Friday, May 6, 2011

Fertilizer Friday: Finally--Flowers!

I'm sick of destruction photos right now.  I've had to stay out of the fun festivities of Fertilizer Friday over at Tootsie's for so long because there were no flowers to flaunt.  My early Spring bloomers have finally arrived to change all that.

I did laundry on Wednesday and since we're working in the mud around here, I had plenty of dirty jeans in the wash. I took advantage of the only sunny day we had this week and hung all the clothes out on the line to dry.

Speaking of pants, here's some now:
Mother Nature took advantage of the good drying day to hang out her Dutchman's Breeches.  Both Carl and I are of Dutch descent, so now I know where I get the habit of airing our dirty (well, ok, clean) laundry outside.

Mom Nature had a really big washday, she must have lots of kids (though I question her sanity in giving the kids white pants to play in?) 


Lots and LOTS of kids or she's doing the wash for the entire neighborhood:
All those white pants to keep clean, no wonder Mother Nature has to order rain so much lately. 

We moved the primroses last week Friday and they were so entwined with weeds (yes, weeds-- I am hanging my head in shame here; I'm not the best gardener in the world) that we had to break the clumps down to very tiny sizes and both Carl and I wondered if they'd survive the trauma.  A few have decided to bloom so far; maybe there's hope?
I know the true test will be to see if they come back next year, but for now, I'm so happy to see their pretty faces. 

The sun has been very absent the last few weeks, and while I was taking pictures of the Great Rock Moving Expedition on Thursday night, it suddenly came out and illuminated everything for just a few minutes. 
I was headed through the gate to the Woodland Bed to supervise the placement (wow, that sounds Official) ok, to nag the guys where I wanted the rocks plopped down when the sun suddenly came out.  Amazing what sunshine can do to lift sagging spirits.  Sort of like a good 18 Hour Playtex bra for the soul.

I told Carl & Joel where I wanted the rock placed and then hurried off to get some pictures of flowers before the glorious sun faded:
Carry on, Men, I will be right back.  (And yes, I know how lucky I am to have the help!) 

While we are tearing up the back yard, here's the front yard. 
Screech Kitty in the background...he reminds me I have Men waiting for me to get back to work.
Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster' coming up in the foreground with sunset light bouncing off the rocks of the Pachyberm.  We had sunshine for about five minutes, and it was just stunning.  But all good things have to end, and it was time to get back to work. 

Amazing how just a few minute's of sunshine can energize you to work for just a little longer. 
Almost time to quit, guys.....and almost time for supper.  (Gotta love my crockpots...I have three of 'em in varying sizes.)  Let's eat.
 The work will be there tomorrow.

I guarantee it.

Fertilizer Friday with Tootsie, Don't Miss It!

19 comments:

MorningGlory said...

So glad spring has sprung (finally) in your garden. Here in the south, we're picking strawberries, the asparagus is bolting, and the azaleas are already wilting. My wigelia in the front yard looks stunning, and the Carolina jasmine makes the whole yard smell WONDERFUL.
I'll know it's summer when the hydrangeas bloom.

Karen said...

Lorrie, you are so far ahead of us; we might as well be on different sides of the world.

I have never seen jasmine blooms in person, but I've heard the fragrance is amazing. I loved seeing your so very blue hydrangeas. They are awesome.

Lona said...

I know just what you mean about the sun. It was out all day yesterday and it was such a spirit lifter. This grumbling gardener was like a new girl. LOL! Karen your daffodils are just so pretty in your garden beds. Well you can say you got your primroses divided whether they needed it or not. I am so glad you are getting blooms now. Keep managing those fellas now and Happy Mother's Day.

LindyLouMac said...

Wow that is some transformation going on in your garden. I am delighted to meet you as another participant in Flaunt Your Flowers, thankyou for visiting my post.

Dirt Princess said...

Thats your front yard?!?! Wow!!!! Those daffodils are BEAUTIFUL!!! The whole place is beautiful. I am loving that gate! It looks great to me under construction so I sure can't wait to see it when you are done :-)

A Garden of Threads said...

Today the sun has played with the rain clouds, sigh. Love your front yard. Last picture of the daffodils is perfect. Happy gardening this weekend.

Larry said...

It all is looking great Karen! L

The Sage Butterfly said...

You took such great photos of your lovely blooms. Excellent!

Anonymous said...

Really pretty images Karen. With all your work, how do you find the time?

BernieH said...

Love your analogy about sunshine ... a good 18 hour Playtex bra ... he, he that really does come close! I have exactly the same feeling about spotting a ray or two of bright sunshine during our long, long wet seasons here.

The on-going work in your back yard seems to be going very well. Much more to do?

Your patch of daffs backlit by the sun's rays is just glorious. That's not a sight you would ever see here! Nor would you see any of those beautiful Primroses.

The Dutchman's Breeches is a new plant to me and what a wonderful little flower it has. Such an amazing structure!

Diana LaMarre said...

...Sort of like a good 18 Hour Playtex bra for the soul.

Just love that...You do have a way with words!

Nice shot with the windmill behind the rocks.

What a cute little plant Dutchman's Breeches is. I have never grown that one. I like your primroses, too. I bet they will be back next year.

It looks like the work is in full swing at your place. I bet everyone was tired after that day of hard labor.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Karen,

You daffodils are beautiful, min are almost gone. I had Dutchmans Breeches at my old old home and it is rare that they find a place they like to grow.

Eileen

Kelsie from Our Country Home and Studio Photography said...

So happy you got to see the sun and enjoy some good old fashion Solar Energy to get the men folk going stronger.

Enjoyed seeing all your flowers and OMGosh that arch/gate is just stunning.

I love my crockpot too...they are such a life saver for a hard working woman with hungry men and children to feed.

Blessings Kelsie

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

Breathtaking garden and your photographs are beautiful! Thanks so much for visiting and for your sweet comments!
Blessings,
Cindy

KK said...

your gardens are so beautiful. i enjoyed looking around your blog. i am in love with your big rocks. i have bought small river rocks to use around my beds and path. thank you for becoming my first follower! and thank you for the nice comment about my gardens. no special secrets. just trial and error. but i do use black cow. i look forward to seeing more of your beautiful flowers. kk

Rosemary said...

I so know what your mean about the rare commodity sunshine is right now....... My back hurts just looking at the pictures.

Karen said...

Thank you everyone!

Karen said...

KK, if you head back this way, I wanted to tell you I love your blog, but for some reason I can't leave a comment. I'll keep trying!

xoxoxo said...

So glad to hear you have crockpotS!!