Many Hands in the Garden

It's finally starting to look like spring! The daffodils and tulips are blooming. The Star Magnolia, focus of My Magnolia Saga, is showing signs of life and trying to bloom... ...although around town they are in full bloom. And the hostas, daylillies, astilbe and peonies are all bursting out from the ground. In the house, … Continue reading Many Hands in the Garden

This Crazy Winter

The winter of 2019 is definitely one for the books. We've been through snow, rain, crazy temperatures swings, a winter thunderstorm, the polar vortex...and now another ice storm has hit the Chicago area. As temperatures hovered around freezing, the precipitation has rotated between rain, sleet, freezing rain and snow. Aside from the treacherous driving and … Continue reading This Crazy Winter

My Magnolia Saga

In my neighborhood, one of the things that truly announces that spring has arrived is the beautiful blooms of the Magnolias, Redbuds and flowering Crabapples. We already had pink crabapple, so when one of our River Birch trees died about 10 years ago, we replanted nearby with a Redbud. It has grown beautifully and puts … Continue reading My Magnolia Saga

Spring Colors Are Everywhere!

Spring in Chicago has been on and off again the last couple of months. We were teased with early warm weather and everything started popping out, but then winter seemed to come back and bring everything to a halt. But now, everything has just exploded in color. Of all the wonderful spring blooms, my favorite … Continue reading Spring Colors Are Everywhere!

Anticipation (and a Stray Migrating Dragonfly)

Spring is such an interesting time of year in the garden.  What survived the winter?  When will the spring blooms begin?  It seems every year is different in how and when the growing season unfolds.  I thought it was going to be an early spring, and then we had quite a cold snap and slowed … Continue reading Anticipation (and a Stray Migrating Dragonfly)