Everyday my husband and I venture out to check out what’s growing in our yard. Sometimes it is a surprise – every year since we moved in new things pop up in the spring that we never planted – apparently we’ve stirred up the soil enough that daffodils and tulips that had been long forgotten are getting a new lease on life! :)

Sadly, the aforementioned daffodils and tulips have finished blooming, but it’s lovely to see all of the plants bursting to life! Would you like to take a stroll through the “garden” with us this morning?

We’ll go out the front door first. Take a gander up our BIG tree. When I was growing up I always wanted a big tree in our yard. My dream came true… along with an incredible amount of fall leaves and spring helicopter seed things. But I still love this tree.

The first spring we lived in this house I dug around the base of the tree and we transplanted some hosta. They never really thrived there, but apparently they really appreciated our hard work a few weeks ago when we mulched like madmen… they’re looking better than they ever have!

As we continue out the front, take a gander at the front flowerbeds – the hydrangea we planted last year (on clearance at Lowe’s in the fall for $3 each!) are looking good, the hosta are happy, and the purple flowered nameless plants that no one can identify for us are going gangbusters. Know what those are (they grow from waxy white bulbs)?? Do tell!

Around the side, you’ll notice the climbing rose that has completely engulfed the trellis… we don’t know when to cut this back, so apparently our plan this year is to watch and see what happens. :) Behind the trellis you’ll see some iris we inherited from a neighbor… last year they did squat, so I was threatening to pull them out. But lo and behold, we counted 17 blooms that will open soon! It’s gonna be lovely – can’t wait!

On to the backyard…

We didn’t really like these lily of the valley when we first moved in, but they’ve grown on us. Mostly because they seem impossible to kill. We like impossible to kill – that’s why we also have an abundance of hosta. Ferns and hosta… can you tell our yard is almost all shade?

Aren’t these Solomon’s Seal plants neat? Nate’s aunt gave us one of hers and they seem to multiply every year, which is another thing we like… which is why we are huge fans of Sweet Woodruff. We got some free (also from Nate’s aunt), it spreads like crazy, it’s pretty, and it’s impossible to kill. Meets all of our criteria.

And just because I love it, here’s another picture of my sweet new birdbath.

Our God is awesome – how wonderful to see His handiwork all around us! If you’ve got a minute, check out this video of one of my favorite songs…