I'll Be Watching

There's something very energizing about a group of people working together to get a job done. I'm chairman of the pool committee...and we try and spruce things up every spring. We had a great turnout...and got the job done done in less than an hour.  

Here I am waiting for my fabulous work crew to scrub the pool furniture at the condo.

And here's my trusty sidekick....who happily helps me with all my duties.  

I know I've mentioned before that Paul's sister Alyson and I exchange photos every evening of things that catch our eye.  Mostly nature....but other things slip in too....there are no rules. 

This photo Alyson sent yesterday took my breath away. Everything about this scene is just perfect.  

Denver has already had several 90 degree days.....and it's been full on spring there much longer than it's been here.  

But Paul's sister Liz took this photo out her window today....yes...a blanket of wet heavy snow. It broke branches and I'm sure did a number on the blooming gardens.  It's the middle of MAY for goodness sake. 

In the distance are the community gardens in the complex....and Alyson and a friend have a plot.  Today it's covered with snow.....but it will warm up again quickly and the snow will melt and the clean-up will begin.

 

Although I couldn't have easily talked myself out of it because I was tired....I did go for my after dinner walk. 

I ran into a neighbor and we walked together for a while.  Dan's destination was this maple tree he's been watching....and although I've walked by it 100 times...this is the first time I really looked at it.  

The darker green branches are actually attached.

The lime green color was just amazing....but as I looked closer I realized that the leaves were variegated. I'm not sure I've ever seen a variegated maple tree.

I did a little research this evening....and if your interested...I think is the answer to why some leaves are dark and other variegated. 

https://ask2.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=633851

I'll be watching this beautiful tree from now on too...

I wonder what it looks like in the fall. Thanks Dan!

Something New To Watch

What a difference a day makes...my post booster funk is over....and although I can't quite say that I was robust...I was totally functional.  I got some chores and errands done and had a nice visit with Margie.  

This time of year the blog is mostly about gardens and blooms....how can spring not be celebrated!

We inherited two lilac bushes in the yard....one is dark purple...and one is the standard lavender color. I'm pretty excited that they're starting to bloom

I love the smell of lilacs in the spring.  

I think the previous owner planted them to hide the ugly utility box.

They really don't get enough sun because of the large tree to the right...so they're little scruffy.  A few years ago we cut the dark purple one on the right all the way down to the ground and let it start over. This is the first year it has blooms again and the shape is much better.  I think we may do the same for the lighter purple one or at least do some major pruning.  

I may not have much foliage yet....but I'm pretty excited about the pink rain lily bud coming up.  As a matter of fact I think there are a few poking through. 

The pots in the back are always a little sad at the start of the season. The two on the left are the white rain lilies and the two in the blue pots are the pink ones.  I'm giving the small white one away and there are more pink bulbs in the garage to give away or plant.  

The other two small pots in the front right are Acidanthera, or Peacock Orchids....which are in the gladiolus family and were a birthday gift from my sister Marilyn. I started the bulbs inside and I'll transplant these to the garden when I'm sure the danger of frost is past.

The new growth is quite lovely....slender stems with red bottoms and green tops.  

This is what they'll look like....I think they'll be fun.  And now that I think about it I remember I mixed a few in with the rain lilies when I repotted them. It's fun to have something new to watch.  Thanks Marilyn!

This was finished on Margie's board....and the photo doesn't do the colors justice....the lighting is a little funny. It's a beautiful puzzle and I can't wait to have it on my table!

Robust

I'm grateful that I was able to get my second Covid booster shot last evening....but was unprepared for how it would wipe me out today.  It was a good day to lay low.... some days it's OK to do absolutely nothing.

Before the rain started...I took a couple photos of my backyard garden. The colors are always more vibrant on a cloudy day. I think the plants have liked the cool spring....everything seems happy and robust. 

Maybe tomorrow I'll be a bit more robust.

Angie's praying hands hosta there in the center is coming up nicely....it's one of my favorites. And what a contrast to the lime green next to it. 

pRiDe

June is Pride Month....and I'm thinking ahead.  Experimenting with some rainbow collage cards has been on my mind for a little while so I finally sat down and did something about it this morning.

I think I can develop the idea more....but I like general concept and I hope they get used in promoting an upcoming collage class.  I was surprised at how few P's there are in magazine headlines....I was trying to find some oversized ones.  

Angie's Elm Tree

Just over a year ago my dear friend Tracie and her husband Loon, along with friends in their neighborhood, planted a tree in memory of my sister Angie who had recently passed away.  They planted it in the Orton Park...right across their street from their home in Madison, Wisconsin.  You can read about it here: 

https://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/2021/04/they-planted-tree.html

Today Tracie texted me with an update.

It's been a long cold road to spring in Wisconsin....but this "tenacious little Elm tree is leafing out and ready for spring."  Tracie knew Angie was a bit tenacious too.

Thank you Tracie....this is just what I needed today.  

Small Stuff

Choosing to celebrate the small stuff.....and some blue stuff.

Just 350 pieces....it may be small but it packs a mighty punch! 

Thanks Marilyn!

I popped in to see what was blooming in Janice's yard...I take my jobs seriously.  

These tiny little beauties captured my heart!

As did this guy.  

We have a regular bluebird couple visiting our feeder and birdbath.  Does blue get any bluer?          

And does blue get any cuter?  I love Patty's parade of pigs. I highly recommend celebrating the small stuff!

Grateful

"Grateful for this exact moment.... 

(She learned not to rush it because there's always another one coming up right behind.)"  Flying Edna 

So many colorful moments to be grateful for....and many more to come.

World Collage Day

Today is World Collage Day....who knew!  

So I'm celebrating with a little ATC (artist trading card) collage I did a few weeks ago for a Fodder School lesson.

Then I spent a few minutes picking a few papers from my fodder that I might use for a next one....but Shupe Collage Day will have to be delayed.

Because today was....Garden Day at the Shupe condo. 

It was hotter than it should be in May...and I'm exhausted....but I'm still loving gardening in Connie's shoes.  See this post for the explanation: https://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/2017/10/gardening-in-her-shoes.html 

I got a few annual pots planted including repotting a big Boston fern for the front, split and reworked a few perennials, spread some mulch, and did some watering.  I was too tired to take photos....so a garden tour will have to wait.  

I'm not as young as I used to be....but the farm girl in me still likes to work hard. 

And by the looks of it...I may need to retire these pants. 

Foggy Friday Field Trip

It was time for a field trip...and today we embraced the fog. 

Popham Beach was our destination...just an hour north on the down east coast of Maine.  The map at the bottom with help that make sense.  Much of the coast of Maine faces south.

I hope you don't mind that I'm taking you along.

Along with the fog...driftwood was also a theme.

I was quite taken with this carving.

I found a couple small driftwood treasures to bring home.

A foggy Friday field trip is just what we needed.

A Job To Do

It was a beautiful day to be outside....and for a little while I sat on the patio and doodled inspired by Dotty Seiter. This has a little bit of a story...but that will be for another day.  I had an official job to do today.

Janice is away....so I needed to be her scout to check on some sweet little blooms she knew she was going to miss.  I didn't know I was in for such a treat.

She had to give me a little road map to find them....they're so delicate and tiny.

They are sweet little "wild oats"...and the plant if just 4 or 5 inches tall.  

The long narrow dangly trumpets were just precious.

I didn't think she would mind if I took one home.

When you know a grandson visits her house often.

And Thursday has become my Margie day....and she was hip deep in puzzles. She works on a board....and does pretty well managing all the boxes of pieces. This 1000 piece one is a rainbow of quilt blocks....and I'm looking forward to doing it.  

And this 500 piece one was finished on another board.  It was a birthday present from my sister LaVonn....but I already had one going so I let Margie do it first.  It's going to be a fun one too.

This is what's on my table....colorful little crayons from my sister Marilyn. 

My sisters know me well.