Finally.......Spring!

Signs of Spring.......

*The temperatures are a tad bit warmer. 

* The sun is peeking out now and then.

*I had to refill my bird feeder for the goldfinches.

*The tulips are looking great!

*The hostas are on their way.

*And (my favorite) phlox is looking gorgeous!

*Bud's baby magnolia tree is looking good!

And the last sign of spring around here is that.....

I spent five hours working outside Saturday, mulching, raking,

pulling weeds, etc.  My muscles were so sore I could hardly sleep that night!!

Happens every year, so you'd think I'd learn.

I love spring and flowers, but it sure takes a lot of work.

Spring Blossoms

We have a small apple orchard at our house.  It seems like we get a really good crop about every other year.  Of course that depends on when we get our last killing frost.  A frost was predicted for last weekend and Bud heard that if we turned fans on to blow around the trees it would save them from the frost.  So that is what he did on Saturday night.  I'm not sure if it really got that cold or not, but the trees are gorgeous!

The orchard was here when we bought the place so we aren't really sure of the kinds of trees we have.

This one is a Delicious apple tree.  Great for crunchy juicy apples just right for eating fresh.

The closest tree in the picture is the oldest and the best for applesauce and apple butter.  It makes great pies too. We really should have it grafted as the guy at the nursery isn't sure what type it is either. The next two are good for pies also.  The last one normally just has a few apple.  We're not sure what it's problem is, but since we get more than enough from the rest we're not concerned about it.

If only you could smell the blossoms!

Don't you just love the beauty of spring??

Spring Things

 Spring is in full bloom here, and we're loving it!  The gorgeous red tulips on the south side of our house were beautiful, although I took this picture in the morning so they didn't look as good as they could have.

The phlox is a pretty purple.  The only problem with phlox is that the blossoms don't last long enough!

The hostas seem to be growing by inches each and every day.

We bought a Magnolia tree to plant in place of the redbud that died.  I love redbuds, but we spent a lot of money on one and it only lasted two years.  :(  We were looking at bedding plants last night and I REALLY wanted to get my plants for the planters.  BUT it is still April which means we may get frost and I'd have to worry about them.  So, I gave in and waited.  I hope they have good ones when I go back.  We'll be putting mulch out tomorrow.  And how is your spring?

Weekend Family Time

We headed to NW Iowa Saturday morning for Bud's aunt's 96th birthday.  Alma, is Bud's "double" aunt. She is his mom's sister who married his dad's brother.  Anyway, she still lives alone in her home although she has failed some in the past year.   She enjoys having the family together.

Most of the grandkids, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews were there.  

These are the "kids".  

We all had a great time enjoying the food, visiting, and getting reacquainted with some we don't see often.

Gratitude:  I am thankful for spring.  I love the change of seasons that Iowa offers us.  Spring is just what we need after a long winter.  It seems that just when we can't take one more cold, gloomy day we notice the days getting longer and the daffodils and tulips start peeking out.  When we get some snow like we did on Saturday night we know it won't last long.  The sunshine lifts our mood and all seems right with the world again.  Thank you God, for spring in Iowa!