Spring-spiration

I'm back. Spring seems to inspire me to get off the stick and really do things. Actually, I've written several blog entries, but never got around to posting. I am, however, going to add (at the bottom of this) something that I wrote New Year's Day, just because it had a message I want to make note of, for myself anyway.

Excitement.
Findings.
Treasures.
Inspiration.
Bargains.
New growth.
Spring.

Yesterday I had a creativity escape afternoon. I headed to the nursery, armed with coupons for half off on some plants and more on others. Succulents and African daisies topped the list. Since it's a bit of a drive there, I spent part of the time dreaming about my back flower garden, which is being revamped this year.

To start with, Charlie's helping me dig out some pesky plants to replant on the hillsides of the ditches. Old fashioned Bouncing Bett and Tiger Lilies spread and overpower everything else and I fight them all year. So, they're getting new homes to make way for new plants.


Still a mess

The daisies are light purple and deep purple. The succulents will go in one corner with my existing hen-and-chicks. The dill and cilantro will join the other herbs.

The gardens are off-limits to our two real black labs, but my new lab puppy sculpture will be look cute sitting guard someplace. We also bought a fountain the other day, which Charlie just set up last night.



My dreaming included plans to paint a couple of my trashy treasures cobalt blue—like the tiny child's or doll's chair and a pot or two.

Ater the nursery I went to my favorite used book store, The Book Grinder. My most exciting find is a beautiful 8 1/2 x 11-inch book entitled Alphabets and Ornaments—Artwork for Scrapbooks and Fabric Transfer.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Alphabets+%26+Ornaments&x=0&y=0

All beautiful colored vintage images: floral, birds, postcards, music sheets, posters, frames, ledger pages, verse. These can be cut out and used as is—or I can print and size to my heart's content from the bonus CD included. The book appears to be brand-spanking new, never used. In fact, the CD is still sealed in the back.






My mind is racing, and when I awoke at 4:45 this morning, I couldn't go back to sleep.

Continuing with gardening thoughts, yesterday Charlie planted four kinds of potatoes, spinach, Swiss chard, onions, lettuce and radishes. Fresh veggies on their way.




I have to mention one more VERY important thing: I am a grandmother again. Katy Jo Benn Gregory, little sister to Tabitha, was born December 13, 2008. I spent several days with her the end of January—first of February. Needless to say, she's another joy!


Grandma and Katy Jo


Big Sister Tabitha with Katy Jo

I'll try not to let a year pass again beore continuing this saga. Maybe I can even get some follow-up photos posted.

Edited March 26: Just finished reading one of the books bought last week, After the Rain by Thomas Christopher Greene. I just discovered through his website http://www.thomaschristophergreene.com/interior.php/sid/1
and a subsequent e-mail from the author, that this title was published first in the UK and later in the US under the name I'll Never Be Long Gone. I am so anxious now to read his other books, which are available through Amazon, by the way.