Through the garden gate.........

. . . . . . . on the first days of Spring.

 

Spring has arrived, its beauty already brightening up the landscape.   

This Magnolia liliflora in the garden by the gate was planted 16 years ago when quite small, just 18" in its garden center pot. It's now about 20 feet tall. A moderately fast grower until about 20 years of age, it should top out around 25 feet with a 20 ft. spread. One of the earliest multi-stemmed flowering trees in the USA, it blooms from late winter and is a beautiful first indicator of spring, with flowers opening before the green leaves appear. . . . . . .I think you will agree it's very lovely.

The trumpet vine I've left on the arbor over winter as it supports a plethora of pollinators and wildlife, including hummingirds. It looks healthy and is making preparations to bloom soon, however, being such a vigorous plant, it will need to be cut back to the ground next fall to keep it in check.........and allow a touch up paint job on the woodwork. The John Cabot climbing rose is making its way to the top of the arch also, despite pruning it back some weeks ago. I will let it do its thing this spring as it is a beautiful hardy rose.

The backyard drainage issue was worked on a couple of weeks back and hopefully will correct the water runoff during heavy rains. Water rushes under the fence from the neighbor above whose back yard slopes down. I've just found a photo taken at Easter 2001 when the fence, also the potting shed, were both installed. Guess they've done well for 23 years. . . . . . and there's Bob, still with hair (shhh!!!!) with granddaughter Jasmin who's now 27. Where did all those years go?

Cool, rainy days are welcomed in springtime. I embrace them knowing that the torrid heat and humidity we must learn to live with in this area are not far behind. 

The gazebo, my favorite spot once mosquitoes arrive, well actually at any time, still stands. Its cedar 'bones' quite sturdy although the roofing shakes may have to be replaced some day - no leaks but they are well-chewed by squirrels.

The deck will be getting a makeover come May - when our builder is scheduled! The 20 year old Brazilian hardwood, Ipe, showing age, will be replaced by lower maintenance Trex composite deck boards, steps and metal railings that will hold up better and give a refreshing new look. I've already purchased a new patio umbrella, previous one broke off in a bad storm recently, so will put that up soon.

As we know, if maintaining a garden, no matter the size, the upkeep is never ending as outdoor structures can never really be a hundred percent weather resistant!  I won't even get into too tall, aging trees and massive shrubs. . . . . . that's another 'through the garden gate' story for later.

Not myself. . . . . . . .

Celeste fig tree coming along great - even tiny fruits galore already!

This past week was a really hard one. 
Just two days after my dear next door neighbor and friend of 12 years passed away, 
another close neighbor, two houses away, lost his elderly father from head injuries
 from a fall, followed by a stroke.  

These sad losses, along with the terrible growing numbers of deaths from the 
corona virus, and a frightening worldwide situation, has made me want to scream. . . . 
and I did, into my thick Pottery Barn bath towel after taking a shower yesterday! 
I just wrapped it around my face and screamed - luckily the bathroom fan muffles
 noise and Bob's hearing is not as good as it used to be! 
Yes, I admit, I'm not myself by any means - going to bed early, sleep disturbed 
several times a night. . . . . and tired, 
oh so tired in the mornings.

BUT, before you think I'm falling apart, really I'm not!

I'm staying busy because, thankfully, I do have my garden which is probably
 saving me. . . . . . as well as Bob and our great nearby neighbors.  
We are all working outside in perfect conditions this week - brilliant sunshine 
under cobalt skies, perfect temperatures, no humidity, even the pollen 
slowing down, and best of all, for me, very few mosquitoes yet! 

 Staying in our gardens we are much more than six feet apart but still able to chat, 
share garden tips and, now and again, update one another regarding happenings
in this scary pandemic world.

The birds are singing nonstop now - this male towhee sits in an oak above my

 garden bench for 20 minutes at a time serenading his lady, paying no attention to me.

Mama finch is still sitting on her three eggs.

Within a few days I think the eggs will start to hatch.

So we have been staying busy, the garden taking up several hours each day.

 A very early run to the garden center (with only a couple of other customers at that

 ungodly shopping time) at Lowe's one morning for potting soil, tomato plants, 

petunias and geranium plants, the pre-potted display (above) for the large urn, hanging

 Boston ferns, herbs/moonflower/morning glory seeds etc. All items to keep me happy

in the weeks ahead.

Note my glorious now red maple tree in the background - it will gradually turn green

 and then red again in autumn!

A second early morning trip, armed with washable cloth shopping bags, a mask 

and gloves (above), was to Costco at the specified senior time 8-9 AM. 

On arrival we immediately changed our plan as the invisible end of the line

 somewhere around the back of the huge building, plus many people who

were obviously NOT 60 or older (naughty!), turned us off. Instead we quickly

 drove across the street to Trader Joe's where we were greeted at the door by

 cheery men who wiped down a cart for us, ushered us inside immediately - and 

being early there were not too many customers so safe distance was no problem.

Deciding on perishable foods/produce etc. to buy these days is rather hard - things

 that last as long as possible are important.  I have peppers, tomatoes, cauliflower, 
leeks, squash potatoes etc. as I make loads of vegetarian soups - only problem 
now is I'm running out of freezer space to store the soups!

Don't forget some fruits!

We started using the gazebo for supper this week as it was still warm in the evenings.

It's like having a little nearby 'restaurant' and makes a change of scenery.

I've also taken my laptop out there where birdsong, blooming azaleas, and an iced

 coffee make it a comforting retreat.

I hope this Sunday, Palm Sunday, is a special day for you. 

Perhaps you won't be able to be with your loved ones this year but still

 make it a good day.  

We need to stay safe, we need to do what is necessary. . . . . . and by now we all

 know what that entails, so let's do it!

Despite the troubled world and so much sadness, I hope we can still do our usual

Easter time blog posts. Please display decor around your homes (my Easter bunnies

 are ready), beauty in your gardens, or just a few kind words which are needed more

 than ever at this special time.

Stay well dear friends.

. . . . . . . still waiting for the new look!

I just received a very brief e-mail from Oregon.

Oh happy day, my dye job is apparently completed at last!

My new old slip covers for the sofa and chair are being packed

 up and the big box will hopefully be shipped east come Monday.

It will take about a week to travel, patience required.

Will I be sad they are no longer white,

or thrilled to have them grey? My fingers are crossed

that the new look will be just what I'm hoping for.

Around the cottage things need freshening up. With Spring imminent

 and Easter on the way, I'm into the attic this morning to get the white rabbits

 out of hibernation. I feel some new simple, but seasonal, vignettes are needed.

Or do I just have too much time on my hands today?

Homeward Bound . . . . . . .

One of my pair of Carolina wrens on the front porch.

These little chirpy birds are busy flitting around

 the garden, ready to nest I'm sure. . . . . . it's that

 time of year again.

Today we're flying too. . . . . leaving Branson - where

 we've had a really fun time - heading first to Dallas

 then onward to Raleigh this evening.

I'll catch up with you all soon!

Hope your Easter celebration will be beautiful and blessed.

Mountains and Music . . . . . . . .

Flying westward later today. 

A little trip to Branson, Missouri.

It will be my first time in the Ozarks. 

Although we may not have time to see a lot of the beautiful mountain scenery, 

I'm hoping flying in will bring some great aerial views before the sun sets this evening.

 We'll meet up with California friends to enjoy some time together . . . . . 

and plenty of music which Branson is known for.  

We'll attend several concerts which I'm sure will be fun.

Coming back home for Easter.

The rabbits will be waiting. . . . . . 

and a chocolate egg is tucked away for someone special.

Easter Sunday. . . . . . .

Eastertime. . . . . . .

I'm not doing a lot of Easter decor around the cottage this year.

As we're getting ready for a big trip in a few weeks I'm just trying to keep 

my head above water with so many things on the calendar . . . . . such as the 

garden in need of much TLC; doctor, hospital and physio appointments; and of 

course deciding on what to take to wear in Europe where the weather is always 

somewhat unpredictable, going from cold to hot in no time depending on which 

country you happen to step ashore on.

Meanwhile, the white rabbits did hop out of storage in the attic.

The daffodils bloomed and the tulips are coming along well, although

the azaleas are so late this year.

A couple of girlies are getting Easter baskets - and there

will be eggs enjoyed in some type of disguise, whether soft-boiled

for breakfast, hidden in a cake, or scattered about the front lawn 

for a little hunt.

May Easter be a very special time for you and your family.

Don't forget, one post back you can enter my GIVEAWAY for a 

free beautiful large canvas print of your favorite photo.

Springtime at SuzAnna's Antiques. . . . . . . . . . .

Yesterday, a cool and breezy but bright sunshiny day, I stopped by SuzAnna's Antiques 

when I was doing a late afternoon run for a few groceries from Trader Joe's. 

People were out - gals shopping diligently now the 'decorating gene' has been 

kick started with the better weather, a few husbands and boyfriends tagging along, 

such as mine - husband, not boyfriend of course! 

Kids were playing around the Vintage Village complex and all in all 

everyone seemed cheery now that Spring is here. 

Granddaughter Jasmin was working at SuzAnna's - her smile is always 

enough to make me happy - come rain or shine.

So I looked around, not for anything in particular as I have no pressing interior projects 

planned for Spring. The exterior such as porch, deck, gazebo and garden need mainly

manual labor and TLC rather than decoration this year - enough said on that daunting subject! 

Of course I took a few photos to share with you as many of you love antiquing, thrifting

and treasure hunting.

The Easter decor was arriving and there will be a lot more displayed this coming week.

I have my collection of white rabbits out of storage and will be playing with 

them soon.

These vintage extension rules I almost brought home!  Bob slapped my hand 

as I reached for them and told me I didn't need them. 

Of course I really don't, but they are so neat and reminded me of the one 

my parents used for measuring when I was growing up.

I do love the pair of lamps. I didn't read the tag so not sure of the style - classical, 

art deco? They are in great condition though and would be so attractive 

in the right room.

Lovely glass dessert bowls - makes one thinks of whipping up a fluffy mousse, 

or later churning some homemade ice cream - do you do that!

Hats? No, Easter bonnets!

Never thought of using a chandelier as a hat rack - how perfect. 

These were really pretty 'bonnets' and, as I love hats, I slapped my own hand 

before reaching for one. 

I really think the woven straw cloche is awesome - I can see Lady Mary

or Lady Edith wearing this one on a Spring day around the spectacular grounds 

of Downton Abbey. Do you agree? 

Do you wear hats?

That was a quick walk through SuzAnna's Antiques. Now the weather is warming 

I'll get back more often. The merchandise changes rapidly at this very popular 

venue - if you see something you like, don't wait because it will probably be 

at somebody's home later today.

If you're a 'treasure hunter' I hope you will enjoy some Spring days 

out and about at your favorite places soon.