Patience

 I think I'm being taught patience this spring. It takes so long to finally arrive, at least in Northwest Arkansas. The days are still overcast with nights in the 40's. I would have never made it if I'd been born up north! Don't get me wrong, I love a good cold winter day with a fire and something cooking on the stove but enough is enough, it's April and I am needing sunshine in my life! Today was another stormy day with dark skies and threatening clouds. Fayetteville got hail this afternoon, we somehow escaped the storm...we are only about 20 miles to the north.

The dogwoods are in full bloom now, they put on such a show that everything else on the mountain pales to their beauty.

These may be the only flowers in the yard that the deer leave completely alone. Once the annuals go in it's another story...

Jack in the Pulpit

One of each color of Hosta, I have trouble making decisions!

This clematis has only bloomed once, too shady here I think.

The pansies love the shady porch, safe from the hungry deer!

These pictures were taken last Saturday, much nicer day and it was sunny. It won't be long and we won't be able to see the lake anymore.

Saturday was a busy day. We worked in the yard, ran errands,  and when we got home I had a big box on the front porch from Fed Ex.

 Inside was this beautiful basket filled to the brim with gardening goodies. Gloves and seeds, a garden plaque, a lovely mug decorated with my favorite  pansies complete with exotic teas, butter cookies, Focaccia Crisps with a generous sampling of Spanish olive cheese. Lucky for me I have everything I need to have a gourmet repast in the basket I won from Michael Lee West's grand giveaway celebrating the release of her new book Gone With a Handsomer Man. The day she posted this wonderful basket, there were actually seven prizes PLUS a copy of Lori Wilde's new book The Welcome Home Garden Club.

When you visit Michael Lee West at  Designs by Gollum, you get it all. Great recipes, fabulous tablescapes and decorating ideas, a slice of Americana...she has goats and donkeys and ducks, and you get LOTS of giveaways! She is running Pioneer Woman a race on contests and by my calculations she's winning right now! 

Today's mail brought the real prize...a copy of the new book! Thanks Michael and Lori, I'm off to TeenyLand!