Carry on Idylls!

Saucy

I can imagine all the Idyll’s busy with a variety of early chores, assessing things in need of repair, list making and planning. After a winter of confinement, now everything needs done at once! The squirrels went ballistic this year with their gnawing. Here’s a sample of their work, just about every birdhouse had the opening enlarged.

The gourd hangs from a tree and originally had a small hole which they thoroughly vandalized. Darn tree rats can cling like a (shudder) spider.

Not a good picture of the condo but you can still see that enormous opening on the bottom unit.

For the third year, sparrows have already taken over the bluebird, and every other birdhouse. They are dominating the whole yard…sparrow gangs! Any suggestions on how to discourage these aggressive little birds? Such determination. Already they are packing the large entrance holes, flying in with astonishing long ribbons of dry grass material and bits of torn plastic.

Just a quick pop in before I begin to prioritize outside/inside/shopping and errands. We are entering into the season where there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day! Hoping everyone has a pleasant, productive weekend and finds a few minutes to Idyll :-)

Enjoying Maries ‘Moments’ thread ! I hope we continue to get more participants ..

Well Candy , I’m afraid I have no advice on your sparrow issue—I bet Deanne might though if we could find her , lol.

I’m thinking of moving all the tenders outside this weekend- frost becomes rare the closer we move to April, and when it comes the duration is short.

All for tonight ..perhaps an update from V upon her return from down under will be in the cards this weekend ?

Kathy in Napa

Little girl is so different from Reed in her interests. She loves to get into cupboards, open the oven door, open the backyard door, thread and unthread shoe laces. She must DO DO DO and CLIMB CLIMB CLIMB whereas Reed observed a great deal, was calmer. Ivy protests loudly and has many opinions about things like her high chair and car seat, changing clothes, using the toilet. What a going concern!!

Thought of Chelone today when my pianist friend was talking about his workplace. He says people assume Swiss people are neat, clean and organized in all things. He says he does not think he is excessively so, but at his workshop he feels an obligation to be organized, to have his tools in their proper places and sharpened etc.

I am saddened by "progress". Our bowstring bridge that we cross daily when running errands in town is about to be replaced, not repaired, REPLACED. They need to make it stronger and wider so the gravel trucks can use it. (They aren't paying for this, I am!) I will miss the rural ritual of deciding which car will cross first, the polite decisions when driving there, the kind wave of thanking the other driver, the caution when slowing down and passing a fisherman there.

I too am enjoying your photos. Please feel free to post more right through the weekend.

Happy weekend!
'bug

I also just ordered a fairly large order from High Country Gardens and I really don’t want them sitting around for days after they are delivered. Maybe they’ll come UPS and I won’t have to worry ;o)

Yesterday we had a dusting of snow and there was a very brisk north wind. I felt sorry for the robins, but it does seem like there is always one snow after they arrive. I’m hoping that it’s the only one.

‘bug, thanks so much for the offer of the ammi seeds, but I probably have ordered way more than what I can get planted already this year. As the seed orders arrive I wonder – what I was thinking.

I think we will hit some thrift stores today to look for some garden stuff. You know, cool stuff for floral arrangements or for containers. We are to meet Rick’s brother, SIL and nephew for dinner in town.

Kathy, a raised bed sounds like a good solution for the weedy garden, especially if you can get the same plot next year.

Candy, too bad about the squirrel damage. We don’t see many on our yard, they tend to live in the grove.

Woody, I hope that you can get some answers for the issues that have popped up. Hopefully, its still part of the healing process.

I’m glad that the quotes are being enjoyed. I just find them on-line. Emily Compost is one site. Lots of cool stuff has been said about gardening and nature in general in much better words than I can muster.

I’m enjoying The Moment pictures – such an interesting group we have.

I’d best get the house cleaned.

Happy Spring!

Michelle

"I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden." ~Ruth Stout

And here is Spring, indoors:

And here is the bowstring bridge I will miss...

Yes Michelle, I would try to clarify the post office delivery issues as well. They are the ones who should be embarrassed, not YOU!

At the moment it is snowing. Brrrrrrrrr. Haircut at noon, trip to the dump, packing...all on the agenda.

Smiles to all!
'bug

gb - nice windowsill for spring! The hospital here has quite an elaborate garden. I think it must be an 'in' thing for hospitals that have the space for one.

It appears that my shaky incident(s) are likely due to my medication levels needing adjusting downwards. I was looking for information on side effects and trembling is listed as one that indicates a need for a lower dose. Several other side effects listed are ones I've been experiencing so we'll call the doctor's office on Monday. It would be nice to be on a lower dose - as long as it doesn't bring back the problem that got me on it in the first place! So we'll wait until Monday because I figure the surgeon's office has more experience with adjusting this medication than, for instance, a doctor at a walk-in clinic that would be open on the weekend.

And Happy Spring to all my Idyll friends ! Though a light frost was dusting the rooftops this morning the day is warming up and very pleasant at the moment. I have let the Zinnia seedlings go outside and play for the day, they are growing fast now. I’m going to start a couple more packs this weekend for my ‘allotment’ and more Delphs too. Determined that I will plant everything that is in a nursery pot or bag today without fail .

Michelle, what a tease telling us about your big High Country order with out divulging the all important details ! This morning I woke up at about 4am and them dozed off again , and dreamed that Chelone , Wrecks, and I were at your house wandering around upstairs looking for things that we had seen photos of. There were very large windows with gardens seen out of all of them, and Wrecks was interested in a cat that sat on an end table, lol.

Love the window display bug ! It will be mighty festive when they open. I have a couple just opening outside, and it reminds me that I had intended to plant more of them this fall but never did.

Have contacted our missing Cindy , and can report that she has been living in ‘flu-city’ thus her absence ; but is starting to feel better . Hopefully she will feel up to a visit soon !

OK, time to get back outside , waving to all !

Kathy in Napa

Another beautiful day and more lettuce, purple sprouting broccoli and Arugula were planted in my hoophouse. Norma - it is only a little bigger than a cold frame - 5 x 5 feet. However, it gives me a place for early plantings and makes me happy. It was also fun to make - one of those projects where a few materials from HD can be put together to make something functional and frugal. The delivery today of seeds which included some unusual lettuce also made me happy.

Beautiful window display GB!

Tonight Annie, DH and I are going to our local theatre to see Arthur Miller's "The Price". I really enjoy his plays and this is a new one for me.

Mary

So quiet here - is everyone outside in their gardens? We've cooled off a little but I'm still hoping to get some clean-up done later this morning. Our patio is knee deep in pine needles so that will be my first task.

The chickens had a good day yesterday. I scored a whole box of lettuce leaves for them at the market. I offered the vendor a dollar for some of the scraps he was tossing. He wouldn't take my money but filled the box to the top with greens. I think I'll bring him some eggs next week and there could be more fine dining in the henhouse. I also tossed the girls worms and any of the nasty Japanese beetle grubs I unearthed as I dug. What a wonderful use for those horrible pests!! The chickens fought over them, running away if they were lucky to snag one. Chickens are so fun!

The play "The Price" was fabulous last night. It was powerful and thought provoking and I found myself thinking about it long after the curtain fell.

Hope you are all having a great day

Mary

Mary, I love your tale of the grub-eating chickens—I could use a couple of those ! Last weekend when I was waiting for the doors to open at the college theater there was a very vocal rooster perched up in a redwood tree greeting the patrons !

OK off to the store-see y’all later !

Kathy in Napa

Kathy - have fun cleaning up that plot! I wish it was time to do that sort of thing here but still too cold and damp.

I keep forgetting to say... - Eden - if you find a tagine recipe you particularly like, post it for me please. We have been largely disappointed in the ones we've tried. The best one has been an apricot almond chicken one that had clearly been adapted for not a tagine so I adapted it back. The preserved lemons turned out well but we didn't like the chicken recipe we made using them. However I made a lemon blueberry loaf and used some of the preserved lemon instead of zest. That worked nicely so I suspect we'll use the lemons mostly to make lemon desserts!

We haven't had a dog picture in awhile so here's one:

Dawn is a beautiful dog that lives down the street. She adores Randy in particular. When she arrived last spring her owner was convinced she would kill Misty! She had been kicked out of a breeding program for aggression because of some incident with another dog. I didn't think she looked very aggressive and insisted that we walk together every time we met up. She quickly settled down and now is good buddies with Misty and us - although Misty is very disappointed that Dawn is more interested in Randy and I (particularly Randy - she's a dreadful flirt :-) She mostly ignores Misty after the preliminary nose and butt sniffs! When Dawn arrived in the neighborhood she was a very light color. She shed that coat in the fall and the new coat came in very dark. Malamutes are a very high energy breed and her owner - who is a cancer survivor - walks her five times a day for an hour or so a time!

More fell after I took that pic, and is still falling. It is over 6 inches deep now. with an icy covering on the vegetation beneath the snow.

Needless to say, we are going nowhere for a couple of days, at least. It is supposed to be warm by Tuesday. again.

Spring has sprung indeed! It has been so nice and warm here the last few days that I have mostly raked and cleaned up lawns and gardens. Trimmed all the Clems and planted seeds. Already growing in my solarium window: five varieties of Tomatoes, Dichondria, lime Basil,Parsley, Rosemary from cuttings, and Mimulus. I have a pot with Banana seeds in it (after seeing Deanne's and hearing about Saucy's, I really want to try one) and also a Calla bulb. Downstairs I have literally dozens of Pelargoniums and several
Elephant Ears. In the sunroom I have a huge pot with a Hibiscus, another large Pelargonium, Clivia, monster Mandevilla, large Aloe and a Pelargonium standard that I started in the fall and that is looking pretty good now. I am waiting for a bunch of Cannas and Callas from Vesey's - soon I hope - and I have a prodigous amount of veggie seeds to plant directly when the weather is much warmer. I am surely ready for the gardening season!

Good thing I got all of that done as I broke a toe yesterday and can't wear any shoes right now. A container of frozen pumpkin fell out of the freezer and landed on my toe. Of course I wasn't wearing any shoes then either!

Next person in line for the computer is at my elbow, so I better be off!

I kinda wish we could have chickens....

Cheers,

Julie

The High Country Gardens order was place mostly to get Rosa ‘Morden Sunrise’ which I spotted several years ago at the Duluth Rose Garden and loved the color. I added Rosa ‘Morden Blush’, Agastahce rupestris, Pulsatilla vulgaris ‘Alba’, Panicum virgatum ‘Cheyenne Sky’, Panicum virgatum ‘Heavy Metal’ and Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Blaze’

My tape to DVD transfer this afternoon is our 2001 trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. It’s fun to revisit – it really is quite a place.

Gosh, Julie you sure are having a rash of injuries lately and this latest sounds painful. The pelargonium standard sounds neat, I’d love to see a picture. I should really try that.

Kathy, what fun it would be to have you, Chelone and Wrecks at my house. Maybe Chelone and Wrecks could teach Jaden a thing or two.

Cindy, if you are reading along, sorry about the flu – yuck! Hopefully, with spring’s arrival we can leave all that nastiness behind.

‘bug, that windowsill must make kitchen cleanup much more enjoyable. You’ll have to revisit that secret garden again in a couple of months.

Mary, what fun you are having with your chickens. I think the gift of eggs is perfect and may result in more goodies for the chickens.

Marian, is that unusual for you to get that much snow? In fact I tend to think you don’t get a lot of snow at all.

I found about a dozen baskets yesterday at the thrift stores. I have a number of people that I’d like to give a floral arrangement to this summer as thank you for various kindnesses. The baskets are perfect since none were more than .50 and some were even .25. Quite a few of them have the liners in them.

I potted up 2 dwarf pink cannas yesterday and put them under the lights in the basement. They may go into the pillar containers.

I think I’ll go and have a walat. I really should winter or should I say spring sow some seeds. The Select Seeds order arrived yesterday.

Michelle

"Spring is nature's way of saying, let's party!"
Robin Williams

Freesias, tulips, daffs all in bloom here, and it looks like I will have a daylily flower tomorrow , the stellar ‘Moonlit Madness’ ..seems early , but there are a few of them sporting scapes. Last fall I ordered Nepeta ‘Kit-Kat’ and as soon as it broke dormancy Doobie was all over it-he’s not eating it at this point, but he rolls and rubs his face on it. I hate spoil his fun, but I’m going to have to fence it somehow it I want it to grow at all. And I report that it appears the new snail product I bought actually works – I can say that my Delphiniums are leafed out fully on the bottom and as long as I squirt some of the stuff on the lower leaves every few days they remain untouched. This is a major breakthough ! Take that you slimy **&#!##*s !!

Michelle, thanks for sharing your plant list –are you victimized by those yukky Japanese beetles on your roses where you are ? That Morden Blush is a pretty thing . I am going to direct sow the Celosia spicatas you shared with me ..do you think they need very warm soil temps to germinate ?

Stay warm Marian !

Ok, I’ll leave you with a few photos I took yesterday, enjoy my spring with me and in a few weeks I’ll enjoy it again with you !

From Garden 2010 Spring

From Garden 2010 Spring

From Garden 2010 Spring

From Garden 2010 Spring

Kathy in Napa

A few shots from the garden walat. There is color out there! You've got to love plants that stay evergreen. The first one is up for guessing. I know that 'bug will know.

Jaden and I walated far into the pasture and found these things of interest. My photography skills don't do the first picture justice. It's hard to get a sense on the scale. The snow banks on the right were probably 10' tall. It was really cool looking. My thought was "The Grand Canyon of Iowa" ;o)

The Hellebore is called 'Painted Lady', and I also have 'Dark Lady', which is a uniform maroon-y color.

Kathy in Napa

Cindy, hope you are feeling better. Hope you were able to enjoy our fabulous weather over the weekend.

Chelone, how are you????

Had my second round of gum surgery-no big deal, but am on soft foods again for a week. I can say with authority that chocolate can be considered a soft food if you let it melt in your mouth.

Heading to bed. I think I am still trying to get past the time change. At least, that is my excuse.

Bug I like the view out your window as well as the one on the sill. Sad to see the bridge go.

Woody Dawn is a beautiful dog. Is her coat a reddish color?

Marian that snow stayed away from us.

Julie sounds like you are on the ball with the garden stuff. I'm still waiting for my enthusiasm to kick in.

Mary, I think you have got the barter gene. That’s great.

Michelle , good call on Grand Canyon of Iowa. Amazing that so much can happen in the garden under all that snow.

Kathy those tulips are gorgeous. My daffs are blooming now too. I had a yellow helebore but it didn't survive. Only pink ones now. Not many tulips anymore either.

It did warm up this afternoon, but I wasn't going to sit around on the wet ground to weed. Took a walk with the dogs instead.

I think what I need is a good ol sugar high. I have cut back on carbs and caffine and don't have a lot of energy. I am able to move with a lot more ease with less weight though and that feels really good. Probably just need some regular exercise to speed up the metabolism.

I noticed that a lot of the dogwoods here don't have buds on them. Must have been our crazy weather last year. The show won't be nearly as good this year.

That’s all for tonight. Take care all. Norma

Cyn I hereby wish you well from the sisterhood of oral surgery. I have a pending procedure that I have put off due to other financial obligations…hoping this fall , after my trip to New England…notice that travel takes a back seat to teeth, lol.

The production of man of La Mancha that my DS is acting in at our local college has proved wildly successful—they have had 2 sold out weekends in the row, a first in the history of the Performing Arts program there.

Hi Norma !

OK, all for me tonight…

Waving …

Kathy in Napa

I found I still had some cut out Christmas cookies in the freezer so I’ll bring those along. I believe prime rib is on the menu.

Today was in the mid-fifties and sunny. I spent a little time in the garden cutting back some grasses. There is still some snow about here and there.

I keep an Excel spreadsheet of each garden and the plants in it along with the year each plant was planted. Its handy to check what I planted last year so that I can see if all survived. I think with all the snow we had so early in the winter I should have had a good winter.

For those who haven’t guessed, the first picture is rhubarb just breaking ground. Sad to say I never make a whole lot other than crisp.

The DVD project of the night was our wedding. It made me kind of sad when I saw the family members who were at our wedding and are now no longer living. A lot has changed in 13 years. My kids were in 4th and 8th grades.

Norma, I’m surprised that you didn’t get snow. I believe southern Iowa did and Marian did also.

Time to put my feet up for a bit.

Michelle

I'm sliding into travel mode, laundry and packing going on. Need to make lists for DH on pet care and plant watering.

Last night was book club, discussing Champlain's Dream. A very nice group of people. My main problem was that because the book is big, it intimidated many. I know of people with math phobia, but didn't realize how many have History Phobia. So 5 out of 7 members last night had only listened to an abridged version of the book on tapes. Whatever works I guess, but frankly that disappointed me. It was a VERY readable book.

Michelle, 13 years is a very nice amount of time to have under your belts. The first few years of marriage are all so very new with everything requiring special effort and understanding, times of trial and error. It is nice to have smooth routines, things exchanged without words, those special jokes and phrases that others can't share. Yes, I think 13 years is a great time.

I'll be off creating "Moments" until about the 6th of April. Don't know if I'll be able to post or not, so keep the home fires burning!
Little Drummer Girl-

'bug

At least we’re back to grilling out more regularly. Nice to pass the dinner torch to DH most nights. This evening was marinated chicken breasts, baked potatoes and spinach salad with grape tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. And yipe!… tomato prices have really shot up.

Michelle, that first picture got me…didn’t have a clue. So glad it’s harmless rhubarb instead of a glistening alien pod, lol. This was a great set of photographs, I hope you’ll go back out and take more. Wishing you a Merry Christmas with your family over the weekend! I think it’s wonderful everyone can finally get together to celebrate.

Marian, did you get that warm up today? I am to the point that if it snows here again, I will go back to bed until it melts. Enough already!

Hi Cyn, glad your can say the second gum surgery was no biggie but it sure sounds gruesome!

Woody, interesting how Dawn favors Randy. I’ve wondered how dogs select their favorite humans. Do you suppose it’s a combination of voice, scent and touch or some other factor we aren’t privy to?

Lol about the sugar high, Norma. Congratulations on the weight loss and healthy eating but, yeah, time to put a little zip in the diet. How about a bagel with cream cheese, strawberry preserves and fresh blueberries on top? That’s my new favorite lunch.

‘Bug, you’ll just have to post a lot of photos; every moment will be special. Have a great time and a safe trip! I see Ivy has two pearly white teeth in her smile now. What a busy, active little girl she’s getting to be.

One more nice day, then a 20 degree drop. I had hoped to move mulch but found out we’ll have company this weekend. Going to be a mad shuffle of priorities the next few days. Just thinking about it makes me want to dig in the pantry for a crème egg but, I’ve already brushed and flossed so I’ll just tuck into bed.

Oh, almost forgot!…Kathy, did you get Arabella planted with the spiral thingy? Hinting for more pix :-)

GB, it is bird noisy in the mornings. I heard my first peepers last week when it was warm...of course it's been cool and rainy now, so I wonder if they're still peeping when I'm not listening?

The chicks must love all the goodies, Mary, and great score on a lettuce source! I agree that it would make a good barter for both parties.

I am excited about working with concrete again, and have been reading about some new techniques I wish to try. SunnyD's husband gave me my first welding lesson the other day and we made a stand for one of my leaves! I found myself very comfortable with the whole situation, and it brought back a lot of what I used to do when I worked in the Machine Shop in the Navy. I guess it's like riding a bike. I really need a workshop, now...one that is not taken up with bicycles and snowblowers....a girl can dream, no?

Kathy, smother those weeds at The Plot. I always choose smothering as my weapon of choice. Smother and then find some corn gluten meal to sprinkle over your mulch to prevent new weeds! We can get a plot here, too, and I am thinking about those giant pumpkins...

I know GB is going to have so much fun visiting grandbabies...enjoy yourself!

Saucy

Things are greening here too, as Cyn has likely mentioned -- I've managed a couple walats in the wet yard and worked furiously last Sunday on cleanup. It was great to see the bulbs arising and the earliest things blooming happily. Sadly, no photo shots yet -- just not enough arms.

Trying to catch up here and elsewhere -- being laid low w/ a couple of ailments in the last few weeks has put me behind - but I guess there's nothing new about that.

Cyn - I do hope you recover quickly from the latest stages of the gum surgery... we could compare menus and I suspect have similar ones in our diet lately....

Saucy - so neat that you're welding for your sculptures -- you'll be the Idyll Inta and we can say we knew you before fame.... Cant wait to see what you do.

Okay, gotta get crackin here; it may be sporadic for a bit still checking in - I've got to zip off to PA this weekend for a duty visit...

-Cindy

Glad to see you regain enough strength to post Cindy ! I hope you are on the mend, always a good sign when can arise from the sickbed to WALAT !

Bon Voyage ‘bug, hope you have a great trip , and can check in from time to time.

Candy, Arabella was duly planted in the spiral thing-y a couple weeks ago and I would be happy to provide photographic proof this weekend. I placed the second one against my beanpole in the back garden. I wonder if I will get a flower this year.

So right Saucy, smothering is way easier than digging! I am almost to the smother stage ; some of the stuff just had to be pulled.

A pleasant evening to all with a wave out yonder to Chelone .

Kathy in Napa

A fly-by post here to say that I am back from New Zealand after having a wonderful trip there. But life has been flying by at a rapid pace and I've hardly caught my breath since getting home. And now I have 25 baby chicks in my basement bathroom, happily peeping away and falling over each other!

I promise to read the threads, post photos and post a more informative thread this weekend!

V.

Saucy, I'd love to see a picture of the leaf stand. DH welds and has all the equipment and room. The problem is that as soon as the weather straightens out he's too busy.

Kathy, we had a similar tax experience :o( You probably will see some blooms on 'Arabella' she's quite the performer. For me she didn't display the usual clematis behavior.

Candy, how nice that your DH does the grilling. Here its an occassional thing.

Cindy, I'm glad to hear you're on the mend and could even get in the garden.

Michelle

Kathy and Michelle, sorry you guys got hit by uncle sam. I was expecting the worst this year but was pleasantly surprised that we didn't owe anything.

Bug , have fun.

V, do you have a coop ready for the chicks when the weather warms?

Saucy, I think tomoto prices were going up because of the freezes they had in Florida.

I took advantage of nice weather the last two days and accomplished some weeding and cleanup. Raining this morning and grocery shopping on the list for today.
I was awake very early and the spring peepers are loudly peeping.
Time for another cup of tea.
Have a great day. Norma

My husband is being a pain this morning...he's been stressed about work for about 2 weeks now, and it is getting really old. He used to do this all the time....now it's back again. I wonder what he gets out of it? It wears me out just looking at it!

I miss Chelone's morning posts. I really do.

Michelle, I just drew a stand on paper an ran with it. I'll try to get some pictures.

I entered a leaf (a giant one...it's about 2ft by 3ft) into the local art and music festival. I saw lots of things I was interested in and all in all, my leaf was well received. I think I am almost ready to go live with my own little website and share! Almost.

I'll be in the garden!

Saucy

Golly, V - you are a glutton for punishment arent you? Dealing w/ chicks in your house after a return from an exotic vacation - I hope the chicks dont become anyone's meal before they get their own home, LOL....

Had a similar tax experience here altho I did my own taxes and got the sad news... but I was half-expecting it - I think we all must steel ourselves for paying more taxes; Im trying to be grateful for just being able to do that.

It was a bit premature to be doing the chorese in the garden on Sunday and spending most of my time bent over, the nose and throat seemed to be a continual spigot but I was very determined... I spent a lot of time removing leaves and debris and weeding - a neighbor offered me his rake and then even leaf blower at least three times - he just could not comprehend why I would be in removing the stuff by hand, LOL -- I tried to explain how rakes and blowers can hurt/remove new growth and bulbs - I knew he would not appreciate that I really was also secreting inspecting everything to see what was popping up, LOL.... the eccentricities of a gardener's obsession (well, I know that is all spelled wrong, but dont have time to recall the proper spelling).

Saucy -- a 2 x 3 creation - cant wait to see -- I imagine you have to establish some sort of silent mantra in your head when spouses start their old habits up that pain one... great forebearance and nodding of head is likely necessary....

It's chilly and windy and typical March right now - wow... Is it Friday yet?

-Cindy

Cindy, nice to see you back! Sorry you got hit with a nasty spring virus, they can really leave you feeling poleaxed. I hand clean many leaves around some of my hosta because the emerging eyes are not always easy to see at first glance. I know the neighbors wonder what on earth I’m staring at so intently while I’m out there Walating. Then when I drop to my knees for a closer look at the ground, they must really think I’m a bit theatrical. Yet another reason I’m working hard to establish a shrubby property line for privacy.

Michelle, so glad to hear your Summer Sorbet made it over winter. Last year I decided against purchasing one as per the zone 6 listing. I am zone 5 so I wonder if yours had the advantage of protection or is planted in somewhat of a microclimate area? Very encouraging to hear that though and I can’t wait to see a photo of it!

Saucy, welding sounds very cool…is there anything you and Mary can’t do?! Please do post a picture. You sound cheerful despite DH so you must be feeling healthy and have all your ducks in a row. Good for you, way to go!

V…lots going on for you, but what great photos and stories you’ll have to share. Did the chicks arrive shortly after you did? Lol, what a homecoming!

OK, break time is over…Hi Norma, thanks for the pretty colors! And Woody, hope those symptoms have lessened or cleared up. Waving to everyone, have a good weekend…I sure haven’t had what I’d classify a "special moment" to photograph as of yet. Just one of those slow, gray, uneventful weeks, I guess.

Candy

V - NZ is one of those places I've always wanted to visit - I hope you post lots of pictures....

Saucy - it sounds like you're making some impressive leaves and adding lots of interesting skills to your resume :-) We need pictures of the leaves and their support...

Norma - Dawn is an unusual shade of red-brown. I've never seen a dog that color before. It's not 'liver' and not 'chocolate'. Her owner is a man and I think that has a lot to do with her preference for Randy. I've noticed before that dogs seem to favor 'outsiders' who are the same sex as their owners. Misty is highly suspicious of strange men but will warm up fairly quickly to women.

Today was a fairly productive day here. Randy's making a lot of headway in clearing years of junk out of the basement. In the morning Barb and I went to see Mario about having the iron obelisk/tuteur built. Timing was good - he's semi-retired now so if I had left it too long, I'd probably have to find someone else to do it. I'm waiting to hear back for the quote to see if I'm willing to pay the price! If the price is in the right range, I'll probably go back and change the size/shape of the center vertical piece. We had looked at several there and selected one, but I changed my mind after I got home :-)

In the afternoon Barb and I gave Misty her first haircut of the season. Misty has LOTS of hair by the end of winter - it took us 2 1/2 hrs.! I need more powerful clippers! And of course it's supposed to get really cold tonight... We leave Misty's hair quite long for the first haircut because it's always followed by a cold spell!

I'm still battling side effects of the medication but life goes on...

I just had to share with you as there aren't too many people who even know what the leaves are or what to use them for...

I'm on my way to SunnyD's for tea! TTYL

Saucy

Glad I popped in and caught Saucy's great news. I’m about to jump into a busy weekend with company but thought maybe V had posted some photos and didn’t want to miss a quick view. Imagining all those little chicklets, lol…wow! Seem to recall Mary named hers Buff, perhaps one of V’s will be… Orprah?

Happy Friday, folks.

-cindy

V., can't wait to compare notes and see your pics of NZ. I am determined to return within the next five years!

Cindy, glad you are up and about now. Are you covering plants tonight? We are supposed to get a hard freeze. I don't know what to do-too many things to cover/protect. I am so bummed!

There is a stupid squirrel on my little magnolia eating all the buds. Off to chase him away. Maybe squirrel stew for supper...

And just for Candy, here's Orprah (and a few of her closest friends)

Shortened work day today as DD returned the car borrowed as part of last month's breakdown adventure, and then I drove her back to school.

However, the short day only gave me hours in the car, not hours at home!

V.

Yay to our Saucy, we knew her when ! How great to have affirmation of your creativity .

Norma still have daffs here too; mine were up late –they were newly planted and don’t think I put them in till December. Next year they will probably be a done deal by mid-Feb as is often the case here.

Awaiting V’s NZ pics, a check in from Chelone (and any other of the absentees) wondering where Martie went , and hoping ‘bug had an uneventful journey , and is enjoying Ms Ivy .

Kathy in Napa

Cheers, Julie

Later

Photos are great, bright shiny spring photos of plants, sky, seeds, doggie, haircuts, mini Grand Canyons, and
Ms. Ivy herself. Happy travel to those hitting the road and welcome back to V from NZ -- lots of photos sure to come from that direction, right?

There you are, Cindy. Seems some bug has cycled through every last member of the household here, with Duncan the last to get it and now get over it.

Busy spring for you, Kathy, and what luxuries that veg plot will reap for you this summer. I'm tempted to take on another public garden plot too, but the waiting list is long.

Sorry to hear tax season is not ending well for some. With my dad's illness I worked much less so we actually got a refund, a rarity for us.

Off to my mom's for chorizo and eggs. Happy Saturday to all. Below is a photo of Mathiasella bupleuroides, a plant I've long wanted to see "in the leaf," big and sprawly, leaves like angelica, so I doubt it'd like my zone 10 garden.

Me, I went outside and got a lot accomplished this weekend. Did some garden cleanup (maybe 10% of what needs to be done), helped burn some of our prairie, walked the front woods looking for signs of spring. Also went to the Saturday morning men's breakfast (all welcome) at church and heard a great presentation on veggie gardening and attended a bittersweet Palm Sunday service - our Pastor's sister lost her battle with breast cancer Saturday night.

Add in a little laundry, general house control and some chick duties, and it was a productive weekend. Right now I'm waiting for a brisket to finish in the oven and the smell is making me crazy. DD went to the grocery store last week to buy a corned beef for our delayed St. Patrick's Day celebration and bought a regular brisket by mistake. She went back and got the right thing, so now I'm cooking what I have dubbed "The Accidental Brisket" and I won't have to cook the rest of the week!

Life has charged ahead full speed since I got home from NZ. I went back to work the day after I returned, and had my evening writing class that same day. Then DD came home for spring break, the chicks arrived, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera! Work is in good shape, DD had a nice break and is back at school without an extra car, and the writing class has one more session and I'll be sad to see it end. And the chicks, of course, are doing well. My DDIL is thrilled with the birds and is willing to assist in any way that's needed. They're currently residing in the basement bathroom in a large stock tub and they will stay there about four weeks. Then they'll move to the garage for a couple of weeks (depending on weather) and by the time they are ready to go outside the coop should be all set. We finalized plans yesterday and ordered the lumber. It will be delivered on Friday and the carpenters (DS and his cousin) will be out on Saturday.

I'll leave you with one of my favorite signs of spring - the elongated catkins of our native hazelnuts. Hope you have a great week!

I have done very little outside. This week is supposed to get up as high as 70, but we’ve got commitments for at least 3 evenings.

Saucy, congratulations on the well deserved first prize. Having made a few I can definitely see how well done yours is. Do you plan to sell off your website? I believe Lewis & Little get $335.00 for hosta leaves.

Wow, Kathy, tearing down fencing and moving woodpiles sounds like quite a workout.

Good to have V back. I’ve not had a chance to view the pictures, but plan to take some time to enjoy them.

Michelle

"Gardens are not made by sitting in the shade."...Rudyard Kipling

Laundry continues…

Kathy in Napa

V's chicks in the basement remind me of several years with turtle hatchlings in our main bathroom....

Michelle, enjoyed your latest quote.

Pictures when I get back home next week...I hope.

In the meantime, howdy to Misty and the entire gang...which includes Kaveh with his lovely poppy photo!
'bug

Garden clean up and weeding continues here. A few hyacinths blooming and more daffs and helebores. The forcythias are starting too and the Quince. I'm plugging away but without my usual zip. Where did it go? I need it.

Nice weather for a few days if it doesn't get to windy.

I hope everyone is finding time to enjoy spring.

I have another book going and want to read some before getting to sleepy. So waving to all.

Norma

My second batch of Zinnias have come up- this group is intended for the garden plot ; I’m sure it will stop raining at some point so I can finish my prepwork there.

C’mon out to IU Norma, we’ll give you as much touring around as you can take !

Hi ‘bug !

Missing Chelone..

Kathy in Napa

Not much going on here. I have a bit of a cold, but it's raining and gray, so not much to do outside anyway. I am wanting to play in concrete, so I am planning to make a workspace for myself today...that is a big hurdle to being creative. I wish I had my own space. Someday....someday!

I am getting excited about IU this year...I really need a vacation. Thank you for all your hard work, Kathy!

I think I've decided to make macaroons for this year's Easter dinner. I'm in charge of carrots and a dessert. Sarah and I are trying to figure out how we want to do our eggs this year. Last year we blew them out and Sarah made Egg Heads...she made each one a different face with hair.

Waving hello to everyone!

Saucy

I congratulate you again, Saucy, on that contest win -- I hope it's the first of many.

Im longing to be outside but we've had windy windy here -- the trip to PA was stressful but things seem fairly good there.

I cant believe we're going to see 80 degrees here this weekend - in fact by Friday.... that should blow a lot of bulbs up and gone... Mother Nature is full of energy.

V - it sounds like your life is full of jammed packed stuff -- I hope you're taking vitamin pills every day.

I will try to be more faithful in checking in here as it's so lovely to see the spring photos.

-Cindy

Sunny but still chilly here. We did manage an hour yesterday in the garden to start clean-up in the front. I hope to get clearance tomorrow to start reducing this drug or the fatigue is going to be a serious problem in the garden!

At last I have put the "must do's" aside for a bit so I can spend some time here with you. Managed to browse through this whole thread - what a treat! So much to see and comment on....here goes!

Candy: for the first time in years we have had no damage from either squirrels or voles. I can guess a couple of reasons why: fishers, dogs in a fenced yard, little snow. I didn't know anyone other than DH referred to them as tree rats *LOL*

Kathy: Hey! My weather this week is the weather you should be having - warm and pleasant, for the first time in history for this date. The garden plot is a definite score, and I would certainly use the raised beds. I have mine fenced in with a couple of feet of chicken wire to keep out the bunnies. No weeds either. Mr. Baby is so cute! And you must be working yourself into a frenzy now that IU 7 is imminent. Wish I could come....

Have a great trip Bug! Ivy is at a fun stage now. My empathy to Sarah re: the report card blues. What a drag about the bridge. We are in the throes of old bridge repair. We are considered a historic area, thank goodness. Our main street is being widened for the trucks. Many of the people who live there are losing half of the front lawns. What a shame!

I hope your recovery is continuing well Woody. What an inspiration you are!And Cyn too. The thought of these surgeries gives me the heebi-jeebies. As does the thought of any surgery *LOL* Let us know how you're progressing.

Oh Mary, a hoop house and chickens! Sounds like such a nice combination. Getting back to basics in food production on a personal scale must feel so rewarding!

And V - with the bathrrom chicks! I too recall Bug's adventure with the turtles. I want to raise tadpoles in my little pond this year if I can find some. Not as much work as chicks or turtles, but you can't eat them either -hahaha! The NZ trip looks and sounds amazing thanks for the great photos!

The tax man was good to us this year for the first time in recent memory. Plantation shutters in the Living Room (saw Kathy's in a photo and have longed for them ever since) and, for me, a real find: an old rusty wrought iron fence that will grace my perennial bed and hopefully discourage the beasts. DH is going to spend some time this weekend figuring out just how to set it up. I am very excited.

Still can't wear real shoes on the broken toe, but have gotten out in Crocs as our weather has been reasonable.

And one of my banana seeds has sprouted! How do I look after it? Saucy? Deanne? Hey, maybe you could cast banana leaves, Saucy!

O.K. back to the "must do's".

Check in, Chelone!

Cheers,

Julie

Marian, your second day of Spring definitely does not look inviting. Hope you have passed that stage by now.

So sorry..best wishes out to you ..

Kathy in Napa

This quote is for you Cindy, I'm sure that Chloe will be missed dreadfully, but I hope you can find a measure of peace and comfort in your garden this spring.

"In joy or sadness, flowers are our constant friends." ...Kozuko Okakura

I am so tired tonight, but I put in a real good day. cleaning beds and raking the yard. Your right Michelle it looks so much better. It probably got close to 80 here today with some wind. First day with short sleeves. Sure need to get a little color on these wrinkly old arms.

Julie so good to hear from you.
Saucy I hope the sun shines for you soon. I'm not sure if I congratulated you on your leaf sculpture win. It sure is nice. I would love a fountain with a leaf like yours, but with two ponds I guess I have enough water features.

I miss Chelone too. I guess she needed a break.

Hopefully PM will show up again too.

The problem with hard work is it makes you really hungry. DH grilled and it sure was good.

Kathy, I wish I could come to IU, but it's not in the cards this year.

Bug, Enjoy those Ivy hugs. That is if she can stay still long enough.

Over and Out. Norma

Nodding towards Iowa; getting the trenching/edging done always feels so good doesn’t it? I did sign up for the FG pic du jour several weeks ago, but used my awfice e-mail. Every morning I pour my coffee, sit down and look at the photo- a nice way to ease into the work day. I’m thinking about submitting one !

Hiya Julie, I must say the plantation shutters are one of the best things I ever did, right up there with the hardwood floors and new windows, though they cost a small fortune. I only put them on the front of the house and the master bedroom.. I would love to do a couple more rooms upstairs but it’s not in the cards for this year…wish you could come too !

Bittersweet to see posts from Chelone and Ei over on the Moments thread, and in that vein, my first rose to bloom this year was Bolero, a beautiful white posted here in memory of a sweet little white dog.

From Garden 2010 Spring

Kathy in Napa

That's a beautiful, beautiful rose, Kathy - maybe I should plant something like that for her. When Im more able to think positively I will contemplate that.

That's a great tip re the FG photo, Michelle -- I will have to try taht - nothing better than sitting down w/ a cuppa in the a.m. to see some beauty!

Again, thanks for the thoughts - I knew you guys would understand and recall her fondly.

I do hope to get out in the garden this weekend and do some of these chores that so many folks are already ahead of me -- I've wanted to edge my beds but never get to it - I did manage to fertilize the clems and roses; altho I want to try that Bayer this year to see if it makes a difference re pests and I read somewhere that it helps prevent Iris borer too -- I would dearly love to be able to keep Iris.

Onto staring around the awfice, and signing up for FG photos.

--Cindy

(special nod to Woody. I know I promised you my very own turban shot and I've not forgotten... if fact, it has haunted me at rather strange times! I promise I will share it for your enjoyment.)

I need regular blood tests between now and then to monitor things like liver function and indications of bone problems. Fatigue is the side effect that is killing me at this point. The itching side effect has abated quite a bit in the last week – I no longer feel like I want to rip my scalp off :-) so I hope the fatigue might diminish too. In the last 10 days or so I’ve been gaining ½ lb. a day! I’m not sure if that is a side effect (certain body bits are prone to ‘enlargement’) or whether it’s a result of fatigue meaning I’m being more inactive. I’ve tried to step up the exercise I’m getting and cut back on food intake or else I’ll be a bloated toad in 6 months!'

I forgot to include in that - the surgeon called the tumor 'sticky' - we're not sure exactly what he meant but gathered that it meant there wasn't as clear a separation between the tumor and the brain as he thought there would be from the pre-surgical MRIs and that is what accounts for the seizure problem. If the fatigue continues at the current level, garden season this year is going to be a bit of a hard slog at times unfortunately.

Woody, wanted to say I read your note above, and sure hope that you know we are rooting for you. Best thoughts headed your way from across the lake. Hope you continue to improve and your results are the best possible.

Nice to see Ei pop in:) come back, come back...

Kathy, that is a beautiful rose, and Mr. Baby is adorable. Glad you had a chance to be with them for a few days. Looking forward to IU7!

Hi Chelone, hope all is going okay, and that your weather is as nice as ours has been the last couple of days. Although 80 degrees first of April is really a little too hot for me...

Have to run, Devin is on Spring Break and he is spending the night, so they are calling me to watch a movie..

Hi Norma, I don't know if I mentioned it, but your garden is beautiful.

TTYL
D.

Woody, I hope the side effects will continue to rebate. I know it must be frustrating to you. Maybe this will just have to be a summer of sitting back and enjoying what you have accomplished so well in your garden. I know you would rather be out there doing,but hopefully you will have many more years to do that.

Cindy,No doubt you will miss Chloe for a long time to come. When I run across pictures of Keebler while looking at garden photos I still think Awww Keebie I miss you. I love my Rebel too but he does not stay by my side as much as Keebler did.

Chelone, good to know you are still out there, just busy with other things.

I had to go buy a new pump for the pond yesterday. There goes my garden budget for the year. The daffs have been so nice this year, With expanding clumps and cooperating weather they have put on a show. These 80 degree days will probably put a stop to them soon. The daylily foliage is growing by leaps and bounds and the hostas are budding up. Bound to be some cold weather yet which won't bother the daylilys but might be hard on the hostas. I read a tip on some home remedy to spray on the hosta now for slug control, but can't find where I wrote it down. Rats!

Not much going on here this weekend. Hope to see Wyatt and Jake on Sunday for dinner.

I am waking up early these days. Hence the morning post.
Enjoy the weekend.

Norma

Woody - I think gaining lbs is not a bad side effect, all things considered.... all in all it sounds like the good news definitely outweighed any "bad" news... I do hope you just take it easy if you have to this Spring re the energy/fatigue - maybe it's your body telling you (besides the meds) that you've been thru an awful lot and your body needs to have time to heal. The gardens will be there waiting for you.

Drema - I love the stories re the egg decorating -- kids are always so inventive both in preparation and execution of things, LOL....

I wish to all a very lovely sunny Spring weekend to enjoy whatever festivities and events they are partaking in....

--Cindy

I also hope to do a bit of IU reconnaissance this weekend here in the Valley- I got a response from one of the winery gardens who advised me that their gardens peak in spring and he feared that there would not be enough interest there for ‘serious’ gardeners in late June. Glad he was so up front about this, so I have another option to investigate to replace this one.

Cindy, that white rose (Bolero) was a total impulse purchase 2 years ago . It was a new introduction , blooming at the nursery and I was sucked in (no surprise there) bought it and it sat in a pot for about 6 months as I had no clue where to put it. I do not regret the purchase at all , and hope a bloom will be available for sniffing at IU because it is intensely fragrant as well as beautiful. Do you get those nasty beetles there ? I hope you aren’t feeling too blue, and that you can get out into the garden to revive your spirits.

Norma, I can’t remember when the last time I planted Hyacinth was..our mild winters aren’t very conducive to naturalizing of that particular bulb. I sure would love to see a photo of how the pond looks right now--!

Drema, we had fun here last weekend , and I discovered I am immune to ‘terrrible two’ scream-fests.. guess it’s less annoying when you aren’t the mom, right ? I found it very easy to ignore .

Woody, the word ‘benign’ is one of the best in the good news category. As far as the fatigue goes , I agree with Cindy ..rest and heal ! I know I would be chomping at the bit , I get very restless if forced into inactivity .

Waving at Chelone and hoping to see check-ins this weekend .

Nite all !

Kathy in Napa

From Garden 2010 Spring

But I have to say that I now feel really, really good about my lamb cakes!

Enjoy the link.

V.

Kathy in Napa

My 20 year old niece was telling my mom last weekend how she was such a cool and modern grandma and not a "trinket" grandma. I thought that was so cute.

Kathy, what a lovely rose and scented to boot. I’m really enjoying your spring garden shots.

Here things are just starting with crocus, scillia, iris reticulata and chionodoxa all opening up just yesterday. I noticed it all from the kitchen windows since we were expecting guests for dinner and it was extremely windy last evening. The temps dropped drastically last evening as well. On Thursday it was 82 We still have snow in the hilly areas and on the north side of the grove.

I think I must be losing it as we got so busy talking that I forgot to serve dessert.

V, I second the vote for a picture of the lamb before it’s eaten.

Norma, I can almost smell the hyacinths. I’ve planted them several times and have just a few that return. As for your misplaced slug remedy, I keep a journal on my desk and use it to jot down things such as that, plants I read about and would like to add to the garden or anything else I read on line and want to remember. I also have a picture folder on my computer where I place inspiration photos.

Woody, you seem like such a doer. I think like most gardeners. I’m sure it’s hard to take it easy and heal. Your benign news is great and hopefully the other issues will be ironed out in the healing process.

Cindy, don’t ever worry about bogging down an Idyll with something that saddens you. True friends, which I believe we all are, can handle the good with the bad and truly want to support each other.

Have a fabulous Saturday and hopefully you each get a chance to spend a little time in our garden sanctuaries.

Michelle

"Well pleaseth me the sweet time of Easter
That maketh the leaf and the flower come out." ~Bertran de Born

Lots of sore throats going on here...poor baby is quite unhappy and wants to be glued to mommy. Certainly NOT to Nana.

Skyler is back with his Mom...

Tomorrow it will be a lamb dinner here. YUM.

I am antsy to get back and start seeds and hit the garden work. I miss my Phoebe and the kitties too. I've finished Three Cups of Tea and the sequel for my book club and need to start the next book, the final one for this season. (The Art Instinct)

Happy Easter to one and all!
'bug

Kathy, too funny about the ability to ignore the screaming of Mr. Baby. I think it is easier when you aren't the mom, but then again, I was pretty well able to ignore it with DS all those years ago. Now, he ignores mine! Teehee. Hope your rain has passed and you are back to your usual heavenly weather.

Norma, I love hyacinths. What a fragrance-I have a few, but always wish I had more. Maybe I'll finally plant some more this fall.

Cindy, how are you doing, lady? Getting to be time to plan a meet-up now that is is warming up.

V-another vote for a picture!

Woody, so glad to hear the word "benign" in reference to your tumor. Think of all the planning you can do during your forced R&R-visions, projects and ideas...oh my!

I know there were so many other things to say-I think I never congratulated you Saucy on your first place-forgive me and congrats!

Waving to all and wishing you marvelous weather and spring scents.

I started this morning in the rain, but I got the whole front garden cleaned up today! My son, his wife and my nephew came and started on the chicken coop construction. One of the chicks exercised her wings today and flew to the top of the tub. We'll need to get them covered ASAP!

The lamb cake just has come out of the oven. I will post a photo when it's all decorated, but that likely will be tomorrow. DD and I offered to help ring some bells at the Easter vigil service this evening, so I'm about due to get in the shower.

V.

We spent two hours in the front garden this morning and got most of the main bed cleared out. I'm worried about this abnormally warm weather - if it brings on too many things too early, the inevitable frost will do a lot of damage. The spring trees are loaded with buds and I'd hate to lose the display!

R&R is a fairly active event here. One thing I have learned from previous experience is that it is not a good idea to lay around not doing much. Once you stop doing something active it's very hard to start again. Better to keep going even if it has to be at a slower or more inept pace... Inept is a very apt description...:-) The garden is a very healing place to be.

Glad to see you Cyn !

Woody, we are having a very cool spring here too. The wind machines are working overtime in the vineyards , and mornings continue to be frosty. The rain coming in will warm the temps a bit. I bought a tomato plant today, but will keep it in a protected area in it’s pot for at least another 2 weeks.

I can report nice progress with the $$ Dowdeswell Delph seeds. My existing Delphs are budding up now, and I worked on some staking today.

Waving at Chelone, ‘bug, and c’mon Marian , we need a post from you !

Spring flowers today

From Garden 2010 Spring

Hope you all have a lovely day:)

Drema

V.

Brenda, that has got to be the most adult looking expression I have ever seen on a baby, lol.

Lotusland coming up in a week and a half- snuck up in me for sure it was so long ago I made the reservations. I’m going to include a visit to the Santa Barbra Botanical Garden, which specializes in California natives. Extra memory card will be one of the first items in the packing-staging area.

Off to read the Sunday papes..waves to all

Kathy in Napa

As for ignoring two year old scream fests, that might be easier than bad behavior from seven year olds. Wyatt must have had to much sugar today and was about to get a spanking. How can they be so sweet one minute and make you want to smack them the next. The sweet was that he gave both me and his other grandma a beaded necklace he had gotten from somewhere. Even matching the colors to what we were wearing. The bad was just plain not listening when he was told to do or not do something.
He doesn't look like he could be bad here does he.

Happy Birthday Drema.

Michelle I love the pillar planters. I just bought some pansies and alssyum(sp?)too.

Hi Cyn.

V, your cake wins hands down.

Brenda, I love Judes pretty brown eyes.

Kathy, your spring garden looks inviting. You do seem to be getting quite a bit of rain.

Theres more, but I'm fading so I'm off to bed.

Oh yes , Woody, I like Randys Easter picture on the moments thread.

Norma

Today was dinner at Rick’s daughter’s house. With both of my kids out of state it was very different. Even after Laura moved, Jeremy would come for Easter along with my parents. His birthday is the 12th so we usually celebrated that as well. He will be back in the area next week though.

Norma, actually those were the pillar planters from last Easter. I’ve yet to find any cool season annuals yet. I love watching kids having an egg hunt. I’m sure Wyatt has his moments, as do all kids.

V, the cake is great. I like your geum. I should have added one to my High Country Gardens order. I’m always looking for early bloomers.

Brenda, you must just love having that little sweetheart around. He is just adorable!

Kathy, I’d love to see a close up of the hellebore (at least that’s what I think it is) in front of the birdbath. What pretty form. The whole combination is lovely.

‘bug, sorry to hear that little Ivy and others aren’t feeling well. It’s tough to see the little ones sick.

Michelle

Norma, pictures like that make it hard to believe that they could ver be anything less than wonderful. What a handsome kid Wyatt is! And already buying jewelry for the women in his life-that is to be encouraged! LOL.

Kathy, the bird bath looks so pretty. Your gardens always inspire me (am I always saying that? Think I am.). Anyway, I think I will pick myself up and head to the nursery for something blooming. My birdbaths only have small, newly-emerging stuff around them at this point. Maybe a pansy or ten will help. Never did plant any last fall.

V, that lamb is the best! I'll bet everyone oohed and aahed and smacked their lips afterwards!

Michelle, it is different once they are grown and gone, isn't it? Won't it be grand to have Jeremy home next week?!

Guess I'll check out Randy's picture on the Moments thread and then go buy something cheerful. I do have some bloodroots to plant, but they aren't blooming yet-just got them in the mail. Hope they survive and spread.

Smiling and waving...

Texas Quince

Forgythia

These are all blooming today along with the redbuds and one dogwood just opening. Everthing seems to be in a mad rush.

I am not happy with the way my pictures are turning out when I resize them. The are losing quality. I need to work on that. It was pretty cloudy this morning.
N

Cyn, I bought yet another birdbath this spring, which I don’t think I’ve shared a pic of as yet. Employee discounts are a fine thing. Happy that you find anything I have going on here inspirational ! I sure try to do what I can with a very small lot .

Yes indeed Norma, the rain has been a frequent visitor this year. I always worry about the first bloom flush on my roses, most of which are not even cracking and showing color yet. We have been in drought conditions for the last couple of years so this rain is really a good thing; it fills the reservoirs and contributes to the snow-pack in the Sierra which in turn supplies water to Northern Californians. That Wyatt is a very handsome young man !(for a kid, lol) Fabu pics posted today ! I learned in my photo class about re-sizing or even opening and closing pics and how it can degrade the quality . I hope to learn more about this in my class I’m taking in May; I have noticed the same thing.

Michelle, The Hellebore is called Painted Lady. Really happy with it, it is quite ‘upward facing’ as Hellebores go, and has been blooming for a very long time. Here is a close up pic that I took a couple of weeks ago.

From Garden 2010 Spring

All for me tonight ..

Much catching up to do on many fronts.

Here's a taste of little Ms Ivy, up to no good:

Likewise, Skyler:

A busy week ahead for us.
'bug

Norma, every year I say that I need more Spring interest around here...your garden has lots going on! I think the pictures are great, so I can't imagine what they looked like before you resized them :)

I need some bloodroot, too, Cyn. My neighbor's is blooming now and it'd be perfect in my Goddess Garden. I need to get on the ball this year and plant bulbs (especially if I buy them, lol!). That time of year just seems too busy with school and holidays.

I am going for a walk this morning...I went yesterday too. I was to be restful and lay off the heavy workouts and finally I'm starting to feel antsy, which I think is a good sign. I think I was really worn out! Something Woody said really hit home though...if you take bedrest too seriously, you can find that it's really hard to get started again! So I'll start walking again.

I need to be in shape for gardens in Napa :)

Okay, so I guess I'll put on my shoes and start now! Have a great day.

Saucy

Garden clean up has been a little here and there, turned over soil today along the shrub border and relocated a few perennials. Tomorrow it’s supposed to rain and I’m treating myself to a day off and spending it at a couple of local nurseries.

Cindy, so sorry to read that you lost Chloe…I know how it hurts to lose a beloved pet.

Drema, happy belated birthday wishes! I don’t seem to be able to get into photo bucket tonight to post a card for you, darn it.

And V…so you DO have a little Orprah, LOL! Please keep documenting with photos as I’m sure they grow fast and have changed already. The lamb cake really caught my attention, it turned out very well. And I have to tell you right now, the New Zealand photos are every bit as wonderful as I imagined. Everything looks clean and fresh from the skyline to the architecture and even the hiking trails. Thanks for sharing and I hope you post more.

Loved all the photos as I caught up on reading. A good assortment of the little ones, too. Mr. Baby Blue Eyes, and Norma, Wyatt appears to have incredibly blue eyes, also. Ivy and Skyler striking a pose… and Jude! He was a handsome baby the day he was born and already he looks quite the little man. Brenda, I think you are going to have great fun with him!

I am whipped from digging but it’s a good kind of tired. Waving good night to all…time for bed!

And Babs, too! Come out, come out, wherever you are!!!

Drema, I missed your party, so here's some bloodroot for you!

And Babs, since you are the token female at your house, I thought you needed some PINK!

Almost missed you!!! Have a happy day, Denise!

Happy Belated to Drema:

Happy to Babs:

Happy to Denise:

And Happy to Kathy!:

I do hope to get back in later -- Cheers to all.

-cindy

Happy birthday to all the idyll spring lambs. What beautiful glimpses of spring -- all from this year? My mom called early this a.m. and sang the happy birthday song into the answering machine.

Many happy returns of the day!

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

That said, I could do with somewhat cooler temps for working in the yard-it is due to hit 90---that is 9-0---today. UGH.

I am planning to transplant some of the violets that are popping up all over onto the hill where nothing seems to grow. The liriope and mondo grass I put in in the fall are looking pretty wretched now. I know a lot of people hate violets, but I think they are lovely and much nicer than grass. With luck, since we no longer have grass in the back-the galloping gardeners have taken care of that-I will have violets in all those empty spots.

Okay, back out into the inferno. Groaning and waving.

Happy birthday, everyone (who the hell is Babs?!).

I'm outta here. (Way too overwhelmed by the height of the bar you guys set!)

Trying to remember if Babs has been here since I arrived but drawing a blank. Maybe she’ll drop in to say hi on her birthday.

I do not have that much spring color yet; hoping the shrubs pop after this rain to brighten things up. Cyn, I can’t believe you’re going to reach 90 today! My neighbor’s violets are spreading into our yard. It’s not that I hate them, it’s more that I hate not having a choice about getting them, lol.

Trip to one nursery was a bit disappointing. They have a display of plants they grow in their greenhouse so everything is still young. More variety will be offered when shipments come in and I realize it’s still very early in the season.

Thought you’d want to know that I bought a new pair of rockers in honor of all your birthdays! (snicker) They are sooo comfortable, Drema, that toe knuckle doesn’t even have to bend! Supposed to help tone your calves and bum, too, but they just feel great. DD loves hers and suggested I might like them. No problem getting used to the curved sole either, I put them on and wore them home. Just noticed I was so anxious to start walking I forgot to lace the top eyelet! Here’s a pic standing in the garage doing a contortion act so you can see the side sole.

Must start thinking about dinner…possibly meatloaf and scalloped potatoes. DH won’t get home until later this evening so it’s my turn to cook. Anything I don’t have to stand at the stove gets my vote.

Hey, Chelone!...waving you back here :-)

Time for a new Idyll I think !

Kathy in Napa

~Babs