It's Strawberry Shortcake Time!!

Our first pick from our strawberry patch. There is only one word to describe them.....Yummmm!!!!

Here's a closeup that will make your mouth water!!

It's Begun!!!

The blooming season has begun!! At least in our yard that is! With the warm weather that we've been having, I knew it was just a matter of time. The peonies have started to open. Again this is one of Grandma's many plants that she gave us. I love the color and the smell.....well there are no words to describe it.

(Just ignore the weeds, I have no problem growing those!!)

The Iris' have started to bloom too. These were always a favorite of my Dad's. He always wanted to have a big flower bed with every color.

Baby Chickadees

We have baby Chickadees in our birdhouse that is right in the middle of one of my flower beds. Tonight I got to sneak in and take a look. There are I think five babies. They are little miniatures of their parents who by the way do not like me working near the house. For such little birds they can make quite the noise! Aren't they sweet!!

Corydalis Lutea

Corydalis Lutea are the most petite little yellow flowers on such an airy type of foliage. They do tend to decide for themselves where they want to grow, but I don't mind at all. They are really beautiful. Enjoy!

Love the foliage!

Since there is not much in bloom, I decided to take a few pictures of some of the foliage plants in my gardens. The Hostas and Lambs Ears are getting so pretty. The Hens and Chicks are from grandma's garden. I sure do miss her. All of our grandparents were great gardeners. Thanks for looking.

Hostas

Lambs Ears

Grandma's Hens and Chicks

I almost forgot about the Lillie of the Valley

Tony the Toad

I love toads! I do. Since we've had so much rain lately they are everywhere. I found this little guy in one of my flower beds tonight. He is only about 1 1/2 inches long. All toads are named Tony. I'm not sure why, but ever since we saved one from the mouth of a snake, they have always been called Tony. We have a pond out back and it isn't spring until you hear the sound of the spring peepers! You have to admit he's cute!

Lilacs

The smell of lilacs takes me right back to my childhood. We always had lots of lilacs in our yard. My mom would cut a big bouquet for the table. Maybe that's why the smell always reminds me of my Mom (that and Jergens Lotion. The sense of smell is a powerful thing). There is just nothing better then the first smell of lilacs in the spring.

We have 4 different varieties in our yard. The original (or what I consider the original) light color purple, white, dark purple (Monge Lilac) and then one that looks like each petal is outlined in white (Sensation Lilac-Syringa Vulgaris 'Sensation'). They are all just beautiful. Hope you enjoy!

Here is a close up of the Sensation Lilac. Aren't they just beautiful!!