FLIGHT OF FANCY

 

I was finally able to rest and have a relaxing weekend!!! With exception of a trip to Trader Joe's and the farmers market, tis was very relaxing indeed. My favorite part of spring is the blooming and greening of the landscape. These tulips above just now bloomed this week at our entrance. This weekend also gave me time to sit and enjoy my breakfast with some of my usual suspects and two new guest, like this red winged blackbird near the woods edge perched on an old bench. They seem to like the soggy marsh like water that sits there like a small pond.

Of course Bonnie and Clyde and company are still around...with a bunch of dove friends.....

I was beginning to feel like Tippi from the Birds...they kept coming. Several will perch and roost outside the kitchen window for some time.

 

The Downey still comes by...

 

as does the Nuthatch couple...

 

a cardinal happened by. They do feed from the sill quite often, but they tend to be the most skittish when I move inside. One day I saw the male and female perched....the male was actually feeding the female!!! I had never seen that before. I wonder if that is common? The cardinals are also the first bird I hear singing in the morning.

The Blue jays are back in numbers. They too will feed from the sill.

 

The juncos have finally flown the coup, but the finches are now molted and their bright yellow color has returned... my finch socks all around must have attracted about 20 of them.

 

The cowbirds are also back and with their very high pitched singing....

 

Yesterday when I went to the market.....

I do believe she may be looking to nest. She has been around all weekend. Will have to keep a eye out. She best beware of the fox family we have.

 

Some lovely stems brought in.....

Any wonder spring is my favorite season....nice to have Persephone back.

 

BEACH EXPOSURE

 

There is something about the first vacation of summer. For me, it's always long over due after the fall and long winter, so I'm usually very much always looking forward to it and ready to go, being I'm definitely a summer baby. And if my good friend Dagny tells you I never work...ignore her!!! Rehoboth Beach is usually my first stop for summer, probably always will be. And you can't deny....there is something very rejuvenating about the beach, don't you think? The sea doesn't reward those who are too anxious, too greedy or too impatient. One should lie empty, open and choiceless, as a beach, waiting for a gift from the sea.

 

My departure outfit. And don't be fooled that's the only bag.

 

 

My home away from home..... I feel at peace here more than any other....

 

Preston captured this stunning sunset.......

 

One house....nine guys.......ohhhhh the stories. But I'm not one to kiss and tell.......

 

Two of Preston's friends had never had or seen salt water taffy???? Where in hell were they from Pluto? So we all went to Dolles for a taste, and one can see at times taffy being made. A taffy pull!!!! And not at the house!

 

Forgive me....for this next picture, but I ate my weight in these every day!!!!!!

 

Five of my friends from the house.....the Lad is on far right. Who knew he could jump so high?

 

Our lovely, personable , and hunky hosts'.........

 

My CUTE Chris and Chris.....my libations suppliers...... I've had a crush on Chris on the left for YEARS!!!!!!!!!!

 

It really was a lovely vacation. I love the natural feeling the ocean provides. I never feel more relaxed, alive, and beautiful then after I've been seaside. No other feeling like it. And now for my readers that have requested many, many times for a gratuitous shot of myself, WAIT NO LONGER!!!! Here I am back at the Casa with one of my huge snail shells............don't say I didn't warn you..........

 

 

Never let in it be said I don't listen to your requests!!!!!

Tootles!

SPRING SPRANG AT THE CASA

I must admit, that when my laptop went...it drove me nuts!!!!! I lost all my pictures, but the tech peoples were able to recover them thank goodness! I am always traveling everywhere with one of two cameras handy, so I took lots of pictures while I got a new laptop.  I do believe we are now at the point where here in the northeast, were going from spring right to summer now. This week saw temps in the 90's already!!!! I told the pool boys to get busy and get the pool open damn it!!!!! If your familiar with Greek mythology, there is a story about Persephone, whom Hades fell in love, and wanted to marry her and live in the underworld, but her mother Demeter, Goddess of Nature and Harvest, also loved her and didn't want her to go and live in the underworld. So Zeus settled the quarrel.He stated Persephone would live six months in each world, six on earth, six in the underworld. Hence the seasons. When fall arrives, this is when Demeter starts felling sad because her daughter in leaving, winter,  her deep depression, and spring heralds Persephone's return again, hence all the beauties of spring. Well Demeter must have been extra happy this year, because around the Casa du Borghese, I don't think it ever bloomed so brilliant as it did this year, and I can finally share some snaps from the grounds.

 

I call this a peppermint bush. Looks like peppermints no?

 

I have no idea the tree in the above picture, but at the one entrances to the grounds is where it lives, and the color was fantastic. Here are two types of Magnolia that are on the grounds......

 

And the other....

 

some bluebells, but don't quotes me...

 

A Dogwood petal floats in one of the birdbaths. The stand was from a floral stand, and I went and bought a clay pot water dish for the top, and voila it fit right in. There are several baths around on the grounds.

 

This white bush is sooooo fragrant, and in the upper right, you can see a little beetle.

 

Now this bush also smells lovely. Not sure the name, but it is of Japanese origin I understand.

 

some wild violets at woods edge....

 

and some Wisteria...

 

 the fragrant lilac.....

 

the Dogwoods

 

I thought the and Rhododendrons and Azalea were so beautiful this year...

 

a moth on the screen....how cool and close....

 

 

the stunning Clematis vine....

 

no idea, but so pretty....

 

Some of the bounty, some Lily of the Valley for my abode...

 

 and some peonies and  clippings from a Fire Thorn Bush, I took to our host in Rehoboth Beach.....

 

 

Fire Thorns are used as barriers, this evergreen vine with thorny stems blooms white flowers in spring,  and can be trimmed to any shape. The bushes are covered with fire red berries in the fall attracting hummingbirds. They look great in arrangements...these went to Rehoboth Beach for our hosts home. Just watch those thorns though....their long and sharp! Here on the grounds now blooming are the mini Irises and rose bushes, which are just starting. Of course Bonnie and Clyde are back again with new off spring....

 

 

some of the Yellow finch from this morning....

 

Lately, when my blueberries start to get a bit wilted, I will cut in half and place on the sill in amongst the seeds. It is bringing Robins to the sill.........

 

I read blueberries are a special treat for certain birds and shouldn't be feed them all the time. In addition to all the birds I already attract, I now am getting Warblers!!!! The Lad will JUST LOVE  all the morning racket when he comes next visit.