Respite from the Rain

What a rainy week we've had! Every day of the past week was a rainy day. Today, we got a reprieve with a lovely, sunny Sunday. The rain greened up our world, and the plants are so lush.

Our cabin decorated in greenery

Bushes laden with flowers

Wild blackberry blossoms

Rushing Sandy Run

Fern Gulley

Our Kitty Kids

Silver and Shanti both turned 3 years old last month. Today, they enjoyed an early morning photo shoot to celebrate being the best cats ever ...

Shanti glances over her shoulder

"I know I'm gorgeous."

Silver hams it up for the camera

So many choices for what to do next

"Silver that was so funny!"

Forever buddies, Shanti & Silver bird watching together

The Azaleas Time to Shine

At this time of year, the azaleas are the brightest flowers blooming in our yard. There are bushes in our front, side, and back yard, surrounding us with color and keeping the butterflies and bees happy!

The Hummers are Here

Female Ruby-Throated Hummingbird

Very soon after putting the feeder out, the first hummingbird of spring arrived to sip at the sugar water. This year, I hung the feeder on a tree branch in a shadier, more protected location which seems to be just right for the new arrivals. It always brings such happiness to see these tiny jewel-like birds and hear them chattering as they go about the business of being hummingbirds!

Hello there!

Today, when I was outside tending our gardens, a tiny toad popped up on the side of one of the garden beds ... so cute!

May Flower

The Lovely Lily-of-the-Valley

A Day of Firsts

In addition to seeing our first box turtle of the season today, we saw our first swallowtail butterfly!  Usually, once the azaleas are in full bloom, we see more butterflies, and we start to see hummingbirds, too. I'm keeping my eyes out for the hummers.