Thursday, May 21, 2009

Hi dear blogging friends! It has been over a week since I last posted-where does the time go?? For me it has been work, gardening and granddaughters. and of course getting ready for Spring Fling. :)

Our weather has cleared and we have had glorious warm sunny days that are finally drying out the ground enough to get a few plants in. I have managed to get some new plants-annuals and perennials planted, and have done a few containers. That's the good news. The bad is I still have several more to plant and of course lots of weeds to pull. I also need to put down a lot of mulch!

The Painted Daises are blooming. I love their hot pink color against the deep green of the ground cover vinca. Unfortunately, blogger or my Internet connection is not letting me add any more photos at this time so you will have to take my word for it.

My clematis unknownist is blooming! This year it has more than one bloom. I have babied this plant for 3 years now and it looks as though this may be the year it finally comes into it's own.


What would a post by me be without a super macro shot??
As I said above, I have been having a lot of trouble with either blogger or my Internet. I can't visit from my side bar and even when I go to one of your posts, I often can't leave a comment. But I am reading most of your posts and enjoying seeing your late spring gardens.
I first noticed this on Perennial Garden Lover's sight. So Racquel, if you are reading this....I have been reading your delightful posts. It may have something to do with my security settings-I am going to have my son-in-law check it out soon.

I have had bird photo envy for a long time. Actually ever since I started reading blogs. When I was deciding about a new camera, I had to chose between super macro and super zoom due to the budget. :) Really I have not been sorry that I went with the macro, but every once in a while... So you have to click to enlarge this and the next picture to really see them. The cat and I were walking the gardens the other evening when I heard lots of scolding. Looking up I saw this female cardinal first and then---


very close by the male cardinal. I have a feeling there is a nest in this tree and we were getting too close. Especially the cat. After a couple of quick pictures we left the area and let them get back to the business of nesting. ( The cat had to be physically persuaded to leave!)
Spring Fling is next weekend and I am sooo looking forward to meeting all the bloggers and seeing the gardens Chicago has to offer. It sounds as if we will be very busy. After we get home and I get all my photos downloaded, I want to get back to the business of blogging on a regular basis. Surely by then, life will be less complicated(famous last words). Until then...
Have a Wonderful Memorial Day and enjoy your gardens!

15 comments:

Robin's Nesting Place said...

I still haven't figured out why my new posts aren't showing up in the sidebar. It is so frustrating to visit blogs and see it showing that I haven't posted in a month.

I love blogging but the technical stuff is just not my thing.

I sure wish I could join you all for the spring fling.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Hi Beckie, I can't wait to see you. Love your macro shots.

tina said...

Good morning! Your painted daisy is very nice. My father sent me some but they have not come up. I am beginning to give up hope. I hope you have the greatest time with all the bloggers at Spring Fling!

Roses and Lilacs said...

Hi Beckie, sorry about your computer problems. Computers are like cars, wonderful until they stop working. When they don't work they are worse than useless.

Have a great time at Spring Fling and a great Memorial Day Weekend.

Have you considered trying another browser like Firefox? I would never go back to MS Internet Explorer which has far too many issues.
Marnie

Rose said...

Beckie, your clematis is beautiful! Was this blooming on Wednesday? Since this is its third year, I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't covered in blooms soon; mine is doing even better than last. The cardinals do like to scold, don't they? I always know when I'm near a nest, because they put up such a racket.

Internet problems are such a pain. I haven't had that problem, but I can certainly relate to not having time to blog--I need to get back out and plant this morning!

Enjoyed taking a real tour of your garden on Wednesday. Looking forward to relaxing and meeting everyone at Spring Fling, too!

Rose said...

One more thing--I noticed Marnie's comment about Firefox. Remember how I said I couldn't leave comments on some blogs? One day I had the bright idea to open Blogger with Firefox (M's favorite browser); I had no problems then! It's worth a try.

Cheryl said...

Hi Beckie.....I can understand that you are looking forward to the trip to Chicago....you will have a wonderful time...

Beautiful clematis, well worth nurturing.....I love them they are so adaptable to any situation.....

How lovely to have seen the cardinals....they are such lovely birds......

It will be wonderful to have you blogging again.....I have missed your posts. I do understand that life gets so busy. I must say with all honesty I have trouble keeping up at the moment.......

Have a good weekend Beckie and hope that you manage to get your containers finished......

Susie said...

You have some lovely pinks there Beckie! Nice pics. Hope you have a wonderful holiday.

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

Hi Beckie, glad to see you posting but I understand and am no the most frequent poster myself! That clemy is gorgeous! I'm also getting ready for SF and your description "...I still have several more to plant and of course lots of weeds to pull. I also need to put down a lot of mulch!" fits my garden perfectly!

Anonymous said...

Have fun at Spring Fling Beckie, wish I could go this year. I would of loved to get to meet you. Is Rose going? Your unknown Clemmie is a beauty, they take about 3 years to really come into their own so this is her season indeed. :)

Wendy said...

Your pics are beautiful! Don't you just love this time of year?? It's my favourite. And I love visiting gardening blogs.

Hope you have a fun weekend. It's a long weekend for you in the USA. So, get your hands into the earth. I plan to! LOL!
Hugs

Leigh from Larrapin Garden said...

So glad you and the pup are on the mend! Can't wait to hear about Spring Fling. Your pics are great!

Chicago Garden said...

I understand about having bird envy. I have it too!

MrBrownThumb @ Chicago Garden

Jan said...

Hi Beckie, I have a lot of trouble uploading photos to blogger. Either they just won't go through or else it takes FOREVER! Also, they seem to get huge spaces between each photo every time I try to keep adding more, in the same post. I have been frustrated too, over that issue...I hope you have a wonderful time at Spring Fling--it will be exciting, I'm sure;-) As for your clematis, I also have that one (I posted it in a collage, but don't know its name, either!). I just love to enjoy the blooms and don't seem to be obsessed with learning their names! That puts me in the 'bad gardener' category with some garden bloggers, I know;-( So be it! Take care, Jan

Mountain Mama said...

Your Clematis is so pretty!! I just planted a new one a few days ago It is Paul II I think and it looks a lot like yours.
Do you have a suggestion as to what I needfor it to climb on?