That same day in the park, we saw several milkweeds blooming.  That makes me happy too, because I know that the Monarchs will use them for their host plants.  They will lay eggs, and their caterpillars will feed on the leaves until they are ready to cocoon.  

 

I hope you get to see mildweed where you live, knowing that the Monarchs will be coming soon.

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!!

 

Walking in the park the other day, I spotted a tiny patch of Indian Pipes.  You know they have no chlorophyll, and they come up when it's been really wet.  So I was kinda looking for them.  Well, here they are in the park.

 

When we got home, I went looking for them in our woods and found a couple colonies.  That makes me so happy.  

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

Here is a really cool wildflower in our area: Fire-pink.  Pink, because they are in the Carnation family. 

 

We transplanted these plants about ten years ago, and they continue to thrive here in our wild garden. The best part is:  they grow next to our orange lilies.  SO PRETTY!!!

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

We went for our walk yesterday, and as we were coming down the hill, I heard a baby deer cry.  I knew the sound, because we've heard it so many times before.  When we got around the curve we saw a tiny fawn in the road.  So we approached slowly.  Momma was there and didn't seem too worried about our presence.

 

She moved away, and we were able to see that there were two babies.  They had just been born.  The fawns were very interested in us, and actually let Sheri touch them.  When we were ready to move on, one of them wanted to follow us.  NO!!!  We had to run away, so they wouldn't follow us.  It was interesting.  We wanted to stay, but knew that they needed to bond with Momma, not us.

 

What a sweet experience for us all.  How often do we get to see nature up SO close?

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

We planted a 4-inch pot of these lilies when we moved here in 2004.  Over the years they have grown, bloomed, migrated downhill, and we still have some.  There aren't a lot of them, but the ones we have are so vibrant and beautiful.

 

We look forward to them every year.  Happy to share them with you.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

Patty and I went to the quilt shop in Hiawassee yesterday to pick up a few projects that were being quilted by my friend Russ.  I picked up three, and dropped off one:  this one.  I took a class there last week to learn how to use the Hunter Star Trim Tool.  I learned how to make these beautiful star blocks.  

 

It looks simple, but I can assure you that it is NOT.  It is a process.  

 

Anyway, I am excited to see how it turns out.  I may need to make a couple more for my North Carolina friends.

 

HAPPY QUILTING!!! 

 

When we were visiting our friends last week, Nancy asked me how I keep coming up with things to write about in this blog.  I told her I just find pretty things and take pictures.  She showed me the plants growing on her deck, and I took a couple pictures.  Now here I am talking about fun plants that grow in other people's gardens.  

 

Nancy planted this pot last year.  Of course, it didn't live on the deck all year;  it spent the winter in the garage.  Gerbera daisies aren't hardy perennials here, but they can survive overwintering in a protected place.  Kinda like my Amaryllis.  

 

And really, if they survive:  GREAT.  If not, just start over;  maybe try something new.

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is what we are calling our lawn these days.  Well, part of our lawn.  Best part is:  the deer don't eat it and we don't have to mow it. 

 

Ox-eye daisies grow all over our hillsides, and in our yards.   We love it.  

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

Remember the raspberries we planted on Christmas?  Well, here is one of them growing in my garden.  We planted ten sticks, and eight of them started to grow.  This one looks the best.  It actually has a few berries set.  

 

We planted a few more last week;  we'll see how hey do...

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!

 

Yep.  Here we are again, working in the garden, and what is this?  No, it's not in my garden, but it may be in yours.  

 

It is poison ivy.  I hope you can identify this plant at 45 mph, and especially up close.

 

These leaflets are about the size of a softball.  And you can even see the flower buds.  YUKK!!!  Just a reminder to be careful in the garden and on the trail.  It is everywhere.  

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!!!