Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Thoughts of Early Spring--Part I


Are you tired of winter???? Do you want to see some Early Spring colors???? WELL--in 2007, we had a wonderful March... Sometimes March is cold and still wintery and sometimes it is spring-like. On this particular year, we had a fabulous Early Spring... Here are some pictures to show you our yard that year which, when thinking about it, is only a month from NOW.

In the picture above, you can see yellow and purple Pansies, lots of small Daffodils, and Forsythia (in the background)-- all blooming... Below are more!







The lamppost flowerbed in the front yard was all abloom with Daffodils (called Jonquils in Virginia where I grew up) and Pansies. We have planted lots of Pansies in the late Fall for several years ---and until this year and last year, they have lived through the Winter--and until it get really hot in June/July. However, the last couple of years, we've had very cold winters ---and the Pansies really struggle. This year, I'm not sure we'll have any Pansies blooming in Spring. But in 2007--things were very different.





Our Crocuses are the first spring flower to bloom--even before the Daffodils.





The Hyacinths are early-bloomers also. I love the color of this one.





The grass was green, the pink Dogwood was blooming ---but we also had lots of those little pesky 'things' blooming, the Almighty Dandelion. Do you see George in this picture? He's digging up those pesky WEEDS!!!!!! (Sorry Dandelion lovers.... We don't like them, at least in our yard!!!!)






Here's another view of the upper part of our yard--looking from the road toward the upper side and back. Note that even some of trees were beginning to show some new growth.






Finally, here is a picture of one of our two beautiful Redbud trees...

Now---while you look at all of this beauty, I will tell you in tomorrow's blog why I don't want our yard to look like this .... Hmmmm!!! Do I love winter so much that I don't want it to end????? Tune in tomorrow!

Hugs,

51 comments:

SquirrelQueen said...

Gorgeous photo of your yard but I can't imagine why you don't want it to look like this. Hmmmmm is right!

Connie said...

You really do have such a beautiful yard Betsy. I wish it looked just like that right now. I'm ready to call Al Gore and ask him to re-think the value of global warming.

diane b said...

It certainly is a more colourful scene than the winter shots. I need a "George" to dig up weeds now that I have a sore back and Bill has a dicky ticker. You captured my interest. Why wouldn't you want your garden to look so beautiful?

T said...

What a beautiful yard - but I'm imagining that it's a lot of upkeep!

penny said...

The spring of 2007 was a beautiful spring to remember, Betsy. What gorgeous flowers, your photos are lovely.

Darla said...

I'll be tuning in for sure...can't imagine why you don't want this look!!! (heat, mowing...)

Kirigalpoththa said...

Your garden is a treat to watch!

Beautiful green grass!!

Valerie said...

Such careful planning and beautiful work to get some a wonderful colorful yard!
It is so beautiful!

Although I am longing for the color of spring - I also would like a bit more fresh snow. We are hopefully going to get a bit tomorrow - if it comes up north a little more.

pam said...

These pictures and all my garden catalogs arriving in the mail are really making me ready fro spring!

Beth said...

Your lovely spring pictures are a welcome sight for my eyes, Betsy. So pretty...

I'll have to tune back in tomorrow to find out why you wouldn't want such loveliness. To be quite honest, I'd be happy to even see a cheery little dandelion right now. :-)

Connie said...

Yes, I'm tired of winter!! HA! I loved seeing your flowers, Betsy. We are under a winter storm warning here. Schools have already closed for the day. We are expecting to get 10-12 inches of snow out of this snow system this time around. :P

Time to get the snow boots out again. We're going to have more shoveling to do.

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

Thanks Betsy for a glimpse into spring...anybody's spring, I don't care, anywhere...we got snow yesterday and the roads are treacherous...but your blog makes me smile!!!

Diane AZ said...

The blooming trees, green grass and pretty spring flowers are a feast for the eyes! :D

Karin said...

Thanks for the spring garden tour! Loved it! Looking forward to hear what you have to say tomorrow! Off to work now and I usually come home 'pooped'! These lovely spring photo should carry me through!

Hugs!

Arkansas Patti said...

Spring is glorious isn't it? You have such a lovely place but then your live in gardener has a lot to do with that. Kudos George.
Right now I am still enjoying winter. We are back again with a beautiful, wet, clingy snow. Just love it.

Susie said...

Hey Betsy, just looking at those pics made me "feel" spring. I think I could almost smell the fragrances of the daffodils and hyacinths.

No signs of spring here today. Cold, windy and gray with a touch of rain.

Hope you are having a good day.

Carol said...

Beautiful yard, love your redbuds, one of my real favorites! Now we are all curious and wondering what you will say tomorrow about why you don't want your yard to look like this....longing for more snow?

Big Dude said...

It's hard to beat the colors in natures spring display - sure looks pretty around your place.

~mel said...

Your yard is gorgeous... but I can only imagine the upkeep that goes along with it. Aren't those pansies just the hardiest of little plants... and how I wish we could grow the pink flowering dogwood in my area. I'm jealous!
I'm still loving my winter weather... although I have at least 2 more months of it to go. We won't have green lawns around here until the end of May ~ if we're lucky. It always amazes me though when the snow does leave; just how much GROWING goes on in such a short amount of time.

Anonymous said...

I'm so ready for flowers to bloom & this snow to GO AWAY!!! I like watching it fall, but I'm more ready for spring!
Beautiful flowers & yard in your pics!

Rose said...

I am beginning to look forward to spring...I miss sitting on the front porch with Lorelei.

Rose said...

Oh, we got 2-3 more inches of snow. It IS beautiful, but I am beginning to look forward to warm weather.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Your yard is gorgeous!! It is hard to believe that could be reality in a month????
I adore the pansies and crocus...something I will never have here because it is too hot.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Oh, I think I know that you don't want the yard to look like that because.....then George is always busy????

I Am Woody said...

You have me longing for warm sunshine and green grass:)

imac said...

Oh, how super, spring is here.

I dont like the yellow weed,
But to photograph it in seed.

Cicero Sings said...

Taunting us with spring!! I bet you are going to be away in March and that is why you don't what it looking like that!!

Small City Scenes said...

Last March was beautiful for you and last March was cold for us. This year the tables are turned.
We are having the mildest Winter on record. It is 8:25AM here and the sky is blue and the sun is shining---but we did have frost earlier but the sun is melting it.
I will be a lovely day and I have to go to the Dentist. Ouch!! MB

MadSnapper said...

YES I am ready for spring. what a beautiful red bud tree. they grow wild in GA and I love them. we don't have many of them down here. all the colorful flowers are good for a cheer up from all this cold. we are now expecting more cold in FL. ready for it to stop for sure

Ginny Hartzler said...

How lovely! There's lots more snow coming here today, so I'm loving this! The hyacinth color is wonderful, there are a lot of redbuds around here and we love them! I couldn't figure out what that was, until you said it's George. I adore dandelions, so pretty and cheery yellow all over the ground! But not when they've gone to seed. What is your little solar panel used for? You really have a lovely yard! Can't wait to hear if you are changing it. Perhaps you are re-landscaping?

Anonymous said...

I long for green. Is that winter grass. One year we planted winter grass in the fall. I loved it.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

I'm beginning to get cabin fever, despite getting out and about, tired of wearing layers of clothing, and hurying to get out of the cold each time.
I'm longing for green !
Love the pictures, they may hold me over ;)

Together We Save said...

Your yard is lovely... I love buttercups they are my favorite, looks like you have a nice variety.

My older girls play High School softball they start playing March 6th I am so ready for spring!!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful colors - isn't southern spring the best! The colors and shades just overwhelm. I can't wait!

Snap said...

We are going through the seed catalogs and I'm looking at pictures in magazines. Most of Musashi's Garden is going to have to be replanted. Our tropicals bit the dust in all our freezing weather. I did buy two tomato plants to put out on the squirrel-less balcony!

Shelley said...

I'm really missing the "green" too Betsy! And hyacinths are one of my favorites - they smell so wonderful!!
We are getting piles of snow right now! I've already shoveled 3 times!
Hugs,
SHelley

Neal said...

That sure does look gooooooooood!! I love it when the redbuds come into bloom.

Cheryl said...

Ah..what beautiful photos. Very uplifting actually!

Tipper said...

Oh your yard is beautiful!! I'm with you this spring may be a little slower getting here : )

Cookie said...

When I first saw the pictures, I was amazed at how different hings look by you. Then I read these phots were from 2007! CHeater!!! LOL
That is a beautiful redbud tree. Can't wait for spring!

Mary said...

I'm getting very impatient waiting for spring this year! This winter seems soooooooo long!

Unknown said...

Thanks for this reminder that Spring will be here soon, I hope! The Redbud is magnificent, we don't have them in England and I have fallen in love with them here. Now I need to plant one!

PCovi said...

Because if anyone sees it they will beg you to sell it to them!!

Will you sell it to me? :)

That green grass is so gorgeous!!

I need your bookmark again if you don't mind...I'm going to make it larger for printing...I lost it before :(

Diane said...

Beautiful yard and colors. I especially like your lamppost garden. Now you have me puzzled. Diane

Lola said...

Looks beautiful to me-----neat, green, & well manicured. Best of all it's in Tn.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

These were beautiful.A wonderful taste of what is to come.Thanks for the refreshment.
Blessings,Ruth

carolina nana said...

Hi Betsy,your yard is beautiful or was beautiful I guess I should say. When spring does get here it'll be easy to forget all this snow!!!! Have a blessed evening Marilyn

Jen said...

Pretty pretty!
Hmmmm... I can't imagine why you don't want this beautiful yard. So I'll see you tomorrow.

Loran said...

Thank you Betsy for that breath of fresh air.

Chat with Kathleen said...

Hello Betsy,
I have been inspired by your lovely March photos of early spring. I love your daffodils and hyacinths and pancies. What a lovely assortment to spring up your your propety.
Anticipation of the season of colors and fragrances will soon be upon us. I cannot wait. This winter has been extremly cold. There is a snow storm warning for later today, the forcast is fo 12 inches or more. I would like to say how I wish this might be our last snow storm but that would be futile thinking, it is only February.
Say hello to George for me:)
Your friend in RI, Kathleen

RA said...

Okay, your last paragraph made me really curious now. I hope I can tune in tomorrow to find out your answer. These shots are so beautiful. Have a wonderful week :).