It has been three years since I began this blog on the first day of Spring.  I am surprised in some ways that I have kept it going and also surprised by how much I enjoy it.  Sometimes it’s a challenge trying to come up with a new post.  But you know gardens… like life they keep changing and throwing stuff at us.  Too much sun, too much rain, not enough of this.. too much of that.  Always too many critters to deal with!

For this gardener, the first day of Spring is like New Year’s   – its resolution time!  This year I hope to:

1. put on a new deck off the back steps
2. buy a hand truck so I can move the Brugmansia around better ( its getting big and heavy)
3. remove the groundhog (one way or another)
4. move the rose bushes
5. put soaker hoses in the veggie garden
6. find a new critter fence to put around the veggie garden
7. figure out what to do in the spaces where the big trees used to be
8. etc etc etc..

It would be hard to add “spend more time in the garden”  to the list because I am out there a lot already, and I definitely “live in the moment” as far as enjoying it.  My garden gives me exercise, food, beautiful flowers and the occasional fright (snake!).  Its a place to celebrate new grandbabies, birthdays, fun with friends and family events.  Its also a place to go when life is not so kind, and I can lose myself in the wonders of nature.

So welcome to my new readers, I’m glad you have come along for the ride… I’m sure it will be a doozy… Happy  3rd blog anniversary to me and Happy Spring!

P.S. I photographed these shamrocks in Ireland last June, but I thought I would pop the photo in here for now.

There were high winds in the area a few weeks ago and unfortunately we had some damage.  A huge fir cracked off at the base and came crashing down.

It fell away from the house… a good thing… and crashed onto the lupine meadow.. a bad thing.

We will have the tree removed in April  and take down some others as well.  The house looks pretty naked now.  We will have a lot more light on the east side…and the porch will get more sunlight.  Can I still drink my morning coffee on the porch in my bathrobe and not scandalize the neighbors?  I hope so!  The wrens have lost their nesting tree so I will need to find a new location for the wren houses.   I will also need to dig up all the shade plants that will no longer be in shade.  There were lots of May apples under that tree.  I think I my have some plants to share.

Gardening challenges never end.  And a blizzard is forecast for tomorrow…