When in Arizona, Act Like a Saguaro?

You really need to check out this final vacation post.

We enjoyed a great finale!
(check on the 3 amigos above!)
:-)

Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day - Spring is Springing...

Spring is Springing all around -
I was out raking...
See what I found?

I had to let out a "whoop!" when I saw this plant!

My mom had shared her fern leaf peony with me last Spring/Summer. I brought it home and planted it in one of the raised bed gardens. It lasted a little while, but died back. Ever hopeful, and just in case, I didn't disturb the area at all. Hoorah!! It's growing!!
Here's the clematis 'Niobe' I planted last Spring.

And my newest Hellebore, "Brushstrokes."

One of a colony of Virginia Bluebells that's becoming
quite at home in the woodland walkway...

And one of the Dutchman's Breeches I transplanted
into the Backyard Center gardens two Springs ago.

And last, but never least, is a little friend worth visiting.
He and I had a chat. And he obliged me by waiting
as I ran into the house for my camera.
What a pose! :-)
(Notice his diminutive size as compared to the oak leaf and bark.)

I was raking to the tune of several happy birds...
Spring is springing all around!
Happy Me!
SG

PS If you want to see a raft of wonderful Spring Posts, head to see Carol at May Dreams Gardens

Superstition Mountain and Canyon Lake in AZ

You never know what's happening in AZ women's restrooms! :-)

Click on the photo above to find out!

A Pause for a Perusal of Plenty (My Sunny Bed)

"How Peculiar," did you say?
"There seems to be a preponderance of P's!"

In explanation, while entering our driveway last Thursday,
after having been away for 8 days,
it was the Front Yard Sunny Garden Bed
that took my breath...
with a
Plethera of Pretty Daffodils! :-)

In the photo above, you'll see a couple of daylilies in the foreground,
Pink Chablis sedum to the right,
Matrona sedum in the background under the grow ring.

Below, you'll also spot some iris on the left with
another daylily in the back,
allium in the center, etc.

I had to sneak in a photo of my rhubarb.
It looks much happier out here!

And you'll be happy to know that all the leaves were cleared
this weekend.
It's raining gently this morning.

It's a wonderful time of year!!

Stanza four from
The Daffodils
by William Wordsworth

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They (the sight of the many lovely daffodils) flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Have a great day!
SG

Whoville?? Have you seen Horton?

In the book Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss, Horton the Elephant discovers a speck of dust that turns out to be a tiny planet. He actually hears the voices of the tiny inhabitants of Who-ville, called Whos. To read more about this book, follow this link (click on these words) to the Wickipedia site.

Might we surmise that that speck of dust
actually landed in the desert near Phoenix, Arizona?
(click on the photo below to find out!)

And enjoy Day Two of our trip! :-)

A View of our Friends' Yard

This is Bottle Brush. If you want a closer look, click on the photo! :-)

AZ vacation 2009 - Day One Hike

Greetings!
We've returned from Arizona,
where we had such a wonderful time!

Click on the photo to see our first hike!