Spring Flowers for Good Friday

I moved my hellebore closer to the front door so she would be in more shade than she was previously.

My grape hyacinths are doing well in spite of my neglect.

I have been working outside for two straight days getting all my outside faucets, hoses, and hose reels in tip top shape and it hasn't been easy. I have worked with hack saws, plumbers wrenches, WD40, hose clamps, and various other tools. I had to replace several outlets by butchering old hoses. Most of my reels leaked underneath but not anymore. I've been wanting to do this for years and now I'm all set for years to come and I enjoyed giving them new life. That's another thing on my laundry list I can cross off and feel good about doing myself.

Spring Flowers Just Outside The Door

S P R I N G

Tulips and dogwood blossoms.

Just perfect. via

Have a great weekend!

xo

Freshly Picked Daffodils

She wore her yellow sun-bonnet, 

She wore her greenest gown; 

She turned to the south wind

And curtsied up and down. 

She turned to the sunlight

And shook her yellow head, 

And whispered to her neighbour: 

“Winter is dead.” 

 ~Daffodowndilly” A.A. Milne.

I love everything about this. Found here.

Don't you love flower-gathering baskets full of daffodils? Photo found here.

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Blooming Hellebore in My Garden

I worked outside yesterday from dawn until dark. The Hellebore I planted last spring is spectacular and such a welcome spring flower that survived beautifully after being buried under two feet of snow for so long. I neglected to write down the name of this Lenten Rose but I think it must be Spring Party. I searched online and found a photo.

The mature foliage on my hellebore looks exactly like this. The leaves are large and leathery. I am very happy to have this old fashioned plant in a corner of my front walled garden. Photo found here.

I clipped off all the giant mature leathery leaves that looked like the photo above because they were just lying on the ground and didn't look tidy after my spring cleanup.

Peony Love at My Cottage

This white single peony is always the first to bloom. Photographed yesterday with an insect as a bonus. When these whites bloom, they are always faintly pink in the opening stage.

The pink mop head peonies will be opening soon.

The red ones are singles too and are about ready to pop.

I don't know if you remember this mystery plant from last year that planted itself in my garden. I have no idea how it got there and I am on the fence about liking it but don't have the heart to dig it up. It has already spread quite a bit. It's called Spider Wort and the leaves are an electric yellow and bright green. The purple flowers grow in clustered pods and bloom once before another pod opens up with a new flower. 

I found this photo on Instagram @eyesasbigasplates and couldn't resist making a screenshot to show you the largest giant red rhubarb I have ever seen. What is it about Norway that makes it grow so large? One stalk would be enough for a pie. I hope these girls were able to share this crop with friends.

It has been raining for the past several days and I have been catching up with paperwork in my attic office. See you later. xo

My Peonies in the Bud Stage

I was standing outside my brick wall to take this photo to show the true height of these giant peony plants. My peonies are tall and healthy this year and the three varieties have probably spread so much they are too close together. In the fall, I plan to try dividing them. 

The buds get larger every day but I don't think they are going to be opening quite yet. They get more sun in the afternoon than they do in the morning but that's fine with me. Once they start blooming they don't last nearly long enough, do they? 

Sunday Morning Cottage Photos

My favorite Watering Can.

First wisteria blossoms after many others were killed TWICE in May when overnight temperatures dipped below freezing. I spent the day yesterday hacking down a huge clump of my weeds by hand and will finish today with no motor sounds to intrude on Sunday silence. Enjoy your Sunday whatever you do. xo

Gorgeous Photo: Lilies of the Valley Flat Lay

I found this photo on Instagram @atalierjuno and I think it is simply stunning. The arrangement is known as a Flat Lay and she does them frequently with all varieties of flowers. I am especially fond of green and white landscaping so this one is my favorite. My own lilies of the valley have really spread out this year but some of the pips are going in the wrong direction and I have been digging them up and relocating them. I have two large clumps growing against a brick wall and I want them to meet. Yes, you read that right; the offspring of these gorgeous spring flowers are called PIPS. Happy Saturday and enjoy your weekend. xo

May Snow: Lily of the Valley Blooms

Late Saturday afternoon photo showing sleet and snow on a tabletop next to blooming Lily of the Valley. Crazy May weather!! Legend says that when the lily of the valley blooms, happiness returns.

Baking Sourdough English Muffins

I baked sourdough English muffins yesterday and they were easy and good but way too small. They look pretty normal in the photo but the are more like sea biscuits in real life, but good. The recipe called for a 3 inch cutter and that's what I used. My mother used to use tuna cans with the bottoms cut out. They don't make the cans that way anymore and you cannot cut out the bottoms. I just transferred the muffins from the griddle to this pan for the photo. To see more photos, go to my Instagram where I posted three photos. Use the forward arrow on a computer or swipe on phone or iPad. The jonquils were planted by my mother and I love seeing them sway from my kitchen window in a new garden where I transplanted them. xo