Bits of Spring

While outside this afternoon I could see the new developments of spring all over.  My crocus and daffodils have bloomed and disappeared but now comes the other wave of wonderful spring eye candy.

Many bird houses and bird feeders have a place in my yard.  I thought this one with the string hanging out was cute.  Can you image that little tiny bird flying and carrying that in it's beak.  It's a wonder the bird's flight pattern was screwed up with that string floating behind.

 The pink dogwood tree is beginning to flower.

 So is the white dogwood tree.

A week or so ago while in the garden bath I could hear a returning hummingbird looking for last year's window feeder.  Oops, I hadn't put the feeders out yet....until right after I heard the humming.  It is such fun to hear the hummingbirds come to this feeder as it's like the glass picks up the vibrations of the wings and it resonates inside the bathroom.  There is another feeder at my fish pond right now and later there will be another.  You can see the Bleeding Hearts in the background just before my boy Ben's backyard.

An aromatic lilac bush blooming.  Must learn about how to trim it back  at the best time so it will fill out and be more prolific next year.  Sadly I am not so smart about proper trimming time of year and how much to trim.  Sure don't want to kill anything so sometimes the limbs get long and lanky.

My pretty Bleeding Hearts.  Thankfully they are in the afternoon shade but when it gets warmer those blooms will be gone too.

Periwinkle (aka vinca minor) near a full bloom. 

Oh dear, I've forgotten the name of this ground cover; it will probably come back to me as soon as I publish the blog.

It is sunny today but getting damp now as we are expecting rain.  Time to take my boy for his walk to be sure he and I get in our steps before that happens.

Have a great evening and let's all be kind to one another.

Saundra

It's Spring?

The calender tells us that spring has arrived, Pauxatauney Phil made his prediction, my yard is showing signs it is spring, or close to it..... but, the temperatures are below records for this time of year in Delaware.  Here you can see the periwinkle and one daffodil in this group that survived the nighttime frigid temperatures of late.

I'm waiting for bird activity in my many birdhouses which I have spread around this woodland wonderland.  I've even tried to entice birds with a little painting of an ivy around the front of this one... no takers yet.  But then this is too far from my house to watch the activity while hooking.  So it could be there will be occupants there soon.

I do not know how many birdhouses I have in my yard but know there are many and my many bird feeders keep me busy.  My register receipts can testify to the fact that I have many birds calling for the black oil sunflower seeds that I willingly provide sustenance for.  Oh, and let us not forget the squirrels who take more than their fair share.

I can see a birdhouse which needs repair, but perhaps the future resident will like it's modern entry and exit design.  Sure will make it easier for the little ones to learn to fly out rather than up and out.

And then I like this bird house.  I used to have an unrepairable cuckoo clock in the center of that heart but that finally disintegrated after several years so put this birdhouse for a new occupant with spacial living accommodations.

And of course spring would not be spring without the pollen spread by bumble bees.  Here is a cloth bumblebee I made (you can see it on my web site) and it is carrying it's own bee skep with Sweet Annie to help pollenate my big woodland wonderland.

OH!  That green birdhouse in the above picture with the vintage door knob was purchased at Cape May, NJ and was made with pieces of the Chalefont Hotel.  I attend rug camp each September at the Chalefont hotel so this is a wonderful reminder of my time there.  Each day when I look at it brings back fond memories of hooking with my pals and walking the beach.