4.12.2010

In My Garden

My plants are thriving this year (it seems that although I wasn't too happy about the cold wet winter, the bizarro winter made them quite happy). Would you like to see a few images from my garden this spring?
Above - a flowering quince in my side yard that was here when we bought the house. Through most of the year I find this thorny bush to be an ugly beast, and in fact it looked so pitiful last year that I thought it was dying. But when it presented a plethora of almost garish pink blooms this year, it made me so happy that had neglected to cut it back. Below, one of a zillion iris blooms. Last year I had only 3 blooms. Although they look a little blue in my pics, I think these are the purple iris that are our state flower.
Above: Wildflowers growing in the lawn. Below: one of my little toad friends in the front garden. This one was hanging out by the spigot.
Pretty little mosses grow along the large tree roots in our front yard. While I was taking this pic, my husband came home from work and found me laying on my belly in the front yard. He wasn't quite sure what I was up to...
Weeping cherry in bloom.

Another little toad friend, this one was hanging out hear the front porch.
Ok, so this isn't a great pic, but I had to show off our freshly pressure-washed patio. Perhaps I wasn't paying attention in past years, but this year I'm really noticing the scents of flowers that I've never really recognized before for their scent. This crabapple tree's blooms smell like roses. And the masses of iris blooms smell divine. Please ignore my patchy grass. Between the rocky soil, two active dogs, and my refusal to have a chemical lawn, it's tough to have a pretty lawn.
I hope you all had a fantastic weekend. Although I didn't get much accomplished chore-wise, we did find some fantastic things for the shop, I have a fresh new bob-with-fringed bangs haircut, and had a fun picnic with Mr. Cheese's family (except for when my brother-in-law beaned me in the nose with the football Marcia Brady style. Yes, it hurts and my nose looks ugly today).

16 comments:

MoonDoggie said...

What a lovely garden you have.

re your nose: Hopefully your nose won't ruin your chances of becoming a teen model! :D

jamie@midcenturymania said...

Your yard is lovely. Is your driveway brick? I love the contrast. The iris reminds me of Alaska. We lived there and we had the most beautiful irises.

Marsi @ The Cottage Cheese said...

Thanks MoonDoggie, I too am hopeful that my freakishly swollen nose won't ruin my chances of becoming a teen model :)

Thanks MidCenturymadam! I wish I had a brick driveway (it's concrete), but I do have a brick patio in my back yard. I didn't know iris grew in Alaska. No wonder they liked the cold, wet winter that we had this year!

Anna @ IHOD said...

wow...gorgeous. and so serene. We jsut planted up a storm and hopefully will have some luck!

Dumbwit Tellher said...

Beee..autfiul yard Marsi. I feel like the frog in the second photo today after spending time in our yard over the wkend, digging and raking. Glad your picnic was a hit, except the one you took to the nose. I hope you mend quickly. Your new hair style sounds *cute*, nothing feels better than a new do! Thanks for sharing your photos. You've got the green thumb my friend. xoxo deb

Christina said...

new haircut and a beautiful garden. sounds good to me. sorry about your nose though, ouchie!

TERI REES WANG said...

That frog is such a fabulous real life find!

We found a pregnant little lizard sitting safe and sound in a rolled over door mat, that had meant to be shaken out from the front door, on it's way to the back door. Good thing we found her before, we dragged it away. It stayed there, where it lay, since she just would not budge.

drollgirl said...

YOUR YARD IS AMAZING!! ohmyGOD it must be so fab to hang out amongst all the pretty flowers and smells and cute little toads! you lucky duck! just gorgeous!

The Red Umbrella said...

Who knew you had so many toad friends:)Your yard is lovely! Thanks for letting us take a peek.

Pretty Little World said...

How gorgeous!! Your garden and landscaping are amazing!! There's such a variety of plants and colors!! And I must admit, I love your little toad friends too :)

Kristen said...

I think I would like to spend a week in your garden... reading and soaking up the sun. Beautiful!!!

me melodia said...

Your garden is splendid.
I'm loving your little animal friends too!

Diana said...

It's beautiful. I envy your green thumb!

Piper Jacquelyn said...

GORGEOUS! I love spring. It's pretty much amazing all around. I love all your photos (except maybe the little green froggie - scary, haha!). We're a little behind here in Nebraska, so I'm looking forward to seeing all the same blooming loveliness soon!

Fisher Family Farms said...

Looking good! I love this time of year :)

Melissa Blake said...

Oh, how beautiful! I've always been jealous of those who have green thumbs! xoxo