Thunder rollin' Lightning flashin'!

We had one heck of a storm last night! Thunder rollin’ Lightning flashin’!! Hubby had gone to bed before the big show started... not sure how he slept through any of it! I went out with my camera and could not get one shot of the storm, so grabbed hubby’s little camera and got one pretty good shot.

Cacti, Succulents & Flowers... Oh my!!

On a recent trip to California we were treated to a drive through Joshua Tree National Park. Took far too many pictures to be able to share them all, however a few were of plants that are rare. If you ever get the chance to go there early to mid May is the best time for blooms, most years, we didn't get there until the end of May and most cacti were done blooming. Wear sturdy shoes to protect your feet and use lots of sunscreen! - http://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm -

Pholisma arenarium - a dicot, is a perennial herb (parasitic) - Family: BORAGINACEAE

Beehive cactus/Spiny star - Escobaria vivipara (Coryphantha vivipara) Family: Cactaceae, Cactus.

Callie's Kittens update

We only have two kittens left. Smokie found a home and has been renamed "Monster" as he is quite a terror! Joker and Garfield are still with us and are growing up fast. Joker is still the little one and Garfield is growing into a very large boy. They will be 8 months old on May 9th! Their favorite pastime is to watch the birds and squirrels from the dinning room window.

Spring Flowers ~ Tulips

Tulips have always been one of my favorite spring flowers, the red and yellow ones have been producing flowers here for 35 years. I've planted many other colors and they just aren't as hardy. That said, I must admit that the wide array of spring flowers are a nice escape from the continuing cold and snowy weather we are having this spring. Not that we don't get snow and cold every spring, it just seems like this spring is having a harder time getting here.

Crowned Sparrows ~ Sure sign of spring

Every spring we are privileged to have Crowned Sparrows visit. This year we counted at least 50, which may be an all time record for our yard. Their sweet songs can be heard early in the morning, as they sing their tribute to spring.

Fruit Trees ~ Plum in bloom

There were a few days of very warm weather that got the fruit trees blooming but with so few bees about there won't be an abundance of fruit, if any at all, on our trees. Our Plum tree has loads of blooms and I hope some got pollinated! This one produces early and while the skin has a sour bite to it, the flesh is quite sweet. We usually peel them before eating. They also can up nicely (skin on) and make a nice jelly or jam.

Spring Spinach

We have spinach! Last year a few of the spinach plants produced an abundance of seed and were left in the garden to see if we would get any plants come spring. Well, we have several little plants and will be separating them and planting them in rows. It will be so nice to have some fresh greens from the garden! Lots of  catnip came up too. Will be keeping some for the cats and giving some away.