leaves the color of caramel. It's a nice contrast with the greens of the hostas nearby.

And, here are some of the containers that I've planted this year. My apologies for the mud on the sides. They were still recovering from the huge rainstorms of the night before.

No, Martha Stewart probably wouldn't be impressed, but I think my grandmother would like it. And that's a pretty good standard.

Spring Always Gets Busy Around Here

As usual, spring is a busy time. There's gardening to do (which has been on hold for a few days because of rain), schoolwork to finish, and right now I've got custom orders to fill for the Etsy shop.

My flower gardens are looking pretty good. This year I've added a few hostas and filled about eight containers with annuals, mostly pink ones. I've agonized over containers for a few years, trying to copy pictures in magazines and nursery catalogs. This time is different. I remembered a picture I saw a few years ago of my grandmother's country home. The porch was filled with containers of plants and the colors were gorgeous.

So, I decided to just buy loads of annuals and stick them in the pots I already have. I haven't followed any rules, just put in a bunch of flowers that I like. I'm happy with the result, When it stops raining, I'll take a picture for you.

How's spring shaping up for you? (Or fall, if you're below the equator!)

Miscellaneous Goings On

The above birdbath was created by my daughter at spring break camp. She loved putting it in our butterfly garden, where we've planted loads of flowers that butterflies and hummingbirds like--such as lantana, butterfly bush and clematis. The birdbath is decorated with a flower (not a dragonfly-don't ask me how I know that).

The vegetable garden is tilled and ready to plant, if we can just find the time to get the seeds in the ground. That's probably a project for my son and me later this week.

And, this time of year, Frodo the Wonder Yorkie becomes Frodo the Mighty Lizard Hunter. He's hot on the trail of ...something.

Mudroom Is Almost Done

The mudroom is getting close to being finished. The tile is in place, it just needs grout and sealant. After that, the door needs trim and the light fixture will go up. I can hardly wait to start using the space!

Some beautiful flowers are in bloom right now. The bearded irises are stunning.

This is a pink clematis that is doing well this year:

And the purple clematis is getting to be a reliable spring bloomer:

Saturday Projects

We had a productive Saturday at our place. Loads got done on the mudroom and hubby and I got a good start on our spring spruce up. Here's the progress on the mudroom:

The garden spot is getting tilled:

My husband cleaned the chicken coop and put in fresh hay:

And the porch got a good cleaning, rinsing off the furniture and floor:

And finally, a trip to town, including dinner at Five Guys Burgers:

We also picked up some new pillows for the porch chairs. I think they look nice. Join me for iced tea at sunset?

Spring is Here!!!

Happy Spring!

Let's Take a Walk Around the House

Frodo the Wonder Yorkie is too busy catching lizards to come with us, so we'll go on without him.

Here's the loropetalum at the end of the house. It is covered with hot pink flowers right now and will provide shade for the hostas this summer.

Speaking of hostas, here they come now!

The Lady Jane tulips bloomed just this morning! They are the official "spring is here" flowers at my house.

Here's three small azaleas (below) that have been added around my October Red maple tree. There's also a forsythia there now too. I've been wanting one for ages!

This flower bed (below) backs up to the woods, so I wanted something as a bridge between my yard and The Wild, so we went with big azaleas. The guy at the nursery says they'll get 7-8 feet high. I'll let you know.

And, to conclude today's tour, the heucheras are looking very healthy in their container on the front steps. (I know, they're covered with pollen. I'll rinse them off tomorrow. Maybe.)

Anything blooming at your place?

March

The month of March is bittersweet for me. I absolutely love spring. I like to walk around my yard every day to see what's peeking out of the soil. I like to see the fresh green leaves on the trees and hear the birds singing through open windows. The tulips and daffodils are the first to pop up, and I check them almost every day to see how they are doing. My daffodils are transplants from my parents' house.

However, daffodils hold another memory for me. My parents planted daffodils at my childhood home years ago and they took over the side fence area and bloom in masses this time of year. Just before my mother died, my father cut a bouquet of daffodils for her, since she was too weak to go out and see them. She died just as they were at their peak.

Only four years later, my father again cut a bouquet of daffodils to take to my aunt's cabin. They, along with another friend, were spending the day in the country, welcoming spring. Shortly after that day, my father too, passed away.

As I watch the daffodils start to bloom in my own flower bed, I hope that they will take over the side of my yard. They seem to have a history of that.

We survived the storm and the racoon came back

We survived the storm just fine. The worst of the thunderstorms went around us; even the daffodils are fine. The grass is getting very green and a few things are in bloom: the daffodils, of course and the spirea; the chives are coming up and the daylily leaves are starting to peek above the mulch. Ahhhh....spring.

Also, the raccoon made another appearance Sunday night. We were all still up (so it was before 9 pm) and Frodo the Wonder Yorkie started barking. We looked out the front window and sure enough, he was back.

So we released Frodo. He dashed out, feet barely touching the ground and chased the aggravating little thief back into the woods. A minute or so later, Frodo came racing back up the porch steps, looking rather more relieved than triumphant. I must remember, he's a "Wonder" but he's still a "Yorkie".

Did I mention, it will officially be spring in three weeks?

I think Phil is right!

Last week, the world's greatest weather forecaster, Punxsutawney Phil, failed to see his shadow. Therefore, we will have an early spring. Okay, so I don't usually plan my days around the prognostications of a rat from anywhere, including a nice little town up north. But, I like this prediction. So, I'm going with it.

According to the rodent from Pennsylvania, my tulips can safely emerge from the ground and start the show. Go ahead. Bloom.

(Almost)Wordless Wednesday

Spring will come, spring will come, spring will come...