The baby daffs are gone and going to seed. I need to deadhead them. The rhodedendrums are blooming and are so pretty. This little birdbath is one that Lori gave me several years ago. She gave me a new one for my birthday too. I'll post a picture of that one, too. It's beautiful. 
This is always the first container of the year. Kelly and I have started our traditional morning walks through the garden. It's still pretty cold, but wonderful to be able to go out every morning.
I think she's right. Nelly had her nose to the ground, checking things out.
I found these little iris at work yesterday. The wind was blowing so hard that it was tough to get a good shot. They are now covered with snow. . .on this first day of spring!
Well, almost anyway. This Blue Willow plate makes a good background for the year's first daffodil stem.
The daffodils are beginning to bloom. I love that big weeping evergreen. Kelly and I walked around the perennial beds. Lots of plants are waking up. 
PJ asked for a birthday picture since I will be 50 on Friday. This is a picture of me on my 6th birthday, in grandma and granddaddy's kitchen. The cake was from Blackhawk Bakery, of course. I remember that dress. The top was purple velvet and I loved it. There's the old stove where grandma would warm our clothes in the mornings. The hot water heater was there in the corner. And you can see a little bit of one of her kitchen chairs. They were red and you could rock in them--very fun to sit in when you are 6. (Actually they would probably be fun to sit in when you're 50, too.) Mike's high chair is right behind me. He would have been less than a year old. Grandma always had plants in the windows. That doesn't look like an african violet, tho. Ivy wallpaper. I don't remember the picture that's hanging on the wall--it looks like a kitchen towel, maybe? Anyway, thanks for asking for the picture, sis. I even found one of grandma's letters while I was looking for this. It was fun to remember.Just a few minutes after I posted this fun little birthday musing, I received a call from Todd with the bad news that Clayton had died earlier that day. My 50th was a very sad birthday as we went down to mourn with Judson and Isaac and the family. . .
This is the first blushing lady tulip that I've found. These are PJ's favorite tulips. Click on the picture and take a look at the enlargement. Looks like a rabbit chomp to me. . .
The forecast says 58 degrees today! Lots of daffodils are coming up. No signs of the tulips yet, but it won't be long.
Doesn't this remind you of an insect? I had thought spider at first, but there's not enough legs. But something like that anyway.
Mark made the observation that February is more than half over. So we're that much closer to spring!
Sandy was also known as Sandra, Sandra Jane (when she was being stubborn), Sannie, Sanniedog, Sanniegirl, Sanner, and in general, just the best dog ever.
Isn't this a great orange? It was 50 degrees here yesterday, and today is supposed to be pretty nice too. Tomorrow's forecast is for dropping temperatures with some more winter weather to follow. I'm hoping to start some seeds tonight--delphiniums and tomatoes. . .
There was an orchid show at Washington Park today. The park was just beautiful in the snow, and the orchids were wonderful. After a half-dozen pictures, my battery pack went dead. It's so nice to have colorful blooms for the blog, so I'm going back tomorrow with fresh batteries. Watch the blog this week for more blooms!
Those are big snowflakes out there! There's probably 4-5 inches, and it's still going strong.
Lots and lots of little larkspur seedlings are coming up. I hope they make it through February!
Found this little snowdrop yesterday when I was out hunting for the first signs of bloom.
