Kaseys Korner

Royally regal Regis

My poor dog hasn't gotten any blog coverage in forever (it seems) and yet here I go again with my cat.  I can't resist, besides there's nothing blooming (that you haven't already seen) and he absolutely posed. How often does that happen???  Check out these two shots that I am fondly referring to as King Regis:

 

He discovered long ago that he looks good on pink!  lol.  It really is his color.  Yes, HIS color.  My poor pets all have gender issues either because of what I do to them or something innate.  ;-)

 

Awww, what's not to love??!!!  Have a great weekend everybody!

in full bloom

I thought it was worth one more look...

 

and a long shot for fun...

 

Don't you love the darker pink stripe down the center of each petal?  I noticed lots of bulbs up outside (while I was doing a little garden clean-up) so it won't be long before I'm photographing the ones in the ground.  Hooray!!!!

garden therapy

Do you ever get one of those days where you feel absolutely desperate to visit the greenhouse just to see what's there?  I had one of those yesterday.  It's way too early in my zone to be planting but I couldn't stand it anymore.  I had to go.  I'd be lying if I told you it was anything other than therapeutic!  I feel totally refreshed today.  That makes it worth it, right??  Contributing to that feeling of well being are my few purchases, the first of which is some orchid gladiolus bulbs.  Aren't they pretty?

I love the white edging around the petals.  I think they'll be stunning in bloom.  I also purchased two orchids.  One was not in bloom so it was half price ($14.00).  It's companion was blooming and absolutely spectacular.  I hope mine will be the same someday.  For now, it's just spotted leaves:

 

I think I'm catching the orchid "bug," don't you think??  Yikes.  That's kind of scary.  I resisted for so long.  My final purchase will probably cinch it, another tiny little orchid (all of 6" high) with exquisite little yellow blooms:

 

So dainty and cheery.  I've given my cat strict orders to keep a one yard radius from both of these orchids.  I hope he was listening...

 

These orchids were strategically placed by the register, and just like kids can't resist the candy at the grocery store check out, I succumbed too.  Whoever thought up that marketing plan, was counting on customers like me. 

 

Oh well, it's making me happy sitting near my kitchen sink this morning so I think it was worth the splurge.  I hope I'm not the only one with no willpower when it comes to a beautiful flower?

PS  I've been a little slow with my blogging & visiting lately.  Hang in there with me.  I think I'll get squared away soon and be around more. 

downy discovery

Sunday afternoon dinner plans.  Let's see what I can scrounge up:

 

Whoa, what's that?? 

 

I think I'll check it out. 

 

Oh yeah.  That's exactly what I was looking for:

 

Another meal crisis averted.  Whew....

Edited to Add:  Thanks for "playing" along with me.  I was dealing with the never-ending, age old question of "what's for dinner" when I shot this photo series of the downy woodpecker.

totally tulips

A person would think the hyacinths I'm reveling in right now would be enough "spring" to keep me happy, but no, no, no.  A little more spring was needed.  It came in the form of tulip bunches.  I love being able to photograph flowers again.  It feels so good and the side benefit of having them on my kitchen table works too.

 

You know we aren't going to stop at this shot, don't you??  We need to move in and really look at the tulips.  Like here:

 

Wow, that's what I'm talking about.  This one does it for me too:

 

See why I have such trouble giving up the macro lens?  Nothing gives the "WOW" factor quite like it.  No comparison in my eyes between the first photo and the next two.  Now I'm happy...  If you aren't satisfied yet, we can go in even tighter:

 

Maybe that's a bit much??  Okay, let's end with a nice calming shot:

 

I think we're all happy now, right?!! 

spring happiness tag

I think I had a case of the "winter blues" when I was in my office the other day?    Instead of working on what I was supposed to, I ended up creating a spring tag using a saying that was meaningful to me.  Maybe it will be helpful/applies to you too??  I thought I'd share it this morning since it's appropriate to the season.  Here's an overall view:

 

Four simple words.  Easier to say then to follow sometimes, right?  I paired the saying with the garden boots, daffodils and April Showers stamp because, for me, gardening always creates happiness.  Spring is almost here, happiness is a burble away....

 

Do you feel it?  Are you already making "happiness happen" in your garden/life? 

hyacinth update

One week ago, the hyacinths were taken out of refrigeration.  I thought it would be fun to watch their development with a photo progression.  Too bad we can't put the photos on flashcards and flip them ~ that would be even more fun, wouldn't it?  I'm sure you remember they started out with tight buds like this:

 

Practically the next day, the buds elongated and had more color. 

 

They are looking decidedly "pink," aren't they??  That shouldn't surprise anybody (but me, who had forgotten what color I purchased).  The next day, even more pink and the first flowers beginning to open:

 

I took most of the photos in the early morning sunlight of my east facing kitchen window.  Maybe a bit much light?  Day four or five (I can't rememer exactly which) and we're really getting somewhere.  The first hint of fragrance is also in the air.

 

ooohhh, so pretty.  This is why I force bulbs my friends.  Such loveliness at eye (and nose) level.  Who could resist?  I took one bulb out of the window and photographed in different light.  Check out how lighting changes the color:

 

Totally more "Barbie" pink then "peachy" pink now, right??  I wonder which you prefer??

 

It's time to take them out of the window anyway, to preserve the blooms as long as possible. When they open, I always wish I had refrigerated more.  A whole line-up of colors and glasses would be stunning, wouldn't it??  Maybe something to think about for next spring?  For now, I'll just be blissful in the beauty these two are providing.  Anyone else have hyacinths to share??

nest round-up

I've been egging the season on the last few days, doing a few odds and ends in preparation for the days ahead.  I decided to go ahead and hang my spring wreath on the front door. 

 

Just seeing it there, feels better somehow??  I tied the little basket on with a raffia bow the other year and a finch family took an immediate liking to it.  I've gotten a nest (or two) each year (in the basket) ever since.  Although it's a little inconvenient, it's also fascinating to watch the whole process of nest building, egg laying, incubating, hatching, feeding then fledging right before our eyes.  So I don't discourage them. 

 

Sometimes having the nest so visible is hard tho, especially when casualties occur.  The eggs in the nest pictured above were abandoned and I never figured out why.  There are always a few snakes that try to climb the side of my front door to get to the nests too ~ amazing to watch the contortions & shapes they can morph their bodies into if you can get beyond the predation.  Anyway, I think the birds are making me think spring ~ I've noticed them pairing up already on warm days and checking around for nesting sites.  Since they're in that frame of mind, I thought I'd better do my part to help them out.  I probably should have cleaned the old nests (like the robins nest below) off the ledges last fall, but somehow I never got around to it.

Is anyone else doing these kinds of chores?  or do you do all your nest box/ledge clean out in fall? 

flowering houseplants

I think I'm going to embarrass myself this morning.  As much as I love plants/flowers, I think it's only when they're in my garden.  Houseplants have never really been my thing (other than indoor bulbs).  I don't know why that is ~ you would think one would beget an interest in the other?  Whatever.  Amazingly, despite my neglect & ignorance, I have a houseplant blooming at the moment.  Heaven help it.  I don't even know what it is other than a palm of some kind.  That's where the embarrassment comes in, I know it's quite a common houseplant, so I'm sure many of you can help me out with the name:

 

A month or so ago, I noticed stalks appearing amongst the fronds:

 

The stalks were pretty nondescript (at least to me) so I didn't think much about it.  Until I looked again and noticed all the little "knobs" on the stalks had changed to tiny white flowers:

 

It certainly has never done that before (and I've kept it alive for a number of years).  It wouldn't be me to not subject the flowers to the macro lens for a closer look, would it??!! 

 

and another shot really close, just for your viewing pleasure:

 

Isn't it interesting looking?  The fact that it could flower gives me hope.  Hope that I'll do better, hope that I'll pay more attention, hope that I can develop more of an interest.  I know houseplants are good for our environment so I should like them.  And the flowering aspect may have just appealed to the gardener in me....

PS  I could have included these blooms in my GBBD post yesterday, but I thought it was worthy of it's own entry.

February blooms

I usually forget to participate in Garden Bloggers Bloom Day (GBBD) and of all the months for me to remember, it would be one where there isn't anything outside blooming yet!  That doesn't mean life in my house is devoid of color ~ I have several indoor blooms I can share with you.  Not the least of which is my mystery phalaenopsis orchid (well, we know it's white, but since I bought it on clearance, there was no further identification).  You may remember my cat chewed off the tip of the bloom stalk when it was just forming??  I only had two buds left when he finished up was caught red handed but they have been really beautiful:

 

Since you all know I like the macros, let's not waste any time, but rather get right to one:

 

Stunning, right?  Does it make up for the lack of blooms outside.  I would say "yes" in combination with my other indoor blooming beauties.  Like the pink amaryllis (which is finishing up a second bloom stalk) but is still every bit as lovely as the first:

 

and the hyacinths which are getting ever so close to blooming by the day:

 

My hoya also continues to bloom:

 

It sometimes gets "taken for granted" because I don't think there has ever been a time it's been without blooms??  Lucky me, right?  My purple Streptocarpus is about the bloom too (bud stalks are appearing) so by this time next month, they would like to open the "show."  Of course they'll be competing with all the outdoor bulbs/shrubs too so we'll see who behaves best!   Many thanks to Carol, of May Dreams Gardens, who hosts GBBD each month.  Pop over to her blog to link up with other participating bloom day posters.