COLOR!!!

 When you have lived with very little color for months on end, it is hard to get enough of it when it finally appears. Bruce needs to use my computer soon so mostly this will be quick which is not easy for the likes of me to accomplish, but here goes nothing.

Yellow!!

As mentioned before, our wisteria is a puny specimen but there are plenty around for me to get a yellow fix!

White!!

To tell you the truth, there are probably more white blooming trees than anything else, and is white even a color? I suppose it is, yet generally not found all that often in nature aside from say, swans. And eggs I guess.

Big trees full of white blossoms!

Still there are plenty of bare trees to be found.

Red!!

Reddish family!

Not really red and certainly not pink, I took the above while out and about before I discovered one in our backyard. Actually it is in Chastity and Daniel's backyard because all the trees are planted along the stone wall that separates our yards, thus they hang into ours.  The color is absolutely one of my favorites.

Pink!!

The pinks are so luscious and varied. This one is taken straight across the street. Note the pretty new green.

More beautiful pink.

And even more.

Oh, and here is a cat I came across in the middle of the street.

The ladies in the top of the frame are making their way to one of the River Walk entrances.

Purple!!

Just a teaser folks!! That is the lilac tree filling out with lots of new growth. 

These keep spreading and are not only beside the front steps for how much longer I have no idea but they line the stone wall as well. Plus they are popping up all over the front yard!

Speaking of the wall, after a trip to the beautiful garden center at Lowes,

we purchased some new plants for the front wall as the old ones, while beginning to bloom and look beautiful, a good many of them had died over the years. I remember Mr. Vespasian telling me that Ruth had wanted him to replant it, but he did not want to bother. I hope she would be pleased if she could see what Bruce has done.

Another thing about when we bought the house is that the realtor told me it was called "thrift" and I believed her. Not true as it turns out, instead it is called creeping phlox. Hopefully it will begin it's creeping ways this year. We shall see!

As I was perusing the center I came across thrift and here is what it looks like because I brought one home.

So technically it should have been in the above section on pink! 

Earlier in the week I spent time dumping all of last year's pots and these are the first two I have filled.

Look at the sunshine!! Don't be fooled friends....last week in the higher elevations around here there was a light snow, 

When we were first considering buying the house, I sent all the online photos to our sons and got their feedback. One such bit was from Tom who immediately had the idea of a meadow in the backyard. Well dear Tom we do not quite have a meadow but there are hundreds of wild violets in both the front and backyard.

I cannot seem to get good photographs but I am so enjoying them in person. Although these are light purple, there are plenty of dark purple ones as well. Even white. It is just so pretty!

Lastly, before I finish this quick post, the quilting is done and the binding is sewn on by machine. Hand sewing the back side of the binding and it is finally done!

We have just gotten through Isaiah and it was not easy reading and now we are into Jeremiah. The journey continues. 

Lots of activities to document this last week but for now, Mr. Bruce likes to use my computer for his Zoom meetings with the condo association so I will say goodbye for now.

your friend,

Gail

Only the Beginning

I stepped out on the porch this morning, just after sunrise, and it was not freezing which is a good way to start the day. So while that was good, even better was the sight of Sandy's magnolia tree in bloom, a nearly full moon in the pale blue sky and the tinge of pink on the horizon. Glorious.

It is nearly Spring, or so the calendar says. Only the beginning of several months of exceptional beauty! I can hardly wait for it to unfold, but wait we shall do, just as we did last year. A few days ago I realized that it was on this very day that we bought the house on Campbell Street, after I spotted it from the church parking lot. Should you have not read about that fateful day, here is what I wrote.  

Fast forward a year from then and not only is there the beginning of a shop in the basement, there is a shop in the basement, the best one of Bruce's life! And it is most certainly the only time in our lives that we have had a hyacinth pop out of the ground amongst last autumn's fallen leaves. 

It was super fun watching and wondering how it would unfold and what color it would be. It reminds me of my old Candy Striper uniform when I was in Melbourne and volunteered at the hospital. It was the first time that I'd ever heard anything about taking x-rays and at the time never imagined I would spend 35 years of my life doing so. Good times.

Although we have two bushes of forsythia, ours are not exactly prime specimens because they are mostly shaded. Nonetheless, the appearance of bright yellow in the landscape is certainly a cheery sight. 

All over town large bright yellow bushes are to be found. What is so fascinating to me is once things begin, changes seem to happen lightening fast. One day these were bare branches and before you know it they are clothed in white.

I have always loved flowering trees and in Orlando that means the bright pink and shockingly yellow tabebuia trees that are a harbinger of spring. And while we do have a few other flowering trees there, it is nothing like here where all the trees have not been replaced by houses, or roads, or shopping centers. You get my drift. So when I am just walking in our neighborhood it brings me great joy to see all of the changes associated with the season. Yup, seasons Florida friends. They do exist! Says Gail who has endured quite a few cold days this winter!

Speaking of neighborhoods and seasons, here's something I thought you might find fun. Only a month ago I posted this photo and suggested you might want to count the birds you see.

By my count, something like sixteen. Now a month or so later and this is what it looks like today.

Hard to find even the one I saw moving around! It most definitely makes for more interesting days is my thought. Yesterday afternoon it was warm, at least by NC standards and I began cleaning out my old pots from last year. My little neighbor Farah, four years old, popped over and wanted to hang out and so we did. Her energy and enthusiasm were a welcome distraction. She did her ABC's and counting, summersaults upstairs on the wood floors and spun around like a little top. I'd planned on writing yesterday afternoon but when opportunity for joy happens you go with it. Coming over to find her wayward daughter, Chastity thanked me for keeping her occupied while she made dinner. Farah then took her mom and brother Jude into the house, giving them a tour. It was all very fun and so nice to be outdoors and not cold!

The grape hyacinth are spreading in their little bed and popping up in the yard which has been neat. The back yard is filled with little violets along with tiny blue flowers, no bigger than a small fingernail. Perfectly formed though, which is so miraculous to me.

The thrift/creeping phlox is happening!

Woo hoo! What color will these tulips in the back yard be? Such an adventure.

The rescue plant from Lowes is looking so sweet. I saw that another name for this flower is buttercup which is super sweet, but it reminds me of a ruffled skirt. What do you think?

My window sill, complete with a little bear that a vendor at the flea market gave me when I picked it up. There is not much mention of London in the mountains, so it was a very nice surprise. The new curtains.

It is such a little thing but having a windowsill has brought me happiness and I will take all that I can. We went to D'Anna and David's for lunch on Saturday and her windowsills, yes sills, are filled with little treasures. We drive through Andrews to get to their house and from the looks of this, you might imagine the town was going to be a gem.

While it excels in natural beauty, the town is very sad with so many closed businesses, including the most recent closure of Walgreens. The town leaders are not giving up, but it is most definitely a hard climb back to the vibrancy of yesteryear. 

David wanted advice from Bruce about the new garage he is having built.

You might note that Bruce is wearing short sleeves, however, it was a good thing he had his jacket with him as it was much needed. For the whole week there were warnings about a big storm to come on Saturday night, and while Bruce and I had no damage, those who live in the mountains had some downed trees and power outages overnight. It did wake us, but not for too long.

Anyway, as is her custom she is very hospitable.

I told her not to go to any trouble, but my plea fell on deaf ears. Perhaps I mentioned earlier how they took over Mark and Mary Beth's chickens, building a fancy coop for them. She's fallen in love with the chickens, naming them all.  While opening the egg box in the photo below,  I asked her to stop what she was doing. 

We were the beneficiaries of their egg production. She showed me a few in the box.

I've learned a lot about eggs since we have been here, knowing multiple people with chickens, and one of the things I've learned is that there is no difference between brown and white eggs except that the white ones are bleached for the commercial market.  Now I know!

Just outside Andrews on the drive to their home, there were lots of blooming trees and a property loaded with blooming daffodils.

Apparently there are more to come. Speaking of daffodils, Robin brought little vases, actually soy sauce bottles, filled with daffodils from her garden for the church potluck. Oh yes please, I will take some home!

Mentioning Bruce's shop and of course you have already heard of the wonderful things he's had the time and pleasure of making, the latest is the chair refinishing which is coming along nicely, albeit slowly as he has lots of other stuff happening. As you may recall it looked like this when he began. 

A few weeks later and here is where he stands with the finishing and staining up next.

The rockers he made work great and the fabric for the chair we found at a local upholstery shop. More to come when it is on the front porch!

I am nearing the finish line on the quilt I have been working on for more than a month.

Having fun with friends on St. Patrick's day.

Laura's hair, turned a bright red in the sunshine flooding into the shop!  The fellow in the hat to Laura's right,  Harry Hearne, is a local potter and pickleball guy, who was telling us about his space at the Grove Park Inn where his pottery is sold; should you ever visit, check out his wonderful work.

Matt and Tom are visiting Malta. Anyone ever been there? The pictures are really something. We used to do some traveling in our past, but for the most part, we are leaving it up to our kids to tell us about the places they go. Once again, Jonathan will be spending a month in Japan for work with Alissa joining him for the last two weeks. The twins are not much for traveling, but with any luck, David and Michelle will be coming for a visit in May. Bill and Fallon had their first date night since Christian was born with her Mom and Dad taking care of their precious son. All is well with our family.

Lastly, a walk in the park. Seemingly no bluebirds for us this year because despite the presence of not one, not two, but three bluebird boxes in our yard, we never see them which is weird because I see them every time I am visiting the park, only three or so blocks away.

Plum bush!! Holy cow they are a great color.

The nandina bushes are so colorful it is such a wonder to me.

And seeing this crow bathing in the river, I was reminded of the huge ones in Vancouver, about the size of this one.

In Vancouver they can be very aggressive, and because of their large size, the time that one popped me on the head twice was memorable!

Before I close, here is a photo that showed up when I was switching computers. Taken years ago, the two girls in the booth were some of my classmates from community college.

So many new readers only know me as a blogger, but long ago, and not so far away, this is what I did.

My how times have changed! Except for my love of photography. Still going strong.

The beginning of spring, celebrating new life, what is not to like??

your friend,

Gail

Nearly Spring

We are turning the corner as far as winter is concerned, or so it seems. Probably not really, but today feels like it anyway! 😁 I've got the front door opened for a few reasons. One is that it is in the 60's with a gorgeous Carolina blue sky. Two, to more perfectly hear the wind chimes, and three, last but not least, to get some fresh air into our home!! A little later in the post you will know why.

But first, let's look at the grape hyacinths that are spreading beside the walkway to our front steps. Every day more pop out and it's been fun to watch.

On most days, particularly those that are not grey and chilly, I walk the property to see what is popping up. I am super excited to see some big hyacinths emerging in the backyard along the low stone wall. The one that separates our properties, although not by much, as it is probably only about eight inches tall.

I love seeing them push up through the fallen leaves without any problem at all. That is just amazing to me. Who knew plants were so strong? 

To date we have no daffodils, but Jason does. I love this variety, don't you?

Recently I posted a photo of some other daffodils at his home which are beginning to come into their own.

I found a lone crocus to show you.

Perhaps next year they will not be killed by freeze upon freeze which has been our wont. I mentioned that it is so beautiful today, but as recently as last Thursday it snowed! Not much at our house in town,

but others we met that same day had a bunch! Speaking of weather, we read that a tornado went through the Orlando area yesterday doing a fair amount of damage. That is highly unusual and I do so hope it stays that way.

Before we leave Florida, how about a Christian update? He's growing nicely and beginning to show a bit of personality, or so they tell us. Although we are not there in person, Bill and Fallon keep us updated with great frequency. Thankfully!

Lord have mercy, that sweet face, not to mention the hooded sweater. 

Everything else in this post will pale in comparison, but what's a blogger to do but carry on?

I was super excited to notice yesterday that what I originally stopped to photograph at this house is starting to happen and that is grape hyacinths popping up along the front wall and in the adjacent lot. 

There is but one now on the top of the wall, but before long.....it is going to be fun to mark the progress.  The creeping phlox that also attracted my attention is pretty sparse so maybe we can replant some of the bare areas. Have you purchased plants lately? My goodness, they have not been immune to inflation that is for sure. 

Gosh while looking for the above post link, I started getting excited seeing all of the beautiful flowers in store for us in the next two months. While it has been mighty cold this winter all will be forgotten once that happens. The magnolias are beginning to put on a show.

As far as I know, they come in white, light pink, and what I'm going to call fuschsia, but some might call dark pink, the latter I have yet to come across.

Saturday the weather was good and since Bruce has been looking for some clamps we went to the flea market to replace what he purchased that promptly broke. I tell you what, going there is quite the experience with way more junk than you can imagine.

Lots of gray hair too! We did stop and buy some beautiful tomatoes, new potatoes, and okra from this stand.

Frying a big batch of okra,

is a sure-fire way to make a house smell unpleasant for days on end!! Especially when the heat is on. 

There is another large permanent flea market not far from the pictured one on the "four-lane", that we have visited a time or two before. We found little on our other visits but figured it was a beautiful day, why not? The same held true this time, although I did buy two broaches, priced at $3 each, which turned out to be expensive compared to this batch at the same vendor.

Unreal, right? 

Back at the homestead this week, Bruce was busy, busy, busy. Here is one of the rockers he made by gluing two oak boards together and then cutting out the shape. 

Thus the clamps which we found no replacements for, by the way.

He also spent countless hours sanding the chair, covering himself, and everything else, with sawdust!

Utilizing this rope method, he was able to keep the rocker in place before drilling holes in the legs to insert dowels which join the rocker and the chair. As I type he is doing that very thing. Once I finish I will go downstairs to see the magic that is skilled carpentry.

This has been a fun project for Bruce, in part because he's never done anything like it before, or that is my recollection anyway. How reliable am I as a witness? Not nearly as reliable as one would hope! I am just so thrilled that he has the time AND space to utilize all his years of experience building things for us and others. 

He also made a spring wreath for our door because his wife is hopeless at that sort of thing.

Just last evening, after my walk and his workout, we stopped by Lowes for a piece of plywood which I'll explain more about in my next post, but anyway, I headed to the garden center while he went to lumber. With the cost of plants I always check the rejects first and I am so happy to have found this beauty marked half price. Ten dollars instead of twenty.

In the pot there are buds of yellow and white yet to open on this lovely plant I have never owned, a Ranunculus. All it really needs is some trimming up and hopefully it will provide some beautiful color. That is the thing, when everything has been bare for so many months, I am learning that color just means more!

While Bruce has been in the basement, the sewing room is seeing much use. I have about 1/4 left to quilt in the one direction before I begin sewing the cross hatch. One thing to note is that in the end, sometimes I don't love some of the things that I have spent hour upon hour making. That holds true for our bedroom quilt which I have now flipped over to calm things down a bit.

At least for now. Who knows how long I will like it this way? 

Yesterday afternoon it was so delightful walking in the park along the river; not because there were a lot of birds, because there were not. Oh, shoot before I go further I want to report that despite having three birdhouses in the back yard, not a single bluebird has joined our family. We must have gotten very lucky last year. 

Anyway, a high school baseball game, between Murphy and Cherokee was going on.

You just know how that brings back fond memories for this blogger. Or maybe you don't? Let's put it this way, I spent nearly a decade sitting on benches watching one of our boys playing baseball!  This sign cracked me up. Nowhere else, aside from a baseball field, will you see something of this ilk.

It was nice seeing all the folks come out to support their children. For me it was also nice to observe what sort of folks attend a game or who is bringing their dogs.

I really enjoy being where the locals are.

On a different note, when we came here I never thought a thing about taxes, but now that we own a home here, after preparing our federal income tax along with the state taxes last evening, it is fresh on my mind. What a shock to learn that they tax Social Security. Duh...all my fault for sure. I just never imagined that they would be almost the same as our federal taxes. Now I get why folks move to Florida for the tax breaks!

Nevertheless, we do love it here, and although it is painful, we can pay the tax, so once I submit it, I will put it out of my memory bank. We finished the twelfth chapter of Isaiah this morning, and so far it is not nearly as engaging as Ecclesiastes! Only forty 44 to go! 

Tiny wildflowers are blooming all over the bare ground in places as are dandelions. I picked this one yesterday for Bruce to make a wish on.

Last Friday, following the previous day's snow, it was still mighty chilly while we were playing pickleball. It was then that I admitted that although the winter has not bothered me in some ways, I am growing weary of playing in the cold. When the sun is shining we can do it, but those cold and gray days that happen are beginning to grow old. 

That said, the worst is behind us and look what we have to look forward to! 

your friend,

Gail