COLUMBINES & CARNAGE

 

 After the last post I did from the garden, I really enjoyed the comments about all the columbines. This weekend I got much done in the garden and even had time for drinks yesterday with the Clan. Most of my planting is now done for the season with exception to a few Canya. The garden continues to grow like crazy this season. So I took a slew pics of the columbine and black Barlow that I planted last season... which finally bloomed this year. If you like columbine they are relatively easy to grow, and thrive in a variety of conditions, but generally prefer full sun to partial shade. They also need well drained soil and can tolerate various soil types. They also do well in dappled shaded area like under tress in a woodland area. If you prune and pluck spent blooms, you'll get a 6-8 extended period of blooming.

Black Barlow

My good deed of the day...this poor bumble I rescued from a birdbath. Yes, bees do use the birdbaths. This one fell in and almost a goner I suspect. After being on my gloved hand, I placed her in a potted plant. I'm happy to report after some struggles and drying from being waterlogged, she took flight!

In other news, Sophie was quite bad yesterday. Here she is on squirrel patrol. Later, I noticed she was consuming on something. To my horror she'd caught a bird, a sparrow, I think. Numerous times I demanded she drop it, alas to no avail. The last I saw was the tail feather and little legs sticking out before she swallowed the whole thing.  I called the vet to see if I should bring her in, but they said the bird is so little and the bones brittle, it shouldn't harm her, but if a problem arose, bring her in. I told them I was in shock she did this, since she is a picky eater. They laughed. I'm still in shock and could get sick myself when I think of seeing the imagine of it all.

I mean look at her. Does she look like a bird killer???

EASTERN REDBUD

While the dogwoods are just about to open, the Eastern Redbud bloomed and looks spectacular with its color! And the gratuitous, dainty lawn violets always make me happy.

EASTER WEEKEND

 

Nothing like a cup full of cock on Good Friday heh?!?

These little feathery cocks were my grandmothers from sometime in the 50's and in remarkable shape. As many know, I love to add some holiday touches to some of the holidays and have traditions and good memories around most of them. I like to decorate minimally and give a nod to some holidays. It keeps the house fun, and ever changing, and gives reference to each season. So this year I dug these little cockrels out and added them to the little sugar bowl that was my aunts. Shall we take some sight in around the Casa?

One of many of the dogwood getting ready for a full showing.

More of my grandmothers decorations...a hen and rabbit candle.

Handpainted eggs my mother did.

My dyed eggs I did this year.

Two Lefton rabbits that were a vintage find. I placed them in a bell jar with a spring scene.

On the desk is my grandmothers green Moser glass rabbit candy dish along with pictures of my maternal grandparents. I was always much closer to them than my paternal set, as my grandfather on my dads side was passed before my birth, and my paternal grandmother passing before I was 2. But my maternal grandparent we're like second parents and are most likely where I get my love of holidays and commemorating each. Especially my grandfather. He LOVED Easter. It was definitely his favorite. My grandmother was church going, but my grandfather never stepped foot in a church except to give his daughters away for marriage. But come Easter he'd dress to the nines, hat included, and he and my grandmother would do the promenade of Easter in their finery in downtown Harrisburg. This is him from a Worlds Fair, sitting on the moon. Man in the moon? It's my favorite picture of him.

I will be blogging around this weekend but may be tired up as the Lad is visiting so I may be hit or miss. Looking forward to a nice, visit. Have I got some hot crossed buns, and a nice full Easter basket waiting for him!!!!!

CURRENT MOOD....

Me...in April.

 

PALM SUNDAY

 

It might be Palm Sunday, but there was no church in our lives, though the weather today was glorious. I had a weekend to myself which is always nice. I did however enjoy a nice classical Palm Sunday concert on WRTI, while getting things done around the Casa and do a spring housecleaning. I also got out the mother's hand painted ceramic eggs she used to paint when I was a wee one. I may even color some eggs this week, as I enjoy hard boiled eggs for lunch. Some gardening got accomplished and we were treated with another round of grape hyacinths, and the weeping cherry is now the star of the show, while more flowering bulbs are the co-stars. The dogwoods and the eastern red bud are waiting in the wings up next. I'd also be remised if I didn't express sadness for our swell governor Tom Shapiro, who had an arson attempt on the governor's mansion over the weekend, with some serious damage. He is one of the few politicians who actually does what he is voted in to do, keeps his promises and represents all, not to mention works with both sides for give and take. But he will not be stopped he said but will only work even harder! But we think of him this Passover.

Someone can't wait for din-din tonight. 

And for din-din tonight....

Stuffed Peppers on tap.

MEANWHILE....

 ...on a drizzly day at the Casa du Borghese, even overcast the Magnolia adds some beauty.

Beyond the doors and caught on spycam...

As you can see, Buster Bolfig is busy "guarding" the wine. While by the looks of Sophie Lucille, she must have just read Debs's latest post about crocs.

More likely how to get them and chew the hell out of them.

SIGNS OF SPRING

 

What an absolute glorious weekend!!! Warm, sunny, a light breeze, and most of yesterday spent out in the garden with a bit more clean-up, prep and a planning on where I might like to plant the incoming additions this year like our favorites of the Cassia and Datura Ballerina and others. I have also decided to go back to a potted herb garden. They did so-so in the ground, but not sure I picked the best location for the herb garden. Much time spent outside, even enjoyed our lunch outside yesterday. I even cursed out one of the squirrels for chewing up one of the new birdfeeders. The warm temps this week brought about much surprise, delight and color! Much needed. It seems the daffs, tulips, and one of our favorites of spring, the Hellebore all came to fruition, another week and the hyacinths and magnolia will be open...and then a long line of flowering trees next.

Magnolia bloom

The glass bumble was from my late aunt's garden. Another item I took when my uncle relocated.

A beautiful and our lone Puschkinia

Hyacinth magnolia

Siberian squill

A trip to the greenhouse found me getting even more wildflower seeds to add to the successful garden we had last year, which are already breaking ground.