Spring Blossoms.

Spring is more than making up for her late arrival this year.  All of the below (in no particular order) started making their appearance in the neighborhood over the past week:

American Dogwood 

Lilac

Sugar / Red Maple

Magnolia

Cherry (on the south side of the hill; haven't seen any trees on the north side blooming yet.)

Forsythia

Norway Maple

Bradford Pear.  (Possibly my favorite.)

Next up will be the cherries and lilacs on the north side of Spring Hill, apples, Japanese dogwood...

Better Late Than Never.

Started the squash seedlings; prepped up a 'test' to see if my tomato seeds are still viable.

Pulled norway seedlings and other undesirables out of the containers on the back porch. Planted peas, cukes, curly-leafed lettuce and a new (to me), hopefully bitter green: mustard spinach.

If the weather holds up, will turn the soil over out back and sow some wildflower seeds.

Am wondering if, instead of flowers in the front boxes, I might want to plant herbs. Cilantro, parsley, catnip and sage might all work out nicely in those long, shallow, rectangular containers. Might have to sow the dill elsewhere, though.

Am very pleasantly surprised that the kale planted 3-4 years ago continues to reseed itself.  Found in one of my containers a lush start to a lovely salad / stirfry season.  The plant with the saw-toothed leaves that is sharing space with my lovely kale is a dandelion, of course.  Those do NOT get pulled; they're one of my favorite potherbs.

May Bells.

This is the first time in memory that the May Bells hadn't bloomed in time for the First of May.

For those who celebrate, I offer you a bouquet of stems and leaves.  Have a peaceful, restful day.