Memorial Day - a time to thank those that sacrificed for us, so that we have the freedoms we do have, and a time to remember those that are no longer with us. Thank you to my Grandfather, who received a Purple Heart for the loss of his arm in WWI, my Dad, my Uncles, my Husband, my Brother, my Nephew, my Niece, and my Great Nephew who is about to serve his Country.

God Bless America

The rain has finally let up for a day so that I could go out and tend to and see what was blooming. I think if the rains would stop for a while and we could get more sun, there would be a lot more blooms...but I will take what I get.

I told you it has been raining...there are mushrooms growing in my hostas!! Not really...

An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail came for supper on my lilacs ~

Whenever planting up pots, I usually buy some fillers/spillers. Variegated Vinca Vine is one of the 'regulars' around here, and one year, I thought why not put one in the ground instead of letting it die over the Winter. It is supposed to be an annual here in zone 5 - but I can hardly control the one that I put in the ground about 3 years ago...it goes crazy every year. When I would use them in container gardening, they never had flowers on them, yet since I planted it in the ground, it gets blue flowers. Interesting ~

Yellow Columbine ~

Iris, bought from Girl Scouts for a fund raiser years ago ~

Trumpet Honeysuckle Vine ~

Valerian Jupiter's Beard ~

It's time to batten down the hatches again for another couple of days of rain. We have had almost as much moisture in May as we have had in January through April. Although I like not having to water, I love to plant and dig too. One day a week of rain sounds much more better than one or two days of sun a week. I guess I shouldn't complain - my heart goes out to those that are suffering through the tornadoes and floods. It could easily be happening in SE Nebraska too.

I love Spring! It's a time of new beginnings, when everything starts anew. Today also happens to be our youngest son's birthday - both of our sons were born in May, is it any wonder why I love May and Spring? What better time to start a blog about my passion. For my first post, I'll let my plants introduce themselves to you as they wake up and bloom for us.

My first bloomers are my daffodils, who are being watched over by my Garden Duck, which has been passed down to me from my Great Grandmother and then my Grandmother.

Jade Crabapple

Bleeding Heart

Tree Peony

most of my iris are passalongs, so I don't know their names ~

I call this one Rootbeer ~

The weather has been so nice that we can leave the deck doors open and the fragrance from my lilacs and iris drifts into the house ~

Hopefully, as Summer passes, I'll be able to put my posts together a little faster. Bear with me as I construct my blog. I hope it is beautiful in your gardens!