Friday, March 4, 2016

Yearning for Spring


This time of year, we're all starting to think about our gardens and outdoor living.
Spring is my favorite time of year--a time of rebirth and growth
and warm sun on my back. 


But when I look at my garden now in March, it's all brown, and crunchy, and dead-looking. 
Can I even recognize that stick of a shrub or identify that sad clump of plants?


Not much I can do about it now except start planning for spring 
and remember what it looked like last year. 
Ahh...that's better. 


I hope everything survived the winter.  
Spotting the fresh green growth of tulips and crocus blooms
poking through a layer of dead leaves is good for my soul. 




I feel relieved when I see that my favorite perennials have made it through the cold months. 
Tight buds on trees and shrubs tell me winter is on its way out and spring is near.
Honestly, this time of year everything changes so quickly, I can almost watch it grow.


My garden is all about simple pleasures. 
Early mornings are a special time when it's quiet and dreamy. 
I might hear an occasional car door close as neighbors head off to work 
or squirrels clawing the fence as they chase each other back and forth.
But, usually, morning is a tranquil time for reflection and planning my day.


Stepping outside first thing on a chilly spring morning with a cup of steaming coffee in hand, 
I walk around the garden, making mental notes of what I want to plant or change.
Think I'll move the birdbath, widen the river-biscuit path through the flowers
and plant something tall like delphiniums or larkspur against the rock wall. 


I sip my coffee as I listen to the chicadees waking up around me.
Their little song, chic-a-dee-dee-dee, welcomes spring. 
They're always the first birds to return to the garden as the air warms.  
Can flickers be far behind,
tapping their noisy love songs on metal chimneys like tiny jackhammers?


One thing I can do while it's still too cold to do any gardening, is re-think the patio.
I want to re-design this small space to give it a French Country feel.
Maybe some trimmed boxwood in my two big pots, a string of twinkly lights, 
 repositioning the wall fountain, a shuffle of furniture, new cushions, an outdoor rug ...
oh, lots of ideas and I can't wait to get started.

I've heard gardening teaches us patience.
Guess I'm still learning. 


I know we can still get snow in March (and even April) but the end of winter is in sight.

50 comments:

  1. I've been looking at my old pictures and wishing too. Spring really is here for us though...the grass is just beginning to get green. A few things are blooming. The most amazing transformation is happening with the trees - they are leafing out right before our eyes. One more bonus - today I heard frogs. :)

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    1. Thanks Stacey. Isn't this just the best season??

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    2. Pat, thanks for joining Thoughts of Home on Thursday. :)

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  2. Oh such welcoming sights! Thanks for sharing with us a glimpse of Spring!

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  3. Spring comes a little sooner here in Texas. I can't wait to see the changes for this year. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy planning.

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    1. Thanks Grantham. You're lucky you get to enjoy Spring early in Texas!

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  4. Spring has definitely arrived here on the coast. We have no garden to speak of in our new-old house so I spend a good amount of time dreaming of the garden-to-be. I look forward to seeing what you do with your patio.

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    1. Thanks for visiting. It would be so fun to start from scratch in designing you garden. Enjoy!

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  5. Lovely photos. You have a pretty garden. Loving the trellis! The bird looks so cute at the bird bath. I have been doing some gardening myself. Time flies by, so be prepared....Thank you for sharing at DI&DI.

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    1. Hi Linda. Thanks so much for your kind words. Enjoy Spring!

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  6. Your garden looks pretty even without all the flowers and greenery. It has enough elements to keep you wondering what it looks like or imagine what it must be like. Can't wait to see it in the spring!

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    1. Thanks so much. I hope you'll come back in a month to see the progress.

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  7. Your photographs have me yearning to dig in the dirt again.

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  8. I love your post. I was thinking of doing a post today "Yearning for Spring" with a recap of my flowers from 2015. My garden is still snow covered. Your wheelbarrow is very similar to mind. Take care xo

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  9. Pat, thanks for sharing your pre-spring garden. I know exactly what you are talking about. Everything is most brown and dead, but the tulips started blooming and my hydrangea and peony have some green leaves so I know that spring isn't too far away. I can't wait to see your garden in blood.

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  10. Spring is right around the corner and your little corner of the world is just waiting to spring forth.

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  11. I absolutely LOVE your garden. I may have broken my pinning finger. :) I would love for you to share this gem of a post on Thoughts of Home on Thursday.

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    1. Thanks Laura for visiting and pinning. See you on Thursday.

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  12. I am anxious for spring too, but it is a ways away here in Montana! Thanks for linking up to the Talk of the Town Link Party!

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    1. Thanks for visiting from Montana Becky. It might take a while for spring to reach you but then it's going to be spectacular!

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  13. Pat, living in a Sub-Tropical climate means we don't see the change of seasons as you do there. Sometimes I wish we did, but I guess having green all year round isn't all bad. Your garden will spring into life any minute I am sure (no pun intended!) Love, Mimi xxx

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    1. Hi Mimi. My garden is changing overnight. Green must be nice in February! Thanks for visiting.

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  14. I can't wait for spring to come but this morning it was snowing again:-(
    Your pictures are beautiful. I would like to enchant spring to come faster cause I can't stand another snowy day:-(
    Greetings from Poland:-)

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    1. Hi Nitka! Thanks for visiting all the way from Poland. Think spring!

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  15. You have a beautiful landscape! I've been feeling the same way, urging Spring to hurry along with it! I can't wait to see your beautiful beds and gardens once they're planted. :)

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  16. Beautiful pictures. Love your gardens.

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  17. Beautiful pictures. Love your gardens.

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  18. Your garden is pretty! We all hate the brown crunchy garden, my daffodils are done blooming, the tulips just started today, my cherry trees are blooming right now... but everything else is still brown and crunchy! Can't wait for a few more weeks! Thanks for Sharing at Thursday Favorite Things!

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    1. Hi Angelina. Thanks so much for stopping by. Your cherry trees must be gorgeous!

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  19. Pat- it is just the best time of year, isn't it?
    Even if you are waiting for spring, it is obvious that you have a lovely garden.
    Thank you for sharing it at Thoughts of Home on Thursday!

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  20. I hope spring comes quickly for you and that your are surrounded by sun and flowers soon.

    Thanks for sharing at SYC.

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  21. There are signs of spring here in the Nederlands, crocuses and daffodils are coming out :)

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    1. Thanks Sam. I've always wanted to visit the Nederlands when the bulbs are blooming like mad.

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  22. Definitely hanging in there. Saw a robin the other day and was so excited. Thanks for sharing at Celebrate Your Story link party!

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  23. Such a lovely post, Pat. I enjoyed hearing your thoughts on spring and looking at [last year's] lovely garden and pretty flowers. Thanks so much for linking up with Vintage Charm!

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  24. Your garden is beautiful! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

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  25. I love that photo of the daisies and the white bistro in the background!

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    1. Thanks so much Nikki. I like that photo too! Can't wait til the daisies bloom again.

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  26. Beautiful photos!! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog, I'm hooked on yours now.
    Kathleen

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