Chicks and Flowers

And I mean real chicks.  :-)  We have been growing our 9 chicks in the guest bathroom clawfoot tub for weeks now.  Time to introduce them to the 2 older hens and their new home.  They all huddled in the corner as they're used to being together.  

Kristi put in a lower branch "roost" for them and was trying to show them how to use it.. she put each one on it and not one of them took to it.  Kinda cute how she loves the chicks, she's been taking very good care of them.  They spent their first night in the chicken coop and did fine.  She found them all huddled together in a nest box.  :-)

We set up some chairs and watched the chicks for some time.. those ears are Kristi's dog Shelby's.  She and Bubba lived outside before Bubba passed away, but Shelby was so lonely when he was gone we welcomed her into the house with us.  She immediately tried to fit into Buddy's little bed.  :-)

Back outside.. this wild cherry tree is super laden with blossoms, it will be covered with bright red cherries soon enough.

This is right behind the chicken yard and our garage barn.

I took my camera and did a walkabout in the farmyard.  The dark purple French Lilacs are almost ready to open up! :-)

The white lilac by the deck and kitchen window is starting to open.

Kristi bought these amazing white Hosta for me a few years ago, they've done very well and they're beautiful.  

I noticed this little patch of Bluebells a few years back, I have no idea where they came from, but I love them and each year there are more flowers.  :-)

Our white Azalea is starting to bloom!  I put the white lilac next to it for my "white garden".

The first Rhododendron to bloom each year is this light pink one which has these kind of droopy blooms.  :-) This is our front entry walkway to the front door.  Oops, time to take the xmas lights down.  LOL!

The next 3 images are our big red Azalea that is right at the entry to our circular driveway.  It is so dependable!

I started to walk into the front yard to see what was blooming and was startled by movement just a few feet away.. I stood very still and raised my camera and did a bit of a zoom.. *snap*

This wild hare apparently did not find me very ominous.  :-)

Last fall my blog friend Kathy, that lives just under an hour away, told me she had two of her green Japanese Maples in pots that she wanted to give away.  So, we planned a visit and then brought these home and planted them in our circle of the driveway.  I hoped that our miserable freezing winter did not kill them.. and was so happy to see them leafing out!  Thanks, Kathy!

We've had a plethora of rain, the pasture is lush and green and the 2 pear trees are blooming!

The Japanese Rose aka "Kerria Japonica" is in full bloom.

Even though this plant has infiltrated my big raspberry colored Rhodie, it's still pretty.  

The Oregon Grape, aka Mahonia, is actually in waning bloom.  The purple Lilac beyond.  Our kitchen garden window is there in the photo.

This Rhodie - I don't know the variety - but it's gorgeous, the buds start out pink but when they bloom out they are creamy white.

  
The Lily-of-the-Valley is starting to bloom!  I have a big patch in the front entry garden but those are behind this one.  I envision a small bouquet very soon.  They smell out this world!

We have a volunteer Lady Fern in a pot on our deck.. don't you love the fronds as they are unfurling?

The Sea Pink (also called Thrift or Armeria Maritima) ground cover we got for Kristi when she admired them when she visited us at the beach the last time we were there - is in bloom.  

The Japanese Painted Fern also is dependable.. pushing it's way up through the thick Creeping Myrtle ground cover to claim it's space in the garden.

Kristi has done some garden grooming and the Hosta are all pushing up and looking glorious!

Another plant that won't take no for an answer pushes the myrtle aside to thrive.  :-)

We have several variety of hosta.. I want each one to be different.  This is a lime green one.

A white tipped one.

Is there anything more heartening than the trees and plants bursting forth in the spring?  It gives me hope.  Which I kind of need right now.  We lost one of our old pond fish and one of the new koi.. I guess we got the new fish too early.  And to be honest we haven't seen the 2nd pond fish or 2nd koi either.  :-(

I love the look of my red Japanese maple in the Spring - it is never so brilliant as when it leafs out.. until fall when it turns colors.

My adorable grandson Caleb loves to find the eggs in the new nests and brought this in to show me.  Awww.. 

Our poor feral cat Simba.  KathyB.. you're the cat lady.. does he look really old or just infirm?  Kristi feeds him well but he never gains an ounce.  

Well.. that was a long post!  I hope you enjoyed hanging out in the Oregon countryside with me.  Have a super week.

((hugs)), Teresa :-)