WOW>> what a snowy weekend!!! Im ready for spring.. one good thing its February the snow cant last forever... spring is right around the corner!!! At Grant Street Woolworks at the christmas party we chose secret pals for the year its so much fun!!! We buy them little gifts and send cards and encourage but of course its a secret until the next christmas party my secret pal already thought of me with a sweet gift and a cheery card!!! It was so much fun receiving this surprise!! If you didnt get a secret pal this year I would highly encourage you to do so next year its so much fun!! Here is a picture of what I got from my secret pal!! I love it.. I think they must know me pretty well!! :) hmmm... wonder who it could be!!!???? :0

WOW... Im so excited I just had to share a new flowering bush for the spring and summer!! Its the new Lilac the reblooms!! Lilacs are one of my favorite flowers.. they smell so good and bring back such happy memories... of spring and youth...!!! Its called the Bloomerang.. It flowers in May with heavy clusters of purple pink sweetly scented blooms!! It continues reblooming until the first frost!!! Wow.. move over butterfly bush!! :) They are great for cutting because the blooms are so abundant!! Since they are brand new they are a little expensive right now... one small plant sells for $19.95 .... you can order them through White Flower Farm!! (If you cant wait a couple of years before the price goes down)!!!!

As most of you know we have a new addition the family her name is Ellie and she is a sweet little chug!!! I snapped a photo of her admiring a rose!!!

Prince Purple Zinnia from my garden this summer... grows very well.. mildew resistant and I sowed the seeds right into the ground.... you will get many months of enjoyment from these seeds.

This was especially pretty in real life.. its a moss ross... a form of portulaca and the color was a vivid pink!! It was in full sun and you did not have to do anything.. no deadheading and very little watering... a must have for my garden again this year!!

The pot above if filled with coleus... my very favorite plant... takes morning sun and afternoonshade.. it grew twice as big as this and I needed to shear it about halfway twice through the summer and fall!! Notice my little duck... he was very happy standing next to such a beautiful plant.. I understand my grandmother on my moms side loved coleus too... my mom said we get our love of flowers from her!! Just thought you might enjoy a few snapshots from this summer.. to inspire you for the months ahead ... spring is right around the corner.!!!

Penguins

Hamster

Well its been awhile since I've posted... winter is a hard time to talk about flowers.... but we shouldnt forget them!! Before you know it spring will be here with its light warm breezes and the smell of fresh green earth! GOD has been so good during this winter season so far.. and the snow was so beautiful and will help our perennials and bushes and trees and grass... the water the earth needs will be supplied because of the snow!!, yesterday I saw some sweet little birds taking a bath in the snow.. all the water was frozen so they were smart enough to use the snow GOD blessed them with!! Soon it will be time to prune those trees and bushes I would wait until the middle of February... but remember do not trim the bushes that will flower as you will cut off the soon to be flower if you do!! As soon as the bush is finish flowering in the spring you can trim then before new buds set for the following year.. so remember to trim right after blooming!! Remember to fertilize your house plants as they will need the extra boost.. due to the dry air in the house as Im sure we are all running our heating systems at full blast!! Mist them at least once a week with water!! This will make them happy also!! Get out your gardening books and a nice cup of hot tea or coffee... and dream of the beautiful gardens you will have in the spring... plan now and order those seeds now so you will be ready for the first kiss of spring!!

Turtles