The Pool is Open!

Pool is ready for swimming! Al spent all day Sunday power washing the deck and outdoor furniture. I helped with the furniture. I still have some pots to add but we are ready for visitors. Give us a call and let us know when to expect you.....so we can get the grill hot. Family and friends welcome!
All we need is some hot weather and sunny days to enjoy the pool. Had rain today but cleared up in the afternoon.

Slideshow of May Garden 2009

As you may have figured out, I have been working on organizing pictures of our spring garden. This a slideshow showing our May flowers. I was out this morning making pictures of our climbing pink rose bush and the hawthorne tree now in bloom. Everyday brings a new look in the garden.

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Slideshow of April Garden

This movie slideshow is about 12 minutes. Pictures made in April 2009.

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Housecleaning Tips

HOW TO CLEAN THE HOUSE

1. Open a new file in your PC.

2. Name it 'Housework.'

3. Send it to the recycle bin.

4. Empty the recycle bin.

5. Your PC will ask you, 'Are you sure you want to delete Housework permanently?'

6. Calmly answer, 'Yes' and press mouse button firmly ...

7. Feel better?

Works for me!

Peonies are Popping!

My very favorite flower has to be the peony. The first one bloomed this week. Oh, how I enjoy the beautiful fragrance and color of this jewel. My only regret is that it lasts for such a short time. Why doesn't someone develop a peony that is "everlasting" or "endless blooming"? Can you smell that aroma?

Rainbow of Iris

We have a virtual rainbow of color in our garden this spring and have enjoyed each iris as it opens to reveal another beautiful hue. Most of these beautiful specimens have come from my Mother's garden in Tennessee. Although this year did not produce an abundant return in blooms, the beauty of the ones we had compensated for a smaller showing.

Be Kind to Mother Nature

We have been spending most of our time in the yard mowing, cleaning, mulching and planting in our gardens. Mother Nature threatened us with another frost warning last night but it did not happen. We had moved some of the baskets and pots to the garage for protection. We still have not planted any tomatoes, basil or zinnias but may do so today. Surely we will not have any more frost but May 30 is the safe date for Ohio to be frost free. Yesterday, we had our first blooms to open on the Iris which are one of my faves. Take a look at more of our gardens in the slideshow.

We have the pool opened but it has been too cool to swim but we will be ready when the weather cooperates.

Happy Cinco de Mayo

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More Pictures of Gardens

Pictures of the Crab Apple tree, Lilac bush, and Memory garden with Forget-me-nots

First Day of May

May has began with leftover showers from April. We had a taste of summer with 80-90 degree temperatures last week. Mother Nature seems to be confused with the seasons since we have had such a combination of cold and then hot and then warm days all jumbled together. But that may be just an "Ohio" weather thing!

We have some lovely flowers blooming and plants are growing taller everyday. Grass is growing at full speed because of the cold nights and the hot days of the past week. We have enjoyed the daffodils, tulips and other spring bulbs. The crab apple trees, lilac bush, and viburnums are now in full bloom. The fragrance of the viburnums wafts through the yard and floats through the open windows and fills the rooms with sweetness. If you get up close to the screen, maybe you will catch the aroma of the viburnum from the picture.