The first buds of Spring

Here in our part of the world spring has officially arrived right on time.  We have been very busy transplanting bushes, raking leaves and pruning trees.  Our yard is one of abundant growth despite the hard red clay that lies beneath.    Even before all the leaves have been cleared away the first buds of spring are bursting forth from the ground.

A single daffodil clump jumps up to be amongst the first early arrivals

Tiny buds are waking up rather rapidly on the hydrangeas eager to celebrate

My Tiger Lilys are quite an agressive bunch along the walk.  They are always the first buds to pop up and alert me to the chores that lie ahead.  I have learned through the years to clear the debris from their bed quickly or it's difficult to clean within days.  Rarely do they wait on my timing before they rapidly advance...just like a tiger, huh? 

The sweetest newest arrivals of spring perch themselves here every year.   Carolina wrens love our home, delaying the spring cleaning and power washing to my husbands delight.

Finally, out of the garage comes the asparagus ferns that I overwintered this year.  With my first trip to the garden center I added these pretty white flowers.  Sorry they are also new to me and I have at this moment already forgotten their names.

The first of many geraniums that will catch my eye and fill my pots.

It is true I am a summer girl, through and through, but who doesn't love the firsts of spring?  One of my favorite things about spring is planning and planting my flower groupings.  In this first of many planters I planted rose coleus, margarita potatoe vines, and purple glow million bells.  Soon this planter will be overflowing as it soaks up the hot summer sun.  Another very special firsts we will be celebrating this spring is the arrival of a new baby girl to my neice.  There are many reasons to celebrate spring but mostly for me,  it is the reawakening and the newness that brings so much joy after a long winter.  What brings you joy in the spring?   Leave a comment and share your spring favorites if you please.

Missing the Boat

Happy St. Patricks Day! In our house we will be celebrating lightly, by wearing green so as not to get pinched today. Did you know that pinching someone for not wearing green is an American tradition? Much like the celebrating of St. Patricks day itself is largely American. I have always thought it funny how many Irish ancestors come out of the wood work on this day. My husband has always claimed Irish ancestry but who really knows. Our last name sounds like it could be Irish, but is more likely English. We do have redheads in our family as well, so there you go and of course we love our beer! Long story short, I can't help but feel like I have missed the boat on this holiday. I have been busy learning how to blog and haven't planned for all the cooking and decorating I feel largely lacking to celebrate this holiday. Now if you asked me have I always took this holiday so seriously, I would say, " NO! " But since signing on to my latest obsession, I am blown away with all the beautiful table scapes and delicious meals and desserts displayed before my eyes. For those of you who are not aware, blogging seems to connect a vast network of extremely talented women. I feel somewhat like Alice in Wonderland who has just landed in the middle of The Mad Hatters Tea Party. I overwhelmed with the opportunity's to join in to such fun. A small sampling of activities would include, tea party Tuesdays, (of all sorts), Outdoor Wednesdays, table scape Thursday, foodie Fridays..the lists go on an on. It's all virtual eye candy with delightful commentary. I can hardly decide where to jump in first. I can tell my husband will be pleased to see me getting much more use out of my camera. Thank goodness, I have already learned to use my camera! I can tell I'm set for quite an adventure for sure. Well, I guess I'm off to salvage this holiday and see if I can scrounge up some Irish fare for supper. One thing is for sure, I do not like to miss the boat!

Blogging is like Sailing

Today I'm starting a new adventure...blogging! I find myself excited about the unknown for which I am about to sail forth. Yet, I cannot help but feel the usual sense of fear at the unpredictable. As I was pondering my first blog and my choice of user names, I kept coming back to sailing. Sailing is a big part of my life right now but not so much as it is with most sailors I know. You see I am a sailor by default, I am married to one. I am a casual crew member. I only enjoy cruising in the big safer boats, mostly because I can move about and navigate easier within. The smaller vessels leave my arms and legs too sore and cramped and fearful of the lake upon which we sail. Our lake is filled with many other types of watercraft that in one swift moment can unwittingly change our course forever. Of course there are rules and guidelines to prevent such an unwelcome change of events. Unfortunately, there are times when the unpredictable happens and you learn to shift your sails. Because as we have all heard...shifts happen!
And so is the story of my life at this point, shift happened. I find myself with more time to explore the unknown. To go into uncharted territory. I have always enjoyed writing but haven't done so in quite awhile, and only as an amateur. Like my sailing life, I write as a casual member and participant. Please be kind in your comments and or suggestions as not to unwittingly alter my course. I hope to share the joys and thoughts of my life with others of like interests. Unlike other sailors I am also what is called a fair-weather sailor. This means I don't enjoy getting into rough weather. As a writer I'm hoping to avoid that on here too. I hope to share the beauty of the ride with the wind in my sails, and mostly to sail simply. As with most things, I still have so much to learn. But always learn best after jumping right in and setting sail. And so here I go...