Spring Seems to be Springing

Yesterday was a day most glorious. The early morning fog/mist burned off and left us with sunshiny gorgeousity. :) huh. Blogger doesn't think that's a word. But if you were here, and saw my backyard, you would know EXACTLY what I mean by that.

It was a day to pull out the camera and snap some pictures. Today I woke to the sound of pouring rain. woohoo! That means more flowers!!

Some of the new plants (a dozen or so) are azaleas. Three of them have popped a bloom. Look at all of those buds, just waiting to burst.

Mr. DeMille? I'm ready for my close-up.

One of the plants that survived the backyard upheaval was the camellia. It wasn't on the plan, but no one told the guys to take it out. I'm glad they left it. It is a faithful bush, always rewarding us with a yearly display of perfect blooms.

Another group that survived in the back is this orchid patch. The landscaper was here yesterday, and noticed them, all fenced off and protected. (I'm trying to tell the new gardener that this is a "Round-up free zone.") It won't be long before these beauties have stalks of beautiful miniature red-violet orchids, bringing a smile to my face.

I saved many of the geraniums as well, shoving them into pots. I hope to put them into the front yard, when we give it its MASSIVE makeover. More about that later.

Pat's orchid is still on the porch, blooming vigorously, rewarding me for faithfully ignoring it.

Look at those flowers! They're take-your-breath-away beautiful.

At the base of one of the sequoias, I planted crocus bulbs. Three of the yellow flowers have bloomed, now it's the white one's turn.

In preparation for the front work, I've been digging up plants that I want to save. Here we've got primroses, ranunculuses, and a couple of cyclamen, that all look like they survived their uprooting.

This patch used to hold that 2-headed sago palm, and was overrun with violets. Every day I've gone out there, uprooting violets. I enjoy violets, but when we get our makeover, I don't want to be infested with them.

That area has been bulldozed and raked and gone over again and again. Most of the plants were destroyed in the process. Or I thought they were. Some refuse to say "Uncle," like this pansy. Her leaves may be completely buried, but she found the strength to pop her bud up and bloom. I thought that effort to be worthy of a picture.

Finally, I guess the reason I am so focused on the yard is that I gave the Landscaper the okay to begin the front on Monday. Yikes. 8am. Demolition. We're talking the rip up sidewalks, pull down a couple of fences, pull out trees type of demolition. If I tell you my stomach is quivery about this one, I will not be exaggerating. It will likely take more than a week, what with the cement work and everything. Other than that? As long as I have the final say over what goes where (overruling the plans, if necessary), then I think I can handle it.

On your mark, get set, GO!!!