May Day Baskets? NOT!!!

I remember when I was very young, my mom explained to me the idea of May Day and the surprise of a pretty little nosegay. The idea was to pick a small bouquet and leave it as a surprise for my grandma and aunt. "Are you kidding?" I thought to myself. I love flowers, will always love flowers. And if I am going to pick beautiful flowers I wanted FULL responsibility. They would not and I am pretty sure were not left anonymously. I love the idea of May Baskets with surprise flowers. It could be full of dandelions or violets or clover. Doesn't matter, I just love flowers. My hubby does not and will not understand the concept of flowers. I melt when the ladies at work get flowers from their husbands or loved ones. I melt in green, grimey, jealousy. At least I'm not ashamed to admit it, my husband is a flower loser. Hi! My name is Lisa and my husband is a flower loser. I want to get him in a support group of sorts, just can't find them in this rural area. So, today in honor of the flower loser husband, I will celebrate May Day with all you fine ladies that deal with this horrible affliction yourselves. Let's pick ourselves some peonies, lilacs, clover or dandelions and have a stiff, frosty, strawberry daiquiri and chant the mantra, "By Golly I Deserve Some Flowers!!!"

A Sunday of Blooms

We took a look around a local hardware store to find they had a new shipment of flowers, plants and trees. I really like this crooked mulberry tree. At least I believe that is what it is, a Chinese or Japanese Mulberry?
I absolutely LOVE these beauties. They are Martha Washington Geraniums. She would be so proud. I want them, but they need a little shade. So I will admire them from afar.

These are an all time favorite. I threaten every year to buy a couple to plant at the back of my house. I really may just do that this year. Only I think I want the red ones.

I found this one rather interesting. I wish I would have looked at it's name. It reminds me of one of those kaleidoscope type images. Wouldn't this be pretty in yellow? Then it would remind me of the sun. Would you look at this guy. I told him he needed to keep his eye on the road. He might get a ticket, he's not wearing his seatbelt! Apparently his mom was shopping for flowers, so maybe he took it off when he turned off the engine?

My daffodils finally bloomed on Friday. I snapped this after we returned home this afternoon, not thinking the picture would look like this. I love it.

FINALLY

Finally, it must be spring. Here are some pictures I took at mom's this morning. The crocus' and daffodil's are just now blooming here. I thought the bright purple flowers looked quite refreshing don't you agree?

This little guy seems to be enjoying them too. My dad loved gnomes. Mom and I try to find cute ones just as reminders that "dad would've liked this".

Notice all the acorns scattered. Mom has 2 big oak trees in her backyard. Squirrels are in paradise here.

Here's one little bright yellow. The other one looks like she just pooped out. The yellow and the purple are very pretty together.

This little lady is in charge of keeping the summer flowers around the birdbath. I love her. Mom was lucky she saw her first!! Mom worked very hard last summer planting various goodies around her birdbath. So this year it's exciting to see how it all turns out. The little garden keeper is sure to stay busy for the next few months.

This is Lacey, Lacey Littlefeet to be exact. She's about 12 years old and great company for my mom. She's a mixed breed. Dad named her Lacey because of her markings. I added Littlefeet because she had little feet compared to my old Boxer's big feet. She's getting old but still has a little spunk left in her. She just can't go for those long beloved walks anymore. And we have to sneak out of the house to go on one or else she barks the whole time we are gone. We tried that last summer. The poor neighbors.

Casablanca Lily

This is a Casablanca Lily. Isn't she amazing? I saw my first Casablanca in Texas in 1995 and have been in love ever since. When I first moved into the house I live in now, my grandmother gave me a bag full of Asiatic Lilies. They are typical yellow, orange, and red lilies that are commonly seen in the summer. Fortunately for me, a Casablanca had snuck inside. She was the beauty of the show when they all bloomed that summer. I knew the Man Upstairs was telling me something. I cleared out all of the other lilies and let this bulb bloom. In the next 2 years I had a stalk with 6-8 amazing blooms. The birds and weather took their toll. I purchased 6 new bulbs last spring. I had one single bloom on each stalk. I was thrilled. Somewhere on the internet I read not to pick the blooms during the first year. This is suppose to help them grow bigger and more beautiful every year. Believe me, this was a true test of self discipline for me. This year I am expecting a bit more from them, I hope I'm not disappointed. I have also read that one of the meanings of Casablanca Lily is "a gift from Heaven". It has to be. The color is mesmerizing and oh so pure. I can't even begin to describe this flower. She is truly an amazing gift!!

Happy Easter Everyone...

Look who we saw peddlin at the Flower Peddler a few days ago. Isn't he an eyeful? I just wanted to hang out with him for a few minutes. I guess he was getting a little R&R before the big day. He wasn't working too hard, just hanging out and greeting folks. Happy Easter everyone, be safe in your travels, and have a beautiful day.