Sunday in the Garden -

It's on days like this when all the hard, dirty, tiring work pays off!

Again, I walked early in the garden today to take these photos.

A little more rain during the night worked wonders and much is

 blooming. 

Unfortunately the pollen continues and air quality is poor with a gusty

breeze blowing. Not sure whether to head outside and do some garden

 work or just sit here and continue sneezing!

We still have a lot to do regarding hardscaping - a new

low wall across the back bed, re-do the pathways, and perhaps

remove a couple more very old trees, one of which was struck by 

lightning and is damaged. 

As we know. . . . . . ."a garden is a thing of beauty and a job forever."

Damp and dreamy garden morning -

I was 'walking the bounds' early this morning. . . . . and it was beautiful.

Cooler temperatures, less pollen, and blooming going crazy!

Rain came by way of a very noisy thunderstorm last night, washing

 and watering everything.

 

This corner in the front garden is quite lush. 

The magnolia blooms almost finished but lovely bright green leaves out now.

The acer looking magnificent after my gentle prune, the knockout rose and

 hydrangea huge already, the daylilies not blooming yet but their foliage

 looks healthy.

The sun is out now. I'm off to gather my pots around me to prepare

 them for summer bulbs and herbs (basil, dill, parsley etc.) and 

perhaps a couple of tomato plants.

Bob has gone to the Farmers' Market to pick up fresh eggs.

This evening we are attending a small wedding at an historic inn -

our first social engagement with friends - masked and distanced, 

and at least we are vaccinated - in over a year! 

It's 'casual' thankfully so won't be hard to dress for!

Kitchen window flowers from the garden for the weekend.

The death of Prince Philip has brought sadness around the world . . . .

but what an amazing long life and marriage to our lovely monarch.

My thoughts are with Queen Elizabeth and the Royal family.

Have a great weekend wherever you are.

Tales and tails!

 Male Eastern bluebird

Last week I ventured out from my home to the local AT HOME store.

I've been searching for new lanterns for the fig tree - the red ones were falling

apart and had to go! For a change I was looking for blue - we have blue chair

cushions on the porch, blue hydrangeas, and currently bluebells, all around us.

Spotting these three good sized metal ones with glass sides, easy open door 

for candles, and not too pricey ($14.99 ea.) I grabbed them quickly and had them

 hanging a few hours later. 

Brown thrasher

American robin

This female comes to the suet often - robins usually don't do this.

Our 'Peter Rabbit' has been seen a lot this week. He's really large and

 quite handsome............and hopefully nibbling nothing but our grass!

This morning I was surprised by this visitor whom we haven't seen 

since last Fall. . . . . . . . . . . Chippy, the little chipmunk, was busy cleaning

 up under the bird feeders.

Happy to see this delightful little creature again after his long hibernation.

We are having an 88F day here - far too warm for me, especially along

 with the heavy clouds of yellow oak and pine pollen coating everything

 in sight.

Our chimney sweep is due shortly - no more fires on the hearth until

next winter - then I plan to go shopping for my Boston hanging ferns for 

front porch - which is more fun than spring cleaning house which will have to 

 be tackled soon.

We planted three new azaleas and one hydrangea in the back garden this week.

Meanwhile, still awaiting the full blooming of our older, now very large,

 George Tabor pink azaleas - should be any day soon, and with some rain

expected tomorrow and Friday we are looking forward to a pretty

 garden weekend ahead.

CHEERS!