today in my garden

70° yesterday and 50° today have given me two days of leaf removal in my flower beds.  Sore shoulders & a popped blister later...and my gardens are getting ready.
I love this time of year.  The long winter is finally giving up to spring & the proof is in the little buds that miraculously fight their way through the layers of wet, frozen leaves to show us there is hope.  I do believe that life is like that too.  There are always signs of hope fighting through the layers of crap that press down on us.
Here's today in my garden, photo journal style:

A little birdy used left over ribbon from Patrick's graduation party to build a fancy nest.  Rather joyous find.

 Crocuses ~ crocuses ~crocuses.  The first flower.  A bright living spot in the middle of a dead flower bed.  How does this little flower grow in the still cold dirt?  Does it know the joy it brings the people who see it?
There are bigger flowers and their are showier flowers, but there is none that deliver the good news of spring quite like these little guys.

This may just look like a bunch of half dead leaves...but shortly these little leaves will grow long stems with big green buds that will pop open one morning to reveal the most glorious red poppy. 

Still asleep ~ still quiet ~ in need of warmth and sun ~ and then the miracle will happen.

The weeping cherry tree and My Magnolia. 

How do those buds still form?

How were they kept from destruction during our frigid winter?

I love this little planter with the crazy hair plant.

He spent the winter burried in the snow.

Fonzi, surveying his yard & hoping for a chipmunk or squirrel to chase.

We are all thankful for the warmth.