Horses, More Horses...

Again, out for a walk in the now lover-ly green, Spring has sprung park; and they appeared. This time in white...2 of the Arabian horses. One of them was somewhat 'marbleized' in the front, just gorgeous. They did not trot off as quickly as the previous horse, so I was able to get some more pics. Next time I see one, or more, I have determined that I will ask the rider, or riders, if I can gain entrance into the very private stables, to spend some quality time photographing these gems!!!

And, because Spring has sprung, some sweet smelling foliage!

'It is He who changes the times and seasons, He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to the discerning.'

                                                                     Daniel 2:21

Gardening 101...

Dill, Greek oregano, purple basil, sweet red peppers...just getting started!

Emptied last years' soil...that was alot of work!!

The gardeners glove...already blew through 1 pair!

Rather large earthworms...love them!

Rows, watered and ready for planting!

The all important 'spacing'...

Let the games begin!

Palette and glass brick (thank you Dad) planting area...

Finally, after a very cool start to Spring, the weather is saying 'PLANT'! I had to empty out most of last years' soil, as the nutrients are gone and nothing would grow. Edward helped me load up the garden beds w/ the new compost, soil to mix in w/ soil, and the huge sized bag of MiracleGro. One for each garden bed. I bought earth worms. Last year I had the little guys, but this year, they only had the really big guys, like you see after it rains. So they have been officially, earthed. I bought some purple basil, Greek oregano, dill, lavender, sweet red peppers. I have some Roma tomatoes in the wings. Sounds like alot, but looks very sparse once everything is in. So, today, hopefully, we can find some more goodies and flowers for out back to brighten up all the stone work. I created a palette potting area, which is a step up from the little bench I was using last year. I still plan to put a piece of flooring wood on top of the palette to cover the slats...moving right along. Now, if only the grass would grow!!

As a real bonus, we have sparrows nesting in our wreath out front and as of today there are 3 eggs. Very exciting! Will save those pics for another post....

Everyone have a safe Memorial Day 'weekend'!

Spring!!!!

 Ranunculus

'It is said that springs of sweet, fresh water pool up amid the saltiness of the oceans, that the fairest Alpine flowers bloom in the wildest most rugged mountain passes, and that the most magnificent psalms arose from the most profound agonies of the soul.

May it continue to be!'

Streams in the Desert, March 20

The promise of Spring....

Impressions...

 Bird impression on window...

 Clear in the afternoon sun

 Looks like an owl!!

 Using the sky as a backdrop..

It was a couple of weeks ago. I heard the thud. Even w/out ever having heard this sound (other than in the movies or on TV), I knew exactly what it was. A bird had flown into, or was blown into one of the large windows of the house. I completely forgot about it until yesterday. The sun is now higher in the sky w/ Spring on the horizon, and we are getting direct sunlight around 3:30-4:30ish. Great beams of sunshine! Edward noticed it. That bird who had made such a familiar sound, even though I never heard it 'for real', left his/her mark in great detail on the window he/she slammed into. The afternoon light picked it up, clear as a bell. Edward said that there was a technical term for the 'impression', called 'volumetric lighting'. Volumetric lighting is a technique used in 3D computer graphics to add lighting effects to a rendered scene. It allows the viewer to see beams of light shining through the environment; seeing sunbeams streaming through an open window is an example of volumetric lighting, also known as crepuscular rays. The term seems to have been introduced from cinematography and is now widely applied to 3D modelling and rendering. However, in this case, the beams of light are for real, as is the bird....we hope that the bird is okay after leaving such an impression!

The bottom pic is from this AM, as weather has been so much of everybody's discussion. We are expecting a snow storm tomorrow, hence, the clouds today.

Juniper and Blazing star...

I have been waiting. I had no idea what spring in Colorado was going to offer in terms of flowers and foliage. The mountain has turned green...who knew??? The evergreens are plenteous. I can just hear Bob Ross saying, 'Put a tree here, it's a happy tree, maybe in our world there lives another happy little tree over there..'. There are alot of purple flowers, Iris, Larkspur, Juniper, Blazing Star. I had 1 Columbine perennial in Rhode Island, but it is the state flower of Colorado, so I am seeing many more variations...very pretty, very delicate. Lilac bushes and trees are everywhere and for the most part have come and gone, but we enjoyed bringing some cuttings in the house for it's beauty and unmistakable fragrance. It is only mid-spring. We are off to a good start!!

Ahhh, Signs of Spring....

Seeing the terrible damage the nor'easter caused this past week in the Northeast, I think that we are all very grateful for this stretch of stunning weather. The bonus is that Spring is very much in the air, even if it's a temporary reprieve, we'll take it. I went for a walk by the water yesterday, and took these couple of shots of the same stretch of the Pawtuxet River by the bridge. You can see the water is still furiously rushing into the Stillhouse Cove, however, it is clear that the current has become less fierce.The top photo is looking back into the Cove, where you can see the water becomes quiet. There were also some signs of Spring, little though they may be, are a real standout. I also found some great weeds, which caught my eye.

Fare Thee Well...I Hope!

It is March. I am so glad it is March. Tonight we turn the clocks ahead 1 hour, giving us that glorious extra measure of light at the end of the day, which continues to increase by minutes upon minutes as the sun becomes higher in our soon to be, Spring sky. There is so much hope attached to this upcoming season of Spring, especially this year. It has been a tough Winter for our country. Just that very hope of Spring and ALL it has to offer, makes my heart sing, as I am already making plans for my garden, thankful that last years haul is still blessing our table! On that note, I took these photos this past Thursday, down at the Stillhouse Cove, of the mounds of snow, which have since seen some serious melting. I know, it IS possible that's it is not quite over yet, but, hope, hope, hope, Springs eternal!

Gift in February

Today, in New England, we experienced a day that felt like Spring. Oh, we know it won't be here tomorrow, but, the thrill of taking my jacket off while driving and walking around for a bit with that same jacket sitting in the front seat of my car was VERY refreshing. The signs are here, a few bulbs popping up, a couple of early morning chirps coming from the trees behind my house. And, alas, this flower, a Winter gift, sister to 'Wake Up Peach'. I bring my potted plants inside once the weather turns in the Fall. This year, this flower decided to visit me in the month of February. No complaints from me. Mother Nature has her own mind!