Spring Break

Yippee! Spring break is here! Even when you home school it is nice when spring break arrives. Just to have the extra time to garden, do a little cleaning, or just plain relax is a special treat. Knowing that the girls can sleep in and I can get a little extra work completed around the house is nice.

Our break started out with a busy schedule, however, the rest of the week should not be quite so hectic.



Catie's school performed "Alice in Wonderland" on Thursday night at a dinner theater. Didn't Catie make a cute Alice? She even spoke with the proper accent!


Although we worked in the yard on Friday and Saturday, I did manage to take a few pictures. The redbud tree and the spirea bush were begging to be photographed.


It seems that we have skipped spring and headed straight into summer. The temperatures have reached the nineties already. I think it may prove to be too hot for my romaine lettuce in the vegetable beds. What do you think?


I was excited to find one of my asparagus plants popping up through the soil.


Easter weekend was lovely. I can't remember ever having such a warm Easter Sunday before. We had a beautiful service early in the morning at church, spent the afternoon with family, and even managed to catch a couple of fish from the pond.

Every tree is leafing out and every plant is emerging from the ground. I hope it doesn't get cold again, or we will loose many of the tender leaves that have grown. I did find a couple of drawbacks to the warm weather we have had: SNAKES! There were two black snakes in my yard today. I managed to run one back into the woods and the other disappeared (under the house perhaps). I hope this is not a sign of what is to come.

How did you spend your Easter weekend?

Things Are Happening Around Here

During my daily walk around the yard, I realized that things are really starting to happen around here. Things are blooming, budding, and growing all over! This has to be the most exciting time of the year for me. I love the changes that seem to come with the dawning of each day. Am I the only person who finds joy in new discoveries in the garden every day? Regardless of whether I am alone in my feelings or not, I literally can't wait to wake up in the mornings to see what the day holds.

I hope you don't mind my sharing some of these happenings around my house.



I know that spring is really here when I notice my peonies starting to peek through the soil. I happened to mention to my dad that I needed something to support them as they grow; he made me seven of these cages and brought them to me this afternoon. My dad has to be one of best there is!



The loropetalums are blooming. I love the dainty little flowers, and the color is gorgeous.



The star magnolia is in full bloom now. I have enjoyed watching the white flowers sway in the breeze. Fortunately, the nights have not gotten cold enough to damage them yet.



The redbud is getting ready to open its pretty pink flowers any day now.



This time of the year when the sun is setting, even the pond seems to come alive. I love the way shadows come over the water and the last light of day illuminates the trees in the distance. What a peaceful ending to a perfect day!