a sweet picture for a sweet day.

Doug gave me an Aero Garden for Christmas, and I love it. we started off with the herbs kit, but next I'd like to try veggies or maybe even strawberries.

I told him I wanted to do a stand with five or six Aero Gardens so we'd never have to buy fresh food again....I believe he might have rolled his eyes. LOL

these are the first flowers of Spring in our yard. Daffodils we were given by the neighbor. unfortunately, they are also the LAST flowers of Spring (until I plant more) because last year I only planted annuals. LOL (which, by the way...all the damn rabbits ATE within a month!!)

this year? this year I am planting a butterfly garden, with ALL perennials.

have a black thumb? can't grow ANYTHING? have I got a plant for you!! get a Peony bush, and I guarantee you won't be able to kill it even if you want to...I should know. I've watched Doug try every year when the poor thing grows back up. it can survive being cut down, the weight of bricks, gasoline, weedkiller...did I miss anything, honey?

Doug HATES this Peony bush, because of the ants that it attracts. (it's right next to the back door). this year he promised to leave the poor thing alone (its earned the right to live, imo) at least until it had blooms...and that's exactly what he did. LOL and then cut it down...again. it's in the fire pit, waiting for the next bonfire. silly boy. you might as well leave it alone. it'll be back next year anyway.

ahh!! we have more damn "tree rats" in our neighborhood...but damn are they CUTE! I know you really can't tell from this picture, but this is this season's new crop...it's a BABY! tiny, fuzzy, cute...and totally independant. now why can't human babies mature this fast? I might consider having one if they did. (no, I wouldn't...but it sounded good!)

Doug's Aunt Shari passed away a week ago yesterday. these are the flowers I got for her. aren't they beautiful? nice, bold colors for a bold personality.

I am slowly learning how to use my new Digital Rebel XT. I have some seriously shaky hands at times, tho. I can figure out how to do settings, but not how to avoid camera shake (without a tripod, which sometimes just isn't practical!).

Doug spotted this little darlin' while cutting grass. she's the first baby bunny we've actually discovered this year, which is unusual. last year we saw at least 7 or 8. I wonder what's eating them all? maybe we have a cat in the neighborhood...a BOBCAT!!

she let me get right up to her. poor little thing was probably scared out of her mind. she has since gotten much bigger and now hides in the wood next to our shed.

sooo....somebody couldn't wait until my actual birthday to have me open my presents. LOL and I'm so glad he couldn't. my baby got me what I've been jonesing for FOR OVER A YEAR...a canon 55-250mm IS telephoto zoom lense. this is the first photo taken with it, sitting on my couch. it is AWESOMENESS. now I just need to learn how to use it.

Doug has been wanting to check out Bridal Cave since I met him. we finally took the opportunity this weekend. it was absolutely beautiful, and of course these pictures don't do it justice. the experience would have perfect if I woulda had the forethought to bring some tape for the over-theatrical tour guide's annoying mouth...but other than that? quite amazing.

these are my golden tomatoes that I started in my AeroGarden and then transplanted outside when the weather turned Springish. aren't they beautiful? almost ready, too. unfortunately, I don't know how they turned out because a damn squirrel helped himself the day after I took this picture.

this is absolutely my most favoritest time of year. (besides the pollen/allergies/breathing hell, of course!) I took about 30 pictures of various trees and flowers on Sunday, and of the WHOLE BUNCH...this is the only one even remotely in focus. damn you wind!!

we (and by "we", I mean Doug) planted Irises last fall, and I'm extremely relieved to say that they all came up and so far 3 have even BLOOMED! *squee!!* and even the Peony bush is doing better than ever, despite Doug's best efforts to kill it. I really do love Spring.

I wish I'd managed to not be so nervy getting up close and personal with this guy. this picture would have been really cool if it was...oh, I don't know. IN FOCUS?!! but I really, really don't like spiders. even if they are smaller than a dime and at the end of a very long focus lense. *shudder*

I LOVE me some thunderstorms (tho not on the ride home from work). and I love rainbows even more. but a DOUBLE FULL rainbow? I've never even seen one before! *squeeeee!!* I am a happy girl.

I was walking over to check my 'maters, when I realized that there was a baby bird[!] being fed by his Mama[!!]. since I didn't want to disturb them, I figured the smartest thing to do was to go grab my camera and shove it in their faces.

Mama flew off, but baby was THE BEST MODEL EVER. because he was too scared (and awkward...ah. the growing stage between no flight and flight) to move. doncha just love his little tufts? and his hungry mouth? and his GRUMPY FACE! I could just faint from the cuteness of that little grandpa face. all he needs is a pipe hanging outta his beak.