How lovely...

These are by Susanna Bauer.

What's Happening Around The Yard?

Things are blooming, that's what!

As usual, I wish I were better at taking pictures, but here's one of the new plant stand that we got. It's called a "baker's rack," apparently. At the moment it is full of empty pots and baskets, but hopefully soon it will be full of geraniums instead.

Bloomin' rhodos...

Grape-candy-smelling irises...

I love this guy! He lights up!

Soon to be awash in daisies, peonies, Black-eyed Susans, and other things that I don't know the names of...

White azalea...

Johnny-jump-ups are all over the place...

The new fence...

Lilies-of-the-Valley! They're past their prime now, but hopefully those things are going to spread everywhere next year...

This guy was a fun surprise - Sweet William. It just started randomly growing in a pot of dirt on the back stoop. We assumed it was a weed that we would pull out when we needed the pot for something, but then suddenly it bloomed these pretty flowers! I transplanted it into the garden and a butterfly landed on it immediately. That's probably good luck or something.

I have no idea what this is called, but it is the yummiest salad green ever - it tastes like cucumbers. For real.

Look what we found buried in the backyard when we were digging post holes! (I use the term "we" loosely in that sentence.) According to legend, the neighborhood where I live used to be a garbage dump like a hundred years ago. How exciting is that? We found lots of broken glass and little bits of metal, and even a horseshoe which we will clean up and hang over the door, but these two little glass bottles were in pretty good condition. (We didn't find that bird vase, that was a gift from Mom.) The amber bottle says "Lysol" and the clear one says "The Bayer Company" so presumably is an aspirin bottle. Good find.

The Moment You Have All Been Waiting For...

Just kidding :)  But seriously though - new art! It's been forever!

This is Hansel and Gretel, making their own way just fine. It's kind of a companion piece to my Alternate Solution illustration, which I posted about here (so long ago...)

This morning in pictures...

I totally do not get how to take pictures of a room, plus everything hasn't been set-up/organized yet, so these are terrible, but you can see how my desk is set up in the corner between the two windows, which is really nice. Except that, in the afternoon when the sun is on that side of the house I can't work on my computer because it's too bright behind the screen, so, gotta get some shades. 

A really dim, unflattering picture of the trees I painted on the wall...

Cube shelves from Ikea that will eventually be gloriously full of books and pretty things. There's one on the opposite wall as well - it's a mess at the moment, but will have art/crafting supplies, dvds, and stuff. Also, there's a tv on it. And my game cube, for Mario Karting.

My new air plant terrarium!

Here's what's happening outside. We planted tons of crocuses and daffodils in the Fall - only one crocus came up, but the yard is swarming in daffodils.

We also planted hens and chicks last year, and the hen just sat there for months slowly getting smaller and smaller until she dwindled away to nothing. I thought she died, but then this happened - chicks!!!

Poor Grim wants to go outside so badly. Don't worry Grim, I'll take you out on your leash later. Have to get some work done first.

Here's what I'm working on - a chai, and a new illustration...

Some peas from the shower, soon to be planted in the ground...

My favorite piece of furniture...

Fuzz...

And the hilarious St. Patrick's Day card that Mom sent me...

Hahaha, get it? "O'no!" Because it's Irish. That's good stuff.