A yellow rose for today.

This yellow rose describes my feelings for today.  Joyful, open and full of hope for brighter days.

Tagged; a book review.

I've never been tagged before, but was tagged by my sister's blog "i love you more than there are stars in the sky".

The rules were:

1. Grab the nearest book.  (Don't dig for your favorite)
   
2. Open to page 56.
3.  Find the 5th sentence
4. Post the next 2 - 5 sentences
5. Tag 5 others.
   

As luck would have it the closest book is actually "The Ann Lovejoy Handbook of Northwest Gardening"

Opening to page 56, this is what I found:

"Although natural care techniques take a little longer to produce results, the results are longer lasting than with chemical fixes.  As we improve the health of our gardens, we notice that the plants become better able to fend for themselves.  Building great soil really is like bolstering the immune system of the garden as a whole."

Hey, pretty good input for such a random selection.  I've just started reading this book, so couldn't give a complete review.  I have really gotten a lot out of it so far.  I really do go for her ideas of giving yourself less garden chore type work and more enjoyment out of your garden.  As with most garden books, I tend to pick them up here and there or search the index for interesting sounding topics.  I must say that as much information that you can get off the internet, there's something to be said for lounging on the couch with a good garden book full of interesting information and nice pictures like this book has.

If you want to join in consider yourself tagged.  

A spring like day.

I know spring is a couple of months away, but today sure felt like it!  Blue sky, sun and mild temperatures made it the perfect day to get out and get a little clean up done.

The pond was like a mirror, and the fish were out and swimming.  I saw new leaves coming from the water lilies.

 The winter hazel 'Buttercup' is beginning to leaf out.  It is in my woodland area, and blooms bright, fragrant, yellow blossoms late winter to early spring.  It's hardy in USDA zones 6a-7b.  I really like how it looks even bare.

The camellia japonica 'Marie Bracey' is filled with growing flower buds.  It's another early spring bloomer.  Medium pink colored, full flowers on this type.  I almost gave up on this one, but it redeemed itself last year by putting out lots of flowers.

The bleeding hearts are showing signs of life.  Here's one in my woodland area.  This one gets the common pink and white heart shaped flowers.  It comes back bigger and better every year.  The foliage is very pretty and lasts most of the summer once the flowers are finished.  I love how the flowers look in a spring bouquet, just draping over the side of a pitcher or vase.

I did a little work on the new flower bed I'm adding on the "side yard".  I plan to grow sweet peas along the tall fence.  The dried stick is actually a variegated hydrangea.  Think I need to put some evergreen perennials mixed in with some annuals.  I plan to make it a sort of cutting garden.

Before I know spring really will be here, can't wait!