Spring Beauty

We have had unusually warm and sunny weather for the last week.

The long April showers have blessed us with Lovely May Flowers! 

The birds are singing and the air is filled with the scents and sounds of nature. 

The strawberries are blooming in my strawberry pots on the deck. 

Of course, there are wildflowers that have moved in alongside over the winter, so I have left them to bloom along with the strawberries. 

They do look pretty and I didn't have the heart to pull them! 

You can see an empty spot where I am waiting for a runner to root. 

These are sweet little French Strawberries that I use to make Strawberry Scones. 

I have some growing here and there, too. They grow alongside the catnip (up high, away from cats), some succulents, and pink and purple creeping phlox. 

Here I have some beautiful yellow succulent flowers blooming in my Bird Bath Planter. 

Forget me Not and Candytuft, nestled in ivy, bloom in the background. 

Ling Ling looks on. 

To the left, the steps lead to the parking area.

The lilac tree against the house blooms right outside my living room and sewing room (upstairs) windows. 

The scent is heavenly. 

Forget me Not, ferns and ground covers hide the stone wall. 

The wildflowers have taken over the picnic area. 

Once they finish blooming, I will move the picnic table and have a new garden! 

Two different kinds of ferns love to seed themselves into stone walls and the nooks and crannies around the roots of trees. 

I encourage re-seeding! 

The lighter colored  'Deer Fern' dies back in the fall. The darker Ostrich Fern has tough leathery leaves that survive the winter. 

We walk around the front of the house - the 'North Side' that gets very little sun. A large grove of cedar and Hemlock trees is to the right. Very little grows under them, so I have introduced an aggressive ground cover called 'Yellow Arch Angel' along with several types of slow growing variegated ivy. The ivy grows in the deep shade. 

The grove of trees protects the house from water run-off, as we live along the side of a little mountain. 

It also hosts the doggie kennel under it's sheltering branches. It stays comfortable and dry, blocked from the wind and rain by the house and trees. 

A perfect place for the dogs when we have guests. 

Ferns, ground cover and ivy grow along the edges of the house and fence. 

I have introduced a few hosta and am having some success! This is a very large hosta sprouting up through the Arch Angel in bloom. 

I have to be diligent about the slugs. They love hosta leaves! 

I use 'Sluggo', an environmentally safe slug bait. 

It is safe for pets, birds and wildlife. 

But lethal to slugs because of the mineral content. 

Whitey looks at his kennel area, the hosta is growing under the big group of windows.

This is the view from the windows. Hubby's tool shed peeks out at  the top of rise. 

Buttercup grow alongside the fence and under the Hydrangea bushes. 

My 'Secret Garden' lies behind the fence. 

Here I have a bird bath and flowering trees. 

A crab apple and flowering pear. 

Bleeding Heart, 

Trillium, 

Motherwort with green bells, 

Lady Ferns, 

A secret view of apple trees and holly, 

And these.......Spanish Bells that have naturalized beneath the flowering pear tree. 

Can you see the break in the fence where the bear came through the summer before last? 

Hubby patched it up with wire fencing. 

I do believe there might be fairies living here! 

And as the sun sinks low and lights the surrounding hills on fire, 

I work in my secret garden and count my many blessings. 

That we survived another winter. 

That we have each other to share nature's beauty. 

I hope you are enjoying nature's beauty with your loved ones, too! 

xoxo

Linking to: http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/

New England Town Square

On our recent trip to New Hampshire, I was able to slip away to photograph the beautiful town square. 

Most New England towns have a town square or 'Commons', usually surrounding a beautiful park. 

This beautiful town is Raymond, N.H. 

All of the buildings have lovely Colonial architecture and colors. 

Flowering trees framed the views. 

Even the fire station was a lovely example of colonial style.

Two large churches anchored the 'square', one on each side. 

It was a lovely Sunday morning and the church bells were ringing. 

Such a beautiful sound. 

All four sides with a clock to remind parishioners of the time. 

Beautiful scalloped shingles surround a round stained glass window. 

Imagine the lucky people that live in these gorgeous homes! 

Waking up to church bells and a view of the park. 

The weather was so lovely, with flowering trees and singing birds. 

Another lovely home that might have once been an Inn. 

And what respectable town square doesn't have it's commemorative statue? 

With a plaque to honor his name. 

This sweet little restaurant was founded by my Mother in Law, passed down to my Sister in Law, but now sold to a new owner. 

The beautiful old train station is now a museum. 

Step up and get your ticket here! 

We can go to Portsmouth, Maine or Concord, Mass. 

Either way! 

And maybe ride in the caboose! 

I love the old Trusses! 

A beautiful overhang to stand under! 

Old storage buildings stand watch behind. 

And as we drive away from the pretty little town, this iconic building catches my eye. 

Perhaps once an old hospital? Or a large Inn? 

Thank you for coming along on my tour of Raymond, N.H. 

I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

Linking to: http://sallysaw.blogspot.com/2013/05/inspired-sunday-st-edward.html

xoxo

A Family Reunion

 One week ago today, we flew across the country from Seattle to Boston, arriving in the early morning hours, to have a family reunion. 

We were accompanied by our Daughter Heather and Son in Law Eric. 

Hubby and I stayed with his Dear Mother. 

Isn't she a beauty? 

Heather and Eric stayed in this charming guest cottage (on right) at 'Aunt Donna and Uncle Ron's' who live on the shores of a lake in New Hampshire, just a few miles from where we were staying. 

We were blessed with beautiful weather the entire visit and signs of Spring were everywhere. 

Birds were singing, trees were flowering, and we were so happy to see our loved ones once again. 

Even the chipmunks were happy! 

Saturday, the big family reunion was held at Donna and Ron's lake house. There were 18 of us. Hubby's brother and family drove up from Massachusetts. 

My Dear Mother in Law cooked a big pot of her famous spaghetti sauce. 

Everyone had second helpings! 

Love and laughter was also served! 

And plenty of kisses for the newest member of the family! 

Who can resist those big brown eyes and chubby cheeks? 

After our wonderful meal we all move outside in the beautiful sunshine. 

With the lake in the distance, we enjoy the lovely day around the bonfire. 

In the summer this little farm stand is full of the lovely flowers, vegetables and crafts that Donna and Ron produce. 

A peek inside as pots and baskets await. 

Old boots contain plantings of succulents. 

The garden stone sign is hand made by them. 

Later we stroll down to the tranquil lake where painted turtles sun themselves on rocks. 

Where Ron's ice fishing shack lies fallow once again. 

And as the sun slowly sets behind the silent pines, 

We reflect on the beauty of the day, 

and the blessings of family together again. 

xoxo