On this holiday weekend, I thought it would be nice to spend Sunday in the garden. As the days blend into each other, it is becoming a challenge to remember what day it is, LOL!! Today, let’s pause and enjoy the beauty in the world around us, and rejoice in nature’s bounty of spring, counting our blessings and hopefully keeping healthy. The first of the irises began blooming this week, pretty two tone purple, with the pink redbud blooming in the background.
Covered in pink blossoms, the pollinators are showing up to the redbud in abundance.
The tulips made their annual appearance.
Meet George. He’s been showing up regularly, gobbling loudly and looking for a mate. We’ve just about run out of names from It’s A Wonderful Life, so I’ll have to move on to another movie soon. George was puffing and gobbling, and has done this for several days, sticking around for about half an hour at a time before strolling off into the woods.
He was strutting so much one day, I had to get a video of him. He’ll fluff up and then start gobbling and fold the feathers down again. We went on like this for quite a while, but I stopped the video after a couple of minutes. This should embed and all you have to do is click the middle of the video photo to see it.
On the feeder, the goldfinches wearing their bright summer colors were chowing down. Seven were feeding at once this time.
Inside the house, on the seedlings bench, I gave the ladybugs a place to stay. They were coming in the house anyway, so I put them to work eating the aphids that often accompany indoor plants.
It warmed up enough at night to begin hardening off the seedlings. Just look how big my tomatoes got inside!
Truly amazing, these are the best I’ve ever grown.
All the plants were moved outside to harden off for a few days. Unfortunately, we had a frost this week, so they had to go to the sunroom instead of in the ground. Maybe next week, but the best transplanting days aren’t until the 19th. I don’t think I can wait that long as they are outgrowing the peat pots and the roots are now in the trays.
The geraniums were kept alive over the winter, and began blooming again in the warmth and sunlight.
Behind the garage, the hosta bed is expanding. Soon it will completely fill this area.
In the meadow and on the mountainside out back, violas are creating purple carpets of color.
In the flowerbeds, I finished the weeding and put down a layer of mulch.
I’ve been spending a bit of my time lately quietly waiting, camera in hand, watching the trees for a bird to land and stay still long enough to photograph. It takes some time, but I did manage to get several shots of a goldfinch.
The cardinal was singing his little heart out on this day. I got a nice picture of him, but he is sitting on a telephone wire, and I don’t think that qualifies as a natural environment. I need to get one of him in a tree. It is funny how he sits on one foot, with the other one tucked up underneath him.
Another geranium bloom came open. The color is just gorgeous.
Yes, the squirrel still comes by regularly for a handout. I know, I am a soft touch. But it is warmer so he only gets a piece of whole grain bread, not a sandwich now.
Out front, the azaleas are starting their spring show. The white one is pure and undamaged this year, just stunning!!
I hope you have a wonderful day today, call and video chat with your friends and family, have gratitude for our wonderful world. Stay well, stay safe.
How are things in your part of the world?
From My Carolina Home 
Truly, thanks for sharing the beauty of “regular” life.
Carole, the first photo is stunning with the redbud and iris. Not only have the flowers come to life, so have the birds! The goldfinch and cardinal put on a display with their bright color. Stay safe and Happy Easter!
Beautiful garden, I especially enjoyed the turkey video and bird pictures!
Good morning Carole. Happy Easter to you and your family. I so appreciate your shared pictures of your garden, and the creatures around your yard. Our climate has not reached the time of such riotous growth, so I am happy to relish yours. The turkey video is fun to watch. His colours are so lovely, and his actions fun to watch. We do not have wild turkeys in my neck of the woods. Yesterday noticed that my daffodils are out of the ground about an inch and a half, so you know how far we must go. We too have squirrels who visit daily, and two large crows who seem to have adopted us. Living off the main travel lanes(in the forest), I think life moves at a different pace.
Beautiful pictures of the floral and fauna Carole, I really enjoyed them on our damp and cloudy Easter morning. George is quite the handsome strutting devil, with such impressive plumage, so I hope he finds a mate soon, and is able to stop ‘walking the streets’. lol Our family has decided to forego the family Easter this year, and we are all cooking our own meals, which we all thought would be the right thing to do. Enjoy dinner with your sweet baboo. Hugs
Just gorgeous, all of the observations! I love the purple iris and am so grateful I was able to transplant those to my daughter’s home last year. The colors of spring are absolutely stunning. The iris, redbud, goldfinch, the cardinal, the geranium, the azalea…just beautiful. George is quite handsome, too, especially when he puffs for full view. Happy Easter, Carole.
So peaceful and inspiring….thank you!
Your yard is so pretty Carole. Spring is always so beautiful
Love all your pictures. I can’t believe hoe many flowers you have in bloom. I live in Ontario Canada and we had snow again the other day. My Irises are about 6 inches out of the ground. Love the Strutting Turkey. I really enjoyed all the birds in the background as well. Gobble gobble…Linda
Thank you for the lovely stroll through your gardens. I’m enjoying all of your beautiful blooming plants and trees while I look out my window at blowing wind and snow. Enjoy your weekend!
love all your photos – the birds and flowers are all so pretty – here this week we might get a hard freeze – I have to watch the weather and see what days I will need to bring all my plants inside!
This morning we woke up to 22 degrees and snow, so your lovely photos are a sight for Spring – starved eyes! Beautiful flowers, and you know I always enjoy your bird photos. Great video of your turkey friend, too! Happy Easter, Carole!
Every thing is looking good. That is one big turkey and do I hear a return call in the distance or am I just hopping he gets a mate. I haven’t seen any goldfinch yet but isn’t it a little early to be so brightly colored. All is just beauiful.
Happy Easter, Carole. Thank you once again for the great hit of spring. Still waiting here in the north. I’ve had to protect the three little crocuses that have been brave enough to poke their heads from the hungry bunnies. Love to George.
Ooh, your irises are in bloom already. Like many of the other commenters, we had snow on Friday and expect damaging winds tomorrow. We are at least another month away from putting tender plants outside. Thanks for the hint of what’s to come.
Love your photos and videos. Such a lovely setting for flowers and birds. So great that I discovered your blog. Look forward to your posts! Thanks for sharing! In Ohio we had snow this week and now having winds and rain.
Happy Easter, Carole. Thanks for the photos and the video. Handsome bird, huh!!!!
I love seeing all your wild and not so wild life photos!! What a beautiful, plump turkey! Thanks for sharing. Happy Easter, Carole!
Greetings and Happy Easter,
Your garden is lovely. My azaleas have bloomed and are gone already.Man that turkey is big and even scarry fluffed up.Finches are so pretty and bright. I haven’t seen a finch at my feeder in quite awhile. That squirrel really is enjoying his feast isn’t he. The iris and tree in the background are beautiful, God is so good and he has an imagination we will never be able to take in, when our world is so colorful just think what heaven is going to look
Like, it’s going to be something to take out breath away.
Stay safe, Phyllis
Happy Easter. Your post is delightful and I love all of your garden and nature photos. So funny to watch that Turkey show off. In these crazy times, you certainly luck out with excellent entertainment in your yard. We are entertained with hummingbirds, a couple of ladies that look pregnant and close to delivery time. We had rain every day last week, which is rare for Southern Californa. But all water is treasured here in these dry lands. We’re not as green as you are, but one of the greenest Aprils I’ve ever seen in California.
Thank you so much for sharing all the beauty and color around you. It surely brightens my day. Happy Easter to you and yours!
Good Morning and a very Happy Easter to you and yours.
Thanks for all your lovely photo, I especially liked the Turkey video.
We have a wonderful Provincial Health Officer in BC, Dr. Bonnie Henry, she ends all her updates with Be Calm Be Kind Be Safe and I will pass this on to you all
Myrna
Perfect start to my Easter. Thank you – your photos are like the “Ideal” magazine of youth! Stunning flowers they really put on their Easter finery. Your “pets” are doing well too – who knew you could bring lady bugs in the house. Looking forward to seeing what movie you pick to name this bushy tailed fellow. How did you get your tomatoes so big and healthy? Already looking forward to recipes for them. Thanks and Happy Easter. We are having Virtual Easter at 2.
Happy Easter! Thanks for the beautiful photos. While it’s warm (53°) here, the forecast for the week is a cool one. I doubt I’ll see any bloom on my redbud. Collage at my house, red & gray squirrel pals, lettuce sprouts, terrace garden, milkweed sprouts.
Such colorful Spring photos, a real treat to see! Thank you. Our world outside is white, AGAIN. Happy Easter to you & yours. I’m off to check out your photos some more …..
A beautiful spring garden full of promise. The turkey, a magnificent fellow, and all the birds, they must so enjoy the warmer days. The days of the week, no waiting for Monday 8 a.m. work time to arrive, instead dress properly and stroll to your own home office, lounge, desk, or even the ironing board lowered to a good height might do, I am thankful we are in the older age group, and I feel for those who will lose their job, salary reduced, mortgage payments still due, and in my garden the pink hollyhock continues to bloom, grape hyacinths are shooting up, nerines are finished, and grocery order was done online, Happy Easter, as we are in Monday down here, heavy rain at 6.30 a.m. I am hoping for no road accidents with travel not allowed except for essential reasons.
Your squirrel slays me! Thanks for sharing the lovely pictures, it is wonderful to see the colors. We are done with this week’s snow, now just have to get through two nights with lows in the 10-12 range. Hopefully, this will be the last of the under 20’s! Your tomatoes are looking amazing, you have miniature trees there!
Happy Easter — you have so much natural beauty surrounding your home…what a blessing!
We’ve enjoyed laying out by the pool today watching TV…cooking on the grill for a very non traditional Easter dinner.
Wonderful photos of your spring garden, the squirrel is so cute. I hope Mr Turkey find a mate!
Hope too you can get your seedlings in the ground soon.
Happy Easter my friend ! Dinner is on the stove and I am checking in while I cook. I love your beautiful garden photos. Our weather is way behind and so far, I can’t fight the wind to get out and play. I had one warm day 2 weeks ago and got part of the garden cleaned up….the rest is going to wait for temps above 60 degrees. My time today was in the sewing room.
Beautiful photography, Carole. So enjoyed the tour. And that squirrel is something, not getting a sandwich anymore? Made me chuckle, for sure. And the Tom is pretty fattened up, too. What is your grocery bill? LOL Enjoying a lovely day here, a bit of time in the garden, and taking a break from making masks. Happy Easter, stay well. Stay safe. Hugs, m
Loved the picture of George. I am curious what is that hanging do his front? It looks like he is wearing a tie. Obviously I have not run across a wild Turkey in my area of the city. And the only turkey I saw as a child were the white ones at my Grandmothers that were destined for her table.
It is always wonderful to see the plants and wildlife around your home. You must be doing something right to have the ladybugs come visiting. They are a delight to see.
Cheers, Karen
Beautiful captures Carole! The goldfinches are stunning!
Jenna
Everything was inspiring and George is quite the character! I enjoyed the show he put on for us 🙂 I have 3 resident squirrels I feed, usually peanuts. Stay well and safe 🙂
Such beautiful spring photos! I can;t wait to see it here…we had 8″ of snow fall for Easter!
George is a handsome turkey!
Love your pictures and sharing your animal family with us. Sometimes I forget to be grateful and the little squirrel reminded me. He looks like Oliver from the play where he is in the alms house eating gruel and turns to the Headmaster and says “More please.” Thanks.
Lovely images! Hello to George the turkey – ha!
We had four inches of snow on Easter Sunday. My granddaughter found eggs though! they stand out against the snow. Thanks for the warmer pics. She will be two end of May and we are enjoying Mr. George’s music, and she loves the red and yellow birds. We actually had robins yesterday and she stood at the door staying quiet so they wouldn’t leave. Plenty of squirrels though, fat ones! supposed to be some more snow tomorrow, but it’s the nice kind, clears off and the sunshine is welcome… thanks for sharing Carole.
Sharon in denver
Beautiful, beautiful spring, as always. Ours was nice, and I even had one yellow tulip come up in the front bed – not planted, so where did it come from? I hope it comes back again next year. I’m sorry to think about the storm damaging so much of this.
That turkey sure did strike up a conversation! I knew you would spoil the squirrel! Thanks for all the beautiful pics of flowers and furry friends
I just love the pictures you took. I also love George Thank you for a great blog.