Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

April Morning Garden Tour

I took a little walk around our yard
and the neighbor's yard
this morning . . .
Spring is in full session :)
Please join me . . .
lots of photos, little words.
 More tulips in bloom.
 In just a week's time,
I have so many more blooms.





 In the potting shed.
I am keeping a diary so that I will know
next year when to plant seeds.
My tomatoes are going gang busters :)

 Last year I saved all my plastic buckets,
to reuse for my seedlings.


We have been building bird houses.
I built this one.
The perch is a handle from an old
casserole cradle :)
Steve built this one.
The back.
I gave this old one a new coat of paint.

The back.
 This tree is in our neighbor's yard.
 It is so beautiful this time of year.

A happy little bird calls this tree home. 
 Well, back to our little home.
I hope you enjoyed the tour.
If you like . . .
stay a while and swing on our tire . . .
You're never too old to have a little fun :)

I am linked up with 
Carol at Art & Sand
Please join her and her friends
for more Garden Tours. 
Your blogging sister,
Connie :)


81 comments:

  1. Love seeing all of your flowers and those tomatoes!!!

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    1. We live on such a Miraculous Planet . . . Springtime is always a joy to behold.

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  2. A beautiful garden, you certainly took us a lovely tour. I fell in love with the amazing vintage bike, a real delight. Take care.

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    1. I am so happy that you enjoyed the tour. I enjoyed walking around with my camera. Don't you notice that when you have your camera in your hand, you stop and enjoy the things around you more than you do when going about your busy day :)

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  3. Very pretty! Your leaves are advanced to ours in Delaware! Andrea

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    1. Spring is so much fun . . . I get excited about it every year :)

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  4. Beautiful spring flowers. Nothing better than a spring blossoms on a tree. Love the smell and sight of it all.

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  5. Glad to see you are taking time to enjoy the flowers. They are beautiful but I think I will pass on swinging in the tire swing today! Love the birdhouses you have. They have personality! Do you use grow lights or a heating pad? Your plants are doing so well. Thanks for sharing with us today! Nancy

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    1. Hi Nancy, I bought a couple grow bulbs and put them in clap on light fixtures. I turn them on at night, I think they help especially if the nights get very cold. We have frost on and off until the middle of May around here. The temperature in the potting shed in the afternoon when the sun is coming through those windows is between 30 & 40 degrees higher than outside. Yesterday afternoon around 3:00 it was 108 out there :)

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  6. Your home and garden are so pretty. I love all the bushes and flowers. We have so much work to do at our farm and your place is so inspirational.

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    1. Hi Valerie, thank you so much. Two years ago when we bought this place it had been so neglected . . . it is nice seeing how our hard work is starting to pay off. How's your deck coming along . . . that is going to be your favorite room this summer :)

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  7. I so enjoyed the tour of your beautiful gardens, Connie (and the neighbor's tree!) The red tulips are so bright and happy and I love all the birdhouses, too! I would love to have a little swing on your tire - haven't done that since I was a kid. Everything looks wonderful! Wishing you a lovely week. xx Karen

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    1. Hi Karen, that swing hasn't been used yet this spring and is probably feeling a bit lonely . . . Our granddaughters live too far away to just stop by for and afternoon . . . boohoo . . . but they love playing on it when they visit. Spring is beautiful; I'm always excited when things start blooming.

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  8. Just lovely! You are a little ahead of us, I can't wait for all that to happen here. We are finally going to warm up to the 60s this week! I am ready...for color, for sun, for warmth! Have a fun day!

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    1. Hello Tete, I'm happy that you are finally getting some warm weather . . . sunshine and warm breezes . . . sure feel good after a long winter :)

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  9. Oh Connie, I am so JEALOUS that you are having spring already. Everything looks great including your birdie houses. Love them. Susan

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    1. Hi Susan, it is surprising because we normally have our Lilacs blooming the first of May. There is still a danger of frost around here, so those tomatoes are going to be very big by the time I plant them outside. This is my first year with my potting shed, so next year I will start them a little bit later. I'm keeping a potting shed diary, so that I will hopefully get wiser with time, LOL.

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  10. Everything looks so pretty. As I was driving home today I was thinking about how everything still looks like it's winter here. Thanks for sharing your spring with us

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    1. We had a warm spell and things are a couple weeks ahead of themselves. Our Lilacs are usually blooming the first of May. There is still danger of frost, so those tomatoes will be staying in the potting shed for a few weeks . . . just think about how big they will be when I put them outside :)

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  11. Connie your red tulips and rocker really caught my eye! They are just lovely! :)

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    1. Thank you :) I like red tulips because they are showier from the road. That way I can enjoy them as well as people driving by :)

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  12. I enjoyed your tour of the garden. We had a freeze and alot of flowers have died because of it. I am hoping that my peonies will make a comeback. We were well below normal temps for this time of the year.

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    1. We are a couple of weeks early, but it seems like every year the weather is a bit different. We did have a freeze while our apricot trees were in bloom, so time will tell whether that hurt our crop or not. I'll not be putting those tomatoes out until the second week in May, so they are going to be pretty large . . . but we still have dangers of frost. I would hate to loose them.

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  13. I always enjoy your blog. Your spring flowers are gorgeous. I like your birdhouses and the tire swing, I'd love to have a swing on it. Have a good week.

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    1. Come on over and I'll even push you on the swing, afterwards we can visit on the porch :) Sounds fun!

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  14. You made us all feel right at home...I knew you would! Love that neat bike! Hugs!

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    1. I had it painted blue last year, then I tried for a rusty look with brown and orange . . . I think I might have miss the mark a little bit. Maybe next year I'll paint it red, LOL.

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  15. Oh Connie, your yard and your neighbor's are just so pretty. Everything looks so lush and green and so welcoming. The porch with surrounded by those red tulips is just gorgeous! I could sit out there all day! The tire swing looks fun...I remember swinging on those as a child. Hope your week is going great! Enjoy the spring weather...I know I am. We have had such pretty weather this year. We usually have a very short spring, but we have had several weeks of near perfect weather. I love it!
    Hugs, Vicky

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    1. Hi Vicky, it is always nice to see you . . . if you lived closer I would push you on that swing until you felt like a kid again . . . then we could have lunch out on the porch and you could even check out my Art Barn and give me some tips on organizing . . . I love how pretty and well organized, you have set up your Happy Place :)

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  16. Spring is looking very pretty in your corner of the world.

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    1. Hi Lorrie, oh your corner, too! I have been enjoying your photos of tulips and your bleeding heart . . . so pretty. Happy Spring!

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  17. I just love your yard, Connie. Your flowers are so pretty and your grass...so pristine. Just the way I like it.

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    1. Oh Laurie, if you could only see it all. If you look close in the photo of the Lilac bushes you will see that I have a fine crop of dandelions. I didn't showcase their blooms in my post, LOL. Living in the country, I don't get into the manicured look that I had to do when living in a tight neighborhood . . . country life is a bit more relaxed and goes well with my aging body, LOL.

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  18. That was such a pretty walk. The red tulips are beautiful. Do you swing on the tire? It looks fun. :)

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    1. I have had the erg, but thought better. There are just some things that need to be dropped off as youth is slowly replaced with age, LOL.

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  19. I just love the way the red tulips complement the red rocking chair on the porch.

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    1. Thank you . . . red is one of my number one favorite colors :) Always bright a cheery and goes with all seasons.

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  20. Everything is so fresh and "springy". Thanks for the little tour.

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    1. It's nice to have perennials that show there face each year without replanting. I am bringing more and more into the yard each summer and very grateful for those well matured Lilacs that were on the property when we moved here. It won't be long until I have this place whipped into shape, LOL.

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  21. Oh yes, it's easy to smile when I drop by here. I just love the beautiful flowers planted around your home. You have brought such life to this place.

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    1. Thank you, Melanie . . . you are so sweet. I could see you swinging on my swing . . . your blog shows that you have endless energy.

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  22. Thank you for the wonderful tour, I enjoyed myself. I love all your birdhouses, they're adorable. Your neighbour's tree and all the flowers and shrubs in bloom are beautiful!

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    1. Hi Kelly, thanks so much for all of your encouraging words, you are just the sweetest :)

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  23. Beautiful blooms, this time of year is always so pretty with the blooming trees and flowers! Your bird houses are so cute and great idea with the casserole handle, love it when we can recycle things like that!

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    1. Years ago I started this plastic bin (it's out in the garage) I just throw old useless things into it . . . like broken casserole handles. You never know, LOL.

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  24. Loved the tour - all your blooms are so beautiful! I especially love all the red tulips in front of your porch and all the bird houses. How clever are you to use a casserole handle on that one bird house?! I would love to swing on that tire swing...I haven't swung on one of those in about 20 years! I think I could still manage it. ;-)

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    1. I know that you could . . . after you get bored and say, Connie, there's nothing to do . . . we'll sit on the porch and eat strawberries, drink tea and share stories . . . read any good books lately?

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  25. Lovely garden tour. I enjoyed visiting.

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    1. Thank you, I'm delighted that you stop by . . . come again :)

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  26. It all looks so lovely and pretty. Spring has really sprung. The weather here is just so changeable, today big chunks of the country have snow, ridiculous in April! Have a good week xxxx

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    1. Dear Sweet Fran, I do hope that your weather changes soon, for the better. I know how you enjoy gardening in our allotment.

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  27. A wonderful garden tour Connie. Looks like you and your neighbour have similar tastes with the rustic garden decor. I like that shot of the little birdhouse among the lilies and the worn picket fence. Do you take a twirl on the swing on a bright spring morning I wonder? Both your places look well loved and welcoming :)
    Wendy

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    1. Hi Wendy, you have no idea how much I would like to swing on that tire . . . but my tire swinging days are over, LOL. It's great for the grand-kids :)

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  28. Oooo I love those red tulips - they are glorious! And so clever to use the caserole thingy handle as a perch - I love that idea! My Dad built a bird house
    For their garden, I put in a request for one by alas it never came to be!
    Jillxo

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    1. Maybe you can be the next birdhouse builder in your family . . . they are a lot of fun to build and not hard at all. Thank you for all of your sweet words on my post, I do appreciate them :)

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  29. Lovely, lovely, lovely, Connie! I had to laugh, as I have taken almost identical photos this week. And we are making plans for bug and bee hotels and bird houses. They will be a mixture of painted and unpainted, I've been reading about what's best for the bird, but I DO want to have some cheerful painted ones about the garden. Enjoy spring, Connie dear, and keep up the good work! Lxxx

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    1. Hello Lynne, I have noticed that our hearts are both surrounded by thoughts of gardening and working in the yard. Great minds think alike :)

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  30. Your Lilac bushes are amazing, Connie. Oh, how I love the scent of Lilacs. Are you bringing some into your house? It looks like your neighbor has a Flowering Crab. They're so pretty and we'll be getting one soon. Your birdhouses are delightful. Your red tulips are a gorgeous contrast against your white house. Love it all! Hugs, Nancy

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    1. Thank Nancy, you are so sweet :) I'm looking forward to seeing your new trees in the ground.

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  31. Connie
    I love your photos. Your greenhouse is just perfect! Did you make that big hand sign?
    Your yard, with it's tire swing and antique wagon wheel reminds me of the farmhouse yards in Missouri where I was raised.

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    1. Thank you for all the praise on my yard. It has been a lot of work. When we bought this place two years ago it was very much neglected, but I love gardening and being outside. Yes, I did make that sign. I really enjoy painting signs :)

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  32. Beautiful place you have, Connie. The flowers are gorgeous. Your little shed where you grow things from seeds is very impressive.

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    1. Good Morning Faye, thank you for stopping by to visit. I spend a lot of time out there in my potting shed . . . this is my first year to start my own seeds and I am enjoying the experiencing.

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  33. Hi Connie!
    New visitor here, & new blogger, I might add! I have so much to learn yet! I'm going to be exploring your site some more. I love the way you do your photos with that blur look to the background. Enjoyed your garden tour! Your place looks like the Midwest. All those wide open spaces in the background...

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    1. Welcome! I am delighted to have you among my delightful and treasured followers. You are going to love blogging, and expect to meet a lot of warm and friendly people here in Blog-land. People ready to share ideas and tips on living a fuller and richer life. I have experienced many riches from my years of blogging. Again welcome and thank you for following my blog. Now, I'm off to visit yours.

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  34. Connie, everything in your yard is just beautiful! You have such pretty pictures of your plants. I'm so glad you joined the garden party today...pinning away. :)

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    1. I'm having a great time visiting everyone's lovely gardens . . . what a sweet idea, right :)

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  35. Oh, Connie, I just love seeing everything you have done with your home. How long has it been since you moved in?

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    1. Hi Carol, next month will be our two year anniversary in our new (old) home . . . we are so glad we made the move :) Having a garden party was such a lovely idea. I'm enjoying taking the tours.

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  36. Your country home and porch are so inviting. I enjoyed taking a tour...

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    1. Thank you so much . . . I wish we could have had tea and cookies on the porch :)

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  37. Connie- you are amazing.
    I would love to sit on your front porch and talk about your garden!
    I am so glad you shared this at our Garden Party!
    Welcome!

    Laura
    White Spray Paint

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    1. Hi Laura, it is always a pleasure when you stop by, thank you for all your sweet words.

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  38. Connie, loved seeing your garden! I love tulips, but can't plant them in my front yard. The deer will just not leave them alone. That tree of your neighbors really is gorgeous! Fun birdhouses. Thanks for sharing with the Garden Party.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Hi Jann, well, thank you for inviting us and for the opportunity you girls are giving us to share. I love gardening and it has been fun taking the tour.

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  39. Everything is so pretty especially those birdhouses!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  40. What glorious blossoms. I love the red birdhouse. Thank you so much for linking up to the Garden Party. Your post was completely enchanting!

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  41. Hey, the yards look really beautiful and refreshing, the flowers were blooming beautifully too :)

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