Mid May already??

Time is just flying by, and here we are at the May long weekend already!

I don't really have much to report even though I have been so busy.

Spring cleaning and warmer weather means open windows and drying laundry on the line

Last weekend was Mothers Day, and the kids got me a wonderful gift ... new BOOTS!

They really are too pretty to get dirty! ;)

The weather has been slowing improving,  and that has finally allowed me to get out to the gardens.

Things are slowly coming to life.

The Ground Ivy aka Creeping Charlie is taking over the back lawn ... I really need to do something about that. I don't really believe in a perfectly manicured lawn, especially out here in the country, but the Ground Ivy is VERY vigorous and it is creeping into the gardens, as well as smothering the grass that IS there.  Taking stock of my plants and I have noticed a few things that didn't survive ... The latest Rose 'Arizona', a Campanula, and a Lupin appear to be dead. All the Hosta's have poked out as well as all the new perennials I planted last fall. I've been watching the Frittilaria as it grows and it is finally blooming!

I have already found Red Lily beetles in the yard, and I am keeping my fingers crossed they don't find this! I was tempted to rip out the Turks Cap Lily's that seems to be their favorite food, but then they would go after my other lily's and the Frittilaria. So for now, the Turks Cap stays as a lure crop and I will be diligent about hand picking those little buggers.

Found this beautiful Tulip blooming in the back garden, I don't remember planting it and don't know it's name, but I think it is gorgeous!!

The White Tulip's that I planted for Big County Girl are starting to bloom too

I lost the tag for these beauties

The 'Pink Parasol' Narcissus in bloom

I have 2 clusters of these 'Minnow' Narcissus and this is the first to bloom. 

The blooms are very tiny!

And the nicer weather has finally allowed me to visit my favorite plant retailers too!

Picked up the last of my vegetables and found this variegated Alyssum ... I just HAD to have it!

We have been too busy to get the veggie garden fence up just yet, but the dog has been chasing the bunnies away. We have a frost warning for tonight so I won't be planting anything for at least a few days anyway. I have also caught 3 voles with my vole traps, but they are getting smart and digging around the traps. There are also a few stray cats hanging around at night and hopefully catching some. I was not too impressed to see that a cat has been 'spraying' on my water barrel and wall outside. Anyone have any suggestions about what to do with unwanted stray cats? Grrr!

And finally, Country Boy's cast is OFF!

That's all the news for today. Now I am on my way to help clean out the snack bar for the soccer club. That's right, it's soccer season! Because I didn't have enough to do already ;)