TULIP TIME

 This is the tulip package label. I thought I was getting a peachy pink, yellowish with a hint or orange. 

 And here they are...more of an orange with hints of yellow and pink....but they are nice looking anyway. Maybe as they open more....

Some little grape hyacinths (muscari) doing their thing and multiplying like crazy. One you have 'em, you'll always have 'em!

EASTER IN THE NETHERLANDS

 Here are our "kids," Chris and Susan in Hoorn on Easter Sunday. They really enjoyed the day and were hosted by a Dutch family for coffee and cake. They said this town was incredibly picturesque.

HARE TODAY....

 Meet Herkemer Hare, adopted from the Easter selections at Fred Meyer. Not you typical cute bunny but more like the real pesky jack rabbits that visit my front yard. He is made of wood (from China, of course, where they must know a thing or two about rabbits, I'm guessing). Anyway he is about a 3/4 scale model of the real thing. As I said to the checkout clerk, "I don't know why I'm buying this, since I have 'em for free!" Except of course that this one doesn't eat the flowers and stays put.

 Speaking of flora and fauna, here is a chickadee at the birdbath. He took time out from scolding me while I'm working in MY/HIS yard. 

 In the coldframe I had a surprise bloomer...a scented geranium that went for it. Who knew? It has a lemony scent when you touch the leaves.

 And of course when it comes to having company in the garden, the flickers perch high up in the trees and sound off with their loud calls, just to remind me to keep putting out their favorite peanut butter suet. 

So here is Herkie keeping me company in the greenhouse where we'll both be nice and dry until the spring rains are over. 

A CAT'S LIFE IN THE GARDEN

 Spring means fresh tender new grass to munch or just sit on

 There's plenty of blooming things that attract bugs to play with...

Treading lightly with oversized paws on the gravel paths

 Every cat knows that outside water tastes better than inside water!

And of course don't forget to sharpen your claws on any available wood!

YOU KNOW IT'S SPRING WHEN...

 THE DAPHNE BLOOMS AND JACK REBUILDS A TRANSMISSION. HERE HE IS ACTUALLY REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION SHIPPING BOX THAT WAS BUILT BY THE CUSTOMER AND PARTIALLY DEMOLISHED BY UPS. 

 AND DID I MENTION OUR NEW TRUCK?...IT'S A 2007 MAZDA. IT CAME WITH A BED LINER WHICH IS GOOD FOR HAULING ROCKS, SAND, BARK AND LUMBER FOR MY GARDEN PROJECTS. 

DOWN AND DIRTY?

 Time to play in the "dirt." Actually I'm screening mulch from the bin. This was all leaves, banana peels, coffee grounds (including the paper filters, egg shells, veggie and fruit peels, etc. 

 This is how it looks fresh from the mulch bin where it has been collecting since last spring. I dig out the bottom half of the bin for this year and leave the top part which will fall down. It has lots of worm eggs that will hatch this spring and work their magic.

 If you look closely you can see some worms. although they are the hardy ones that have managed to stay alive in the warmth of the center of the bin. The decomposing stuff creates heat to keep them alive. 

After processing the mulch through a 1/2" screen, the clumps turn into a fine, sweet smelling stuff that I add to my raised beds. This stuff acts to "recharge" the soil in the beds. Thank you worms!

MEMORABLE ORANGE

 This card came in my package of Spanx. Who knew you'd get philosophy along with tummy control?

 This spring I'm seeing orange...a new Valentina purse and a matching scarf will brighten up my look as spring approaches.