Waters of March

It's the wind blowing free, it's the end of the slope
It's a beam, it's a void, it's a hunch, it's a hope
And the river bank talks of the waters of March

It's the end of the strain, it's the joy in your heart

                                                         from Waters of March

                                                         by  Antonio Carlos

Nest Building Time

My son is only two years old, but he is already fascinated with nature and the Great Outdoors.  He notices flowers and bugs and birds and trees and all the little things that I tend to walk by without noticing.  Trying to see the world through his eyes has made me a better observer, too.  I love to watch him play in the yard, as I can see the wonder on his face as he attempt to "take it all in."  This time outdoors has become very special to us both.  So, I never want to miss an opportunity to turn our time outdoors into a fun project or lesson that I hope he enjoys. 

A couple of weeks ago, he was awe stricken by some of the birds who have taken up residence in our yard.  We talked about birds and how some birds live in trees and others in special houses.  As we discussed them, I decided to have him put together a "Nest Building Basket" for the birds.  We put all types of things we thought a bird might be able to use to build a nest:  pieces of twine, twigs, fabrics and fibers, straw, etc.  We put it in a wire basket and suspended it from one of the trees in our back yard.  Imagine our delight the first time we saw a bird checking out the supplies!

Today, I was reminded of our project as I sat in my office, glanced out the window, and saw two small finches building a nest on the side of a tree amongst the ivy.  I am anxious to watch them over the course of the season, and I like to think that our Nest Building Basket helped out an equally productive bird or two in our own back yard.

Happy Spring!

Photo Courtesy of:  Squidoo

Getting Ready for Spring

I love spring!  I get so antsy as the weather turns a bit warmer and the daffodils start to peak up through the ground.  I usually can't wait to dig around in the yard and the flower beds.  And, according tomost gardening experts, now is the time to get out there!  A common mistake many people make is waiting until the weather turns much warmer and flowers are beginning to bloom to pay attention to their yards.  Unfortunately, by then, it is too late to really prepare for your yard to show at its best.  At the end of February and early March, I begin the season by doing the following task list before I do anything else:

I'm in Zone 7, so this may not fit everyone's March to-do-list.  Those of you a little further north will want to wait a month or so...

• Remove all the leaves, twigs and fallen branches that have accumulated in the yard over the winter months.  Even though I removed all the leaves in the fall, there will still be some in the spring that have blown in over the winter.
• Trim up the foliage on the summer blooming perennials that are above the ground.  I normally trim up my evergreen herbs like rosemary, etc. during this time.  I also prune most of my roses in March.  Keep in mind that it is too late to prune your spring blooming perennials and shrubs (forsythia, quince, etc.)  - prune these later after the blooms have gone.
• Dig out all the weeds that have started to spring up in the flower beds.  As hard as it is to believe that those suckers can grow in February...they do.  Weeding now will reduce your job in this regard later in the year!
• Cut back vines and ivy that has grown out of its territory.
• Cut back ornamental grasses, including liriope, and the dead stems of perennials (I always leave these during the winter for the birds and other wildlife) to a few inches high.
• Loosen the old mulch with a cultivator (or in my case, a gloved hand) acorns and other dried plant matter that has accumulated around my shrubs and perennials.  Air needs to be able to better penetrate those roots!
• Reseed and fertilize the lawn.
• Fertilize my spring bulbs.

Here are some photos of our yard in spring and summer.  We are still in the planning and planting phases of our landscaping, and there is so much more to do, but we are quite proud of what we have accomplished.

Happy Gardening!

Our backyard space...and my little bunny

We had a beautiful Easter weekend!  It was our precious boy's first birthday, so it was doubly special for us this year!  The yard was so green and so full of life, and I took what must have been hundreds of pictures.  We also enjoyed our back porch for the first time this spring. It's in desperate need of a coat of paint, but we love lounging out there looking at all the greenery and flowers. Thought I'd share a few of our pictures here.  Isn't my sweet baby boy just darling?



The Easter Bunny had been very busy hiding Easter eggs in our yard!

 

And they were placed ever so cleverly...just so little hands could pick them up and add them to Easter baskets.

 

Friends and family enjoying the back porch.

 

We have plenty of places to lounge.  Molly is enjoying her favorite place at the edge of the porch near the steps.

 

My personal favorite place to sit with a good book.

 

Love having this little place outside my kitchen door - a great place to enjoy coffee or a cup of tea.

 

My gorgeous clematis vine is outdoing itself this year!

 

These blooms are huge...breathtaking!





Our sweet boy enjoying his time in the yard. He hasn't decided yet if he likes the prickly grass.

 

Our baby, with the help of Daddy, found so many Easter eggs!

 

"I like the orange ones best, Mama!"

 

A smile that melts his Mama's heart.

 

My beatiful baby boy - my joy!

 

They look as if they may be discussing where that Clever Easter Bunny hid more eggs....such a serious discussion.



The side of our house with a view of the old well and our precious boy's new firetruck.  Ah, such sweet yard decor that is!

 Hope you're enjoying your spring days soaking up the sunshine in your own yard.  We are anxiously awaiting the peonies' bloom! So, stay tuned for more photos!

Happy spring!

Perfection

To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure

is the most perfect refreshment.

~Jane Austen

Enjoy the sunlight on spring green,



Hello, dear friends

Here come the irises...awakening after their long winter's nap. Seeing them is like welcoming home old friends!

What is making an appearance in your garden?

Sign of Spring

I wonder if they realize that Winter has not yet gone away but is simply taking a temporary vacation?

Welcome, December...

Through bare trees
I can see all the rickety lean-tos
and sheds, and the outhouse
with the half-moon on the door,
once modestly covered in
summer's greenery.

Through bare trees
I can watch the hawk
perched on a distant branch,
black silhouetted wings
shaking feathers and snow,
and so can its prey.

Through bare trees
I can be winter's innocence,
unashamed needfulness,
the thin and reaching limbs
of a beggar, longing to touch
but the hem of the sun.
~ Lisa Lindsey, Bare Trees

My November Guest

My Sorrow, when she's here with me,
Thinks these dark days of autumn rain
Are beautiful as days can be;
She loves the bare, the withered tree;
She walks the sodden pasture lane.
Her pleasure will not let me stay.
She talks and I am fain to list:
She's glad the birds are gone away,
She's glad her simple worsted grady
Is silver now with clinging mist.
The desolate, deserted trees,
The faded earth, the heavy sky,
The beauties she so ryly sees,
She thinks I have no eye for these,
And vexes me for reason why.
Not yesterday I learned to know
The love of bare November days
Before the coming of the snow,
But it were vain to tell her so,
And they are better for her praise.
      ~Robert Frost

September

The breezes taste

of apple peel.

The air is full

of smells to feel -

ripe fruit, old footballs,

burning brush,
new books, erasers,
chalk and such.
The bee, his hive,
well-honeyed hum,
and Mother cuts
Chrisanthemums.
Late plates washed clean
with suds, the days
are polished with
a morning haze.
        `John Updike, September

Summer Shower

A drop fell on the apple tree,
Another on the roof;
A half a dozen kissed the eaves,
And made the gables laugh.

A few went out to help the brook,
That went to help the sea.
Myself conjectured, Were they pearls,
What necklaces could be!

The dust replaced in hoisted roads,
The birds jocoser sung;
The sunshine threw his hat away,
The orchards spangles hung.

The breezes brought dejected lutes,
And bathed them in the glee;
The East put out a single flag,
And signed the fete away.

Summer Shower by Emily Dickinson

We have waited all summer for a good rain. It had been weeks when, unexpectedly, a sunny day turned dark and the skies opened up and blessed us with a late afternoon shower that was overdue by at least two months. What a luxury rain has become this summer! And what a blessing to finally get a reprieve from the unrelenting sun. Although the rain was brief and we wish it could have visited longer, we were thankful for what little we received! I was so happy to see it, I nearly took to yard in my bare feet just to wade in those glorious puddles! If it had not been for the baby sleeping inside and no one to watch after him, I may have flung open the door, ran outside, tilted my face to the sky and laughed like a mad woman! Oh, when this sweet boy gets a little older, what fun we will have in the rain!

Through the Storm

Today, I am recovering.  I have spent the last 48 hours drifting in and out of a restless sleep between bouts of pure misery.  I have been hibernating, healing, dreaming of not feeling so lousy.  Stomach viruses are hard to kick, and believe me, this one has been a doozie.  I feel as though I have lost days of my life.  As I lay here in our bedroom this afternoon, watching the lace curtains blow in the breeze of the approaching storm, I find myself praying for the rain...the sweet, cleansing, drenching rain.  Just what we need.  A perfect way to wash away the yuckiness, leaving me feeling refreshed, albeit a little disheveled after this most recent storm. The thunder rumbles low in the distance (or is that my stomach?)...no, it's the thunder.  Thank heavens.  And yes, here comes the rain. Ahhh.

Isn't the photograph above lovely?  It's by photographer Lyle Huisken whose work you may find at http://lyle-and-fran-huisken.fineartamerica.com/.  This looks much like the white lace curtains blowing in our own room (although I am too sick to get out of bed to find my own camera to take a picture, but I will do that soon).  Meanwhile, please visit Mr. Huisken's site and look at his fabulous photographs. They're just the type I would take if I was a gifted photographer just like him.

Thinking well thoughts,

 

The year's at the spring

And day's at the morn;

Morning's at seven;

The hillside's dew-pearled;

The lark's on the wing;

The snail's on the thorn;

God's in His heaven -

All's right with the world!

     ~Robert Browning

 

It has been a while since I posted, and I have missed it dearly.  We have been busy with yard sales and baby preparations and reclaiming our house after the remodel.  We have also been busy in our yard and garden.  Time certainly flies when one has one thousand things to do!

 

This year, instead of planting herbs and vegetables in a separate space, I have mixed them in among my flowers.  They are alongside the house in the flowerbeds and in the large ornamental spaces in front of the house.  That area receives the best sunlight, and all other places have failed to produce...so I decided to give this a try. Of course, I only grow peppers and tomatoes, along with the basic herbs: onion chives, basil, oregano, fern leaf dill, sage, rosemary, thyme, and parsley.  I am seeing this more and more in landscapes.  I would love to hear from others who mix their herbs and veggies in with their ornamental flowers.  We are thoroughly enjoying the warmer weather and our time out of doors.  Soon, the weather will turn so hot that we will avoid the midday in the garden, so we are enjoying it now while we may.  We currently have irises blooming, as well as our beautiful clematis vines...so full of blooms that you couldn't count them all!  One of the prettiest irises I have this year is a gorgeous peach color.  We are anxiously awaiting our new blooms courtesy of the landscaping project we completed back in the fall:  cone flowers, dianthus, black-eyed susans, and more showy blooms.

 

 

April is a promise that May is bound to keep. ~Hal Borland

Happy gardening and flowering!