Sunday, May 04, 2008

Spring Pastels

Seasonal temperatures returned this past week, and we've had some much-needed rain, but the chilly temps are hard to take after almost 2 weeks of summery days during April. Today was a little warmer with temps in the low sixties (approximately 16ÂșC), but rain is falling again tonight and the chill is back.

The treasured hyacinths are finished blooming now and a lot of the daffodils have faded, but some are still holding up. The dry weather took its toll on the spring bulbs, shortening their bloom time.

Tulips are blooming now, and hopefully the rain will help them put on a good show.

Last week was a change of pace as I was helping out at my favorite plant nursery for a couple of days. Oh joy, what a treat to be back among the plants and fellow planters, smelling the petunias and talking gardens! I was also back to working at school after the week of Spring Break.

We had 2 hard frosts on Wednesday and Thursday night and here's what the Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra) looked like afterward. This is the first time I've seen them knocked down so brutally by freezing temps, and they're still bent to the ground. I'm truly hoping they'll recover and bloom as beautifully as they did last year. Posted by Picasa

But this post is about spring pastels, so no more talk of frost.....

Let's concentrate on the sunshine of the previous week.....

....and imagine the wonderful perfume of the hyacinths! Posted by Picasa

Delightful pinks.....

....and glorious blues!

Remember Max, the accident prone kitten? She's now a house cat, along with Jasmine, the cat who likes to think she's in charge. When we discovered that Max is a little lady we changed her name to Maxine...but somehow it just didn't fit, so now she's "Molly".

On a very sad note, our sweet little Kaspurr was run over in our driveway last week by the
truck bringing fertilizer. Alas, some of our cats are not very clever about moving when vehicles use the driveway. They think it's their own personal space, and seem to have no concept of the danger involved. It can be quite embarrassing to have to run out and chase them out of the way when people drive in and out. I'm sure the truck driver felt very sad about it. Although he didn't stop at the house to tell me about the accident, he did carry him over to the workshop out of the driveway. Posted by Picasa

Kaspurr was so named because he loved to be cuddled, and would purr with a very loud motor at the slightest encouragement. He is sadly missed. Posted by Picasa

This is called the Lilac Garden because there's an old lilac bush to the left which is not in the photo. Posted by Picasa

I can't resist posting a few more daffodil shots.


And here more hyacinths are tucked under the bright umbrella of the daffs.

The Iris are preparing to take over the show shortly.

Oh, who's that? Why it's our little buddy, Cirrel the Squirrel, who still shows up occasionally. Hi Cirrel! Are you enjoying the show?

I think he is :) Posted by Picasa

I certainly am!


Here are the pinks just before the end. We'll have to wait a whole year to see them again.

But now the tulips take over....

.....with still a few daffs to keep them company. Posted by Picasa

.....as well as the little grape hyacinths.

There are a couple of double daffs.....

......and the happy, smiling faces......

.......of the dear pansies. Posted by Picasa

A couple of long shots.....


....of the front yard.


And look who else is wearing their yellow coats! The American goldfinches have been serenading us with their sweet songs.

One of the first tulips to open her lovely cup-shaped flower. I've hardly seen them open because of all the clouds we've had this past week. Perhaps tomorrow afternoon they'll open in the sunshine that our weatherman has predicted.
My dear husband mowed the lawn today for the first time this year.....and the dandelions are beginning to pop up! Posted by Picasa
Since I missed wishing you a happy May Day, I'll wish you a happy Sunday instead, and a good week ahead.

38 comments:

Susie said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri,
A visit to your garden never fails to brighten my day! Loved seeing all the photos and the only thing better would be to see them in person.
So sorry about poor Kaspurr. I wonder why the cats are afraid of vehicles (most are) They must feel very safe with you.
Glad you're having some lovely weather after that long winter. It's certainly showing in your beautiful blooms!!
love and ((hugs))

Marie said...[Reply]

Beautiful and colourful :)

Lisa at Greenbow said...[Reply]

What beautiful pastels you have in the garden Kerri. Several of those pictures look like slides with such depth of field. Beautiful.

I was saddened for you just hearing about Kaspur. Poor little guy. No match for a ferilizer truck.

Your Max will have to try to fill the purrrrrr deficit you will have now.

Cherdecor said...[Reply]

Good Morning, Kerri,
I certainly enjoyed the virtual tour of your pastel gardens! What lovely colors! Your place is a showplace of color in the spring! It is like medicine for the soul after a long winter!

Poor, poor Kaspurr! I am sorry that he was run over by the big fertilizer truck. I imagine that the driver felt very sad also.

I loved reading about your working at the garden center and talking with the workers. I was right in there with you smelling the smells of fresh dirt and flowers! I would love doing that, I think!

So you have mowed your lawn for the first time this year! Well, you have saved a little on the gas since the prices are so high. LOL!
We have mowed many times already. My husband said that he cannot remember a spring where the grass grew so fast. We concluded that we thought it was because warm weather came so early this year even though it is a bit chilly this weekend.

Happy Sunday to you and may the sunshine in your part of the state today!

Philosophical Karen said...[Reply]

It's lovely to see all your pictures, Kerri. I haven't been stopping to comment often enough, but I read all your posts. I am looking forward to the irises in your garden and in mine.

I am so sorry to hear about Kaspurr. I think the world needs all the purrs it can get. How sad that his are gone.

Linda said...[Reply]

I too have been remiss in commenting lately Kerri, but I can't tell you how much I enjoy spending time at your beautiful blog. It is truly like a breath of fresh air - a lovely walk in a beautiful flower garden. Everything looks so lush. I pray your rains help everything to grow even prettier. We are in desperate need of some here.
I'm so sorry about your poor little kitty. It's amazing the way they can work their way into our hearts.
Have a blessed sunday Kerri.

verobirdie said...[Reply]

Kerri, so sad about poor Kaspur, and glad Molly has become a house cat.
I've enjoyed your spring pictures too, always so full of colors!

Robin's Nesting Place said...[Reply]

You have so many lovely spring blooms.

I'm so sorry about Kaspur.That is so sad.

sonia a. mascaro said...[Reply]

I am so sorry to hear about the Kaspur accident... poor cat...

As always, a visit to your garden brighten my day, Kerri! So beautiful flowers! Thank you for sharing!

Many hugs!

Frances, said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri, please accept our condolences on your loss of dear Kaspurr. A cat who loves to be loved is a treasure.

Your springtime flower show is amazing. Those daffodil clumps are enormous. The photos with the dried grasses in the background are my favorites, with the bulb flowers in such sharp focus. The squirrel and goldfinches are just icing on the flower photo cake. Thanks for a beautiful, though sad, post.

Frances at Faire Garden

Unknown said...[Reply]

Kerri, I got completely derailed by the loss of Kaspurr, and couldn't read the rest of the post because I got all teary. I'm so sorry for the loss of your lovely cat...

Charley "Apple" Grabowski said...[Reply]

I'm very sorry to hear that Kaspurr is gone.

Of the few bulbs that I have very few bloomed this year so I quite enjoyed seeing yours. Everything here is a week or two ahead of last year but still two weeks behind the gardens in town. It was a pretty day today but quite chilly. Hopefully we'll avoid a frost tonight!

Debbie said...[Reply]

Just beautiful, Kerri. You have some wonderful drifts of daffodils...lovely!

So sorry about your kitty. It is always sad to lose a furry friend.

HAWTHORN HALL said...[Reply]

Your spring bulbs all look so lovely. A pleasure to stop by and look at!

Gillian

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...[Reply]

Oh how sorry I am about your little Kaspurr. I remember reading his name here before and liking it so much, that and his sweet little face. Traffic and cats are non-mixy that's why I keep mine indoors.

But good news about Molly (aka Max) and Jasmine as both are now house kitties!

Your garden is filled with spring colour and it looks great!

Take care!

Alice said...[Reply]

Kerri and Ross - so sorry to hear about Kaspurr. Even though you have so many kittens, I'm sure he'll be missed as though he was an 'only kitten'.

You certainly have the ultimate Spring garden - flowers everywhere. I love the sunshine of the daffodils, but the colours and perfume of the hyacinths really takes some beating.

I too hope the Bleeding Heart recovers. It's such a pretty flower; one of my favourites, although I don't have any of it growing.

Your photos remind me that I should be out planting a few more bulbs too (no, not right now - it's dark...lol).

Have you ordered some extra hours for each day so that you can fit everything in, Kerri? I'm sure you're going to need it after your long wait for Spring to arrive.

Enjoy every moment, dear.

Needled Mom said...[Reply]

I always look forward to seeing your gorgeous flowers. The daffodils and hyacinth are just spectacular. I hope the bleeding hearts return. What a shame that would be.

So sorry to hear about the kitten. The driver must have felt terrible about it.

Jeanette said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri just popped in to see what you had in flower... Oh so sorry to read about Kaspur. your garden is Beautiful and the perfume comming from the hyacinths must be devine....

Amy said...[Reply]

I've probably told you this before Kerri, but oh, how I love your blog! These photos of all your lovely spring flowers just make me feel happy :)

But, I'm so sorry to hear about Kaspurr. What a terrible accident :(

Christy Woolum said...[Reply]

Beautiful photos... did you think spring would ever come?

Barbara said...[Reply]

Now you are rewarded for the long winter. All your pastel flowers show their beauty. You have indeed a rich and beautiful Spring garden, Kerri.
I'm also sorry for your Kaspurr (you spell this name as we do for the male name Kaspar, I guess). Such accidents happen so quickly and unexpected. I hope he didn't have to suffer.

Mountain Mama said...[Reply]

Kerri you sure know how to capture Spring with your camera. Your yard is magnificent! All that lovely color and your descriptions are so perfect I can almost smell the fragrances.
Sorry about the frost and I do hope your plants revive.
Thanks for sharing.

Teresa said...[Reply]

Kerri,
I love your goldfinch photo! Our kindergarten team is called the Goldfinches as it is our state bird. Each grade has a name representative of something natural to the Pacific Northwest.
Thank you too for the thoughtful comment on my blog.
Have a great weekend!

em said...[Reply]

kerri,

sorry to hear about kaspur! oh the finches and flowers are lovely!

Kylee Baumle said...[Reply]

And the beauty just keeps on comin'! I can almost smell those hyacinths from here. Love the kitty pics!

Linda Lunda said...[Reply]

Hi!
What a lovely garden you got!!! I can fell the perfume of the hyacinths al the way to me in Sweden!
The cat... Molly... is sÄ beutiful!
Linda

Reflection Through The Seasons said...[Reply]

Dear Kerri....

You have well and truly captured ‘spring pastels’ in your pictures.... the waxy flowers of the hyacinths are exquisite, Hmm! their delicious perfume too, its a fragrance you don’t forget. I must make a note to plant more of them for next year.

Its such a pity when these late frosts catch you out like this and knock back such precious flowers. We’ve had the most glorious week of good weather, our temperatures have exceeded those in Spain, Italy and even N. Africa.... about time too really, as winter has been very slow to loosen her grip on us this year.

I always love to see pictures of your cats, but such sad news about dear Kaspurr, yes, I’m sure he will be sadly missed.

That’s the first time I’ve seen an American Goldfinch, what pretty birds. I guess you are enjoying the dawn chorus of bird song right now.... isn’t it wonderful! I’m an early riser anyway, and a few morning recently I’ve got up just about 4 am taken my coffee up to the summer house and just sat there enjoying. I’ve often wondered which bird start the chorus off each morning and after waiting and listening carefully, I’m sure it is the blackbird.

Our lilac tress are in full bloom now and so is the wisteria. Sorry I haven’t been a very attentive blogger recently.... as you can guess, its such a busy time right now, putting house and garden in order, plus the holiday home and the garden there we look after. Just 9 days now before we fly off to US and meet our dear friends Betty & Edward. We are so excited, can’t really believe its happening.

Take much joy from this delicious season Kerri. Love to you and Ross. - Marion

Elzie said...[Reply]

Lovely springflowers!! Hope you have a good weekend.
Love Elzie

Anonymous said...[Reply]

I love your rolling landscape dotted with bulbs and brightness. How sad about the kitty. I'm sure the fertilizer driver was too upset to tell you as he did treat the 'victim' with respect. Happy Mother's Day to you!

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri,
I'm back and I've been enjoying all of your lovely pictures and posts that I missed while away. It's looking really pretty and colorful over in your neck of the country. I bet people driving by slow down to admire all of the flowers in your yard. I know I do when I pass homes with such lovely spring flowers.

Sandy

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...[Reply]

I'm so sorry to hear about Casper and I know that he will be missed greatly. Our kitties are not afraid of the sound of our own cars and we're always afraid we might run over one of our cats ourselves...they're too trusting of us. When we come in on the bikes, they come to greet us and sometimes get too close, but thank goodness all we have to do is rev-up the motor and they move back...but not too far back.

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri, Wonderful and delightful pictures of your garden bedecked in spring blooms.Wish I could smell those pink Hyazinths. I think one never gets tired of taking photos and looking at Daffis. The birds and the squirrel are a nice touch,they belong to your garden.

Susan Tidwell said...[Reply]

Happy Mother's Day!!

Love your spring pastels, definitely eye candy. Hope you have a great day.

Pam said...[Reply]

Love your garden as usual. I'm always so embarrassed when I think of you, with your rolling acres and wonderful view, looking at my pictures of my tiny plot with my individually counted precious plants! I would really like to live in the countryside!

How sad about Kaspurr. I'm sure he had a fantastic life, but it's still very sad.

Curmudgeon said...[Reply]

Kerri, may both of your bleeding hearts--the plant and your own heart--recover eventually. May you find a little comfort in all that loveliness that you have around you. We've been much cooler than normal here--can't seem to get out of the 50s during the day and dipping down into the low 40s at night. But it makes for good weather to do heavy yard chores like pruning and sod removal.
--Curmudgeon

Annie in Austin said...[Reply]

By now those tulips must either be blooming like mad in nice spring weather, Kerri or else you're cold again! Spring can be so uncertain, and late frosts came here in other years, too - did the bleeding heart plant perk up? All the hyacinths look so fresh and beautiful - they must have smelled heavenly.

Sorry about Kaspurr losing the battle with the delivery truck.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

Sigrun said...[Reply]

Hi Kerri, lovely photos. I have never seen this yellow birds! Wonderful!

Sigrun

Cris said...[Reply]

Dear Kerri, your pictures always find a way to brighten our days! I hope you had a very relaxing Mother's Day! xoxox