IN AND OUT OF BLOOM

Last year I was caught off guard by how fleeting the blooming periods were for all the different flowers in our yard. But this year I'm prepared. And I am making every effort to thoroughly enjoy them before they disappear. Like clockwork, the lilac has faded and the rhododendron has opened up in its place. And sadly, it too will be flowerless before I know it. But in the meantime I'm going to soak up all this loveliness streaming through the living room window.

MORE PICTURES OF FLOWERS

Ugh. I seriously forgot how rainy spring can be. I really want to share some pictures of my recent home improvements with you...I swear. But the weather isn't cooperating. Gray days are no good for taking photos indoors. So I'm holding out for the sun to break through these clouds.

In the meantime, I'm trying to remind myself that rain isn't ALL bad. Sure, it ruins hiking plans, and canoe trips, and picnics (in other words EVERYTHING I planned on doing last weekend). But it does make flowers grow. So I'm not gonna hold a grudge.

Instead, I'm going to stare at these pictures of the tulip fields in Holland. It's like the ultimate rainy day therapy. I mean...how crazy is it that this cuckoo bananas technicolor dreamcoat of flowers exists? On planet earth. I love it! It's like a giant, living abstract color field painting! Eat your heart out, Mark Rothko.

HELLO AGAIN

I haven't posted anything in a SHAMEFULLY long time. After my long winter's nap, the sunny days inspired me to take on a zillion new house projects. Some that are now completed...some that are well underway...and some that have just begun. I plan to share all of them with you in the coming weeks.

Here's the teaser:

My dream of wall-to-wall, over-the-door bookcases in the living room has become a reality.

We're almost done rearranging the studio and putting up those shelves in the attic.

We got a new couch and some artwork.

The bar area is completed and fully functional. (Margarita anyone?)

We have been attempting to make our yard a little less Grey Gardens.

We leveled out our patio and had some stonework done.

And I've started tackling the upstairs bathroom.

I will post about all of this in detail soon. Until then, here are some pictures of our big beautiful lilac bush. It's a little gangly and untamed, but it has the most beautiful deep purple blooms. And our neighbor, who is basically the plant whisperer, assured me that with a little bit of seasonal trimming it will grow out instead of up and will be even more breathtaking.

YESTERDAY’S NEWS

Valentine's Day felt especially lovely this year. We spent the afternoon at home preparing a delicious dinner -- rack of lamb, braised fennel, white bean puree, roasted fingerling potatoes -- and a stellar dessert -- creme brulee and chocolate covered strawberries.

Justin gave me a big, beautiful bouquet of flowers.

And in honor of my new year's resolution I wore a bunch of sparkly things on my head.

Sweet but simple. Dressed up but laid back. A perfect night at home with my handsome valentine.

OUR YARD

The exciting thing about moving into a new home in Spring is that the yard is full of surprises.  We've seen trees that looked totally dead sprout leaves and come to life...and there have been several different flowering perennials whose blooming periods have come and gone.  The photo above shows some of the foliage in our side yard - a big thick patch of clumping bamboo, a purple beech tree and a blue spruce.

When we moved in our lilac bush was in full bloom.  After the lilacs faded and disappeared our giant rhododendron was suddenly covered with the most beautiful purply pink flowers.  But now they're gone too.  I had no idea how SHORT the blooming time was for these things!  If I did I certainly would have taken some pictures.  

Just this week a row of stunning pink peonies opened up in our front yard.  Our neighbor says he thinks they have been there since the 1920s!  

I couldn't help but cut a few stems to put around the house.

Yesterday our first tiger lily opened up.  Today there are about 10 more!

And then there are these pink and white flowers.  I think they are some kind of Dianthus? 

Whatever they are they seem to have an extended blooming period.  They started flowering a while ago and are still staying strong.

There is also some honeysuckle, hostas and a slew of weeds...some which are perfectly lovely looking...and some which are more...well...weed-like.  The yard certainly needs work...and hopefully Justin and I will be able do a little something to it before the summer is over.  But in the meantime I am happy to enjoy whatever perennial surprises it has in store for us.