Spring Reading

I love to read. It's one of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon....when I have time to do so. 

A good book, a cup of tea, a roaring fire, a pup on my lap. Perfect winter's afternoon. 

Simple Spring Decorating Ideas

We're in the first week of March and this morning the snow and sleet were swirling around in the high winds. The March winds. In like a lion, out like a lamb. 

Via

Tonight we're going down to 9 degrees. 

It's still winter here....despite all my yearning for spring. 

But there are simple and inexpensive ways to bring a little spring into my world even though the calendar...and the weather report...are fighting against me. 

Blogging from the Heart

My dear friend Rue recently wrote on her wonderful blog, An Old Fashioned World, a heartfelt post that struck a chord with me. 

It's been resonating in my brain every since I read it and I feel I have to chat with all my lovely readers about it. 

Via

I haven't been blogging very long but in the short time I've been a blogger this online world of new friendships has stolen my heart. 

It's incredible to me the number of people who visit me daily just to read about my little life. 

Weekend Things

It was a busy but beautiful weekend here in the mountains....the best part being that I was NOT WORKING!!  Well....not working at the office, anyway - but let's face it, there's always a ton to do around the house. And after being in the office every weekend for what seems like forever I was one busy girl around home this weekend!

And I was happy as a clam. 

I kicked off the weekend with a lovely evening with my sweetie on Friday with dinner out at a local brewery. 

Followed by dessert at home.....

Just look at those beautiful chocolates - and I'll tell you, they taste even better than they look!

I Told You So!!

I knew there had to be a reason I was so spring obsessed this year. 

Yes, I'm a gardener. Have been forever. 

Yes, I love spring. But I'm not usually this obsessed in February. 

I think in my heart and soul I just knew it was going to be an early spring. Perhaps because of the crazy winter. 

The Irish would say, "I felt it in my water." Don't ask. 

But now I have proof. Because they're back. 

"Who?" you ask.....

Why, the Red Winged Blackbirds, of course - who else?

Learn More About The Red Winged Blackbird - Click Here

They are the first heralds of spring in our little mountain top region. And then come the robins. 

Roses in the Sun - Finding the Perfect Obelisk

What a crazy storm we had last night - thunder, lightening, heavy rains, high winds - whew! The creek on my property is roaring again - I could hear it from the bedroom with all the windows shut!

I jumped out of bed and couldn't wait to get outside. It was lovely and warm out, and although everything was absolutely drenched I had to go for a little walkabout. 

Which of course got me thinking again about spring gardening. 

The folks that owned the house before me came from a family of gardeners - I really lucked out. 

The steps that lead up to my deck walk right up through a lush perennial garden. What a lovely welcome to my home!

August 2015 - Looking up the steps towards the small set of stairs to the deck and kitchen door

It got a little crazy in those perennial beds this summer, as shown in these August photos. however, in my defense, this was my first season in the house and I had to let everything grow to see what's what. 

Coming Home

My favorite part of the day is coming home. I finish up at the office, drive the short trip home up my beautiful country road, and pull into my garage. 

I'm home. 

I put my key into the lock at the kitchen door and I hear the pups raising a racket downstairs.