First Day of Spring

One Can Hardly Tell....

We had more snow yesterday, amounting to about eight inches of the heavy wet stuff, so it makes it difficult to think Spring is here! But that is not at all unusual for this part of the country, so we are not surprised in the least. We have actually had a relatively mild Winter, it is just that compared with last year, which almost was No winter at all, this year seems harsher and longer. The closer we get to Spring the more it snows! You can visit my post in this blog from this same date last year to see what a contrast this year is to last. The crocus were blooming and the daffodils even had begun to open.... weeks ahead of their usual schedule! This year they are nowhere in sight!

I stood on my porch to take these few pictures, not even venturing out until the snow was done and the sun had set! The ground had been bare of snow in all but the shady corners until this morning.

The pile that the plow leaves beside the garage is back again.....

Rooftops are covered......

And the garden is once again buried in a thick white blanket.

But up in those branches the blackbirds have been singing

and the buds are starting to swell.....

But can we even Imagine that under all the snow patiently awaits 

what last year was already blooming.....

I wasn't ready last year for such early blooms.....

So perhaps it is better for them to take their time....

And remain covered in snow...

And we will all just Dream of Spring for a little while longer..... 

because as hard as it is to believe....

We know it is Almost here

on this First Day of Spring in New England!

Spring Is Here!

In Worship of the Humble Crocus

The Winter that never really came is Gone!
Spring has Arrived with Such uncommon Vigor that it has taken Me by surprise!
I am Almost not ready!
On the First of March, we had eight inches of snow on the ground. On the eighth of March we had one inch of snow lingering in patches and hiding in shadows. The temperature had dipped briefly to 6 degrees F somewhere in between the arrival of the snow and its departure. Was THAT Winter?
It seems so!
This week it has been so HOT, temperatures in the 70's F every day!
My Garden is ready to be swept of last years dead leaves... a task we usually don't dare start until April... as the old leaves are a blanket for the tender plants in the cold weather.
Last weekend I bravely uncovered a few of the corners where I knew the crocus would emerge.... where they already WERE poking from the earth!

I LOVE the way the garden looks at the very beginning of Spring... all flat and Brown and empty.... with only the Bones showing.... the shrubs and stems and hard paving....

And the few brave bulbs sending up their leaves and stalks...

And if you look closely you can see the crocus huddled in the corner by the porch foundation...

Bare Rose canes and Clematis vines......

Hard to imagine the Color they will display so soon.....

And the crocus! So brave! So Beautiful! So Early!

And a closer view of the clump in the corner.....

I planted these close to the foundation knowing that they would bloom early there even on a harsh winter.... giving me HOPE for Spring..... when often it is still a long time away!

And closer....

And in the sunlight they positively GLOW!

This color is so Unbelievable in the brown landscape!

See how small they really are?

The afternoon sun casts such strong shadows......

In only two days the crocus in the Lavender bed have emerged and are in full bloom!!!

And the clumps along the walkway too..... they weren't there two days ago!

Aren't they amazing?

Can you believe that color?

I just LOVE the way they are translucent in the sun!

And in the Morning the garden is clouded with fog.......

I must go to work.... but not until I have taken some pictures.....

It is always like this... I have taken so many pictures..... but it is always different....

This morning the crocus are all closed up tight..... sleepy heads!

They don't wake up until the Sun shows his face!

They look so Demure....

And at the end of the day.....

the sun has had his way....

And the daffodils too, are starting to bloom!
Two days ago there were barely any buds!

It is almost TOO hot.... TOO much... TOO soon!

But never too beautiful....

That's just not Possible!

No matter how early!

Spring Is Here