St. Patrick's Day, cityscape, and the daffodil trail. . . . . . .

Yesterday, Saturday. . . . . . . . . up early and off downtown for the annual
Raleigh St. Patrick's Day Parade. 

Fun for an hour or so then the chilly breeze encouraged us to get moving. 
We headed up to the former Dorothea Dix Hospital grounds where I once
 worked, now a park overlooking the the city skyline, to view this year's hello to
 spring. 
This planting of 50,000 daffodils was done by a piece of machinery which digs,
 plants the bulbs, covers and tamps the soil back - I could use one of those!
The winding trail is really breathtaking. The golden blooms dance in the
 brisk breeze . . . . . . perhaps not quite William Wordsworth's view along the shore
 of Ullswater in 1802 as he walked with his sister, but certainly brings his poem
'I wandered lonely as a Cloud' to mind.

A fine day to walk and watch a parade. . . . . . . . . here are some glimpses of the

 morning when everyone suddenly becomes Irish.

Many special people to thank - musicians, dancers, bands, many whom traveled

 some distance to bring us great music (especially the All American Band

 of the 82nd Airborne from Fort Bragg, NC). After all, what's parade without bands.

The dogs were amazing, so many breeds trotting along the parade route, including

 the huge, calm and dignified  Irish Wolfhounds. . . . . . . .along with so many fun

 people of all ages who turned out for this lovely morning.

Erin go Bragh - and a happy day to you all.

Gunpowder?

 Gunpowder tea is a form of Chinese tea in which each leaf has been rolled

into a small round pellet. Its English name comes from its resemblance

 to grains of gunpowder. This rolling method of shaping tea is most often

 applied either to dried green tea or oolong tea. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . and this particular blend was absolutely lovely.

Not overpowering or too strong, not sweet, just flavorful and smooth.

Tea in a big fat mug rather than a teacup. Why not. 

Gunpowder is hardly dainty!

Wellies Mug and Crane Plate - Anthropologie

~ Written on the bottom of the pretty plate ~

~ Traits of the Crane ~

Patient

Calm

Determined

Resourceful

Elegant

How lovely is that!

A special tea time this afternoon as the rain falls.

Wake up, it's almost gardening time!

Yesterday, in warm sunshine, I spent some enjoyable time at my favorite

Raleigh garden center. 

Located in a former small railway station on the outskirts of downtown

 it never ceases to disappoint.  In fact I was almost overwhelmed at all

 that was displayed this early in the year, a veritable feast for both the

 eyes and the senses!

Employees were scurrying around unloading plants and setting them out.

Handsome garden furniture was being unwrapped ready for seating displays,

and the little café was humming with late lunch customers, some dining outside

on a perfect day - as long as you remembered a sweater or jacket!

There were a few of these gentle reminder signs (above), especially around the

 vegetables and hanging ferns. I'll buy mine later as it's not really spring yet . . . 

. . . in fact we may get more freezing nights in the coming week.

Shelves were neatly stocked with interesting and useful garden items, 

all so clean and shiny.

Garden centers aways attract birds of course and this Mockingbird was happily

 singing one of the many songs in his repertoire. . . . . . .between berry nibbling

 in a huge holly tree.

It was hard not to load up a wagon with beautiful plants, pots and such.

  I will do that another day!

Purchased fertilizer for my shrubs and soil acidifier to keep my hydrangeas blue,

several packets of seeds, basil, parsley, morning glories, alyssum, and those 

gorgeous sky-high sunflowers which hopefully will brighten up the garden come

summer, and then feed the birds and naughty squirrels!

Also bought a new 'welcome flag' to hang at the front entrance, it's pretty and

 perfect, I'll share later after I take down the green shamrock flag hanging now

 for St. Patrick's Day.

We then stopped at Home Depot and purchased a new patio umbrella to replace

 the one destroyed by the heavy snow/ice storm just prior to last Christmas.

Bob is heading into the garden right now to do the first cut of the front lawn 

with his recently serviced mower. He's actually smiling knowing it will be his

 exercise for today! The grass is very thick and green and needs attention

 before tomorrow's possible storms. The sun is out and temperature

 should hit a high of 74F this afternoon, perfect!

Anyway, just sharing these colorful glimpses from my area - those of you still

shoveling snow need some reminders perhaps that spring is definitely 

going to head your way soon. I hear the mower running, all is well in our 

little patch on the planet.

Thanks for stopping by.