Here is Nancy and Pete's dogwood tree in bloom.  It's just a small section, but it's so pretty!!!!

 

I'm sure you will see it when you come around their curve.  Be sure to notice the other dogwood trees in the woods too.  They almost shine!!!  Bright white!!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

 

Its another great weekend to look up... The Lyrid meteor shower is in town!

 Look for Hercules and watch for the show!

 

Great information on where to look can be found here: https://www.space.com/40348-lyrid-meteor-shower-2018-what-to-expect.html

 

Mark

 

Today and tomorrow are great days for planting above ground crops.  Maybe not tomatoes and peppers YET, but we can get lettuce, spinach, kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and swiss chard in the ground.  I've also seen some sunflowers coming up, so stick those seeds in too.

 

We need to wait til Mother's day to plant tomatoes, eggplant and peppers.  And we have to wait for the soil to warm up before we plant beans and squash and corn. But... we can start cool weather crops now.  So get out there with leafy greens and cabbages.  You will be glad you did it.

 

The garden centers have lots of flowers for sale right now, but you may want to check the weather forecast first.  Most annuals do NOT like COLD.  And I think we still have some cool nights ahead......

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!!

 

This was this winter's big project.  It's almost finished.  It still needs the rod pocket on the back for hanging, and the label claiming credit for making it along with the year I made it.  

 

Jon's oldest daughter, Sheri, bought the kit, and I made the quilt.  It is a wall hanging:  42 x 42 inches.  I didn't create the design, but I did a pretty good job of following the directions.  And it was really exciting making it.  I learned some new skills, and had fun, AND it's pretty!  What more can you ask for in a project?  

 

Sheri's coming Memorial day, and will take it home then, so I have a little more than a month to enjoy it.  I'm thinking about sewing on tiny clear glass beads to make it sparkle when the light hits it.  

 

Whadda ya think?   I like it!!!

 

HAPPY QUILTING!!!

 

This is my newest project.  It's a quilt kit, that came with 11 yards of fabric and the pattern.  Skill level:  intermediate;  I'm not scared!!!  Now all I have to do is  decipher the pattern directions, cut, piece, sew, and assemble.  

 

Seeing how we are back to winter and MUD, I should be able to get a lot done.  So far, I have 16 hours invested, and since it's warm upstairs (my sewing room) I think I'll get back to it now!!!

 

HAPPY QUILTING!!!

 

Long before the apples are ripe, we get blueberries!!  They start getting ripe on Father's day....every year, on Father's day we pick blueberries!

 

The bushes are really loaded with blossoms, and bees.    Last year we picked 12 gallons of blueberries.  We love to share, but you have to pick them yourself.  We start about 8 am and finish for the day by 9:30.  If you get here early, you can pick your own blueberries.  If you get here too late, well...you're too late.  

 

The bushes are on a hill, so wear your hiking and/or climbing shoes.  We go out early before the sun is in our eyes, but sunscreen is a good thing to wear too.  Hope to see you in June for some berry picking fun.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

We are going to have lots of apples!!  Our orchard is in bloom!!!  And the bees and butterflies are all over the trees.

 

They usually bloom for my birthday, but this year.....they are blooming for Roxanne's birthday.  I hope she gets back in time to see them.  They are SO pretty!

 

Now all we have to do is:  pray that the "BlackBerry frost" is mild and short-lived.  And pick the apples before the deer get them.  Last year we missed that opportunity by one day!!!  One day a couple of trees were full of golden delicious apples, still a bit unripe, and the next day THEY WERE ALL GONE!!!! 

We did get red apples, because we picked them soon after.  So... they didn't get the entire crop.

 

Hopefully, we can learn from our mistake and do better this year.  Gardening teaches some tough lessons.  But we are (somewhat) smarter than the deer, so we have a chance to get it right next time.

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

.

 

I know that clover is a weed, but.....

 

I don't pull it out, cause I love spotting a four leaf one!  My friend, Pat Bridges could be walking at a normal pace, stop, bend down and pluck a four leaf clover!!!  I am pretty good at seeing them too.

 

Yep!!!  I AM LUCKY!!!!

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!!

 

Momma is still on the nest.  And yesterday we saw her feeding two tiny chicks!!!!

 

Go there NOW!!!!     https://wildbirds-1.click2stream     You'll be glad you did!!!!!

 

I just learned that Mr. Bluebird has a white eye-ring and is brighter than Mrs. Bluebird.  Now we can tell WHO is babysitting.  Still just two babies.  Hmmm.  Wonder what that means.  Keep watching!!!!.

 

LOVE THE BIRDS!!!!!

Hey!

Those of you still in Florida.. git ur self up here and watch this amazing transformation from winter to spring!

ahhhhhhhhh a sunset in the spring!

 

mark