Let the Sun Shine

We are having the most beautiful weather.  And may I say, it's about darned time.  For the last two years, our springs have been wet and cold.  The past week has been glorious, and it has that feel as if it's here to stay.  (Of course, now that I've jinxed it, it'll be gone by the end of the week.)  For now, this is the forecast.

This morning I was out watering my flower pots and planting some bulbs my friend Sue gave me for my birthday.  I just love gifts that are planted in the garden.  Each year when they put on their show, I am reminded of good friends and family.  Sue gave me some Dutch iris (I have bearded iris, but no Dutch iris), some freesias (I don't have any of those either) and some interesting looking flowers called Peruvian daffodils.  These may all come up yet this spring, so I'll be watching them like a hawk.

This is the time of year when Oregon gardens really shine.  The rhododendrons and the azaleas are in bloom.  Both are spectacular.  Do you know that when you hike in the woods around the Pacific Northwest you will find huge rhododendrons growing wild?  We planted several in our yard when we moved into this house ten years ago, and they ave grown and become truly spectacular.

They are positively swarming with bumblebees who seem almost drunk on their nectar.

The next one is the first blossom to open on this particular bush.  It will eventually be covered in blossoms that have a ruffled edge.  The look almost like orchids.  I think this one is my favorite.  

This peach colored one is the first to bloom each year.  It is almost completely covered in blossoms, but you can see that some still have not opened.

Here are some of its beautiful blossoms close-up.  It too is covered with bees.

The azaleas are also beginning to bloom.  A few are fully covered in blossoms, and a few are just getting started.

This is my Mother's Day lilac.  Mike and the kids bought this for me a couple of years ago.  It's still small, but it's just now beginning to bloom.  Appropriate for the day, don't you think?  I love lilac.

My chive plants are just about to burst forth in hundreds of chive blossoms.  I'm excited about it this year because I just learned how to make chive blossom vinegar on Food in Jars, a blog I like.  I can't wait to give it a try.

The bearded iris are just starting to head up.  I've bemoaned their blooming in the rain because the flowers fill up with water and rot, most without even opening.  I'm hoping our good weather means they'll be putting on a show this season.  They are among my favorite photography subjects.

Can strawberries be far behind?  I wonder if the squirrels will share.

We got this bleeding heart at last year's Farmer's Market.  I'm absolutely amazed that it survived the winter, but there it is!  It's just starting to bloom.

Welcome.  This means you!  We've trained the wisteria to grow up over the front porch.  It's in bloom now.

It gets more beautiful every year.

I didn't have my kitty with me on this walk.  He was out earlier this morning.  He seems to tire easily, and his weight is down.  We've been letting him do what he needs to do.  He's improved immensely from when we brought him home, however, and I'm confident that he'll be back to his old self soon.

I guess this is my day to post pictures.  How can I resist with such beautiful weather?