Friday, March 26, 2010

Double Duty




I am having to do double duty this week. I meant to post blooms from last week, but will have to combine them with this week. The weeks are getting away from me...sigh...

This pink Daff is a beauty, but I had to lay on the ground to get a photo.



I am monitoring the tulips daily now--they are ready to pop!



The double Daff blooms are so heavy they need to be staked.



I know this doesn't look like much, but it is the first time the Forsythia has bloomed. I told it last year, if it didn't bloom this Spring, I was taking it out. It must have been listening.




Not a bloom, but handsome none the less! At 10, Scratcher is the "old man" with a somewhat grouchy but loving attitude.



And this silly boy is Frisky. He has recovered from his run-in with the rattlesnake. I call him Sidewinder sometimes. Not only because of his unfortunate rendezvous
with the snake, but because it has permanently damaged his balance, and he walks sideways. Not always the sharpest knife in the drawer, he is still one of the sweetest, most loving cats I know.




Also not a bloom, but a heart shaped rock I dug up. It may not look that big, but when digging, it feels like a boulder!





So lovely




Like hot buttered popcorn, the Lady Banks rosettes are popping out all over. I think it was Jan of Thanks for Today, that said she would like to be able to time sequence photo blooms. It certainly would be fun to watch the Lady Banks pop, pop, pop with blossoms galore.





The Redbuds are just beautiful. I have three mature ones in my garden, and I am planting another this Spring.



Another Redbud in another gorgeous Spring sky.






These darlings look like sisters on Easter morning, nodding their prim little heads as they pass by all in a row in their Easter bonnets. Do you remember Easter bonnets? I remember getting a hat, purse, gloves, and shoes with lacy socks to go with my Easter dress and coat. Ah, those were the days.





I believe these are Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophilia menziesii). I bought a bag of Texas/Oklahoma wildflower mix from the Wildseed Farms when I visited last Spring, and these flower are from that mix. These are the first flowers that have bloomed this Spring.





The Crabapple trees where beautiful this year. This shot is from last week. The blooms are already gone, and the tree leafed out now.














34 comments:

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

I love all of your blooms. Your two feline friends are sweethearts. Your pictures make me want to get out and play in my gardens, but I'm working today.

Have a great weekend ~ FlowerLady

Marie said...

Lovely spring blooms. I am waiting for our redbud to bloom. So pretty agains a blue spring sky. The cats seen to enjoy the spring warmth too!

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Thank you Flower Lady. The outdoor cats are very sweet, and the best gardening buddies I could have-they don't dig holes, or steal newly planted flowers. I am sorry you are having to work on a Saturday. Necessary though if we want to buy those beautiful flowers that always seem to hop into our carts at the store.

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Marie, I think everyone here has Spring Fever. No one wants to stay inside or work. All we want to do is play outside while the weather is nice. The cats were enjoying the nice weather too--and me being outside with them. They really got excited when I was on the ground trying to get pictures of the daffodils. I ended up with cats on my lap for a nice long rub-down.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I enjoyed seeing what you have blooming, and seeing your cats loving being outdoors. I haven't seen any blooms on trees yet. We are supposed to see some 70s next week, so things should be popping up and some blooming.

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Hi Sue, The cats are loving the warm weather. Scratcher has taken over the chair on the front porch except when I am outside, then both kitties have to be close to me.

I am always surprised by how quickly Spring comes after we wait so long for it. My tulips have started opening--just in time for Easter!

Rose said...

Your daffodils are beautiful, Jenny; I especially love that pink one. Thanks for showing the redbuds in bloom--it will still be a few weeks before mine bloom, and I can't wait; they are such gorgeous trees. Frisky and Scratcher look like they're enjoying spring as much as you are:)

I remember the days when Easter meant a new dress and a new hat and those dainty white gloves. It doesn't seem that long ago:)

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Thanks Rose, The one I said was pink, really is more of a peach color. I do wish my camera took better close-ups.

The Redbud are so lovely. I missed getting shots of the Bradford Pears, I am glad I didn't wait too long to get the Redbuds--they just don't last very long.

We are all enjoying this Spring weather. It's so nice to be working outside and hear the neighbor kids playing.

It doesn't seem so long ago does it? I remember my favorite pair of gloves I got for Easter were white lace gloves. I felt so grown-up and tre chic. :-)

Nola said...

Your blooms are beautiful. I've toyed with the idea of the pink daffs, but always return to the standard yellow ones. The redbuds are spectacular; when I had one, I'd cut the branches and bring them indoors for a bit of color.

Wendy said...

What a happy spring garden you have! Your prim daffy sisters are sweet in their easter bonnets. I think they had something to do with the forsythia blooming this year. I saw them slipping some "magic growth" pills over the forsythia when you weren't looking. LOL!

Poor Sidewinder - I had forgotten the rattlesnake episode. He does look like a sweetie though - actually both cats do.

Thanks for those lovely flower pics. They sure brighten up my day. Can't wait for my daffys to bloom. I don't have any doubles, but would love to plant some next year.
Ooooo - I forgot to mention your redbuds - they're awesome!!! Are you sure they're not purplebuds??? Lovely colours.

Susie said...

I don't think I have ever seen a pink daffodil before. It's so pretty.

Love your kitties. Glad the one made it okay after the snake bite. That was probably pretty scary.

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Nola, the pink daff is more peach than pink, although I have seen some that were truly pink. I wish I had thought to bring in some of the branches I trimmed off the Redbuds this Spring when I was pruning. Doh! Maybe next year. :-)

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Ha! You are right, Wendy, about the Redbuds. I have never understood why they are not called Purplebuds.

Oh my! I wouldn't put it past the Daffy Sisters to slip some "magic" growth pills to Miss Forsythia! I was ready to give her the boot with my shovel!

One year when we went north on vacation in the Fall, as we left it was summer-like here. The further north we went we could watch the leaves start to change, and as we got to northern Illinois it was colored so brilliantly. It's kind of like that in reverse. The further south you are Spring is awash in color, and where you are, it is still trying to shake off the slumbers of winter. But, it's nice to know it is coming, isn't it?

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Susie, it was scary when Frisky was bitten. I am very paranoid now about snakes. He was in so much pain, and we (and the vet) didn't think he would make it. He is a scrappy little guy, though, and the star at the emergency clinic we took him to. Everyone was celebrating a happy ending.

The Daff that looks pink is really more of a peach. I am going to try to find a true pink next time though--it looks very pretty to have the different colors.

Roses and Lilacs said...

The daffodils are beautiful but I especially love the pink one. How awful about the kitty getting bit by the snake. He's lucky to be alive. Hope he eventually is able to walk straight.
Marnie

Anonymous said...

Beautiful blooms abound in Texas right now. We're just starting spring here. Love your kitty. I have Sophy, who is a tabby just like yours. I hope she never runs into a rattlesnake. I hope I don't either. Happy spring.~~Dee

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Marnie, I think Frisky, AKA Sidewinder is as good as he will get. He was bitten at the end of the summer last year, so I think he will always have a balance problem. The vet didn't give him any chances of survival--he is our miracle kitty.

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Dee, May none of us run into another rattlesnake! I am so paranoid now, I am picking up all the rocks in the yard to look. So far I have found three snakes--none rattlers. My son says stop picking up rocks--your gonna get bit! LOL!

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

I love to see the redbuds in bloom; for us it's a while out yet. And cats sure do love rolling around in the sunshine. Heck, I'd do it too except I'm not sure I could get back up, LOL! I think of my 10 year old cat as young, because my other cat is nearly 17. :)

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Wow, Monica! That's amazing. I hope my fur-babies live that long--as long as they are healthy and happy. My last batch of kitties made it to 15. Sebastian developed cancer and died. Vanity had diabetes and thyroid problems and died a year later.

Enough sad stuff--the sun is shining and another gorgeous Spring day is beckoning! I am looking forward to your first shots of Spring in your neck of the woods.

Anonymous said...

Hello Flower Lady, thanks for stopping by my neck of the woods. Enjoyed your tour of the retreat farm north of Austin. Our son works in Austin and lives in a little town north of Austin. I have seen those huge oaks at the Alamo and other places in the south. They are breath taking. Blessings and Happy Easter to you and yours.
QMM

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Hello Queen Mother,

I believe you told me your son lives in Cedar Park or Round Rock--I'm not sure now, that has been a while ago.

Yes, the Live Oaks are beautiful gnarled old trees. They will often grow in groupings, and I like to think they are dancing together. They are shedding their leaves now, so we have an interesting mix of Spring and Fall with the leaves falling so thick as the new leaves push out.

Have a wonderful Easter weekend. Are you going to get to see your son and his family?

Laura said...

Oh boy! Another Texas blogger-
I live in South Texas- zone 9.

I planted daffodils for the first time and they have come up- but I realized I planted them too shallow because now they are drooping.

I will stake them after reading your post.
I am now a follower!
Thanks,
Laura

White Spray Paint

Cheryl said...

Hi morning Glories.....at last I am able to leave a comment.
It would seem that spring flowers are blooming in most gardens now. Much appreciated after a long winter. I am looking forward to warmer times I must say, we are at 4C today, way too cold for end of March.

Pink daffs are lovely....mine are not blooming yet, they always seem to bloom that little bit later than the yellow.

Easter bonnets and gloves. Lovely days. Mother always made me an Easter dress....lots of lacy petticoats and a lilac dress to finish. Of course, white gloves to.

I love your cats. I am always fond of the older pets.....they have such a special quality.

Hope the Easter is sunny and that you get a chance to wear an Easter bonnet......

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

Beautiful flowers and Scratcher is handsome as well!

Cindy, MCOK said...

MG, you have some lovely blooms indeed. It seems I never have enough time to do everything I want to do in spring!

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Hi Laura, I am so glad you stopped by for a visit.

I just started planting bulbs a couple of years ago. I don't know why it took me so long. It is so nice to look forward to those first Spring blooms. I can't wait to plant more this fall. :-)

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Hi Cheryl,

I am so glad you persevered, and managed to comment. I had missed them very much. Sometimes it seems as though Blogger has little hiccups and starts doing strange things.

I just love cats! They all have such different personalities. I am happiest when I am surrounded by all my cats and dogs and out in the garden.

My sister was quite a bit older than me, and a very talented seamstress. She made all my clothes for many years, and always a dress and coat for Easter. Where I grew up it was always chilly at Easter, but it was our cue to put away winter coats and bring out our "Spring Coat".

Hope you have a lovely warm Easter.

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Thank you IGW. I am so enjoying these first blooms of Spring. I will tell Scratcher that you said he was handsome, but I think he already knows it! ;-)

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Cindy, It does seem as though there is just too much to do in the Spring before it heats up. I bought 8 bags of mulch this week to spread, and for some reason decided it had to all be done in one day (oh my aching back)! Silly me. I still need about 10 more bags, but think I am just going to get about 3-4 at a time so I will be forced to "spread" it out (sorry for the terrible pun--I get silly after midnight!

beckie said...

I am sorry I am so late in posting a comment, but enjoyrd your blooms very much. I have the same 'pink' dafodils and am thrilled with them. Although the old fashioned yellow ones are the ones that say Easter to me. Your kitties look so sweet-isn't it fun to have gardening buddies?

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Dear Beckie,

I have gotten so many compliments on my "pink" daffs. They are so pretty, I hope they come back next year.

I love having the kitties watch over me as I garden. So much better than my naughty pups that try to pull up the flowers when my back is turned!

Hope you had a lovely Easter with your family. I remember your kids planting bulbs for you a couple of autumns ago. Have they bloomed again for you?

Gail said...

I have had to talk with a plant or two to encourage them to bloom~~The or else seems to work. I totally agree with you redbuds against a blue sky are gorgeous...Glad Frisky/Sidewinder has recovered...that must have been scary. gail

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Gail, good to know I am not the only gardener who talks to her plants. Have to let them know who is boss once in awhile! ;-)