HOME! (And Garden Bloggers Bloom Day)

Oh, I so meant to share with you one more garden trip I took in and around Cedar Key ... maybe later! I'm home! I wasn't so ecstatic to be home last week but well, you know what a few good days in the garden can do for you.

When I first arrived home it was cold and grey and I proclaimed the Northeast "The Land of Mud and Rust." Even though it felt great to cook in my own kitchen and sleep in my own "bed" (if you can call it that) and shower in my own shower and have a fire in our wood stove ... well, all the comforts of home, you know? Home really is where the heart is. My heart was still in Spring - Southern spring with the Redbuds and Dogwoods in bloom and I guess I expected more here - more than a few Snowdrops happening. But there it is, that word, expectation. Expectation will always let you down whether it be weather, family, loved ones, husband, wife, vacation - the minute you set up an expectation in your mind you are leading yourself to disappointment. And that is exactly what I did. I expected sunshine, fields of green, daffodils in bloom, more birdsong, being able to keep on my flip-flops. What a sorry sight. The first day I woke up at home, it snowed.

This morning I sat on my back porch steps in flip flops to enjoy the sun on my face and my first cup of coffee. The birds were singing up a storm. The Cedar Waxwings were flocked in the Cranberry Viburnum eating the drooping berries, the Daffodils that I spent yesterday uncovering are just waiting to burst open their sunny little heads.

​The birdbaths are out, the bird feeders filled, hummingbird nectar is ready in the fridge.

I ordered these pretty little "bee savers" for my birdbaths this year. They are glass balls, flat on one side to sit, and covered with texture so bees can climb up them if they fall into the water. I got them here. I want to $ave up for some of Barbara's glass garden sculptures, too!

The Potager is prepped, garlic is coming up, and seeds have been planted.

This is home. This is where I feel it the most in my heart, in my garden. No matter where I go, I will always have a garden to tend my heart. What a difference a week makes!

So, yes, I have been out in the garden. Soon I'll get my new little patio put together in the Potager. I've already sat through several trials because if you know me, I like to end my gardening day with a nice dry martini partaken in and amongst the garden and bugs and birds, and I couldn't wait to use this new glass that literally shouted at me "You need me for the garden martini you like to have!" This glass is so pretty it reminds me of a lily in the garden!

So, what IS blooming in the Violet Fern garden on this Gardeners Bloom Day hosted by Carol of May Dreams Gardens? Snowdrops, Winter Aconite, Glory of the Snow, Scillia, Crocus, and a few early Daffodils.

Tulips are already coming up and I think what is Shooting Star Dodecatheon, is returning and maybe a Trillium (so exciting). No sign of my Trout Lily Erythronium americium - unbelievably I actually have it marked! - but I have hope. Another question is Bloodroot. All these were first planted last year so maybe they're a little sleepy? And I really don't know how to gauge them yet.

Something that does seem certain is this Pasque Flower I planted last Fall - so excited to see signs of life.

I know it's not native and invasive but I do love the Myrtle in bloom with the Daffodils poking through. (Disclaimer: I haven't quite reached this section yet to clean up.)

Native Serviceberry Amelanchier laevis is just about ready to bloom (sorry a bit out of focus - it's all the excitement).

Pulmonaria always surprises me with its early blooms. A little bit tattered (like me), but I love, love that foliage!

It's good to be home.