The calendar reminds us that Spring is here. Maybe for you she is still waiting. Hopefully the days ahead will melt your snow if you have any remaining. The first harbingers of Spring for us are always the welcoming sight of the daffodils blooming.
There are many spots in our garden where daffodils bloom. The ones on the south side of our home are usually the first to make their appearance. It's nice to pick bouquets of them for the dining room table.
All of the squirrels stay busy chasing each other around the trees. I suspect they are looking for a mate.
I have several hellebores in the perennial bed that are beginning to bloom. I cut back last years foliage last week. Samuel and Grayden applied 4 wheel barrow loads of compost onto this bed. Compost is the best thing to apply to enrich your soil. I hope you make it!
Here is a closeup of the lovely hellebore flower. They nod their blossoms so here is a little help from a friend so you can see its beauty.
" A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms." Zen Shin
The roses that were pruned last month are beginning to leaf out. Last week we had mulch delivered and spread around the shrubbery. We used to buy bags and haul it ourselves, but let's just say we are taking a little help in some areas now that we are of a certain age.
Our one and only camellia shrub is loaded with buds. Hopefully the squirrels will stay away from them this year. They have been known to eat every bud on this shrub!
The daylilies are quickly emerging. The white you see at the top of this photo is not snow, but ash from our chimnea. It is good for the lilacs that used to be my Grandmothers.
Inside the peace lily is beginning to bloom. When all danger of freezing is over I will take her outside for her summer vacation. She loves it!
The first day of Spring is always special for us as it is the birthday of our middle grandson, Alex. I can hardly believe he is sixteen years old!
We all went out to eat to celebrate his big day. He is on the right and his brother, Miles is on the left. They are really great kids that of course we adore.
Even if he is silly! He loves Tres Leche Cake and requested it for his birthday cake. He did use his spoon to eat it--thank goodness!
Dee, we were surprised how much further along Spring was at our son's home that is 50 miles to the south of us. I'm glad to hear it won't be long for you!
ReplyDeleteMany Happy Birthday Wishes for Alex … great pictures.
ReplyDeleteHappy Spring wishes too.
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan. Sending best wishes to you as well.
DeleteHa! I’m glad that he switched to his spoon—that cake looks delicious! Happy sixteenth year to him!
ReplyDeleteSpring has truly arrived in your corner. There’ll be no daffodils here until May. That’s just how far behind we are up here. I don’t make my own compost...highly frowned upon with the rabid skunks we have about, but I hope to amend the soil with compost from somewhere.
Spring is here, Vee. We had so much rain here today that those daffodils I took pictures of yesterday are beaten to the ground. Hopefully when the sun shines they will look at the sun. To the west of us in the mountains, there was snow today. You will have lovely daffodils when our's are gone.
DeleteSnowing here today...we were told rain, but I’d prefer the snow at this point. I hope that you folks are well past the pt of snow.
DeleteHappy spring!
ReplyDeleteYour signs of spring are lovely!
The girls and I saw our friends the woodpecker family out about today for the first time this year.
And Flynn was so happy to show me the first robin in our yard. : )
Happy birthday to your grandson.
These years keep flying!
Have a cozy weekend, my friend!
P.S. Your daffodils make me smile.
Billie Jo, it's so good when those robins show up in our yards. So glad the birds are visiting as they know more about the weather than man does. Hopefully you and Flynn will be seeing more robins and daffodils soon! ♥
Delete*H*A*P*P*Y* * *B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y*!*!*!* Alex.. you won the lottery of grandparents!! Enjoy your daffodils, Martha Ellen!! We have them too! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteTeresa, our grands mean the world to us and I think we may have won the lottery with them! Thank you for the compliment. You know exactly what I mean as you have darling grandchildren as well. Happy Springtime! ♥
DeleteBirthday wishes to your Grandson, he seems like so much fun. Spring is here and showing signs of its beauty all around us. I love this time of year.
ReplyDeleteI'll give Alex your wishes, Lorraine. These kids are fun and we enjoy them immensely! Enjoy a lovely Spring day. ♥
DeleteOh that silly boy looks like he would be packed full of fun! HAHA. Spring is here thank goodness but then another cold snap comes in. Mother Nature is a bi-polar. Yikes....she loves messing with us all. Beautiful pics. Our daffodils are gone now, but we actually had two rounds of them. It was strange.
ReplyDeletePam, both of these guys are a lot of fun and plenty of energy! I have some late blooming daffodils as well. It's always nice when they bloom.
DeleteAhh a breath of spring! Love seeing the daffodils blooming! Happy Birthday to Alex! Mine is a few days away!
ReplyDeleteDaffodils always remind me that Spring is here, Liz. Happy early birthday greetings to you. ♥
DeleteI love to see daffodils sprinkled here and there, as you have yours. Oh, I wish my garden would allow me to grow hellebores, but they do not thrive in mine.
ReplyDeleteHappy Sixteenth Birthday Alex! What a delicious looking cake you had.
~~~Waving~~~From Across the Pond~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
Deb, the hellebores in my perennial bed have spread from one plant. They must really like it there growing in the rich compost. Flowers really tell us where they like to live or not. There is a long list in my garden that don't like living here.
DeleteI'll pass on your wishes to Alex. He and his Dad love Tres Leche cake--well, we all do! Have a nice afternoon. xoxo ♥
No daffodils in bloom in my yard yet....but soon. Happy Birthday to Alex!
ReplyDeleteI know you are excited to have blooms soon, Cathy. I picked a couple dozen to put in the dining room this afternoon. They bring so much sunshine to inside and outside.
DeleteMartha, loved your celebration of spring. All your photos are gorgeous, but daffodils really scream "Spring!"
ReplyDeleteJean, I wanted Spring more this year than ever. Daffodils will always mean Spring to me!
DeleteDaffodil, make my heart sing..because when I see them , I know it’s Spring. We’re a long ways from it here .. but your pictures share the hope. How exciting to watch the new growth emerge... it truly is the perfect time to have a birthday celebration... and I'm sure there was n't any extra cake left... Your grandson are so very handsome... and no doubt full of that boyish mischief... Happy belated Birthday...That's what makes them special...Thank You for sharing the JOY....Big Hugs
ReplyDeleteZaa, hopefully Spring will make her appearance up your way before you know it. You have a busy birthday month as well. Enjoy all the celebrations. Thank you for the wishes to Alex. I'm still in shock he's sixteen!
DeleteSpring is starting to blossom in your area, Martha Ellen. The daffodils are pretty, and a cheerful color. Can't wait to see your roses. You know, that is one of my favorite quotes, and I was waiting for just the right time to use it someday. It's a good reminder to us people as well. Happy Birthday to Alex! Your grandsons are such handsome ones, Martha Ellen. And that cake sure looks good. I'm not familiar with Tres Leche Cake.
ReplyDeleteWishing you beautiful Spring days.
~Sheri
Sheri, I'm so happy that Spring is showing her presence. If you get a chance you can make Tres Leche Cake (three milk) cake. I've made Martha Stewart's recipe that you can find online. I hope I'll have some roses to show you in a couple of months. Happy Spring!
DeleteI certainly enjoyed your spring gardening tour. Of course, the Hellebore is my favorite. What a beautiful flower. How quickly children grow up. Sixteen is a big number. Soon your grandson will be chauffeuring you all around. :~)
ReplyDeleteChip, Alex already has his learner's permit and is a really good driver. How quickly they grow up! ♥
DeleteHappy Birthday to your grandson, you have a wonderful family ☺ My son is about to turn 6 months☺ I love your photos,you can feel the Spring with alm those flowers☺
ReplyDeleteThank you, Natalia. Spring is so welcome here. ♥
DeleteLovely post, wonderful photos Martha Ellen, and happy birthday to Alex. He looks like he has a great sense of humor and we should all get in touch with our silliness, no matter how old we are :))) I wave my own banner of silliness on occasion ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise. Alex comes from a long line of silly men and women. Life is too short to be so serious! Have a wonderful afternoon.
DeleteI love daffodils! Happy birthday to Alex!
ReplyDeleteDaffodils certainly signal spring. Thank you for the wishes to Alex, Pat! ♥
DeleteHappy Birthday to your grandson! Happy Spring as well!
ReplyDeleteA happy Spring to you, Pilar!♥
DeleteI'm so thankful the deer apparently do not care for daffodils and ours were the best ever this year--maybe because we've planted more so there were more! But sadly the deer have eaten our tiger lillies and tulips. But still spring is here and the grass is a lush green and there is much to be thankful for.
ReplyDeleteDotsie, we are fortunate not to have deer around. I have friends that have nothing in their yards as the deer clean out all the foliage. Poor things must be hungry. I'm looking forward to our grass greening. It sounds lovely where you are! ♥
DeleteI've never grown hellebores. They are so pretty! My daffs are about three inches up; fingers crossed no more snow!
ReplyDeleteHopefully no more snow will come, Jeanie! Your daffodils will be lovely when mine are long gone. Hellebores love my perennial bed that is partial shade. They are some of the earliest bloomers here. ♥
DeleteHandsome grandson and belated birthday wishes for him. I love how daffodils herald Spring. Hope your new week is starting off well.
ReplyDeleteEllen, the daffodils are such happy flowers that seem to grow everywhere without difficulties. Thank you for the wishes to Alex. I can hardly believe how fast our grandsons grow. So much faster than our children! ♥
DeleteThank you for your prayers, Martha Ellen. My son is at home now, healing and doing better. Such a scary thing, but very thankful he's ok. And I'm blessed with blog friends like you. This gave me a chance to see your Spring post again. It's been a difficult few days, and your Spring loveliness made me smile. : )
ReplyDeleteSheri, I'm so glad to hear he is home. I will continue to remember him and you! xo
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