A Chilly Spring!

We had an early spring with azaleas blooming and trees putting out their light green baby leaves several weeks ago, but Sunday morning we woke up to winter temperatures again!  I'm glad we didn't plant our little garden because there's a chance of frost the next night or two.  A lot of local gardeners have already planted so they'll be trying to protect their tender little plants tonight I'm sure.  It does seem like we always have one last cold snap right around Easter, so hopefully this is the last of the cold!

Some signs of spring in Southeast Texas -

Our Pear Tree 

Our Neighbor's Bluebonnets

Knock Out Rose in Our Front Yard

 

 

This is a plant I have from my Mother-In-Law and I think it's a bromeliad 

Of course the birds have been busy too!  I watched this little bluebird trying to build a nest in the end of a gate at our campground a few weeks ago.  I wish I had better pictures of him - he was so pretty!!

For those of you up north who are still waiting on spring - hang in there!!  It's worth the wait!!  It's time for the snow to be done now isn't it!!!

 

We'll be heading north in a few weeks to visit Jill and Jason, and if we time it right we'll get to enjoy their spring too. 

 

 

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. ~Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

Wildflowers

I love to see wildflowers grow

Along a country road.

Without fanfare they strive to bloom,

Though humble their abode.

Blue asters and wild daisies,

Goldenrod and Queen Anne's lace -

Flowers grown in country style

With quaint old-fashioned grace.

They ask no special favors -

This hardy little band

Will grow and quickly multiply,

Spread cheer where'er they can.

To a weary traveler's heart,

None could ever be so grand

As wildflowers blooming by the road,

Planted by God's own hand.

Kay Hoffman

Joy is very infectious; 

therefore, be always full of joy. 

Mother Teresa

Our Bluebonnet Run

This has been an amazing year for wildflowers in Texas!  I wasn't sure what to expect with the drought last year but we have had plenty of rain for several months now and we are so thankful for that!!

These pictures were taken between Conroe and Navaota on Highway 105 north of Houston. 

The smell here was so sweet!!

Sadie loves the bluebonnets too :)

"Where flowers bloom so does hope."

- Lady Bird Johnson, Public Roads: Where Flowers Bloom

A Sign of Good Things to Come!

This pear tree has produced the best and sweetest pears I've ever tasted. Most years we have had enough to share with the neighbors and still have pears for the freezer. I just noticed today that it is once again in full bloom!

March came in like a lamb here in Southeast Texas with a nice warm day and it's looking like spring is here. Since we've had such a mild winter the azaleas started blooming a few weeks ago and are almost at their peak in some places. Today I even spotted some bluebonnets blooming in the neighborhood. We're expecting a little cold weather this weekend and then that will probably be it for our winter. Yea!


The Year's at the Spring
(Robert Browning)

The year's at the spring
And the day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven:
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn:
God's in his heaven--
All's right with the world!

Pear Tree Blossoms

This is a blossom on our pear tree back in March. Now the tree is loaded with pears that should be ready in a few weeks. Looks like a bumper crop which is kind of surprising since we've been in such a drought. I think we'll be making a few pear pies soon. Can't wait!  I posted my favorite apple/pear pie recipe here.

For all the gods of the nations are idols,

but the LORD made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before him;

strength and glory are in his sanctuary.

Psalm 96:5-6 (NIV)

Spring is In the Air - Along with the Pollen

Well, it won't be long now and we'll be right in the middle of our spring-time.  Our white car is already covered with yellow pollen and I've even seen a few bluebonnets in the neighborhood blooming.  We've had a few warm days when we had to use our a.c. but now back to cooler temperatures with night time lows in the 40's.  Can't wait to get out in the yard to do some gardening kind of things.

The Year's at the Spring

Robert Browning

The year's at the spring

And the day's at the morn;

Morning's at seven:

The hillside's dew-pearled;

The lark's on the wing;

The snail's on the thorn:

God's in his heaven -

All's right with the world!

Whirlwind of a Month

The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!

~Henry Ward Beecher

We've been easing ourselves into retirement and I think I'm going to like it! We're both still working some but less and less each month. This month we've been able to see all three children and have traveled from South Texas coast to Kansas City, MO.  And we're not finished with April yet. This week we're going to camp a few days up at Lake Sam Rayburn. Hopefully we will catch fish this time!

I'm so far behind in the blog world and have really missed keeping up with everyone but I hope to catch up soon.

Our trip to Kansas City was like seeing spring all over again. We had blooming dogwoods and redbuds a few weeks ago, but there spring was at peak so it was perfect timing. We went to a place called Powel Gardens that was beautiful!

We were so glad to be able celebrate Jill's birthday with her and Jason in K.C.  We had a very good meal here at Stix and then back to their house for some yummy strawberry cake.

Signs of Spring

We planted this tree in our front yard about 10 years ago and despite Hurricane Rita and Ike it is standing tall and looking good.  After Rita it was leaning at about a 45 degree angle so we had to help it out be staking it for about a year to get it going in the right direction again, but now it's on its own.  So far though it hasn't made very pretty fall leaves.  I'm not sure why they haven't been turning red but maybe something about the temperatures not being cool enough in the fall.

Science has never drummed up quite


 as effective a tranquilizing agent as


 a sunny spring day.
~W. Earl Hall