Let’s take a little walk around the property and see what’s growing and blooming in this late-to-get-going Spring.
The wild honeysuckle that grows all over this property is blooming, much to the delight of the bee population.
The climbing hydrangea that I planted about 6 years ago is taking over the shed. It’s supposed to start blooming after 4 or 5 years but nary a bloom has been sighted.
Until now. I couldn’t believe my eyes. In fact, I had just finished a sentence that included the words, “I guess this will never bloom,” when I saw these. Only two, but who cares? A small victory.
The lilacs have bloomed. I walk over to that side of the driveway several times a day and inhale. What a glorious scent.
Our woods open up to this big field, which is owned by my fellow blogger Breida and her husband. I walk through our woods daily and always take a moment to stand and gaze out at this vista.
To the left is the back of our neighbor’s property. He’s been busy stacking enough wood to last him through the apocalypse. Check out his beautiful lilac bush.
This tree is on the edge of my other neighbor’s property, which also abuts Breida’s field. Isn’t it pretty?
The flowering quince is still blooming.
My delicate yellow tulips are open. These were planted long before we moved here, as were the daffodils and a couple of the hostas and sedum.
The big garden bed on April 30th.
On May 7th.
And on May 13th. As you can see, the trees have really filled in, there’s green everywhere, and the perennials are much bigger.
I planted lots of morning glory seeds the other day, as well as zinnias. I haven’t filled my barrels or my galvanized planter with flowers yet – my budget is very, very tight – and I haven’t bought any hanging plants for the porch. Those things will have to wait a bit. Waaah! I want them now!
When my friend Heidi’s shop (which was called Hi Ho Home Market) closed, she gave me one of her signs, which we have placed in front of the birdbath – right where we park our car. Sort of perfect for the funky patio area, don’t you think? We love signs and if they can be used with a sense of humor, all the better.
I made some towels for the dollhouse bathroom by using baby washcloths, a tip I picked up somewhere on the Internet. I think they look neat but they’re too bulky at the moment. I’m going to trim them down a bit.
Today I have to mail off all the items I made for the swap. I spent most of yesterday morning wrapping each item and figuring out how to pack everything so that nothing is damaged. Can’t wait to see what everyone else has created!
Happy Wednesday.
You’re definitely surrounded by beauty! (Not sure why I didn’t realize that you lived in such an “open” spot…)
Well, the back of the property opens up onto a field. But our property has woods.
Always great to see other’s gardens. Things are slow this year in the Midwest as well. I have lots of deep purple bearded Iris if you are interested. Would be happy to share with you.
I have no Iris on the property. Yes, I’d be interested, Dottie!
OMG love those tiny towels. How darn cute. It looks like our spring is about a week behind yours my lilacs are budding but not opening yet, I will check them again today.
Boy, it’s been slow in coming, hasn’t it?
Spring has returned to our neck of the woods. We had 8 inches of snow over the weekend, but it’s all melted and everything looks greener than ever. I love seeing pictures of the area where you live. So many different plants and shrubs.
I read about that snow, Karen! What a shocker! Thank goodness it’s all gone now.
Claudia, I love how nice things are looking around your home. I bet you were so happy seeing the hydrangea starting to flower. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
I was thrilled. I had given up because its awfully shady where I planted it.
Such a slow spring. I guess it teaches us patience as it will all come in time. Our lilacs have leafed out, but the buds are just now beginning to set on. Really late for sure. The bridal wreath is also quite behind. But the dandelions certainly wintered over with no problems!! I was thinking about this yesterday as I was back in thick socks and a sweatshirt, and realized that it will still all bud out and flower, it will just be a bit later. We will still have them to enjoy, and now I have that joy to anticipate, and it isn’t over yet! If only winter would take its time coming, it would even it all out a bit.
By the way, Home Depot has had large Boston ferns for $6.88…. and I think someone mentioned Lowe’s had them, too. I know flowers are much more fun, but the ferns I saw were lovely! Your yard and surroundings look beautiful in their springtime color and blooms! Enjoy your day.
I need something that adapts to a lot of sun for my hanging porch plants – the sun can get pretty strong there. Patience is indeed needed around here. I don’t remember having spring come so late!
“Glorious” is just the word to describe the scent of lilacs. Nothing like it in the world. Occasionally when I was teaching one of my first graders would bring me a branch or two from their home gardens, with the ends well-wrapped in wet paper toweling and foil. And all day long I’d find myself coming up with reasons to remain near my desk so I could inhale that glorious aroma. Bonus – once you tell six-year olds that you like something, you get deluged with it!
I remember taking flowers to my teachers wrapped in wet paper towels! I was always so happy when I could present them to my teacher.
Thanks for the tour and update on your garden…growing nicely! I know how you feel about wanting to buy plants…I am chomping at the bit…hopefully I can sneak in a few…I found some sales. Cute sign! ;)
Just some plants for the barrels and galvanized planter would be okay for now….I have to look for some sales!
Everything is gorgeous..I really love your place Claudia..what color is the climbing hydrangea?..Since you have said that outside your home is like Disney..that HIHO sign fits perfectly..remember the 7 Dwarfs song..HIHO HIHO?..I was brousing a catalog I received from Miniatures yesterday and saw sets of little towels and said to myself..I can make those out of washcloths..You must have sent that thought my way..lol
I think the blooms will be white, Nancy. HI HO is perfect for my Disneyfied landscape!
Such a pretty walk around your cottage. I loved the hike pictures as well. Can’t wait to see all the minatures. I wish I was trading with everyone, don’t you. Love your little towels.
Hanging baskets and the potted arrangements are expensive this year. My sweet hubby let me pick out a basket for Mothers Day. Hoping there are sales soon.
Hugs
I wish I was trading with everyone, too. I almost split up those two things, the hooks and the crate, but then I thought I should keep it the way I had envisioned it in the first place!
Thanks for the tour. I haven’t been out to the garden centres and greenhouses yet this year but I want to make a lot of changes in the garden so it may be expensive. I love the smell of lilacs but our spring is so late this year, I don’t even have buds yet. J
Normally, those lilacs would have bloomed about 3 weeks ago, Julie.
the pics are beautiful. what a lovely place to take a long peaceful walk
Love the towels! There is no escaping it…I have to start one :)
It is awfully pretty here, Sue!
start a dollhouse I meant…. I got so excited I figured you knew what I meant and I bet you did
I knew what you meant!
You know what is funny is that your area had a much worse winter than we did! We live in the Midwest and we are not nearly as bloomed out as you are! How did that happen? I’m glad you are getting it though because, after the winter you had, you deserve!!! Enjoy! It’s beautiful.
Who knows? The weather has been awfully crazy. But we have had a few 80 degree days – maybe that made the difference.
The tiny towel tip is wonderful.
Thanks, Leslie Anne!
Loving all your walkabout posts Claudia, so envious. How wonderful to be so close to nature and see such beauty all the time. (It’s ninety something here today and I’m really feeling the ever present brown landscape — we’ve had no winter or spring, just heat, at least that’s what my memory tells me. And people say there’s no such thing as climate change ARGH)
Cannot wait to see all your mini goodies!
Do not understand those who refuse to accept that climate change is real. Perhaps they should check out that glacier that is melting in Antarctica and that will raise the sea level and change coastal cities forever? And the record heat out your way?
Your spring is ahead of mine, but I can completely relate to the pleasures of walking around the garden and seeing blooms. My property happens to be an awful lot smaller than yours, but brings a great deal of joy.
Karen
Gardening is joyful, Karen!
Starting to look very pretty around there. Love the HiHo sign!! I’m home but so tired!!
Glad to hear you’re home, Linda!
Beautiful spring photos, Claudia…the lilac color is so pretty! I think our spring is a little behind yours…can’t wait!
I bet! That winter we had makes spring’s arrival all the sweeter!
http://writingstraightfromtheheart.blogspot.com/2014/05/gardening-for-dollhouse.html
Thought you needed to see Susan’s dollhouse gardening project :)
Thanks for the link, Rebecca!
Isn’t it amazing that when spring finally bursts out our spirits just magically lift? You really do live in a beautiful area. xo Laura