Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Sweet Spring Blooms


Hello, Dear Friends, I hope you are seeing some 
little signs of spring after a long, long winter! 


Here in western Washington State, we are having 
milder temperatures, but it has been very wet. 


This is typical for this side of the Cascade Mountains. 
We actually live in a temperate rain forest! 


Every so often our beautiful Mt. Rainier peeks out 
from its shroud of clouds, but for the most part, 
it has been hiding away. 


I have been entertained by the mist rising and falling, 
as I wait inside for the rain to stop so I can play outside. 


I finally got my chance and quickly busied myself 
potting up a flat of primroses to add some 
color to my plant racks on the deck. 



These little beauties are so inexpensive 
and bring such joy. 


When they are done blooming, I will swap them out 
with something else and plant them in the garden. 


I just found these colorful little heathers and 
plopped them inside this tool caddy that my 
daughter made in woodworking class many years ago :)
It stays dry under the eaves. 

I will transplant these into larger pots in a month or so,
until they are large enough to plant in the garden.


Another one sits in a vintage cup. 


I keep my succulents under the eaves all winter to 
keep them dry. I've had the original plants for 
about 15 years and divide them when the pots get full. 
I have 4 big pots of them now. 

Sometimes they bloom in the summer. 

They are like old reliable friends :)


This little display just makes me so happy
when I go out on the deck to enjoy some fresh air. 

The eagle was made by my father many years ago 
out of sand-cast aluminum. 
He was a tool and die maker all of his life. 


My winter pansies that I potted up last fall
are starting to bloom so nicely in the milder temperatures. 



I catch their sweet scent whenever I pass. 
I painted their terra-cotta pots inside and out 
with latex floor and porch paint and it has 
held up very well. 


Little drawers of happiness! 


Tiny daffodils add some sunshine. 




Double primroses in sherbet colors. 


Inky violas smell like violets. 


Weenie Baby enjoys the deck, too <3 

She loves to keep me company outside on 
mild days. She is slowly coming around 
since losing her life-long companion, Peanut, 
two weeks ago. I've been giving her lots of attention
and love and my two American Eskimos, 
Whitey Bear and Kai have been enjoying her company, too. 



More primroses and pansies .....



Vinca waits to be planted in the box. 



The Japanese maple is starting to bud. 


My quiet corner outside the bedroom. 
I love having coffee here on warm, sunny mornings. 

You can see it has been raining......and raining.......


My potting bench waits for another day. 

I found the wire plant obelisk at the 
Northwest Flower and Garden Show. 

I will be planting sweet peas under it soon :)


`
A pot of tiny bulbs and a volunteer forget-me-not that 
I brought up from the garden
and 
orange mint coming back to life. 


It's starting to rain again, time to go back inside! 

Thank you for visiting - my flowers were 
 very happy to meet you! 

xoxo


Today I am linking with:

Floral Passions: Floral Bliss

Won't you join the fun?

xoxo

42 comments:

  1. I so love your sweetest primroses, your violets and your succulents, the rain is such a blessings to them in this period of the year, they'll enjoy it for sure !!!

    Wishing you a most lovely Springtime,
    with sincere gratitude

    XOXO Dany

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  2. It's raining here too and up North they are getting some snow so it was great to see your colourful display. I particularly like the little blue drawers, a pretty contrast to the orange flowers. x

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  3. You landscape view is breathtaking! And your primulas, pansies and succulents bring spring & summer to my mind. Wishing you a happy week!

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  4. It looks as if Spring has arrived at your lovely home, Karen. My oh my, your deck is looking so pretty with the array of flowers in their pots. Primroses and Pansies really do make one smile and yours planted en masse are a vision splendid. Love that wire plant obelisk; I can only imagine how gorgeous Sweet Peas will look trailing on it. Your view of the mountains and more particularly Mt Rainier, must take your breath away every time you gaze upon them.

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  5. It does look very wet in your part of the World Karen. If it's any consolation it's pouring down here too, bucket loads!!
    Your deck is looking very spring like now, loving the colours and your happy choice of flowers.
    Glad to see Weenie Baby is out and about :)
    Have a wonderful week enjoying your breathtaking scenery :)

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  6. Not much color here, yet, but I'm enjoying imagining myself sipping a cup of tea on your deck!

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  7. I'm so glad that spring has come to your neck of the woods. The flowers are so cheering. I've never seen double primroses. They look so pretty in your wall of plants. I bet Weenie Baby likes being outdoors. I would like that view! PS.Thank you for stopping in. And Tommy was neutered in early January. I wasn't taking any chances. :-)

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  8. Hi Karen - you are amazing! As I am getting to know your gorgeous house and garden you keep finding new spots to show us, how fantastic! I hope your Spring hurries up for you and your Mt Rainier is there for all to see, Your sure do live in a beautiful part of the world.
    Wren x

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  9. You have such an amazing space. I think your plants are loving the moisture. They looks so healthy. So much loveliness in your home.
    xx Beca

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  10. Wow, I just love your happy floral space on your deck. So colorful and spring like. I know you are enjoying this a lot.

    Happy spring ~ FlowerLady

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  11. Everything looks so pretty... I share your love of flowers and we have recently been adding more around our yard. Our last frost here is usually by April 15th so waiting to plant some others but have pansies etc out. Do you leave your Japanese maple in the pot all the time? Curious if you do... I didn't realize that was possible without transplanting it. Thanks! Hope you are having a wonderful day!!

    Blessings,
    Jill

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    1. Hello, dear Jill, always so nice when you stop by! To answer your question, yes, the Japanese maple stays in the pot. It is a small weeping variety that is very slow-growing and likes shade and moist soil. I top it off with compost every spring and fall and give it weak fertilizer now and again. The pot has very thick walls to protect it from cold. I have two, one in a pot out front. Both were gifts from my sons on Mother's Day :) Sending hugs xo Karen

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  12. So nice to see such pretty flowers in bloom! We still have snow and it was 20 degrees today. It will come to us soon. I have to get some primroses with my yearly Mother's Day garden money gift!

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  13. Dearest Karen,
    One can envy your region for being able to grow beautiful heath varieties, like we used to have in The Netherlands. Dad had a wonderful garden where many brides had their bridal photos taken with their grooms. But that is all sold now and he only has a tiny garden left.
    Here in Georgia we have tried to grow heath but it is way too hot and to dry in summer.
    Love the primroses too!
    Sending you hugs,
    Mariette

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  14. I love that heather. I never think about it having such pretty color. We are dry here but warm. Last night we walked around the house and cut a few roses. I love your photos of the mountains with the clouds...how gorgeous! And thank you very much for the prayers my friend. Hugs, Diane

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  15. Karen, what a sweet haven you have created! Each flower unique and beautiful. I love all the containers you chose especially the drawers! And I am so happy to see Weenie Baby. God bless him.

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  16. It's so nice to see your plants, Karen. I've always loved your deck flowers, especially the pansies. Please give Weenie baby a hug for me all the way from Ontario.

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  17. You have quite a few blossoms!I am seeing signs and elated by it. And I have the most cheerful bird singing in the backyard every day! I think he is also happy spring is coming!!

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  18. So many Spring flowers on your deck, Karen. I especially love the Purple pansies, they are beautiful. Your deck looks so pretty with the rain covering it. It's raining here this week, and I'm wondering if it's the last pour of the season. That BIG aqua pot is so charming, love that!

    Happy gardening, Karen. I really miss my garden, so it was so nice to be able to see all your Spring flowers. And you deck is always a treat to see. : )

    ~Sheri

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  19. Hi Karen, such a wonderful taste of Spring. I thoroughly enjoyed looking at your flowers. The eagle your father made is beautiful, what a nice treasure to keep. Our snow was gone but we received a bit more last night. It may be a while yet. I had primroses at my last house and really miss them, I can't remember if there were any here or not - we think there may have been one. Time to buy some new ones.

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  20. So, so beautiful... My dream decorations...

    Please visit: http://from-a-girls-mind.blogspot.com

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  21. Lovely photos. Primroses are such a friendly flowers. I'm sure they play very nicely with all the other flowers.
    Amalia
    xo

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  22. Lovely mountain shots. I am so in love with your garden, plants and decorations. You are a good gardener and you are so creative. Beautiful flowers and plants. Have a great day!

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  23. I can see why you enjoy a bit of time on your deck. What a variety of colors and textures.

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  24. Truly a delight to enjoy all those pretty primroses! They're amongst my favourite spring flowers and I have some to greet visitors on our front step!
    Happy Spring!

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  25. What an awesome view of the mountains. Here in TN we always till after April 15 to plant. Most of the silly little winters that come in the spring time are over and plants will remain safe if planted. So...I have some things coming back from last year, a few bulbs planted but I can't wait to plant some extra stuff. Beautiful pics. Thanks for sharing.

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  26. Your deck is looking so cheery and pretty, Karen. Don't primroses and their happy colors, just put a smile on your face? You have such a gorgeous view of Mt Rainier, and I never fail to sigh when I see it. I'm glad that Weenie Baby is adjusting and is out with his cohorts.

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  27. Your flowers make me happy too! I love those primroses. We just got back from a vacation to Portland to visit family and friends. I had never been there before and was surprised by all the rain! Now I can't wait to pot up some flowers myself. Have a great weekend, Karen!

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  28. Oh Karen, thanks for sharing these lovely flowers with us!
    Happy spring.

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  29. Your mountain photos are beautiful. And then you offer gifts of Spring. All those pretty pots of pansies and primulas (that's what we call them round these parts). I love the wet on your deck ... it all feels fresh and I imagine the fragrance too of wet and earthy.

    Wishing you a lovely weekend...
    Brenda

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  30. It was very nice to meet your spring flowers too Karen! What a bounty of potted plants you have to greet you on the deck. Just gorgeous. We're having a rainy weekend here now, but I hope not too wet. We're still waiting for some warmer weather before sitting out on the patio, but I'm anxious to get cleaning up the backyard in anticipation of that. Enjoy your weekend,
    Wendy

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  31. You have a lovely assortment of flowers to enjoy while on your deck!! Succulents are getting big in the stamping scene this spring too! That is neat how well they are doing. All that rain saves you from having to go around and water them all :) I love the idea of planting in the drawers too!

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  32. What a nice variety of flowers/plants you have....my plants would never make here over winter don't even think a pansy. Your season is farther ahead than ours.. enjoyed seeing all your lovely flowers...It was near 80 today and we work outside cleaning out the pond and raking, raking and more raking. Love you flowers in drawers...

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  33. Oh Karen, your flower displays look wonderful. Primulas and pansies sing of spring, accompanied by the gentle spring rain. :)
    Wishing you and yours a happy and sunny weekend! xx

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  34. At first I thought the flowers were at a nursery Karen! You have so many, and they are so lovely. I am sure they love all the rain, and it will certainly give your yard a great start to the season.

    I was wondering how weenie was doing without her best friend. It's so sad for dogs when this happens, especially since they have no concept of death and simply can't understand. Or maybe they can. Who knows? In any case, I'm happy to hear she's coming along.

    Your mountains are simply stunning, and your photos capture their raw beauty perfectly.

    I hope you're enjoying clearer skies by now :).

    xxx

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  35. You have been surrounded with pretty springs. Happy Sunday.

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  36. LOVED YOUR PLANTS!!!
    You are surrounded by beauty of best friend The NATURE!
    Your corner is gorgeous place to sit and meditate dear.
    Loosing life companion is painful ,how sweet of you to give her attention in her hard times.
    Your rain and fog are fascinating to my eyes friend as such weather is rare here. Breath taking views!

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  37. Love the pop of colours made by your flowers on the deck! Happy spring!

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  38. Oh my, so many beautiful flowers and stunning scenery. Doing a little spring cleaning around here and I found old photos of my sweet little fur baby who passed on several years ago, and immediately thought of you all. Time passes and eases the pain but they are always with us, we never forget them and the joy they brought into our lives. May those sweet memories of your little fur-baby give you peace.

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  39. So very nice to see your flower displays, they are so cheerful.

    Here's to a good Spring.

    All the best Jan

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  40. I don't know how I missed this - but love catching up with you dear Karen! Your flowers are so beautiful! It's so nice you have a more temperate climate to have blooms for so many more months out of the year than we get here. But it's okay as I get to live through lovely friends like you. Your primroses are so pretty. And I LOVE those succulents! ;)

    I'm so happy to see Weenie Baby doing better and having fun with you and your fun boys! As I type this I hear geese honking. They fly over our house one way in the Fall and the other way in the Spring. So as the late day sun is still out and I hear that honking I'm getting some signs of Spring here too. ;) I can't wait to share my own blooms sometime soon.

    Blessings. xoxo

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  41. It looks like your beautiful porch is in full spring bloom and i can just imagine the scent. Love that view from your home of the mountains and know you are enjoying spring. So good to see the beauty that surrounds you

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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