joyful spring

I am loving the warm weather.  This winter has been filled with couped up, work on the basement-ness.  Not that we aren't excited about getting the basement done, it's just that we are outdoor kinds of people and love working in the yard.

Just over a week ago we planted our cold tolerant seeds in the garden (peas, carrots, onions, spinach)  and then last week I started most of my other seeds indoors (peppers, tomatos, basil, cilantro, broccoli, squash).  This is the first year that I am going to attempt to grow all of my plants from seeds,  I am not convinced that it is cost efficient yet.

As much as I love working in the yard and spring cleaning, pruning back plants is not my first love.  My shoulders and arms remind me of that often.  We have so many plants to prune back in the spring!  I have to keep reminding myself that my plants will look and grow so much better.

I love undergoing the annual bud hunt frenzy.  I am finally being able to use my new camera lens that Jed gave me for Christmas.  I have yet to try it out on some insects, I can't wait!

Right now my favorite is the blooms on my Squawbush (ie Skunkbush).  It is covered this year.  I am hoping that it actually might bare a bit more fruit this year.  I intend to try getting soft cuttings and seeds from it.  It has been one of our favorite plants that we have been saving a few spots around the yard for. Fingers crossed that this is the year!

I am also super stoked about the new buds popping out from our Cut-leaf Lilac.  I can't wait for its blooms to come!  I intend to get some soft cuts from it as well.

We are hoping that this is the year of the plum.  Our plum tree has been...LAME.  I think that in the 3 or 4 years that we have had it, we had 3 plums.  But this year it is actually covered with thousands of blooms.  Fingers crossed that it doesn't freeze and we get a good crop. 

I am also excited to see the pretty blooms on our Peach tree.  A few have peaked out, but in a few days it will be covered as well.

A few other plants that have been making me happy are the Vinca flowers that have started blooming on the hillside, the flowers on the strawberry-like ground cover (the real name is on the tip of my tongue and I don't feel like searching all of my books for its real name), and the flowers on our Quaking Aspens (mostly cause I can't wait to hear their leaves in a breeze).

I LOVE SPRING!!!
All this plant talk reminded me that I need to purchase my book, oh joy!

That sneaky Leprechaun

Candy makes me smile sometimes.

What is March without a viewing of Bayli's Leprechaun trap.  Still not the Paiute dead fall from years past, but cute. 

We had a sneaky suspicion that this little Imp was up to no good.

Sure enough.  She found the loot.

She would give up anything for jelly beans.

Better luck next year Bay!

Recap: March Snow Fun

Chase woke up, saw the snow, and said "I want to play with my buddy!"

Bayli, showing Chase how to slide off the rock wall.

Cute little Buckwheat easing up to the edge of the wall.

His face says just how much he LOVED this new game.

LOVE him!!!

And HER!!!

His dimples make me melt.

She didn't want to perform for the camera.  Too busy walking around in the snow with only one boot on. It didn't bother her a bit.

So cute, even when you only get a tiny glimpse of her face.