Isn't the Bald Eagle so majestic and regal!!

Baby House Finches on our porch

Dutch Iris with some Chocolate Mint, Variegated Vinca, and Spearmint

Is he not the most beautiful little thing EVER?  Look at those bright eyes---he was having a blast

Marlee and Bayley helping Dad burn brush

Marlee was afraid to come up on the dock ramp.  She's the most hilarious little dog---brave, courageous and bold---and the biggest scaredy-cat ever!!  :D

I adore the Kingbirds and Phoebes

The Delights of Home

Dutch Irises

Bearded Irises

I have to take their picture every Spring

Momma and juvenile Bald Eagles right outside my door

Just Returned

from a week-long trip to San Francisco, CA.  It was my first trip cross-country.  It was a great trip, and it was great to get back home.  :)

Spring Blooms

First Dresden 'Wheel' (I love it!)

First Wild Geranium blossom

Spring Phlox

Strawberries are blooming

Bayley and Marlee are fascinated by the TINIEST turtle we have ever seen

Bayley just can't figure this little guy out

Hope

"Hope"

"Hope" is the thing with feathers -- 

That perches in the soul -- 

And sings the tune without the words --

And never stops -- at all -- 

And sweetest -- in the Gale -- is heard -- 

And sore must be the storm -- 

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm -- 

I've heard it in the chillest land -- 

And on the strangest Sea --

Yet, never, in Extremity,

It asked a crumb -- of Me.

  by Emily Dickinson

Spring Fever

Tree Swallow

Look at this beautiful turkey!

Lilac

Bleeding Heart

Redbud

Bluebird

Double 4-Patch Contribution

I've spent the day playing with some Double 4-Patch 8-1/2" blocks to contribute to a 'community' quilt for Japan.   Bayley put his paw-stamp of approval on them.  :)

Signs of Spring

Caught a rare photo of a pair of Cardinals at the feeder.  They thrill me!

My Lilac bush is budding~~one of my most favorite flowers and fragrance!

My miniature Daffodils are blooming.  I want, I MUST get me some more Daffy bulbs, along with some Crocus, Tulips and Hyacinths (none of which I have right now).  Every Spring I think, "now this coming Fall, I HAVE to get some bulbs in the ground", but alas, I always forget.  So I will buy me a few pots now and stick them in the ground.

My Forsythia (called 'yellow-bell bushes' where I grew up) are blooming.  They are sooooo sunshiney bright, I wish they bloomed all Summer.  :)

Yesterday was such a beautiful day.  We had a high temperature of 72!  :D  We spent most of the daylight hours outside.  I used the push mower to do some trimming, and Randy did some of the first mowing of the season on the riding mower.  Bayley and Marlee wore themselves out, and crashed for a little rest in the shade.  

The Swallows are building their nests now, and the Bluebirds are trying to hold on to their 'leases'.  :)  Unfortunately, two of the banes of my existence have returned---the blasted Brown-headed Cowbirds and the freakin' Starlings.  I really really could do without them, but I try to increase my patience and tolerance with every Spring when they arrive.  :)  One is in the tray feeder even as I type.  Dang their hides---they eat it all before the smaller birds can get any AND they are constantly trying to get into the Bluebird/Swallows houses to lay their eggs.  They are little devils, I tell you!  :/

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Susan in Texas ...

http://susanintexas.blogspot.com/2011/03/blogoversary-giveaway.html

Susan is having an awesome blogaversary give-away.  :)  Go check it out.

Japan Tragedy

There are no words sufficient to express the horror, the sorrow, the prayers...