Monday after a not so productive cold weekend...

       The weekend brought with it very cold, rainy weather, which left little to no time for finishing all those outdoor projects that we had hoped to get done (like finishing the chicken coop or pulling those pesky weeds).  I did do some cooking, baking and a little indoor housework, but I was rather wishing I could have been outside.  Even if the clouds and rain overtook us, I can see the benefit of the rain, the world around us is green in every direction.  The stairs to the back yard and back gardens are in full wildflower bloom between every stone and step.  Nikki has deemed this the fairy butterfly garden as it attracts so many butterflies throughout the spring and summer.  It has a disorganized, yet whimsical wild look about it this time of year.  

I really don't know what is planted here -  I'm convinced since the gardens weren't cared  for so many years prior to us buying the property, that much of it is wild and probably 50 percent weeds - But, for some reason, I've just left it, the butterflies and bees seem to always be there and even if it is mostly wild - it is nonetheless beautiful.

I can only hope the weather will improve over the next few days and allow us to finish the coop -  our little chickens and guineas are quite ready for a new larger home, but with the cold nights it's probably for the best that they're still indoors.   For those interested in a chicken update, we have now identified all our chickens and I'll be sharing more of them with you later this week.  They're 3 weeks old today and sporting some fancy feathers which helped us clearly identify them.   

        I woke early this morning to a light frost but sunshine peeking over the tall trees as it came up. Thankfully, we did not get any snow last night and if the weather forecast is right after tonight our hard frost danger will abate for this week.   Although I know it will not be the last frost, I am hopeful there will be few frosts left this Spring as I need to get my seedlings, now plants, outside soon.  

        An early start to my day brought inspiration for a fresh table center.  Despite the cold our lilac has decided it's blooming time and these funky little napkin rings, found during last year's yard sale season, needed to be put to good use.  

    So off now to enjoy our breakfast with the sun peeking through at those happy little lilacs - 
I think it's a good day for Edna Mae's Sour Cream Pancakes with our homemade maple syrup -  
Then time to get the kids to their school work. 

- I'll see you back here later this week -