Well, Ive been meaning to get these posted for the last few days, but it has been hectic here. There is always so much catching up to do whenever you go away, even if itÂs just for a short time.

Thought I would share a few pics from the trip:

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That is in AnitaÂs backyard. I love the walled garden and just about everyone there has them. Anita says they were built to keep the critters out like Javelinas (wild hogs) and Coyotes...Yikes! Of course AnitaÂs area is an older established neighborhood, so not much worry about those kinds of creatures. And, although Anita assured me she hasnÂt seen any in years, I did check my bedcovers every night, looking for scorpions. I have an inordinate fear of them. They just look so *evil* to me. Some of the wildlife creatures I did enjoy seeing at AnitaÂs were all the cute little geckos and unusual lizards. The gamble quails were adorable and just as they look in photos, with the momma leading the pack and all the babies following behind in a straight line. I love that little plume on the top of their heads :-) and it was a riot to see them marching across the top of AnitaÂs walled garden. The neatest treat, however, was spotting a pair of gorgeous peach faced lovebirds that had made a nest in a cavity of a huge, old Saguaro cactus in AnitaÂs front yard. There were actually several cavities in the Saguaro and all types of birds built nests there  it was a busy Saguaro and lots of fun to watch, as it was like a cactus condominium building...LOL!

Anyway, back to the pic...I love this little vignette. The pink flowers are oenothera, theresÂs a cypress, the vines are called Cat Claws, and the rest are cactuses (howÂs that for being specific?...LOL)!

Do you see the magical fairy castle in the background itÂs teal and pink and the pink *exactly* matches the color of the oenotheras. The castle was done by her oldest daughter who is a wonderful artist (mostly oils in the past) and now a sculptor as well. She made Anita the most *gorgeous* heron sculpture too and IÂm mad at myself for not taking a picture of it. You would have loved it!

She has several bougainvilleas growing against her walls and come in the most scrumptious colors! Anita has red, pink, coral, white and purple...wish they were hardy here:

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This is one of her Agaves getting ready to bloom. After it blooms it will die. Can you believe that flower stalk?!?

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Here is Anita and DH at Bartlett Lake. ItÂs a gorgeous man-made lake. Dammed, but I canÂt remember...LOL! I mean it is dammed...but I canÂt remember from whence the water source came. Anyway it was lovely and very clean and the view of the mountains in the background was just awe inspiring!

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Lots of gorgeous sunsets while visiting Anita:

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Here we are at The Desert Botanical Gardens. The tree behind us is a Pallo brea. A gorgeous tree! Anita has one at home and it was in full bloom with pretty yellow flowers. But what really makes this tree special is the bark, which is a lovely verdigris color and the bark looks like silk:

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Paul & I still at the DBG. Can you believe the size of the cactuses or is that cacti?

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Anita & me next to one of the many sculptures by Manolo Valdes at the DBG. I was trying to imitate the sculpture, which only goes to prove that imitation is *not* always the sincerest form of flattery...LOL!

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Me & Anita again! Paul made us stand next to another Manolo sculpture so you could get a sense of the size of it:

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They also had a lovely butterfly exhibit at the DBG. Unfortunately most of my pictures did not come out:

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I'm still waiting to turn into a butterfly! :-)

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Yes, IÂm a cornball and itÂs so wonderful to have a friend who lets me be me and will even join me in my silliness...LOL!

As you can probably tell from the pictures...I had a ball. The mini vacation was a wonderful respite for me. We also went to a neat restaurant/club where AnitaÂs hubby Hank was playing. He is a wonderful sax player & piano player and I also found out that night that heÂs a brilliant clarinetist as well! Anita is mailing me some pics of that night cause my pics didnÂt come out. If they come soon, IÂll add them here. We also went to the "old" Tucson area and did a little tourist shopping and stopped to have lunch at a funky little place, whose name, unfortunately, I canÂt remember anymore. It was mostly filled with locals and lots of funny characters! We had a lot of laughs and I had the best Shrimp Caesar Salad of my life there. Also went to this gorgeous Mexican Restaurant with a courtyard, where we sat and ate our lunch. There was a huge pond in the courtyard filled with ducks, turtles and fish. Birds were flying all around us and there were gorgeous hand painted tile wall murals. The food was just okay (the Margaritas much better) but the scenery was what I enjoyed most!

So after a whirlwind trip, it was time to come home. Much as I hated to leave Anita, I had the most wonderful welcome home! We had rain while I was away (apparently a lot) and in just that short time my whole garden woke up! The tulips are in bloom and the grass is a gorgeous green! Spring has always been my favorite season and this spring has not been a disappointment (though I want more rain...LOL...IÂm *so* greedy!). Anyway, wanted to share a few pics of what I came home to...The Tulips Are In Full Bloom! :-)

I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose

I would always greet it in a garden.

- Ruth Stout Â

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Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer

 Georffry B. Charlesworth Â

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May & June. Soft syllables, gentle names for the two best months of the garden year; cool, misty mornings gently burned away with a warming spring sun, followed by breezy afternoons and chill nights. The discussion of philosophy is over; itÂs time for work to begin.

 Peter Loewer Â

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I *love* Parrot Tulips. This white is so old fashioned and blowsy looking. She is almost done, however, hence the flop! :-)

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Here is another favorite Parrot Tulip..the color is deep and sensual, with an air of mystery! (LOL Â do you get the feeling IÂm a little gaga about tulips?)

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Spring! An experience in immortality.

- Henry D. Thoreau Â

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I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring. Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in natureÂs rebirth? Â Edward Giobbi

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Okay, enough of the tulips...LOL!

The lilacs are just blooming and their heady perfume is wafting through the air. This is

ÂMarie Francis (A Father Fiala introduction)

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And what is so rare as a day in June?

Then if ever, come pefect days;

Then Heaven tries the earth if it be in tune,

And over it softly her warm ear lays. Â James Russell Lowell

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ÂAlbert Holden (another Father Fiala introduction)

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Beauty of Moscow (a French hybrid):

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.

 Nadine Stair Â

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(My only crabapple is in full bloom ÂSnowdriftÂ. It is recommended for its disease resistance and though I have seen a few black spotted leaves on this one in bad springs, for the most part it is pretty resistant)

My Fothergilla has made a turn around after a couple of years of abuse from my husband. Still looking rather weak, but IÂm just grateful she is still alive:

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My geum ÂMrs. Bradshaw is in bloom. A diminutive plant, but I love the color and am always tickled when she comes into bloom!

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In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt. Â Margaret Atwood

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Finally a pic of my little vignette, the froggy mudhole! :-)

There is nothing like the first hot days of spring when the gardener stops wondering if it is too soon to plant the dahlias and starts wondering if itÂs too late. Even the most beautiful weather will not allay the gardenerÂs notion (well founded actually) that he is somehow too late, too soon, or that he has too much stuff going on or not enough. For the garden is the stage which the gardener exults and agonizes out every crest and chasm of the heart.

 Henry Mitchell-

Well, thatÂs the end of my hoggy show...hope you enjoyed it! :-) Now I really have to hurry and get some plants in the ground...IÂm so late! :-) Ei