Back Garden Chronicles

Early evening I was sitting here on the front porch with a glass of chilled Chardonnay - my reward for a day well spent in the garden. As mentioned in my earlier post, I worked in the back garden and couldn't have picked a more beautiful day to do so. A perfect sunny 65 degrees, just a very slight breeze now and then. The neighborhood whirred with the sound of lawn mowers, several bumble bees buzzed around the Carolina Jasmine on the back fence - a good sign - dogs barked amiably, birds sang constantly, a red tailed hawk glided in slow circles overhead looking for lunch.

As you can see, the trees are opening their bright green buds and the tulips are in full swing. The grass is lush and thick - makes one want to run barefoot through it. Ummm, think I'll do just that tomorrow morning before heading out to a local Crafter's Flea Market for some serious bargain hunting. All the neighbors should be out in their yards - and they'll say "Mary gets older and crazier each day".......................kinda like that wonderful essay titled "A Gardener's Golden Years" about gardening in pj's and bunny slippers!!

Here's a shot of the potting shed today - so glad many of you think it's cute and would like one, thanks for the lovely comments. You will never regret building one if you garden - it becomes your little "bolt hole", a room of one's own so to speak. I painted mine after it was constructed - inside I had counters and shelves built, and windows installed on all sides to let in plenty of light. Note the pollen covering the bench - it's thick and heavy now - sneezing is becoming the local pastime.

The George Taber azaleas are blooming - these are my favorites because they are big blossoms, loose and cottagey looking, and they grow into huge bushes under the big oaks.

And last, but by no means least, there above my head among the buds, sat an Eastern Bluebird........truly the "bluebird of happiness".......such lovely birds and quite tame. We have a family living somewhere in the back garden - always at the feeders and sitting in the trees. Note the bluebird nesting box on the potting shed wall - been there 3 years now but nary a single bird, blue or any other hue, has ventured inside yet!

It was a wonderful day to be alive and beautifying God's little acre - altho' I only have one quarter of it! This is just the start though - stick with me and you'll find me "Out Tending My Garden" as it says on my painted sign on the arbor gate, from now until.......................forever I guess. We looked at condos a couple of year's ago - but we're still here enjoying cottage living.