VERY Early Spring in Our Yard

Most of you know that we live in the eastern side of Middle Tennessee on the Cumberland Plateau.  Here in Fairfield Glade,  we are 2000 feet above sea level---so generally,  Spring gets to us a little later than it does in areas like Knoxville or Nashville.  However,  this February has been one of the mildest ones I can remember.

We had some cold weather and snow the end of December and also the first couple of weeks in January.  But since then,  we haven't had very much.  That is unusual for us since we usually get most of our snow and cold weather in February.

Because of the mild conditions,  many of our Spring flowers and plants are showing signs of growth.  Yesterday,  I walked around in the yard taking lots of pictures of the signs of Spring here.

I love the thoughts of an early spring,  but, as I've mentioned to some of you in your blogs,  I cannot ever forget 2007.  That winter we had an early spring followed by a very severe freeze/frost the first week of April.  Many of our new Spring flowers along with the new leaves on the trees DIED that year...  It was horrible!!!!  SO---I just pray that that won't happen in 2011.

Today,  I'll share some pictures taken in our yard YESTERDAY...  Hope you enjoy a tiny touch of Spring!!!!  Above is a beautiful blue sky --and you can see that there are still no leaves on our trees!!!!  Below are more.

We always plant Pansies in the late Fall --and if the winter isn't too severe,  they live until it gets really hot here (about July).  Here's one of our little beauties.

Here's one more of our beautiful little blooming pansies.

This picture is very exciting since it shows spring growth on one of our rose bushes....  WOW--that is so NEAT!!!

Even one of our ground covers,  our Periwinkle,  is trying to bloom...

One of these days,  we are going to have some gorgeous tulips blooming in this bed.

AND---we will have beautiful daffodils blooming soon.

Finally,  I noticed this tiny little crocus blooming.  I got 'up close and personal' --and took a picture.  It looks bigger than it is..  It's pretty but truly TINY.

I never would have believed that we would have this much Spring growth in February...  Like I said above,  I love it ---but just hope that it doesn't turn into 2007...

Hope you have a wonderful Thursday.
Hugs,