April Flowers

Hiked up McAfee's Knob on Saturday. The day was perfect- sunny, upper 60's, and a nice breeze to cool me off just when I was getting a little warm. I took a small group of high school students who are  part of the science club. They were great and had a fun day enjoying the sights. Something I always want to instill in young people when they are out enjoying nature is this mantra: Take only pictures, leave only footprints. We all had reusable water bottles and the food containers/packaging we used were all carried out. They were not allowed to pick the flowers, no matter how tempting. These flowers were abundant along the beginning of the trail where sunlight was plentiful but filtered. The petals look like a phlox, but the leaves are serrated, so I cannot find a match in my wildflower guide. Are they Sweet Williams? Message me if you know! Click on the link below for more pictures.

McAfee's Knob pictures

Signs of life

Since we had such late winter-like weather, my crocuses are late this year. So I am enjoying them now! The maples are casting a red hue over the forest, and my plums are pinkish. Daffodils have heavy heads, so I'm hoping they will open up tomorrow. With all of the trees shading my homestead, everything is just a tad later compared to town-folk. The creek is running strong and the breeze was warm today. Thank you sunshine!

Crocuses!

I am always excited when these lovelies work their way through the leaves and other debris to emerge and bloom. They are like a breath of fresh air after being in winter mode for two months or more. Now I am ready to plan my yard for spring. Time to head to the nursery and pick out new plantings for 2013! Tomorrow I will prune my forsythias and bring in many of the cut branches which will bloom inside before the weather warms up enough for the ones outdoors to bloom. Another touch of spring to help keep me positive. These short days are hard...but I've noticed the longer days, a few minutes each day,  giving me a little longer to be outside.

Winter Flowers

I struggle to get out of bed on winter mornings. It is so dark, the bed is warm and cozy, but the room air is cool. Once I'm up, it's all good. Along that line of talk, the short days are kind of dreary, so having winter flowers cheers me up. Starting this past week, my orchid began blooming. There are about four buds yet to open along three stems. The plant adds a cheerful view and the flowers last for weeks, a reward for taking good care of the plant all year long. I also have African violets, peace lillies, and I'm waiting on an amaryllis to bloom. I also own a Thanksgiving cactus, red like the Christmas cactus, but mine always blooms at the earlier holiday. They all brighten my winter and help keep my hands in the dirt until spring!