I guess I’ve never experienced that moment where winter gives way to spring. Of course I’m sure I have many times but, for some reason this year seems to be that exception. I remember looking out at the Lilac tree in the front yard just late last week and noticing ah, finally the tree is starting to bud. Today it has started to leaf out in that marvelous spring green. The flowering crab in the back yard usually pregnant with buds getting ready to unfurl their glory. No not so much. But then all of a sudden a few warm days and magic. Well, not magic yet but, there is hope. I have some tiny leaves. The grass is starting to green up and the perennials are breaking thru the ground.

I had a rare day off today and planned to open up the deck. But before we could get started actually while the coffee was brewing I decided to play with my pedestal on the kitchen table. After creating my cute Easter table and then not being able to use it, I thought I would at least keep the pedestal up for a few more days. I enjoyed looking at the cute bunnies! But this morning I decided I was ready to change it but, I didn’t want to do my normal thing. Remembering I had some small cute terracotta pots that I picked up last year I brought those in. And in a few minutes I was done. I’ve enjoyed walking by it today.

Then I received a text from my daughter. The grandson has recovered from strep throat and would I like to do something today. The boys are still on spring break so off to Lauritzen Gardens we go. It was such a gorgeous day today with temps in the mid 80’s and low humidity it was a perfect day for a walk. We hadn’t been since the pandemic and they had a very special exhibit.

4 Pieces from the “Washed Ashore” Collection. All 4 pieces are made from plastic and trash that has washed up from the ocean. Such an eye opening exhibit. Of course the gardens always make it fun by giving you a list of things to look for from golf balls, crocks, tires, cell phones, bottles and caps, sand castle buckets and shovels, a steering wheel, calculator, combs and the list goes on. Materials aren’t made pretty but, left in the condition they were found.

Then we proceeded to take a walk. There is a lot of construction going on at the gardens. There will be a new interactive children’s area, and hospitality center. There wasn’t a ton of flowers in bloom but a few daffodils. The gardens is on a mission to plant 1 million daffodils. They were just starting to come up.

One lonely Lenten Rose. I have been hearing about this ground cover in blog land so I had to take a picture. If I can find some I may try planting it.

A sprinkling of Grape Hyacinth here and there.

I fell in love with this bronze bunny. Wanted to bring him home with me.

The English Garden is always a favorite place. The flowers were just beginning to come thru the ground. But it is the architecture that makes me feel like home.

They do a really great job of combining the old with the modern.

Working our way to the rose garden we realized there was nothing yet to see but a whole lot more construction going on. Lauritzen Gardens is a fairly young garden. Started in the 1990’s they have big plans, it is going to be fun to watch them grow.

As we started our incline to wind our way back to the visitor center I turned back towards the valley and this is what I saw.

The gardens is such a peaceful place even with the construction going on. We had a very pleasant couple hour walk and then it was time for ice cream in the Old Market.

Our tummy’s were full of ice cream and my bones at least were weary so it was time to part company. After a pile on bear hug in the middle of the old market we said our goodbyes with a satisfaction of time well spent.

Thanks for stopping

Shelley