It is going to be busy, busy for several more weeks, so it is important to take a moment to breathe, and find some calm and peace. For me, the early morning when the dawn light softly lights the fog across the valley, settling in the layers between the hills is quiet time. Birdsong delights my ears as the light increases.
Before the last freeze, the double daffodils bloomed in their bed.
These are just so gorgeous, with apricot ruffles between white petals.
Stunning, a true gift in the garden.
Visiting this week, a small flock of wild turkeys came by with one male and four females. He stood off to the left on the driveway, while the ladies came up to get bits of whole grain bread.
At the edge of the lower meadow, the pear tree is beginning to bloom.
Near the house, the redbud tree is showing the promise of a full lavendar bloom in the next couple of weeks.
As we enjoy the beauty of our part of the world, my thoughts go to the people of Ukraine. Several well known bloggers are putting together drives including Gundrun Erla of GE Designs, and Pat Sloan. My friend Mary’s blog post We All Come From “Somewhere”, is an amazing story about her personal connection to the Ukraine, and how she honors her father and grandparents while supporting the fight of the Ukraine people. She has links to ways you can help as well. I am happy to help get the word out, as I cannot host anything myself this time.
Inside the Carolina Room, I didn’t know what to do with the toad lilies when their fronds turned brown. I wasn’t sure if they would come back, so I left them. Turns out, they put out new ones, so I need to prune out the dead ones.
Amazingly, the larger avocado tree made it through winter just fine.
The gardenias and spike dracaena did well too, as did the little avocado tree. The verbenas shriveled up, so I think they are a lost cause. I still haven’t planted any veggie seeds, and if I don’t get to that this week, it will be too late.
Inside, the orchid’s first bud seems to have been lost, as it has turned brown and dried up. The second bud is still progressing, and there seems to be one or maybe two more below it. I hope it makes it al the way to a full bloom this time.
On the feeder, I’ve been participating in the Cornell project Feeder Watch. It goes through April, and I’ll post my counts when I can. I’ll do a few minutes when I have time as every little bit helps the scientists track migrations and habits.
Yesterday’s National Quilting Day exhibit at the library was fun. There were 25 challenge quilts on display. Mine won third place in Viewer’s Choice, thanks in part to my pickleball friends who stopped by to vote. Thanks guys!! If you’d like to see all the entries, click HERE to see the Facebook post with all the quilts.
Tomorrow, C&T Publishing is having a Spring Fling Sale. Monday 3/21 – Friday 3/25, customers can enjoy up to 50% off quilting, sewing, and embroidery books, patterns & more!
Sulky’s National Quilting Month sale has 20% off all Notions and Gifts, ends tomorrow.
What’s going on at your place on this first day of Spring?
From My Carolina Home 
Sometimes it’s hard to even take time to recap as you’ve done here, so good on you! Today is my oldest’s birthday. Spring is my favorite season, and it brings me great joy to celebrate her on this day each year. I hope you have a good week, Carole.
You not only have an upcoming busy week…..this blog post just shows how busy and fulfilled your life is!
Congrats on the challenge quilt. I love looking at your view . You are blessed with views and wildlife and a green thumb. Thanks for sharing my blog post. I’m glad you have a special place to take a few minutes everyday to refocus.
Is there a pattern for the PEACE heart? Just the heart, not The whole quilt.
Thanks!
Just click on the links.
Congrats on your win!!! I must be doing something wrong. I clicked the “here” to see all the entries and only get the ad for the quilt show.
When you get to the Facebook page, scroll down to see the post. Click on the post, and use the arrows on the right side of the photos to see all of them. The ad is the header for the page.
you are a little ahead of us no redbud buds peaking through yet, soon I know.
Carole, I left a comment but it disappeared. Beautiful photos of spring’s beginning in your NC mountains!
Happy First Day of Spring. We had some very spring-like days this week, out came the rake. Daffodils have broken ground. We took our first walk of the year in the cemetery after a few months avoiding ice & snow. Snowdrops are up on the graves (warmer in the city) & Aconite is blooming. Congratulations on 3rd prize – you’re #1 with us!
Your view is so pretty, Carole! I can see why taking a moment to breathe and look out would bring calm and peace. I loved Mary’s story of her grandparents and the beautiful window quilt she made to show support for Ukraine. Have a great week!
Carole. Thank you so much for your beautiful photography. Starting the quilt on Wed with Bonnie and Gunrid with yellows and blues. Praying so for peace in this world.
Thank you for all you do to make our world a better place. Love and hugs til one day we shall meet.
Those double headed apricot daffies are gorgeous! Scrumptious is more like it. It has been a busy few weeks with so much going on with the need of prayer to channel peace and healing into the world. Hopefully a spring of sorts is on the horizon. I always enjoy your Sunday chats 🙂
It has been a really wild weekend here, but in a good way. I finally finished Girl #2’s apron, now just need to write up the instructions so I have them for future use. We had real spring weather here today, actually had to take off my coat while walking this afternoon!
I really enjoy hearing about your wildlife and flowers. I got rid of the leaves that had accumulated over my bulbs last fall/winter, and joy, there is a hyacinth spike peaking up! We heard the robins sing for the first time this weekend, soI think spring might really be here. 💐
Spring has sprung! I return to Maine today and wonder if any of the bulbs are showing in my backyard. The next few weeks are very busy – good luck keeping everything in motion.
What is the name of the spectacular double daffodils?
It is called White Lion.
You can plant the toad lilies in the garden. I had some, but the deer and rabbits kept eating them until they disappeared. Congrats on your 3rd place ribbon in the challenge. Spring is slowly showing its face around here. The hellebores are blooming, crocus are, too. Daffs have buds.
It looks beautiful in your world. Those daffodils are fabulous and the redbuds, the beautiful view. Things are waking up. Three cheers on viewer’s choice placing — go, Pickleball gang!
Congrats on your third place finish! So neat that you had a library display for worldwide quilting day!