Spring in my step!

I've definitely got a little spring in my step today!

As I sit here writing this, I've got my patio door open, a warm breeze is blowing, and the sun is almost streaming in! You can't ask for a better day in Northeastern Indiana in the middle of February. This year (and pretty much last year too) has been exceptionally mild, especially after having the worst winters I can remember the prior few years. It's a welcome change! Normally, we are bracing for a state of emergency type snow storm the week of Valentine's - not this! This whole next week is supposed to be in the sixties!

I went to Meijers and Menards today and saw another welcome sight! Seeds and spring-planting bulbs are out in full force! Could this day get any better?

Seeing all the flowers and veggies has got my mind churning with ideas for my gardens this year! I had to get out and do a walk through of my yard to see what was already sprouting and where I can fit in more plants!

Of course, that led to me working in the yard most of the day - which I love to do! It was one of those great days that come along every so often where you even hate to go inside at the end of the day.  

And it's February! 

So many different varieties! I want them all!

These all look super cute. I've never seen them before. I'll have to do some research!

Phlox! I didn't know they came like this. I planted mine from seed and they've done really well over the years. Although I wanted to branch out and get some other colors (mine are mostly purple already) I might have to try these.

Meanwhile, in the garden...

Some hyacinths that I moved this fall. I'm glad to see they made it. I have only a few hyacinths and I'm not sure what color these are. I think either pink or white, they were given to me as Easter gifts. I'm going to make it a point to get some more.

A bunch of daffodils popping up! I think these are the first ones I planted in my creekside garden before there even really was a creekside garden!

Here come the tulips! These are dark purple, white, and pink (although they looked awfully reddish last year) that are planted at the end of my front porch.

Even my bright orange lillies are pushing through. I don't remember these popping out this early before, but I guess they're usually covered in snow at this time of the year!

Hard to see, but my Jane magnolia is getting buds on it.

These are some of the Irises I planted last fall. Not sure if this is normal or not, I've never had Irises before. They're burnt at the top though. Hopefully, they come through and bloom this year!

 

My daffodils out front look really far along! Like they could almost bloom soon! It's this crazy Indiana weather messing them up! I hope they do okay because I'm sure it's going to get cold again.

Even the lilacs are budding!

The sun setting on a perfect day!

Looking ahead to Spring!

Despite the fact that it is only November, I am already planning ahead for Spring. Well, in my garden at least. I'm a planner by nature and every year around August/September when the bulbs start coming out I like to go around to all of the stores and take stock. I take lots of pictures of all of the flowers that I like and then try to whittle it down from there. I would spend all my money on flowers if I could!

This year I tried really hard not to go crazy and I only bought four new packs of bulbs. I usually tend to go a little overboard and get in over my head. Then I have to race against the clock to get them all planted and I end up getting a little resentful that I purchased so many bulbs. My four packs still equaled out to over 100 bulbs that I had to get in the ground. I didn't want a repeat of last year when I ran out of Muscari to edge the border of my creekside garden, so I made sure to purchase plenty to finally finish it off this year. I can't wait to see it!

Muscari and Daffodils are among my most favorite flowers and I had been wanting some Irises for a long time.

I got two packs of Muscari to finish off the border of my garden. I absolutely love their blue color. There were even a few bulbs left over that I planted in my peony garden where I noticed, much to my dismay, that it looked like my peonies were pushing up again! I don't remember that happening before, so I hope they will be okay. Crazy Indiana weather!

Daffodils are probably my most favorite of all flowers. I saw these gorgeous double daffodils and just had to get them. I hope I got a good mix of all three planted together!

I planted the daffodils in five clumps of five bulbs through out my garden that runs along the creek-I call it the "creekside garden." This is how I decide where to plant them for the best placement.

Here they are nestled in their new home.

I planted these beauties in clumps of five in a few places in the front of my house. They will look great with my existing daffodils and purple hyacinths! We are always looking to add more pops of color in the front yard. I had a few bulbs left over that I ended up planting in a new bed that I am just starting on the side of my garage too.

I also decided it was time to plant this gorgeous deep red mum (well, it was deep red when I originally bought it.) It went into my creekside garden as well, the first of many in the years to come. I like to take my time planting gardens-if I did it all at once, what would I have to look forward to?

These were the only bulbs that I really wanted but did not get a chance to purchase. I think it may be too late because the first frost finally hit last night. Next year!

I woke up to this. The dreaded first frost!

Frost on my beloved limelight hydrangea. This is just the beginning of things to come!