The Landscaping Queens Were Here

This past weekend was my plan to do some container gardening with the help of my Mom and my sister. We started and as we looked around they were suggesting that some pruning was in order here and there. I said "I'll go and get the clippers". I had already bought flats of bedding plants but they never made it to the pots. My Mom started to tackle the barren flower beds as my sister became "Edward Scissorhands" to all the overgrown shrubs. I promise, I looked at her once and limbs were flying in every direction. When she got through all my shrubs had a haircut like kids get for going back to school. Neat and tidy, but you knew it was going to grow back one of these days. These two ladies definitely know what they are doing. I just let them go to it and was very grateful for the results.

It has been four days since the operation on my yard and the metamorphis has taken place so fast. We have had some good rain and I am now the proud owner of 7 yellow iris's that have come alive under the sun and a flowering quince that has just filled out perfectly. My hostas are growing and filling up a bed. It is so magical watching spring time waking up a yard from a long winters nap.

Thank you Mom and Jill for all your landscaping help. I know you went home to get some rest.

And The Planting Begins

If you have been reading my latest blogs you know that I have "spring fever". That means several trips to nurseries to find just the right plants for my container gardening. I started this morning only to find out I have more plants than pots to put them in. That seems to be the story my life lately...not enough pots.

Yesterday I found some great plants that really work for my type of gardening. Begonias, dusty miller, sweet potatoe vine, coreopsis and creeping jenny will all do nicely in large pots for instant color in a small space. Adding two mombo ferns will round out the look I like on my patio.

The look of my nails right now tells me what time of year this is, and no gloves because they are too cumbersome. Anyway I feel more like a true gardener getting my hands in the dirt. I will continue to browse my garden magazines as I search for something brand new to add as I step out of my "horticulture comfort zone.

Go get your hands dirty...its time.

Wish I Were A Kid Again

Daughter and grand kids met me at Toys R Us today. We were scoping out ideas for upcoming birthdays in April and May. Out of four grandchildren, 3 of them are in the spring. I was just taking my time looking at all the wonderful and creative toys that are available that are absolutely foreign to me, but I wanted so many of them. Yes that is right.... there were dolls I would cuddle with tonight and books that would put me to sleep with happy dreams also. The life size doll houses surely would have replaced some of the cardboard boxes I mutilated on a regular basis. Sometimes I think I was born to early. I loved my childhood but had I had the offerings of today, maybe I would be a Harvard graduate. Oh who am I kidding...Harvard's weather would have been to cold for me.

I am happy that my four grandchildren will have the opportunities that this society offers. I will just have to be satisfied to look and not touch even when MY child is telling me to "hurry up Gammy".

Boy Did They Miss A Big Sale

Did you ever have a really good idea and things just did'nt pan out? I was going to a doctors visit today and knew that I would pass a wonderful nursery for bedding plants, ferns and perenials. It just so happens that I have the bug to do some container gardening. It is that time of year to pretty up around the front door and add some much needed interest to my patio with plants that will "show off" all through the summer.

So off I go with check book in hand ready to find all the flowers I love and the ones that would love me back by growing profusely just where I put them. I pulled up as close as I could get to the closed fence. "They must have forgotten to unlock that gate" I said to another garden enthusiast. Nope the other gate was locked also. OK I had a check book in my hand ready to use, did'nt they know? I even saw plants I wanted but was prepared to hear that " they had not come in yet". I even had my sister coming this week who has a very green thumb as opposed to my pale gray one. My plan was to pull the Huckleberry Finn caper (where you get someone else to do your job. ) Hence, my sister! She is very good!

Right now all I have are some very dirty pots with some of last years dead unidentifiable crunchy weeds in them. Luckily I still have a few days to scout out some new nursery who will appreciate an eager customer when they see me. It's that time of year. Happy Planting!!!

The Sweet Light of Spring

Well the time has changed..so glad. More daylight at suppertime. I have always loved the light hours that remain after the nightime meal. When I was a kid it was the chance for more outside time before bed. A little more bike riding time or finishing a hopscotch marathon. As I got older it allowed more time sitting on the hoods of boyfriends cars( at least until parents ruined that magic moment with "Patty, you need to come in and do the dishes") That was what younger sisters were born for.

As I became a married adult, I can remember many evenings sitting out on the stoop of our first apartment, or in the yard on lawn chairs to catch the last hours of a warm spring day.

As children came the begging to stay outside after supper ("just a little longer") was granted to have some special quiet time with my husband to talk over the day or plan the next one.

Now at this time in my life, it is sweet to see daylight still as I ponder the events or blessings of the day as the sun sets. Isn't it amazing how we take the time in our mature years to notice our surroundings and marvel at God's handy-work? I am anxiously awaiting my dafodils to bloom.
As I do, I know He will bless me with some unexpected surprises in the garden besides weeds.

So go outside tonight, sit and listen. You will hear some crickets and maybe a frog, but most of all the dusk that comes now is an hour later than it was last week. Happy Spring!!!

Tea For Three

Today I woke up looking forward to the events of the day. Two good friends were coming to visit. We had been trying to get together for some time but other commitments were always present until this sun - shiny day.

They arrived early enough to be able to sit and talk before going to an antique/tea room for a fabulous lunch. I had not seen these two since this past summer and there was alot of catching up to do. We enjoyed the meal of tomato basil soup and the salad sampler plate. (My personal favorite). Then if that was not enough, we shared a hot praline brownie with ice cream and almonds sprinkled on top. Soooooo good!

After that meal we had to walk many calories off as we browsed through the shop "oooing and ahhing" at much of the wonderful accessories that were arranged so artfully everywhere. Now none of this was needed by any of us, but these places are geared for the "decorator wannabes". In one corner were some antique colored chicks that Pat had to have. After I saw them I had to have a mama and baby. They are gold mottled ceramics which are antiqued in an umber glaze. They have a place of honor sitting on an old pine cabinet I own . I just love them.

We had a wonderful time and vowed to do it again soon. Friends are so special and a great blessing from God. Sometimes we need to work at finding time to share each others lives, but the result is so rewarding. Thanks Gail and Pat.....