Spring??

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month. ~Henry Van Dyke



Included the sign just in case you were confused as to what scene the photo was supposed to represent on this snowy March 30.

Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush. ~Doug Larson





The view from the front door.

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. ~Hal Borland



Silly me. I was thinking of taking in the sleds now that winter was over.

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. ~Proverb

The Garden is Blooming -- Sort of

These pictures represent the total blooms I found in the garden today. Of course, I am trying (the operative word is "trying") to not walk on the soggy grass yet, so couldn't get close to a couple of accessible by grass only beds. But, didn't look like anything was blooming over there anyway.

I know this is the dangerous time of the year in the garden. Planning is still a better activity than planting, weeding, trodding, etc. But, the garden muse is starting to call loud and clear.

This weeping pussy willow is finally producing a very healthy looking crop of pussies! Interesting thing about this little tree is that the first major snowstorm of the year toppled the tree clear to the ground. We stood it upright and tied it to the tree next to it, hoping it would stay put through the rest of the winter. But, then the granddaddy of all our snowstorms toppled it again, only in another direction. I thought for sure it was a goner, but this spring it produced its first noticable crop of plump, velvety pussies! I know that it can take several years to see if the roots were permantly damaged by the uprooting in the middle of winter, so for now we will enjoy and see what happens in the future. And, you can still see some snow on the ground. I cut a few to bring into the house and take over to my mother in her senior apartment.






The witch hazel is two years old, purchased from Heronswood Nursery (the original) on a very cold, crisp, sunny day in February. I hope one of these days it will start to grow! It is special for a couple of reasons: 1) it blooms now!, 2) that trek to Heronswood Nursery was my last as Burpee closed the nursery a few months later. In protest, I will never knowlingly buy a Burpee product.





I bought several hellebores on that trip (it turned out to be a fairly expensive side trip on the way to a conference), all of which, except one, have survived.



The primroses are blooming low to the ground and under their protective leaves, but they are there!





There are lots of spring blooming bulbs starting to push their leaves up and lots of helleborus foetidus getting ready to bloom, so things are looking up!

90th Birthday Party!

On February 20, my father celebrated his 90th birthday. It certainly was a milestone we couldn't let go by without having a party in his honor, so we did! Friends and family gathered from near and far on a sunny Saturday afternoon to wish him well and enjoy lunch.

My parents have been married for 65 years, so it seems appropriate to start with a picture taken at that party (it has been a party year for them!) as an introduction to the festivities.

Dad is the eldest of five children, four of whom are still living. My Aunt Jean lives in Idaho. Aunt Leah & Dad live in eastern Washington, and Uncle Steve lives in Colorado. Steve flew in from Colorado as a surprise to Dad.

Younger by two years less three days, brother Steve



Sisters Jean & Leah





The rest of the family and friends

Snowy Week in Spokane

I don't know why I seem to be motivated to only post to my blog when it snows as I really don't like the stuff. But, the transformation of the landscape is fascinating so thought I would share some "before and after" pictures.



Looking the same direction along the street two months later



The front yard during summer and fall





The front lawn and garden buried under several feet of snow with Dave doing winter chores



The rose arbor in front of the house



Backyard view from the house




Just waiting to look like this








The prediction is for more snow several days in the upcoming week, including the possibility of additional snow today if the front in northern California pushes on the weather south of us too hard. California can keep that weather, thank you very much!

A final picture which says it all!

Snow in Spokane

For those of you who know me you should be surprised that a snowstorm, which is not one of my favorite things, motivated me to post to my blog for the first time in 18 months. But, the 6" that fell overnight and this morning provided great fodder for the camera and I couldn't resist.





Our favorite guardian of the garden, Neptune, who hangs out in the backyard seems to be saying, "Where is all this snow coming from?"


Almost Christmas card perfect


The garden house during its lonely wait for spring activity


And, finally..... hope for spring!

Beautiful June

What garden isn't beautiful in June? Here are some of my favorite flowers which are blooming like they have been waiting a long time to be pretty! Below are coral bells and hosta with a Saxifraga 'London Pride' hiding behind the coral bells



Perennial Forget-Me-Nots and White Jacob's Ladder.... an accidental pairing which has turned out to be so beautiful they get to stay right where they are


This combination of barberry and iris is hard to beat


The third year for this clematis is definitely the charm


One big rose bush which blooms all summer and is wonderfully fragrant

The girls

The girls and I in the garden last July 4th.

Welcome

Soon I will be posting pictures from my garden.