Waiting for nicer weather...

We joined a number of other gardening folks as the Master Gardeners opened the greenhouse doors for the annual plant sale.   Tomatoes, peppers, geraniums, zinnias, gazanias, dahlias, asters and more will now venture out onto our sunny back deck during the day... and then return to the safe warmth of the east-facing kitchen windows at night.   Sun is shining today... but the wind is COLD!

Geraniums in the back...and my puny starts in front!

Heirloom tomatoes, peppers... in the house out of the cold wind!

Bright, cheerful coleus plants are one of D's favorites

Trying for spring...!

Man.... the weather just doesn't want to warm up.  Snow on the passes, freezing temps almost every night...what's up??


The orchards around us are starting to fill with buds....trying for spring!



These are cherry trees.... I think!  :)



Did a good thing.....

I am happy to say I donated blood tonight at the Red Cross blood drive hosted by the Ranger District.  It is easy enough to do.... and a good community-building activity.

It's almost a family affair.  Hubby is there all day, after baking cookies the day before.  He shows up hours early to help set up, and brings several varieties of juice for the "canteen."

His sister and his nephew's wife come together to donate blood....it's a real push for each... one has to worry about her iron level and one is still pretty iffy on the whole idea....

But they come...with a smile :)

It's all good....

After a crazy Monday back at work, I am trying to shake off the frustration of a meeting that did not go well.....folks with more clout than I have a different view of this past weekend's happenings on state highways and how we are going to still "get 'er done"  with fewer employees.  A fast-paced workout on the elliptical trainer helped a bit.... I need to let it go and take care of all the other piled-up responsibilities and questions that need my attention.  

It's all good :)

Skagit Valley Tulip Trip...

We had a great family time today in the Skagit Valley, touring extensive tulip fields and plantings, on a warm, gorgeous day.  A big day for grandbaby M....first time out on such a big venture.



Lo-o-o-ong rows of beautiful colors!



All kinds of fancy tulips...



Sun was pretty bright for wee little eyes....
Grandpa's hat made a great sunshade!

Bare orchard branches

Right now the neighbor's Golden Delicious orchard is all awkward bare branches, a place where our resident quail family ventures out to nibble in the evening.
Here is a view of another bright sunrise seen through the orchard next door. 

By the time I get home, the day is mostly done...
although days ARE getting longer and longer!

A shot through the honey locust tree.... pink to blue sky glowing in the east.

Chilly sunrise

As I headed out to work this morning, the sun was lighting the sky to the east.

While my windshield was frosty!  Yikes!

And here's my funny little solar spotlight highlighting my daffodils last night....

Can you see them in the dark? 

My set of solar torches are barely visible in the back right.

Blue skies still

Another blue-sky day at least part of the time today....but chill-EE!  On my way to work, I could see ice under the pasture sprinklers that had been running all night.  Good thing my little tender plant starts were safe in the kitchen.... sun is going down to the west .... and the sky is pale pink - fading to blue.  Take care, ya'll!

Sunny for the remainder of the weekend..

A bit of spring hides at the edge of the grass.

A nice blue-sky day again in Selah... cool breeze and only 40 degrees when I made it out of bed. The yard work and garden prep I did yesterday awakened muscles I haven't heard from in a while - and I was SORE :) Trying to decide if it is too early to plant Walla Walla onions and spuds. It is close to 80 in my mini-greenhouse, so at least my starts are happy! YAY sunshine!





Signs of spring are here and there... Cheerful daffodils nod in the breeze!

I decided the Walla Walla sweet onions would be ok in the ground.... so here are the first rows in the 2011 garden.

Looking forward to the local Master Gardeners's plant sale in less than two weeks.... heirloom tomatoes, geraniums, peppers.... can't wait!

Sunny Saturday!

Yard work wore me out today... and I really didn't do much! It's very obvious I spend too much time sitting down Monday through Friday! Trying to be spring here in Selah.... windy and almost warm.... but not quite. Several gusts nearly blew over my little greenhouse with my not-very-big flowere and zucchini starts. D rototilled our large garden space...now we just need some reliable warm weather!