Breaking Ground...

Our weather has been

glorious!

icy mornings...

and

sunshiny days...

the garden is breaking ground...

the first crocus have popped up...

as have the first dandelions,

ready to start the race...

in the bare garden...

a mossy bench

 waits for it's leafy canopy...

maybe the birds know something we don't...

these little birdhouses,

with the oval openings are for Violet Tree Swallows...

their slim bodies and agile wings can maneuver

the odd shape...

this gives them a good safe home...

but each spring,

a contortionist male sparrow

will decide to make it his home...

he cleans it out...

only to find

the girl he has been building his little nest for

can't get in...

and the love birds have to move on

to find a new more accommodating home...

pink feathers

?

did you think we had very fancy birds?

I give the birds craft feathers each spring to nest with,

it is a delight to watch them

flying around carrying all the bright feathers...

the crocus eased open

as the day warmed...

does this mean

our winter is over...

probably not...

after last years crocus bloomed we had

piles of snow...

you can see it here

it does mean

we had a beautiful day :-)

I hope you did too!

Today I am joining...

Show Off Your Cottage Monday

Masterpiece Monday

Metamorphosis Monday

a brand new party
Wild about Mother Nature

and

Outdoor Wednesday

Thanks for stopping by today...

Sweet Box...

Today was one of those days...

those glorious winter days,

when a taste of spring is in the air...

a day to do some garden clean up

and prep for spring...

a day for little surprises...

the blooms of the Sweet Box

never cease to surprise me...

not because they are showy...

actually their tiny flowers

would never catch your attention...

it's their scent...

on these winters days,

when the earth smells alive,

damp and mossy...

the Sweet Box adds it's sweet scent...

the first smell of spring...

I bring in little bundles...

since they have very little visual appeal,

I tuck them into colorful china dishes...

pink rosy china entertains my eyes,

while I inhale the sweet smell :-)

I hope you find a bit of sweetness this weekend!

Today I am joining,

Saturday Show Off

and

Pink Saturday

Thanks for stopping by...

Groundhog Day...

We have reached mid-winter...

Punxsutawney Phil the groundhog

has risen from his hole

and has seen his shadow....

his verdict

six more weeks of winter...

but, 

 I am not sure....

I have seen the crocus breaking ground in the garden,

  the buds of the trees are swelling...

still to mark Phil's announcement,

I bought roses...

a little birdie

told me it was a good idea....

and well...

 truly,

roses are never a bad idea...

I hope you have found a little sunshine

on this mid-winters day...

Today I am joining...

Show and Tell Friday

Home Sweet Home

Fresh Cut Fridays

 Saturday Show Off

and

Tabletop Tuesday

Thanks for stopping by...