Spring is Here!

Even though Spring came to stay a week or so ago, today it really is official! I'm living in that small window of perfection that only comes twice a year to the Richmond area. All the windows are open and we are living on the front porch with warm breezes and sunshine.  Any day now a fog of pollen will descend upon us like a mighty plague with the unbearable heat quick to follow. 

Lots of blooms and buds and happy hot chihuahuas around here.  There are also lots of projects to start and to finish. Hopefully we can get a good start on them before the pollen and the heat get us down.

And now for something completely different.  I can excitedly report that this arrived on my doorstep yesterday!

Now I need a case. What do you think is the best? A sleeve, an envelope, a folio of some kind? There are lots of different styles with very different functions and I can't decide what would work best for me.  Any suggestions/ recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Happy Spring!

Blooming in January, Really?

I stepped outside for a little bit on Sunday and noticed something a little odd hanging out by the fence:

In January!  I know we've had some warmer days lately, but daffodils, really??  It was a lovely little surprise. 

By the way, this pic is from my new personal photo a day project I've been doing. I'll share the details later this week.  What kinds of personal projects have been inspiring you lately?

Birthday Flowers

My Sweet Husband brought home this lovely fall bouquet of flowers for my birthday.  It's a very dreary day today and I had a hard time finding a spot bright enough in our already dark house to take a picture.  The dreary day is the best gift too.  We haven't had rain in weeks and it's so nice to see a few drops.  Hopefully  we can continue to get rain for awhile.

Happy Monday !

Sneaking a Break

I was just sitting on the front porch procrastinating with the Husband and the Puppy, enjoying the beautiful day and thought I'd share a little bit of the view with you too.

The crepe myrtle (or as my Sweet Husband likes to call it - the chrysanthemum tree) beside the porch swing has finally bloomed.  It really is lovely.   

Okay, now back to work!

Friday Field Trip

Last night the Husband had another gig at the Flowers After 5 series at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden here in Richmond.  It's a wonderful way to spend a Thursday evening tasting wine and listening to music in a GORGEOUS garden.  I feel very lucky to have such a lovely place nearby. 

 
I completely forgot to take any pictures when we were there last week (sweating in the heat!) but I had a chance to redeem myself last night. 

I also made some friends along the way

Frabel Glass Exhibit

And saw some really beautiful flowers (that were actually surviving in the heat, I will say the rose garden looked like it was struggling a bit)

the children's treehouse in the distance

peppers!

It was so hot last night (did I mention it's been hot?) that the wine and music were indoors but I did take my stroll through the garden before I completely lost the sun. 

another Frabel sculpture

Is it better to give than receive?

Is it wrong to enjoy someone else's gift for just a little while before they receive it?  I bought these gorgeous blooms for a friend's birthday but we won't be seeing each other for a few more days. 

I think I'll make the most of it while I can.

Aaahhhhhh.......