What’s Blooming at the Ponderosa

Hello friends!  What’s going on in your world?  We’re having beautiful weather this weekend so I’ll be out in the yard if anyone is looking for me.  Just use the side gate if you stop by.  I’ll be waiting on you with a big glass of iced tea.

Flowers make me happy.    Click on the photo below to see this strange fern, so cool!

New growth makes me happy.

Geraniums ARE happiness.

I love blooming vines.

My tiny backyard is alive with blooms and new growth.

The Japanese maple (aka, the love fern) didn’t quite survive the drought we had last year but there is still one living branch and it’s beautiful.

It will probably be replaced in the fall if we are still here.

Lady Banks rose is as full as ever.

These cuties were actually blooming a couple of weeks ago.

That’s it for the backyard.  I may post the front yard blooms later this week. 

 

P.S.  First Born got that great job she’s been waiting to hear about.  I’m so HAPPY for her!!!! 

As Good as it Gets

It’s been increasingly crazy around my house lately.  Why with children running in and out, Gus constantly into anything he can get in his mouth, trying to look for a job and doing my taxes, I can barely think!  I’ve barely had time to work in the yard, clean house or buy the hundreds of dollars of groceries we are going through. 

We made red velvet cake balls.  It was a bad idea and I won’t be attempting that again, EVER!  It was a complete and total MESS and I won’t be posting that recipe.  I didn’t like them.

I did manage to work in the yard long enough to plant these Lavender Fern bushes on Saturday.  Lavender Fern is an evergreen bush unless the temps get below 20 degrees.  I’ll have to cover them if we get another freak winter like the last one.  I couldn’t resist them though because they bloom almost year round, attract butterflies, they are wonderfully scented and they are beautiful blowing in the wind.  It took me a half day to plant them but I had fun.  I had to dig large holes in our wonderful clay soil.  It was hard because I’m an out of shape middle aged Nana.  OMG, that still freaks me out.  Mentally, I still feel about 30  but my mirror is telling me otherwise.  I loved being 30, it was a great age (that’s when I met Hillbilly and I was still thin).

Gus sunbathed with First Born while I worked in the yard. 

We’re planning a trip to Kentucky to visit Hillbilly’s family in June.  I’ll go unless I happen to land a job between now and then.

Life is busy and beautiful and stressful and I’m guessing this as good as it gets.

Spring Overachievers

This is Lady Banks Rose.  It only blooms for a short time and it is absolutely gorgeous right now.

Just look at all of those blooms.  She’s definitely an overachiever. 

My Japanese Maple is fuller than ever.  When we move to a new place someday I know I will shed a tear or two over leaving this tree.

This is by far the worlds largest strawberry.  You can’t really tell it in this picture but this baby is HUGE!   I would like to see the bush that it came off of.  It’s like a strawberry on steroids.  I think it needs its own zip code.  I’m not kidding, really. 

Does anyone have the number to the Guinness Book of World Records?  I need to call them.

Spring Blooms in Cowtown

The birds are chirping and it feels like spring so I'm doing a little planting today.



This hardy flower is the only thing that has bloomed in my yard so far.  The freeze took out all of my jasmine.  It makes me sad.

These purple flowers and the orange ones below are going in a flower pot.

I'm also planting a tomato plant, herbs and some pepper plants.  I better get out of this computer and get busy.  I love digging in the dirt.

Deck the Halls

The stockings are hung.

The tree is trimmed with all of the Santa ornaments.  If only we had presents under it.

The piano is ready for Christmas Carols.

The table is set waiting for Christmas dinner.  Fa la la la la la la la la…

A Big Bunch of Nothing

I have been playing in the front yard.  The front door is now sporting it’s fall look.

These volunteer flowers are growing everywhere in the front flower bed.  Astilbe reseeds twice a year or maybe more, or at least it does for me.  All I do is pull it up and shake it over the flower bed after the flowers dry out.  You just can’t beat free flowers that require no digging! 

I managed to find the Halloween decorations so the witches have gathered at the piano awaiting their big night. 

Spring Blooms At The Ponderosa

Welcoming greenery at the front door.

The Japanese Maple (love fern) in all it’s glory.

These little birds have built a nest in my candle holder.  There are four babies inside.  I’m not sure how they will get out when it’s time to learn to fly.  Bird brains.

Mini Me planted some flowers for me because my knee doesn’t like to bend at the moment.  The blooms will be daisy like yellow flowers with red stripes and they close up at night.

Silliness with the garden statue.

The carpet roses are getting with it.

Potted blooms in the backyard.

The Table Is Set For Easter Dinner

I’m going to miss this room and these drapes when the house sells.   I love formal dining rooms and hope to have one in my next place.  We rarely use this room but I still like having it.  It seems that our Easter plans have changed.  Angel will be here after all so I’m cooking a proper Easter dinner and we’re having an Easter egg hunt. 

We never did get the ac vent painted or a new light fixture as planned.  Oh well…

I know that I will never paint another wall red.  Ever!  We painted 3 coats and it still could have used another.  I’ve been snapping pictures of the house because with it on the market it’s never been cleaner.  I think I’m having sellers remorse…  I’ll get over it.