Tiger's antics...

So, today, in order to regain a little sanity, I decided to plant some of the Violas I came home with a couple of days ago. It was truly a pleasure. Fresh, new soil in a raised bed is a lovely thing. As often happens, I was soon joined by a couple of kitty-cats. Yes, there are two cats in this picture.




Tiger seemed very interested in the empty soil conditioner bag. (I am using soil conditioner as mulch in this particular bed.) First he scooted under it and meowed and meowed.



And then, a few minutes later, he decided to actually climb into the bag! What a funny kitty!



But, finally he got bored with that...



...and decided to take a cat nap in one of my flower pots, instead.


Have a beautiful day!
P.S. How very cool that the 33 Chilean miners have all been rescued!

New rose leaves...

The rose bushes that are up against the house in a protected location are beginning to show new little leaves. So exciting! Ever since I started growing roses, I have enjoyed seeing them start to leaf out. Here in North Carolina, it means that the warmer weather and beauty of spring are not too far off.

{Rosa 'Marie Daly'}

But with my anticipation comes apprehension. I wonder what spring will bring for my roses. After having to dig out and burn 4 of my favorite bushes last year, I am afraid that more of my roses will show symptoms of Rose Rosette Disease as they start growing. There is nothing I can do except wait and see what happens. And hope that I won't have to destroy any more bushes.

{Rosa 'The Fairy'}

On a more cheerful note, my irises are digging themselves out of the snow. More and more of my plants are starting to grow once more as spring creeps ever closer. This is so encouraging to me as there were days and days when I thought I would never again see green.




And then there are cats. Just this morning, as I was uncovering a Campanula that had been buried by a cat doing its "business," I was thinking that the cats should get their own garden instead of messing in mine. I do, however, have to admit that they make a rather charming addition to the scenery.


Have a beautiful day!

Snowy vignettes...

Today is cold and dark and drizzly. It is the kind of day that makes me think that winter will last FOREVER. Even the snow doesn’t seem very pretty, only frozen and dreary.

{Vinca minor}

Yesterday, though, in the sun, the snow appeared much more cheerful. My little hummingbird wind chime stood out in all the white. A couple of years ago, I decided it needed more color, so I added the glass beads. I did have it adorning a pot, but I redid the pot and it has been in the ground for months now. It hangs on small shepherd's crook sort of thing.



Now here is a cozy way to spend the winter, completely oblivious to all that is going on while waiting (and waiting and waiting) for spring to come. I have lots of them all over the garden. If you don't know what this is, leave a comment for me and I will tell you in a comment, so be sure to check back.

{Buddleja davidii var. nanhoensis 'Nanho Blue'}

Of course, you knew I would put in a photo of my ever-joyful Johnnies. The snow and chilly temperatures don't bother them a bit. Oh, that I could feel the same way.

{Viola tricolor}

Apparently, Tiger likes Johnnies as well as I do. Maybe for a different reason, though.


Have a beautiful day!