flowers in the house

It's still Monday.  Barely. but still.  I think I still made it in time for Jane's Smallbutcharming Flowers in the House Party.

One ginormous Rhododendron bloom!

Here it is on the dining room bar table.

The first Hydrangea bloom of the season.



Thanks again, Jane!



happy spring, happy easter...

 

Have a fabulous weekend y'all!

today is...

seriously

Are you doing everything you can?

my new home away from home...

Nobody here this afternoon.  Good time to take a few photos.

My desk and file cabinet.  I am the only person here who uses paper for anything.  Someone's gotta keep records.

The other side of the space.

The view out back, from the lounge area.  See the antennae looking thing on the left?  That's the bow of the USS North Carolina which is permanently docked here, and is where they shoot the 4th of July Fireworks from.  The roof of our building is going to be a major party this year.

The view out the front.  In good weather there are always lots of people out here.  Tourists, locals, dogs, street performers, etc.

I think I mentioned that my office moved upstairs.  These are pics of the new digs.  What do you think?  Keep in mind we've only been up here a few days and haven't had time for hanging artwork and tidying up.  The word on the street is that the middle of the room is being kept clear to make room for the pool table (seriously).  I forgot to take a picture of it, but there is a lounge area at the back of the room for the couch and the big screen TV.  My boss wants to be "Google East".  Yep, for real.  And no, I don't mind.

ahhhh...

The one good thing about being sick?  I feel so damn good when it's over.  Being sick makes me remember that without our good health we don't have much, and it makes me so grateful for my normally healthy body.   I still have some sniffles, and to be on the safe side I took some Sudafed this morning, even though I didn't feel terrible. And I skipped the gym this morning for one more day (it's scary how easily I  could get used to this skipping the gym thing - especially when it is so beautiful walking around the garden with my coffee at 8 am!).  But, for the most part I feel excellent!  Ahhh...life is good. 

As you might expect, I haven't done much lately, but Mother Nature didn't stop.

The Irises are beyond beautiful.

This beautiful climbing rose is one that I never even knew existed until I started cleaning up the gardens last summer.  It has rewarded me with dozens of blooms so far this year!

What can I say?

Before I started feeling puny I did get around to cleaning up the front yard.  I trimmed all the liriope back and now the sidewalk looks twice as wide.  Not sure if you can see it in the picture, but the Lady Banks Rose is blooming on the arbor. The Jasmine won't be far behind and the fragrance will be unbelievable.

Also went to opening day for the Farmer's Market and found a new bakery.  This Foccacia was SO good!  And the fresh strawberries (in salad) were sweet and beautiful.  I noticed there were several new egg suppliers.  They all had pictures of their hens, and the coops and yards where they kept them.  I always like to see where my eggs come from.

While I've been lying low with this cold/allergy/whatever thing, my office has been moving.  We moved just one flight up where where we were in this historic old building in downtown Wilmington.  I'm getting pictures of the new space now and hope to have them up tomorrow.  Speaking of tomorrow - I'm hoping I'll be back on my bike to get to work tomorrow.  Haven't felt up to it for several days now, but with gas prices going up daily, I'm thinking I better get back on it!

I'll be back...

Well, it's been a week now.  I thought I'd shake this thing by now.  I don't get sick.  Honestly.  I just don't. After several days of trying all the homeopathic remedies I know, I have been reduced to taking all kinds of over the counter stuff, in an attempt to feel better.  I know.  They probably only mask the symptoms, but that's how much I want to feel like myself again.  The fact that I have to be at work this week (boss is gone and we're moving our office upstairs) hasn't helped matters.

Didn't mean to make this into a tale of woe.  Just wanted to let y'all know I'm still here and I'll be back...

graced...

Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace.

- May Sarton

Last night was a perfect evening.  Perfect for being outside, perfect for walking thru the garden and looking at all the new blooms.

Oh, how I wish I were a halfway decent photographer.  I think the key is to remember to wear my glasses?  Anyway...one of the first roses.  It was stunning.  Too bad you can't tell from the photo.

The end of the dogwood blooms.

The first Dianthus bloom!

And, of course, what southern garden would be complete without a couple (hundred?) Azaleas?

It was so nice out last night that the bf made a fire and we sat by it after dinner, with wine glasses in hand.  Monday's aren't so bad...