Irises

my garden is full of beautiful Irises ! I am so happy they are at least 6 different varieties. I shall post pictures when the sun comes out tomorrow if there is time. I have a lovely houseful of gorgeous family for Easter week end it is going to be a delightful ZOO! I shall love every minute!!!

Roses galore *~*

 The Roses in front of my front porch are in bloom now such a heavenly sight! We have had some pretty stormy weather with marble sized hail and 70 ml hr winds fortunately for us no damage just small limbs off trees but sadly some people were not so lucky especially in Alabama. We had 2 1/2 in rain the night before last. My peonies are budding and I had transplanted and split these last fall and it looks like I am going to enjoy lots of blooms this summer.

  Yesterday I was invited to a party at Sister Red Shoes house where 12 of my lovely co workers helped me celebrate my nursing career that I sadly brought to an end last week. It was lovely I was given so many flowers and also they have given me an assistant Master gardener to help me one day in my garden! What a treat *~*  We will have to decide what is to be done. I have never ever had help in my garden. David takes care of the lawn & I do everything else because I just love it so!!

Golden Showers Climber

IVY

I spent most of my day pulling up Ivy that has taken over my back lawn. I discovered a path I had made out of large rocks and some Daylilies & Pampass Grass that had been completely smothered. It was a beautiful day & time just disappeared. I planted my Basil & some Texas Tarragon! I know nothing about Texas Tarragon except it has pretty tiny yellow flowers but I presume I can use it with chicken.

Planting herbs

Lady Banks Rose on my front porch

Here are my beautiful blooms in the garden this week!

Carolina Jasmine is so fragrant

Pale Yellow Lady Banks Rose

Yesterday afternoon after a lovely visit from Sister Red Shoes I had  beautiful day in the garden *~* I love to get muddy in my gardening togs. I planted Parsley, Sage, & Cilantro. My Rosemary, Oregano, Mint & Thyme have survived the winter. My Basil is still at seedling stage but we will have lots of that for my yummy Pesto! For a change I planted some veggies too. This is a first for me apart from the Tomatoes & Peppers I usually plant. Green Okra, Banana peppers, Green Bell Peppers, Cucumber, Strawberries, Zucchini, & Summer Squash. It will be interesting to see what produces fruit with the deer that wonder into my garden.  I need to remember to buy some Tarragon so delish on barbecued chicken. It was a productive day and peaceful too since all the children are away on spring break. I had so much fun that I forgot to have lunch & all my problems too! & before I knew it was 5:30 and nearly time for a Mint Julep. So there sure is therapy in my garden  *~*

A beautiful day in the neighbourhood!

This morning in my garden I transplanted Black Eyed Susan's and prepared pots for more seedlings. Tried to pull up some of the ivy that is taking over our lawn! I think I need a band of strong muscled men to do that, The saying that first it sleeps then it creeps, then it leaps is soooo true! I wish I had never planted ivy in my garden. Sat on the front porch on the swing with Molly and read for a while, so warm I became quite sleepy so we moved into the hammock and had a little nap! Not something I do often, maybe 4 x a year at the most but it was good. I have never seen so many different shades of green in the garden, probably 10 ranging from the new leaves on my tulip poplar a bright light spring green to the evergreen cypress with its blueish tinge. It is spring break and all the young families are at the beach. No lawn mowers, leaf blowers or power washers, no AC unit buzzing, just birds twittering. Very peaceful. Bees & butterflies have appeared. I now have 3 roses in bloom. The birds are talking to each other. The sky is almost a violet blue it is so clear. My curly willow with its shining leaves is moving gently in the breeze ~ what a glorious week end it has been. I wonder how many people take advantage of their very own garden and sit there with a good book. I am currently reading "To Kill a Mockingbird" I know I should have read it years ago but it was not on our list of English Literature. It is indeed awe inspiring. The wind chimes are gently playing their tune , such a lovely calming music. An enormous rabbit scurried across my lawn the other day. I did not see her today, I guess Miss Molly has frighted her away. Red Cardinals are chatting to each other. What a glorious spring day *~*

The first Rose of the Season *~*

Here is the first rose of the season. It is a climber up my front porch and in a couple of weeks it will be a mass of color.

Spring along the Chattahoochee River

Pristine Dogwoods

Pink Honeysuckle

Red Buds

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny, warm but windy day. David & I walked along the river banks, through the rust colored pine straw carpet path in the woods, passing 6 deer along our way. The Dogwoods were sparkling in the sunlight against the clear blue sky. Occasionally we would see a Red Bud tree popping out of the bright green newly leaved trees. It was so peaceful, we took our time to smell the flowers and watch for wildlife. A carpet of sweet violets led our way *~* At the end of our 2 1/2 hr walk we came across a lonely pink Honeysuckle leaning out over the river. Such Joy in the woods today.