April 5, 2009

Last weekend I brought my camera on one of my long walks, and recorded some signs of spring that we've just now started to see.  Hallelujah!  We've had a wacky winter, even by Texas standards.  There have been a few nice surprising 80 degree days, but followed by literally 20 degree days overnight.  That's happened several times over the winter, and it surely has to confuse our plant life.  Thankfully, winter is behind us now and we're in the midst of early spring…

Spunky the Squirrel says "Welcome to Spring!"

First Azalea

First weed among new green grass, breaking through winter's dead grass

Beautiful white Indian Hawthorne blooms

Hydrangea, perhaps?

Red Tip Photinia preparing to bloom...so stinky! A-a-a-chooo!!

One little white bloom snuck under the wall to shine on his own

First green shoots that will soon enrobe this tree

Pink Cherry Blossom blooms against a blue sky

Pink against a backdrop of green

More pink...

...and more pink!

Wherever you are, I hope spring will be finding you soon!

~BigSis

March 20, 2009

Today is officially the first day of Spring. I love Spring! I love all the blooming flowers and the smell of the air. Also, Spring means that Summer, my favorite season, is right around the corner.

I know in some parts of the country, Spring is a time for thawing out, seeing those first signs of green again, and saying goodbye to the winter blues! I spent three winters in Upstate New York, so I can relate. Now, we're blessed to live in a part of the country where we don't have to worry about snow, ice, and sub-zero temperatures.

In honor of the first day of Spring, I couldn't decide what I wanted to talk about here today. I was thinking it might be nice to make a big green Spring Salad or maybe grill some Spring vegetables for dinner, or talk about Spring cleaning tips. None of those really got me too excited.

I must already have Spring Fever because all I could think about was being outside today after sitting at a computer all week. So, while outside, I thought it might be fun to share some photos with you.

Here in Southern California, you can smell Spring in the air! At this time of year, the jasmine are blooming and the air smells like a bouquet of fresh flowers. It's amazing how fragrant these are for being such small flowers!

We have a lot of jasmine in our backyard and they grow in these massive beautiful blankets.

While enjoying the flowers, I thought that this might be a good time to introduce you to Iris. She's my little wood nymph and my latest garden sculpture. She lives right here in the same flower bed with the jasmine.

Instead of Spring cleaning inside, I need to do some Spring cleaning out in the garden. I had to take a picture of the ivy growing on Iris before I cut it back. I love how it looks, but it will get out of control if I don't take care of it now.

I wish that I could take a Mental Health Day today and just work in the garden for the entire day. I guess I should be responsible and maybe just take a half day!

I hope this first day of Spring brings sunshine and happiness to everyone!

~LilSis