OMG.....AARP

It arrived today.   I guess I can't continue to ignore the fact that I enter a different demographic next week.  Blue Cross/Blue Shield already sent me their "congratulatory" note about my increased rate, since I'm now in another price bracket.

If you're nice to me, I might even share my discount at the theatre.

Angels from Heaven

As the Master Gardener Tour gets closer, the angels are still working their tails off getting the Stepchild in shape.  Even our little burst of 90 degree days hasn't slowed this group down......Phyllis must have some sort of a magic potion she feeds them to get them to keep saying "yes"......

Carol has lost more than 30 pounds since the process started.  Having her drag bags of topsoil is my way of supporting her efforts.....no, really it is......

Edgar is on a little vacation from Debbie's house, spending the next couple of weeks in my garden.....

Cheryle agreed to "touch up" the hollies, but never asked how tall they are....(Phyllis has the ladder in one hand, and the whip in the other)

Randy heard how much fun we've been having, and had to get into the act, as well.....

Early Morning and Already Very Warm Out There

                         
It was already 65 degrees at 5 o'clock this morning, so I'm sure the afternoon is going to bring some serious temperatures with it.  For some ridiculous reason I was awake at 3:30, so I'm off to the Big House garden early, to get a jump on things while it's still cool outside.

Here's a favorite sign from my garden at home, visible whenever I look out the kitchen window.  Oddly enough, it still makes me smile after seeing it every morning for several years.  Definitely worth the $8.99 I paid for it.

Have a great day in the garden!

It's Raining

                         
I'm getting off to a slow start this morning, having gotten up several times during the night with the thunder that was literally shaking the house.  Sadie the Dog made it clear around 2 AM that she was planning to spend the night either under my pillow or sprawled on top of me, certain that I would protect her from the storm.  It was a little like having a cinderblock on my chest for the night.

In any case, the rain has slowed to a steady pace, the theatrics have stopped, and I'm enjoying the opportunity to get some things done inside the house.  The forecast is for the rain to continue most of the day, which is great for the garden.  Sadie is passed out on the sofa (since she didn't sleep a wink all night), Frank is passed out in front of the television (he didn't sleep either) and I'm going to dig through the pile of papers on my desk; since it is about the same size as the eight yards of mulch from Saturday, it will take me a while. Perhaps I'll even change out of PJ's later today.........

Workday in the Stepchild Garden

Saturday was an official "work day" in the Stepchild garden, coming into the final stretches of getting it in shape for the tour in a couple of weeks.  This first picture doesn't accurately depict how hard people worked today (spreading 8 yards of cypress mulch was just ONE of the projects).  Because they are all my friends, I can teasingly ask of this photo, "How many Master Gardeners does it take to plant four shrubs?"  You'll notice that Bill is the only one digging.....

The Ajuga Bed is coming together beautifully.  Phyllis and Carol re-did the parts that didn't make it through the winter, turning it into stripes of ajuga and Creeping Jenny.

This closeup shot of the succulent bed shows just how well the plants are taking to our hotter-than-usual spring temperatures.  I can't wait to see how it progresses!

Throughout the garden, there are lots of blues and greens.  This photo shows the shrub bed that I've gradually developed to give some more privacy to the patio area (I live on a corner).

Forget-me-Nots will fry soon in the Georgia heat, but for now they are loving life!

Siberian Iris "Treaty of Portsmouth" and Baptisia australis show off their blues.

Some Blooms That Do It All on Their Own

They are not completely free of interference from me, but many of these blooms just happen of their own magical accord.  Walking through the Big House garden early in the morning, there were several examples of plants just enjoying life!

The first of the rhododendrons is popping, clearly liking this past exceptionally cold winter.

Up on the South lawn, I noticed the blooms on the burning bush.  We pay so much attention to the fall color, I"m not sure I've ever really noticed their blooms.

Three different cultivars of tradescantia, all happily blooming under the dawn redwoods.

A dark poppy about to burst free from its casing.

Just a little bit later in the day.......a peony in all its glory!

More Photos from Friday Morning at the Big House

Today is a "work day" in the Stepchild Garden, so I thought I'd get these photos posted early.  They are things that Chuck shot early Friday morning while walking around the garden at the Big House.  I think many of them demonstrate the magic of nature with very little help from us.  Here, agapanthus is just starting to break into bud.

In the walled garden, two types of allium have opened, with many others to follow.

Amethyst Fallsl Wisteria is beautiful even before the flowers open!

Spanish Bluebells are waning, but still look pretty great in the early morning sun.

Is there anything more beautiful than delphinium? 

I hope you have an incredible day in your garden!