Mosaic Tile Floor with Birds

This is spectacular, isn't it? Wish I could see the whole thing. What a work of art! Hope you are having a great weekend. Most but not all of my trees are budding and the spring green is beautiful. I cleaned my deck yesterday and it looks almost brand new. I forced all of the dirt from between the joints with a screw driver and blew it away with my power leaf blower. Then I squirted with the jet selection of my hose sprayer and wet everything down. Then I mopped it with a foaming oxy-deck cleaner and scrubbed it with a stiff broom. It was fun playing in the water and the end result is very satisfying. I didn't clean it at all last year and it really needed it. That and hacking away at overgrown multiflora were my two accomplishments yesterday. Today I've just been enjoying the weather and not much else. xo

Photo Source

Screened Porch with Swing

Today it was almost 80 degrees and tomorrow there will be rain. On Monday snow is in the forecast. BUT spring is in the air. I love this porch, the fan, the brick floor and the swing. via

Have a great weekend. xo

Coming Soon to A Location Near You

We had a dusting of snow overnight but sun and blue skies with white puffy clouds are overhead at lunch time. My daffodils are in the new bud stage. Can't wait. via

Fabulous UK Garden Shed

Just in time for Spring, only 21 days away.

The Posh Shed Company, Hereford, Hertfordshire, UK

Big Shade Tree with Sheep

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I think it's exciting to think about leaves on the trees, don't you? That storm we had a couple of nights ago knocked down some big branches that Webster and I have already picked up on one of our walks. Yesterday felt like spring in the early part of the day but got colder as the day progressed. I pruned my Limelight hydrangeas and now I'm ready for them to start putting out new growth. Happy Friday. xo

Saltbox with Snow

I definitely think the groundhog was wrong, don't you? via

Baby Birds and Spring Blossoms

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There's nothing sweeter, is there?

I have house wrens nesting in one of my Williamsburg bird bottles on the back of the house and blue birds nesting in the blue bird box. I love the chitter chatter of the wrens. The bluebirds are very quiet. I planted two limelight hydrangea a few days ago, one in the back and one in the front. If they are half as good as they are supposed to be, I'll be happy. I got a big pot at a local garden center for a good price and when I got it home, it turned out to be two plants growing very close together. I was thrilled I was able to separate them. Read about this variety here.

Spring in The Country

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Spring in the country. There's nothing better, is there? Nature is unkempt and sometimes I think it's futile trying to taming it. My friend is already fretting about the crabgrass that is coming up in her lawn despite the bags of herbicides she had put down with her new spreader. I actually think she has more than I do and I have never used any chemicals. I think it all looks fine after a mowing if it's green. Weeds are a losing battle. 

It is Spring Again

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R. M. Rilke

It's pretty chilly at my house but the grass is green and the sky is blue, so I can't complain. My daffodils have popped too.

Daffodils from Last Spring

I am anxious to see the daffodils bloom again this year. This bunch was picked last year from an abandoned house in the Great Swamp. It's not unusual to see lilacs, spring bulbs, and patches of asparagus growing along the walking trails where families once lived and gardened but the homes are long gone. The whole area is now a National Wildlife Refuge.

I am happy to report my riding mower started up yesterday on the first try. I rode around for an hour or so and it felt good. There is nothing like the smell of freshly mown grass to boost your spirits. Today we have rain and that's okay since April showers bring May flowers.

Spring at My Cottage

We had a nice day yesterday for a change. The grass is slowly greening up and it was nice to spend the day outside. I raked all the gravel back in my driveway that was left in the grass after the plowed snow melted. That's my least favorite job and I'm so glad it's behind me.

My first spring bulb has bloomed. No sign of the purple ones yet. 

Spring Gardening

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My daffodils are just now coming up and are a long way from blooming. The photo above is just a preview of what's to come for those of us lucky enough to have lilacs. These hydrangeas were purchased already in bloom to grow in pots. Someone has been having fun at the potting table. I love the galvanized barrel and watering can. I have bright sun and blue skies today at my cottage so I'm excited about warmer weather. Have a great weekend. xo

Lovely Spring Things

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My snowdrops are up but the grape hyacinths haven't popped yet. I don't think I've ever seen a blue and white platter with this spring bulb in the pattern. It looks hand painted rather than transferware. 

First Day of Spring 2015 New Jersey Style

Mother Nature is having her last hurrah before ushering in spring. I took this photo about 5 minutes ago and it's still coming down hard. I am going out in it with Webster in a few and we are going to walk all the way to the rear of the property as we have been doing for the past few days. The road is black from all the salt. I am going to phone my plow man and tell him not to come tomorrow and hope this white stuff melts on its own quickly as I think it will.

Yesterday at My Cottage

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday was picture perfect and today is gray and rainy with a touch of fog. I'm happy there is almost no snow on the roof surfaces and no ice in the gutters of my cottage. I haven't walked to the way back with Webster in ages and I'm anxious to get back to our old routine. Have a great weekend. xo

Snowdrops in England

Mine are still buried under mounds of snow but they will be there when it melts just waiting to pop their little snowdrop heads out. via We got a little rain this afternoon as predicted. My icy gutters are melting slowly and the downspouts are running nicely making such a glorious trickling sound.

Big Snow Melt This Week

Just a few days ago. Notice the snow on the bench.

Today is the first time I have seen the top of the bench on my balcony all year long! We are having a nice slow snow melt that is so very welcome. Even the animals are excited to go outside without slipping and sliding.

A Dog's Best Friend this Winter

Isn't this the cutest thing ever for a dog that's not too heavy to lift? Love it! via
I'm happy to report that I made it through yesterday's snow just fine and today bright sun is shining on my cottage and my windshield. There is nothing but sun in the forecast for 6 straight days and that makes me very happy. The worst of winter is finally over. xo

The Promise of March

Spring Teaser via

This glimpse of spring doesn't seem possible as I gaze into the frozen abyss outside my window. We'll just have to hang on until Mother Nature decides it's time for a spring thaw. Enjoy your Sunday. xo

Pink Dogwood Blossoms

I took this photo on Thursday while on a real estate appointment in a customer's front yard. Don't you adore pink dogwood trees. It's cool and sunny after a day of rain yesterday. I have SO much to do outside. Have a great weekend. xo