Blue Sky & Pink Blossoms

Flowering Cherries in front of Sunnyside cafe

We took the truck to get new tires on Rome street and ate lunch and walked around for a bit. Another beautiful day, clear blue sky and trees coming into bloom. We also visited the Neva Lomason library and picked up some old magazines for 25cents.

Japanese Magnolia in bud, will surely be glorious in a day or two

 

Rome street has such a variety of architecture including Craftsmen style bungalows, Queen Anne Victorian and everything in between. Going to do a photo essay of all the interesting houses one of these days....

Love this color!

For lunch on the square, we went to our old standby, The Corner Cafe, I totally enjoyed my Deluxe Pot Roast sandwich (pot roast, avocados, sprouts, cheese, sprouts, olives and some other things, all stuffed into homemade focaccia) and spinach and artichoke dip with bagel chips.

Today, I noticed all the "anti bird" spikes adorning the upstairs facade of Corner Cafe. I guess not getting pooped on going and coming to lunch is a good thing.

Interesting ruffled lamps at Gallery Row coffeehouse on the square

After lunch I was ready for a nice nap but the weather was too nice so I decided I would spend some time in the garden. To help me along with that, some strong coffee.

I was happy to get all the ornamental grasses cut back in my short window outdoors. Next up was a design consultation with a client before I had to head out to accompany for Theater students followed by Black Tie Affair concert. I waited around for the no show client......

Patient cat

 The Quince branches I harvested before the big storm on Monday are opening up nicely

Dallas Fern re-potted into blue pot

 

I must say I rather enjoyed my "moment of zen" while waiting around before heading off to UWG campus. In between gigs, I noticed a nice stand of Cherry Blossoms and also some art by local artist Helen Helwig and Machiko Ichihara.

 

 

 

 

All in all, a lovely Spring Day!

Eggs, Quince & Thunderstorms

Today turned out to be a slow Monday, surely a temporary calm before the storm of a busy week to come. The weather forecast was for an afternoon of thunderstorms so I was debating whether or not to start on any major gardening projects. I decided to think it over while having breakfast and see what the weather would do.

I picked up an order of fresh farm eggs from the Garry's this weekend

lovely colors!

For breakfast, we had our usual: soft boiled eggs, toast with butter & jam accompanied with a hot cup of tea.

I like my boiled eggs "over easy" in the shell, simmered gently for 2 minutes is just about right

breakfast is served!

speckles!

Totally satisfied after breakfast, I went out to the garden to survey the "situation". There was lots to do off course and the storms seemed to be holding back. I embarked on a privet and wild blackberry removing spree. This was followed by a pruning session. I cut back the Annabelle Hydrangeas,  Asters , Artemesia and a host of other perennials. There were also countless weeds to pull. After going at it for over 4 hours, I decided it was time to stop when the storm warning sirens began to sound.

all cleaned up

Tete a Tete & Ice follies Daffodils

Helleborus, getting better by the day

Nivalis Quince

Nivalis Quince

At it's peak in the garden today was my white quince. The entire clump was bursting with buds and beginning to open. I decided to prune it a little and bring a few flowering branches indoors to enjoy. Pruning encourages more branching, which will result in more flowers next year.

glass frog, perfect for anchoring branches

English glass flower frog

dramatic and beautiful

I re-staked the orchids, something simpler to compliment the White Quince branches

 

We had quite the downpour in the late afternoon. I was glad the garden got a good soaking. Spring is almost here to stay!