wildflower

The only patch of violets growing on the hill. So pretty. We watch for this patch to come up every spring.

Another dusting of snow from yesterday. Ugh! We are sick of it. 

Ruby goodness

A special treat for Sunday's dinner. Homemade rhubarb and strawberry pie. This was a little more labor intensive than I thought it would be, but it was still fun to make. I plan on making a few more as rhubarb season progresses.

It helps to have this large patch of rhubarb growing in the garden. 

Happy Birthday...

...to Cali. She's 2 today.

3rd time...

...really is a charm. I tried growing these Frittilaria in Roseville and then a few years ago here in MT, but they never emerged after being planted in Sept. I decided this would be the last time I spent any $$ on a constant failure, but much to my surprise they came up this spring. 

In other plant news, last night at 1 a.m. one of the hanging baskets decided to break free and land with a THUNK on the concrete patio. That woke everyone up including the little black canine member of the family. She is battling Giardia again this week and decided that would be a great time to go outside. Needless to say, we are all a little tired today.

Knock, knock

Who's there?

Skunk? Fox? Coyote? 

We don't know, but Cali was pretty interested in this den behind our house.

  

Pretty in Pink

The first shooting stars are blooming on the Hill. It's so nice to see a color other than white for a change.

More of Sedona

The 3 D's and Cali resting in the shade before we head to lunch. 

Of course, the whole purpose of our trip, besides meeting up with our friends in Sedona, was to check out Prescott. Cali spent 3 days in daycare at the Doggie Dude Ranch while we were looking at real estate, playing golf, and shopping. She was given a bath by the groomer while she was there and she looked duded out when she came home.

Cali's trip to Sedona, AZ

Cathedral Rock with Oak Creek in front. Debara and I hiked around this park and then brought the hubbies back so they could see it as well. An absolutely beautiful setting.

This was taken at a Scenic View Pullout. I'd say it is very scenic.

More gorgeous red rocks.

Hubby and Cali playing in Oak Creek. This was just behind the RV park. 

 

Back at camp enjoying a snack. This was a nice RV park, but very crowded. To add to the noise, a great blue heron pair were nesting in the cottonwoods that were growing in the RV park. Their young were close to fledging and they kept up a racket all day and night. We thought it was something mechanical at first because it was so constant. One morning I saw one of the adult birds fly over with a twig in it's bill and it landed in the trees. I walked over and saw the babies and both adults and finally realized they were the source of all the racket.

We've only just begun...

... to bloom. 

(Wait, that's not how the song goes.)

I'm channeling my inner Carpenter.

Spring projects

The ice is finally off the garden beds and hubby was able to rototill this week. I've since planted one bed with potatoes and another with peas, spinach, arugula, cress and sorrel.

Our neighbors, Jim and Lauren, have started work on their gazebo. They are getting married up here in July. Here they are with hubby enjoying a cookie break. I think Cali would like a bite.

Back to work.

Finders, keepers

Another shed for the dog. This is her "just try and take it from me" face.

Beautiful day

It's a gorgeous day in western Montana. This will be the warmest day of the year so far. We went for a little hike in the logged area to soak up some of the sunshine. Cali got stuck amongst the logs. We were searching for antlers and hubby said Cali will find any that were around and sure enough she did!

This morning

At least 6 more inches of white. The plow is off the Mule and my friend Katie is supposed to pick me up in an hour for a "fun-run" 5K in Missoula. Ugh!

Cold diggity-dog

We've had a lot of snow as of late. All week it's been like winter instead of spring. One of us has been overcome with snow rage and it isn't me or the dog. Cali heard something under the snow this morning and was determined to get it even though it meant digging to China. I never saw what it was, but she had a good time.