S.N.O.W.

Or as I like to call it Simply Not Optimal Weather.  Yep it snowed here again... not a lot in inches but the snow and ice on the road made for an icy commute to work and it was cold, 26 degrees cold that is.

My poor plants aren't sure what's going on... one day sunny and mild, spring seems to be on its way and then "oops" here's a little snow again.

My garden is confused and so am I.  March isn't supposed to bring snow... when February is over we are supposed to enter the limbo month of March and just get grey and wet.  Well if I'm completely honest that sometimes describes April... and May... and June as well.

But really, I need some warmish days to get out into the gardens and clean up from last season... I know, I know I should have done it in the fall but I always think I'll have another weekend and next thing you know it's March and crocus and hyacinths are peaking up through the weeds and dead and dry hydrangea blossoms.

This brave hydrangea has both new and old blossoms to show off.... hopefully that visit from 26 degrees won't mean this little guy will turn dark and die back...

And the Autumn Joy sedum is giving me a little bit of spring joy too.

I'm always amazed that the delicate looking delphinium unfurls in the still cold weather.

Our snowy morning certainly turned into a cold, clear, sunny afternoon in my neck of the woods... soon this old azalea will trade the orangey-red buds for orange blossoms.

Even my shrub rose Bonica is showing signs of spring and the fabulous pink flowers to come.

And perhaps you were wondering what that spiky, torture chamber looking device was at the start of this post?  Nope, not a bed of nails... I found it today at the thrift store... for $5.99... in the original box... never used.  It's a flower frog unlike any I already have.

It's got handy, dandy little clips that mean you can snap/slide it together in different configurations as needed.

Can you say "great find"?  Sometimes the ladies at the thrift store think I go for the odd stuff... but who could pass up this little gem... especially a "frog" collector like myself AND I was thrilled to find something to remind me that spring is just around the corner...

Something besides the swans that seem to finally be moving out of our field and off to their spring and summer palaces.

Of course, my hellebore really reminds me that snow will soon be a distant memory... or at least where it belongs... in a cone, with syrup and a spoon at the beach...

Enjoying the sunny afternoon,