Spring
2025
Aaaah . . . Spring, my favorite season. I love it when the last of the snow finally melts and the winter temperatures turn from freezing to cool with the thermometer eventually climbing into the 60's and low 70's. Perfect! The usual blooms around the house pushed forth this Spring, but it seems they weren't as large or as fragrant as in past years. And, there was even one flowering shrub, Quince, that only showed such few blossoms, I didn't even capture a picture of it. Alas, nothing spectacular, but Spring cometh nonetheless and I am thankful for it's arrival.
My old 'granny house' as I call her, built in 1901. She isn't the prettiest thing, but she's sturdy and has proven to be reliable for a roof over my head for all of the 40+ years I've lived here. I feel blessed to be the Lord's steward of her and have done my best with the resources He's given me to care for her. The big, white Snowball blooms remind me of the coconut cake Hostess snack treats. About thirty years ago, I planted the three Snowball bushes, which have actually now grown into trees. They were nothing but small gallon shrubs when I brought them home. The low shrubs below my four office windows are Potentillas.
At the base of the Snowball trees is a groundcover called Sweet Woodruff. And as always, when I step outside to take pictures, my feline companion, Lily, must follow along.
Among the tall Ponderosa Pines along the driveway, are a couple of Flowering Crab trees. They have the most beautiful two-toned pink blossoms.
Delicate white Flowering Plum blossoms. And, my ever-faithful companion, Lily, watching me from one of her favorite spots, the swing.
The birding area, as I call it, is in the side yard and consists of an metal arch situated between two big ol' pine trees that have squirrel feeder boxes screwed to them.
Under the arch and to the right of the water dish is another covered area (not pictured) that also shelters bird feeders. At the base of the water bowl is a large Hosta plant.
I've been feeding the Fox Squirrels for about 25 years. They're year round visitors and they enjoy a bounty of black sunflower seeds and unsalted peanuts each morning.
The entire side yard is banked by large Lilac bushes that have been here longer than I've been here; 40+ years. I anxiously await their beautiful blooms every Spring.
Sad that the Lilac's fragrant blossoms only last a few weeks, but the lovely foliage that remains provides a nice privacy row from the neighbor.
In front of the bank of Lilac trees is a row of Juniper shrubberies and mingled among them are Wild Roses and Bee Balm
Magenta Honeysuckle blooms and the always-showy blossoms of the Apple tree never disappoint.
There's a small flowerbed alongside the house in the side yard and the Azalea is always the first one to show up with its dazzling pink color.
This area of the wraparound deck happens to be one of Lily's favorite 'sit-spots' and, of course, she's happy to be part of the picture-taking action.
The gate in the side yard leads to the back yard, where we, along with the front driveway, are proud to fly Old Glory.
And, of course, if I'm heading to the back yard, Lily will race to beat me back there and follow along the fenceline. At right, Spirea comes alive with it's brilliant sherbet colors.
Behind the fence is a menagerie of things that have just sprouted up on their own, one of which is this beautiful (unidentified) flowering tree with lovely pink blossoms.
At right are some early blooms of Abbotsford Potentilla bushes. I have about seven of these bushes around the entire greenhouse and garden area.
Because we have a garden, we don't mind leaving the sunny yellow dandelions in the yard as they help attract pollenators. Once they go to seed, then the lawn is mowed.
The delicate white blossoms of the Mountain Ash trees reveal where all the berries will appear in the Fall. And, Violas pop up of their own accord all around our greenhouse.
My husband, Derek, does the lion's share of the garden work. After tilling the outdoor section of the garden, he gets busy planting.
To the far right are zucchini and squash starter plants and the bed where he is working in the photo is garlic and onions.
Once the outdoor garden is all planted, he moves inside the greenhouse. Pictured are lettuce starts. The greenhouse also has beds for bush beans, carrots, tomatoes, cauliflower and broccoli. And, he always tucks a couple of Marigold flowers in each bed to help resist pests. Of course, nothing is done without the supervision of Lily.
The garden is now all set and good to go. To ease some of the garden chores, Derek installed a watering system in each raised bed with a timer.
To add a bit of color, we purchased Sunflower plants and put them in large tubs so we could move them around the yard, if needed.
And, that's it for the Spring season around my home. Now, it's onto Summer with its long days, perennial flowers, and hopefully a bounty of tasty home-grown vegetables.
I hope you had wonderful Spring and the upcoming Summer blesses you and yours.