What is said at the fire...

“Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"”

~Robin Williams

~

It is official! Spring is finally here. I have attended 3 BBQs in 9 days and have loved every minute of them! The first was an evening BBQ at my house with good friends, good conversation, wiffle ball, poker & a game Munchkin. The second was during the early afternoon at a friend's house. The weather couldn't have been nicer: warm, lazy & comfortable. I chatted with acquaintances and watched the children play. Last night, was the 3rd. It was an evening BBQ in celebration of a friend's 35th birthday. There was a fine mix of good friends, acquaintances and new people to meet. We chatted while listening to the 80's & 90's finest hits, ate snacks without regard to diets and drank like it was our job, and for a night, it was!

What I appreciate most about outdoors gathering is the feelings of camaraderie when sitting next to a fire late at night (or early morning!) chatting about everything & nothing. We played a rousing rendition of "I never"...always a good time, then a little game so aptly dubbed "Fireside Confessions"! We drank beer, some smoked cigars, and embraced the conversation no matter how crazy it was! This is what I expect out of both spring and summer. I know we'll have many more memories made such as this night.

Remember: what is said at the fire, stays at the fire.

Spring

“I have a rock garden. Last week three of them died.”

~Richard Diran

Spring is finally upon us, warmth is in the air, birds are chirping & my pathetic garden cries for help.

The beginning of spring is always tough on me. I walk around in a daze, I have low motivation and generally don't care about much. Then, miraculously, people come out of hiding. Happiness and hopefulness is in the air and then I can finally shrug off the shroud of winter (though I love winter!), warm up & think again.

First, my garden. My poor, poor garden. I am not a gardener nor do I even know what I'm doing, however, I am desperate to have some pretty flowers & greenery off of the "grilling platform". The problem. Dogs. The dogs want to stand on & in the flower bed. I actually have a Hosta called, Zeus, because he consists of only 3 leaves (the biggest he has ever been), has been dug up at least 4 times by the mutts & continues to grow in his 3rd season. Today I added 2 Catmint plants, 2 Yarrow & 2 Salvia to my existing 5 Hostas (including Zeus). Hopefully everything will fill out nicely and that they will survive the onslaught of the very curious gardening dogs. I'll let you know how that goes though I am not holding my breath.

Second, the front of the house. Our house has zero curb appeal. We have a weed based lawn that allows grass to poke through where the clover and crab grass do not occupy. Bordering the front of the house we have 3 bushes in a straight row (Common Boxwood (I think), a small Variegated Boxwood, then another Common Boxwood) on each side of the front the door. Boring, basic, just kinda there. I planted 2 Cranesbill flowering plants on each side of the Variegated Boxwoods to add color but the area still looks naked. I think that I might have to put a short trellis or fence or something behind the Variegated Boxwoods to add some height and plant short, climbing, flowering plants to cover. (sigh) We'll see. If you have any ideas, I am more than happy to hear them!