Spring is here

Warm temps the past two weeks have set the early bulbs in full on bloom mode. Snowdrops, crocus and iris reticulata are so charming with their lovely little flowers poking up above the dead foliage of last season's perennials. Hellebores are looking wonderful as well.

Here are a couple of photos of the reticulatas blooming right now. First up is Katherine Hodgkin. The best description I've seen is: "... a tinge of sea-green suffused with powder blue and fabulous intricate markings." The camera refuses to capture the etheral color tones of this iris when seen in person. it is not at all muddy or dull, but glows with almost opalescent tints.




This last is Cantab. An old variety from the early 20th century. Sky blue flowers are always reliable. Very hardy here in western WA. These have been in this pot for probably five years. Nothing else will grow in it so it is fairly ignored all summer, which the reticulatas like very much.

We've been very active in the garden this spring, since the weather has been so nice. Lots of progress on the property. I hope to post more pics soon of all the new additions.

Further along on the driveway beds

Almost all the weeds and scrub have been cleared out, and the dirt moved about to give a more pleasing flow to the ground levels. Next, weed trees need to come out so new ones can go in. I'm thinking of lilacs in a couple of spots, definitely dogwood and vine maple on the neighbors side, along with mock orange and osoberry over mahonia, salal, native iris and ferns. Iris and daylilies along the driveway edge.





Still need to dig out the soil along the driveway edge and get the rocks out. They laid it quite wide the first time thru, but there's no need for it to remain that extreme. Already it's an improvement, but it'll look really good in about five years.

Driveway progress

When they first punched the driveway thru to the property site a large berm of dirt and debris was left alongside. I've been working recently to get the weeds cleared off, the dirt relocated and the view exposed. I'm planning on putting in a large planting of native plants as a backdrop to iris beds along the edge of the drive.




More pics as it progresses.

Another snow day!

We awoke this morning to find everything covered in snow. It was really pretty while it lasted. The sun is out now and it is quickly melting away (yay!).




Just to give you an idea of scale, in the bottom center of the photo above there's a pile of stumps. It's about 6 feet tall. The trees have really shot up. This spring we'll plant the shrub border along there and have big blooming shrubs to back the flower beds and soften the tree line.

Satan's little minions came by. We don't usually see them this close to the house. They keep their distance - while we're home anyway. Evil little things. I think the cuter they are the more damage they do, but I can't prove it.




Yes, that is snow on his evil little nose. Too adorable. And evil, don't forget that part.

Fondue Feast

Adam & Kevin came out last night and we had a fondue feast! What a treat this was. I've had fondue equipment for decades but never used it for anything other than a chocolate fondue twice. Last night we did a hot oil fondue, cheese and a hot rock grill. So much food!! We were all bursting at the seems by the time it was done. And then we still had chocolate fondue for dessert after. We all made a valiant effort to finish that off as well, and mostly succeeded. Here's pics: before, during and after.

Cats on the Herb

I cleaned out the utility room yesterday and consolidated several large bags of dried catnip into one small bag. Cats had a field day rollin' in the leftovers.




Cold and clear here today. We're going to try and get the chainsaw going and get some of these logs turned into stacks of fire wood.

Snow day!

We woke up to a winter wonderland this morning. About 3-4 inches of snow fell overnight. It's already melting quickly. Oh, well. I got to sleep in.


Last weekend I went to Portland to visit Miles and his kitty Sebastian. We visited the Japanese Garden there. Not sure what it is called now, but it was lovely. Even on a dark and dreary day.




I really liked the way the paths were a mix of stone and cement. Very attractive effect. Can't wait to see it in the spring.