Warm Winter

On the news last night I heard the weatherman say that this was the warmest January in over seventy years. I believe it! Around here it looks like spring has sprung. Although I am perfectly content with the warmer winter, I sure hope that my plants will not suffer from the early blooming. These blooms do not usually show up until March.


hellebores


Yum, I smell Fruit Loops!


Nope, Chord, it's a winter daphne!


Daffodils already?


Blooms on my star magnolia???


Unfortunately, the pretty pink blooms are turning brown after a couple of days. :(

Well, it looks like winter has been cancelled in North Carolina this year. How is winter treating you in your neck of the woods?

Music Photos

Our spring weather has been absolutely gorgeous this year. The landscape around here is just bursting with green. I can't think of any better time of the year to do a photo shoot with Carson. She needed to have some good photos to promote her music so we headed out to some of the prettiest places that I know. Fortunately all of these places are within a half mile of our home. I hope you enjoy the scenery...feel free to weigh in on your favorite shots. We are still trying to decide which ones to use.
















Doesn't this remind you of The Sound Of Music?




Did you pick a favorite? I hope spring is surrounding you with beauty today!

Catie's Senior Prom!

Spring has sprung here in North Carolina! As I am writing this post the birds' sweet songs are drifting through the morning air. After a very busy weekend full of activities...prom...photo shoot...art show performance...and...Easter cantata...it is nice to have a quiet morning to just sit and reflect. I am reminded of how incredibly blessed my family is.

Catie and her friends enjoyed their Senior prom this weekend. The weather was perfect! In fact, it was so nice that she and a friend sat on the pier at the end of the night and enjoyed the warm breeze.

It's hard to believe that she is graduating in just a couple of months. Where did the time go? It seems that just yesterday she was a curly headed little girl playing with toys.



Even though they sometimes argue, you can tell that they really love each other.



As pretty as they are, the azaleas can't hold a candle to Catie.



This child has always loved trees. When she was little, she used to run up and wrap her arms around them.



Every year her prom pictures have to include a tree!



I always like the pictures with the water in the background.



Can you believe that this was the first dress that she tried on?



It fit perfectly! No alterations at all.



I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to take care of this darling girl for the last 17 (almost 18) years. I guess it's almost time for her to spread her wings and fly. I'm sure she is ready...I just don't think that I am!

Warmer Weather

After a week or so of rainy and cool weather, it is so nice to be enjoying some sunshine and warmer weather. Today's temperature reached the ninety degree mark. It actually feels a little like summer out there.

As soon as the weather decides to cooperate, John and Carson saddle up the horses for a little trail riding. We are very fortunate to have plenty of trails for them to explore.



After a long ride, they always stop by the house to tell me "hello" before putting the horses back in the pasture. Of course I have to grab my camera to snap a couple of shots before they ride into the sunset.



Carson stops to give me a quick pose. We're loving this warmer weather here in North Carolina. What are some of the activities that you look forward to when the weather turns warmer?

The Waiting Is Over....Or Is It?

Well it is official. Catie is a Carolina Tarheel! She made her decision last night. We are so proud of her. Now we will be able to start planning and buying the things that she will need to go off to school in the fall. This is such a bittersweet time for us. We are excited for her highschool graduation and the events that are to come; however, it just seemed to come along way too soon! I don't know if she will ever know what joy she brings to my life on a daily basis. Am I ready to let her go away??



Oh, well...on another note...Spring has been playing tricks on us around here. After a couple of weeks of very warm weather, it seems that this last week has taken us back to winter. It has been cold and rainy, so there is not much to report in the garden. Hopefully, warmer weather will return soon. I guess we are always waiting for something aren't we?

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Hope you are wearing your green today. My yard sure has its green on!



Have you ever noticed that everyone wants to be Irish on St. Patrick's Day? My grandmother had a little Irish blood in her, so I guess that qualifies me. What do you think?

On a different note: Some of you have asked me about Carson's music. We are still waiting for the final full band production of her two songs. Those should be finished by next week and then she will go back to the studio to record her final vocals. After that, her songs should be available on itunes. If you want to have a sneak peak of one of her songs, feel free to visit her youtube channel. She is looking for more subscribers to her channel and would love for you to subscribe if you do that sort of thing. She also has a facebook page you can like. Her music really appeals to the "younger" set, so if you have kids or grandkids, have them give it a listen and let her know what they think! Thanks so much for your interest in my sweet girl!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful St. Patrick's Day and a beautiful weekend! Don't forget to wear your green!

Hang In There!

I know many of my blogging friends are buried in snow at the moment. Here in North Carolina we have managed to escape the big storm. Last night we had some rain and today it is windy, however, temperatures are in the lower sixties...not bad for the second day of February. I thought I would venture out and look for some signs of spring to share with those of you that may need some warmth today. I didn't find much happening in my yard at the moment. It seems that the signs of spring are running a little late this year; however, I did manage to get a few glimpses of what is to come.

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For instance, my winter daphne appears to be getting ready to bring forth its sweet smelling blooms...



...and my daffodils are just starting to poke through the barren ground.

So, for those of you who are anxious for spring to appear...




...hang in there, spring is on the way! :)