I just realized the other day that this is the first time I have been home for an entire spring since 2008. Starting in 2009, I was away all or most of the spring on coaching jobs. The good news? I am really enjoying the opportunity to watch everything grow instead of witnessing it via the occasional photo Don would send my way. I love spring.
The bad news? I need work.
Ah well. I’m choosing to be grateful.
We had very heavy rain all day yesterday with high humidity. It was bit tropical-rainforest-y around here. Today the sun is out and it’s a bit cooler. We’re hoping to take another trail walk later in the day.
Oh pretty daffodils, I love you. Of the two kinds of daffs on this property, this one is my favorite. I love the white flower with that delicate yellow and orange center.
Our biggest hosta is well on its way to filling this bed – which it will, believe me.
I need to weed. I haven’t put down any mulch since I’m on a strict budget. That means I’m going to have to weed a lot more. Some of the garden beds will eventually be full of perennials and weeds will disappear, but right now, as they are filling in and filling out, I have to be ruthless.
Or not.
The little lilac bush that could. I planted this a few years back and it’s growing, for sure, but very slowly.
The clematis has taken off this year and is winding its way around the porch railings.
Oh right. I need to clean the porch railings – a job I really don’t look forward to.
The catalpa, usually the last of our trees to leaf out, has tiny leaves now. The shag hickory has leaves. The maples are fully leafed out (now I’m wondering – is that a legitimate term?) as are the ashes and the black walnuts and the elms and the oaks. Don and I sometimes consider counting all the trees on this property. We have a lot of trees. And here’s a question: if one counts the trees, are saplings part of the count? Or just fully grown adult trees?
Where does one draw the line?
The other day, I was once again wrangling with the brambles (you can see the evidence of the battle on my hands) and was clearing some from an area near the woods. As I cleared out a bunch of the stuff that had been strangling some bushes, I noticed a young tree with blossoms on it.
Hold on there…we have a little dogwood tree! I had no idea! It’s sort of blocked by another tree and unless I’m right down there in the thick of things, I can’t see it. It’s so pretty!
There are always surprises on this property.
Thursday was a bit hard for me as the mail arrived and I saw an envelope from my dad. I knew it was coming, but I realize now that I really wasn’t prepared to see Mom’s death certificate.
What can I say? It’s so final.
More tears.
I’m off to explore what’s happening out in the gardens.
By the way, a book I recently reviewed and loved, The Moon Sisters, is on sale right now (eBook/Kindle version) on Amazon for $1.99 through May 25th. That’s a great deal for a wonderful book! If you missed the review, you can find it here. So if you didn’t win the giveaway and have it on your list of books to read (and if you use eBooks) hop on over and buy it!
Happy Saturday.
Catching up with you enough to say “Congrats” on that weight loss! I’m looking forward to being a bit more intentional AND able to walk. (I fear I’ve put on a few pounds since hip replacement 7 weeks ago.) You have such beautiful trails to walk. Re. Mary Steward….I, too, read her earlier novels. Do you read similar genre now? If so, what authors have you found to be enjoyable?
No, I read mysteries and suspense, but I’m not so into the romantic suspense genre now.
So happy that your yard is bringing you such joy this Spring. I LOVE dogwood trees. I ordered the book for my Kindle…thanks for the heads up! Happy Saturday.
hugs, Linda
Oh good, Linda! I think you’ll really like it.
Isn’t it fun to discover new tings in the woods? Just recently I spied a pine tree out in the woods! It God’s way of giving us bits of enjoyment and surprise.
In Minnesota when the leaves are forming we say, “Things are greening up.”
Surprise – the good kind – is a wonderful thing, Trudy!
Everything looks so pretty Claudia..how nice to find a Dogwood tree growing for free..I would love to see a picture of that big Hosta when it is full grown..I sort of remember it from last year..Mine are along the house and growing like wildfire..I like the color of yours..
I’ll be sure to share it with you when its full grown. Even in the two or three days since I took that photo, it’s much larger!
Nice to see everything blooming and growing again, isn’t it? Even with mulch…I still get weeds…just not as many! I went plant shopping this morning. I’m trying to be more intentional about where I put them…even drew up a plan! I plant containers for my flowers….and the rest of the yard is a few perennials, hostas…and evergreens. We have a few trees, but not nearly as many as you. That’s the difference between a city lot…and living in the country. I’m not planting until tomorrow though…it’s supposed to get to 33 tonight…and we live in a low area of the city. Enjoy your walk! ;)
33 is awfully cold for May, Donna!
I have to get a few plants for the barrels near the Funky Patio and also for the galvanized planter. Maybe I can find a sale somewhere!
Congratulations on the weight loss! I keep trying but don’t seem to get anywhere.
THANK YOU FOR MY GIFT!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE TINY THINGS! You are so thoughtful!
Pretty photos. Tell Don and Scout hello.
Judy
I’m so glad you like them, Judy! Love to you. xo
I grew up in Missouri where dogwoods are the state tree so I love that you found one in your woods. Find beauty and solace in nature this spring and be gentle with yourself.
I am doing just that, Sharon. Thank you.
Staying on the subject of loyalty cards for a minute, having numerous
apps for different shops and services could eventually lead
us back to square one in so far as we would have a huge number of apps
all for just one purpose which would get annoying; the exact
same thing which annoys us about a bulky wallet full
of plastic. This diet has you eating as much meat and eggs as you can to increase the body’s metabolism.
Both brands of tuna subs offer pleasing “mouth- feels”, with no un-
expected lumps of tuna.