I worked outside for several hours yesterday. I used muscles I haven’t used in a while.
Oh my.
I managed to finish a first pass at clearing nearly all the garden beds. I’ll go back and do more in a week or so – which is fortunate, since we have a lot of rain in the forecast.
Sedum, hostas, daylilies, the very beginnings of all the coneflowers – they’re all there. The hydrangeas have green buds on them. Suddenly, all the surrounding vegetation – the brambles/wild roses, some of the smaller trees – are green. Oh, how lovely!
The first daffodils:
These are the daffodils that are right on the edge of the woods. In fact, I have a story to tell you. I stopped in the middle of loading tarps with leaves and debris when I saw the splash of yellow. Of course, I took the obligatory picture and while I as standing there, I noticed what looked like trash in the woods. Thinking it was a random plastic bag that had been blown there during one of our many “wind events” I headed up there to get it. Much to my surprise, there was not only the plastic bag, but all sorts of trash scattered about from one of our kitchen trash bags.
Then it came to me. About a week and half ago, some raccoons tipped over our trash can and there was debris strewed on the ground near the can. Don cleaned it up, took everything to be recycled, and that was that.
These little scamps grabbed a bag and took it up into the woods!
I went in the house, got a trash bag, and picked everything up.
Then I stood up, ready to head back to the trash can, and I saw another bag several feet away. More trash to pick up.
Then – far off in the woods – I saw ANOTHER bag. These guys had dragged three bags up to the woods. After cleaning it all up, I couldn’t help but laugh. Don and I were wishing we had some sort of infrared outdoor camera to record these hijinks!
I’m grateful the woods is still relatively bare because I could get to everything. It would be much harder to get in there come summertime.
Raccoons mess with our trash rarely and I’m hoping it stays that way.
Yesterday’s theme: Pairs.
On the left, morning glory egg cups found in a Paris flea market. Then the egg cups we found at Abbey Road Studios in London. Then, two beautiful bluebird egg cups from Germany. And finally, two wooden egg cups.
There’s a few more egg cup posts to share with you as we head toward Easter.
Besides the happiness at sharing these little beauties with you, I really enjoy seeing them all again.
Happy Thursday.
Those little scamps indeed! How funny. The worst critters here are the deer and the squirrels. I love them both and they can eat what they want…BUT I wish the deer would leave some of the flowers alone and the squirrels the bird feeders. I put out sunflower seeds for the squirrels I mean they need to eat also but have to put out birdseed that is coated with hot stuff so they won’t devour it before the birds even get a chance. They will still eat the hot stuff but not as fast. Returning to the Dr today has my breathing is not so good. Wheezing and whistling, I sound like a sound machine! Ha!
to linda @ a la carte …
prayers for better breathing and improved health for you!
kathy in iowa
Thank you kathy. I’m doing better!
good! keep healing and happy Easter!
kathy in iowa
Feel better! We both had wheezing and whistling during that bout of illness. That’s why I went to the doctor to make sure I didn’t have pneumonia. Neither of us did. xo
It’s not pneumonia thank goodness! This has triggered some asthma so I’m taking some med for 5 days and can get an inhaler if I need it. So ready to feel better! Hugs.
So happy to hear it’s not pneumonia. I suspected it wasn’t – just because we went through the same worry when we had it. Get the inhaler if you need it – I know you will. Are you on an antibiotic?
Already did antibiotics and she didn’t think I needed more. I’m taking prednisone for 5 days to help with the inflammation.
xo
scamps, indeed! i smiled at the thought of them lumbering off in the darkness with bags of “goodies”. can almost hear them yell “jackpot!”. haha.
hope those muscles feel better and you enjoy the rewards of all your hard work … beautiful views of greenery and flowers!
kathy in iowa
Soon! I’m just happy that the lawn is getting green!
Years ago, before the city issued the big plastic wheelie bins, we had problems with dogs, cats and the occasional raccoon getting into the trash. A simple solution is to pour a little ammonia into the bags before fastening them; the smell acts as a deterrent.
Thanks for the tip, Margaret!
I’m so glad you are enjoying the egg cup photo posts because I am too! Hmmm. Eggman or Walrus…
Scampy raccoons! Every now and then I see something like float along my yard too.
They are too smart, those raccoons!
Claudia, try spraying or wiping hot pepper sauce around the trash cans, especially the lids obviously. Onion skins rubbed around is also distasteful to coons, but hot sauce really works better. And it’s non-toxic! My Dad always hooked a bungie cord from one trash can handle over the lid to the other handle too. That way the coons can’t get the lid off. Be sure the bungie is a nice tight stretch for this to work. He had first tried leaving a couple of stray bricks on top of the cans but the coons just pushed the bricks right off & helped themselves. Strong little buggers! 🦝
#Resist
#ReleaseTheFullMuellerReport
Someone else just mentioned ammonia.
I’ll try a few things, but like I said, it happens rarely. If it happens again soon, I’ll take action.
We don’t have that kind of double handle on the trash can, unfortunately!
Claudia, I’m sure you’re thrilled to see signs of flowering, greenery, life (!) on your grounds. I finally went out and did some raking, but the green bin filled up so quickly, I can’t do more raking until next week.
However, I’m so excited! I was threatened by a hummingbird, and sure enough, she had returned to one of my camellias and built a nest! The last time she nested in my yard was two springs ago, and I’m happy she’s back. From her behavior, I’m sure there are eggs on the nest, but I am not going to disturb it to check. So, the side yard is now off-limits for yardwork until her eggs hatch and the babies fledge. (The two from two springs ago fledged successfully.) I have some bare spots in the garden from plants that didn’t survive winter, so I’ll fill in with plants that hummingbirds like. Mama will need lots of food nearby these coming weeks.
Oh, how wonderful for you! I would love to see a hummingbird’s nest!
Little scamps is the perfect term for the little varmints. We can’t put our garbage out too early around here, or else they will make quick work of our garbage come Friday morning.
Happy to hear you found some green in your garden. We are still waiting for the trees to bud out. Hopefully, once I remove some of the garden debris, I’ll find some hostas sprouting.
Enjoy your day! ;)
We have no other place to put it. It’s always outside!
The trees are starting to bud out with a faint green color. The older maple is still just tiny buds and the Catalpa will take the longest to do anything!
Delightful egg cups. The Abbey Roads are so whimsical. They’re Don’s, right??!!
Oh, the raccoons; they’re wiley. I’ve been living with them the past three houses over a lot of years. They have no fear and can be mega destructive. You have a good attitude about having to trudge around and pick up all that trash! (Had me grinning!)
Did you read about the Notre Dame bees? Google it.
No, they’re mine! I’m not giving Don any egg cups!
Claudia Does Not Play Well With Others. I’m joking, I’m joking!!!! Poor Don, he loves the Beatles.
At least he gets to LOOK at them in that terrific cabinet!
Thanks for all the egg cup photos leading up to Easter. It’s been fun. You have an awesome collection.
He wouldn’t have wanted them, in fact, he encourage me to buy them. He was right there with me when I found them in the gift shop. Believe me, Don has plenty of Beatles memorabilia!
Hi there! Your egg cups always make me smile. I posted a pic of some daffodils from our yard, there are so many different kinds. Years ago I planted a variety called ‘Limerick’, I need to find them once again, they had a little green color to them. Xxoo
These were planted by a previous owner. There are more behind the shed – also planted previously. I’m just delighted they’re here!
Oh, those raccoons! They frighten me a bit with those little hands. Wonder what they thought when there were no meat scraps whatsoever in all 3 bags!! I pictured them going back to get bag after bag to see if they could find some MEAT!!
We just got home from a trip into Madison and the fields are greening up beautifully. The smaller brush is budding out and I saw a couple of red-winged blackbirds within those bushes. Fun to see. Hope you have a lovely Thursday! (Today’s egg cups are beautiful!!!!)
Ha! No meat for you, little raccoons!
We saw some red-winged blackbirds in the woods during one of our trail walks!
do you use the egg cups for breakfasts or whatever? when I see them I think of serving soft boiled eggs but I also thought a bit of pudding or jam or something would be fun to serve in them. I collect depression glass and other stuff but dream of using it.
No. Most of them are highly collectible and fragile and I wouldn’t use them. I’m quite happy gazing at them.
I’m really enjoying seeing your egg cups!
Thank you, Lily!
Your egg cups are a delight. We have trouble with the cats and squirrels tearing open the garbage bags. A few times the birds ripped the bag open,too. Someone suggested the smell of lemon will keep ‘he cats away.
Marilyn
Such scamps, all of them!
Have really been enjoying your daily egg cup displays. How fun to have them close by and handy now you have that great cabinet. Your story about the garbage made me laugh. You certainly have some industrious raccoons in your neck of the woods! Before we moved north of Milwaukee almost 17 years ago, we lived just west of Madison. In those days the city of Middleton gave homeowners shallow “recycle” and garbage bins with no covers. The night before pick-up, when everyone dragged those bins to the curb, we always heard raccoons on the roof after we went to bed. Before doing to work in the morning, it was routine to have to collect the torn plastic bags strewn down the street and place them in the bins again for pick up. I do not miss those little guys.
They’re so smart, those little guys!
The egg cup cabinet is one of my favorite finds ever. I never get tired of looking at it! Thanks, Kay.
I love those little bandits! it’s like they’re each wearing a Zoro mask!
and the way they use their little hands! I know they’re a nuisance. but they’re so cute!
I could NEVER put poison out for them (or any animal for that matter!) but I know some people do that. can you imagine? !!!
they’re only doing what comes naturally to them. they’re such curious little guys! I think getting into things is sometimes a game for them. lol.
there used to be a commercial on TV. the woman is so near sighted that she sees a raccoon in her yard at night and thinks it’s her cat. you hear her saying “here Kitty Kitty! and the little raccoon just walks right in through the sliding glass door! LOLOL
They are cute – I agree! I remember that commercial, Tammy! Thank you.
Those raccoons are such little devils sometimes!…actually most all of the times!…lol
They sure are, Nancy!