Tag Archives: Spring

Life

by

As you view these images, I am off to see my parents for some Mother’s Day / Father’s Day celebrating.

_MG_2013-2

Following that, I’ll participate in a Saturday Board Meeting for the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners.

IMG_2023-2

Then I’ll get to spend the evening with a long time friend and fellow photographer.

_MG_2002-2

And hopefully, all of that work and play will be followed by a belated birthday celebration with my sister.

_MG_2022-2

These images were taken during an evening with friends last week.  Life, and all it’s gifts and challenges, has prevented this group of women from gathering lately.  On Friday, we finally got to sit around the fire, enjoy delicious food and drink, and the company of folks who know you well and love you despite your, shall we call them, less attractive, traits.

Enjoy the weekend, everyone!  I’ll catch up with you when I get back.

Symbiotic

by

_MG_1693-2

I’ve always been told that Peonies and Ants have a symbiotic relationship, but a little research revealed that not all believe this to be true.

What say you, my gardening friends?

Blooming

by

_MG_1380-2

Spring is officially here and there are just two more days until a weekend without travel, and an opportunity to visit all of you.

Do You Know Bud (Redbud, that is)?

by

_MG_4023

Many of you responded to my previous post about Redbud, scientific name Cercis canadensis, by saying that you were not familiar with the tree.   Commonly called Eastern Redbud, it is a deciduous, often multi-trunked understory tree with a rounded crown and is noted for its stunning pea-like rose-purple flowers which bloom profusely on bare branches in early spring (March-April) before the foliage emerges.  

The tree is native to eastern and central North America from Connecticut to New York to southern Ontario and the Great Lakes south to Western Texas and Florida( http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/ ).  Here in Virginia, we often see it in open meadows, and along roads and rivers.

My blogging pal, Pauline, The Contented Crafter, thought the Redbud looked familiar, and in doing a quick online search, found that in New Zealand they call it The Judas Tree.

015

Littlesundog, writing from Oklahoma, commented that she loved the beautiful blooms and the heartshaped leaves.

_MG_4016 _MG_4017

If you don’t have Redbud in your area, feel free to come visit Southwest Virginia in the spring and I’ll be happy to show you around!

Joy

by

When spring finally does come ’round, the moments of joy are endless.

_MG_3923

If you haven’t already done so, I’m sure you are looking forward to getting back outside, putting your hands in the dirt, and bringing color and beauty to your surroundings.  I’m so lucky to have a screened porch to enjoy while creating this blog post.

IMG_3936

The bees are buzzing, quite loudly actually, all around my new hanging baskets and the blossoms on the Redbud Tree, all of which have been purchased from local nurseries or greenhouses.

_MG_3929 _MG_3930 _MG_3926

The birds that have nested in the gutters over the carport are adding a beautiful song to the other sounds of spring, and FINALLY, I have found a few basil plants (if you know me at all, Basil is my summer addiction).

IMG_3931

I’ll have to bring the pots in every night for a few more weeks, but at least I have some!

Yes, there are chores to be done, and errands to be run, but even accomplishing those things seems easy on a beautiful Sunday in April.  So, until I can get back out on the bike and join my friends, at least I can get my hands back in some dirt, and finish what I started yesterday

_MG_3935

Is it REALLY Here?

by

As a woman who embraces all seasons (yes – even winter), I have none the less been ready for spring.  After snow and 20 degree temperatures last week, Spring may finally have arrived in Southwest Virginia this week.  Hurray!!

_MG_3573 _MG_3583 _MG_3582

I even planted a Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) yesterday.  The Dogwood is the State Tree of Virginia and while I have several in the woods that surround my home, I’ve never planted one (this one is a cell phone photo …)

IMG_20140420_132633

I hope the freezing temps are gone for the year, and I’m sending warm thoughts to those of you who are still hoping for Spring.