in the garden - planting spring bulbs

We've had the warmest days this week, so I've made the most of them and spent some time planting some spring bulbs around the yard. I didn't plant too many, just a few clusters here and there. There are some under the large maple in the front yard, and some to the side of the front entrance. The rest have been planted under the lilac bushes which will be a welcome sight come spring. 

In each grouping I planted a few double White Lion narcissus, a few miniature White Marvel narcissus and a few double white snow drops. I selected them for their varying heights. And because they're white. (Obviously!) I love the idea of planting bulbs. Something to look forward to during the winter months, when the garden is asleep.

The garden centre looked beautiful.

I think I need to pop back in for some more muscari.

I also picked up some paperwhites to force inside for Christmas - another thing I love doing this time of year. However, due to the fact that their bulbs arrived in September, and then sat in a cool shed, they're already starting to sprout! So these ones will stay out and I'll enjoy them now through November, and I'll find some others to store away in the basement for a couple weeks so I can enjoy them closer to Christmas.

Miniature White Marvel

Double White Lion

The littler boys helped me "tuck the flowers in bed for the winter".

If you've wanted to force paperwhites, but aren't sure what you'll need, or how to get started, they're quite simple. I'm not an expert, but basically, I just pot them up now and keep them in a cool place for about 6 weeks (our basement is fieldstone so it's perfect). To pot them, I just fill planters halfway with small stones, then place my bulbs with the roots facing down. They like to be kind of snug, so fit them in quite close together. I put a bit of potting mix around them, but leave the top third showing, and then give them some water. The stones help with drainage. Don't forget to water them while they're away, a couple times a week, and then the same when they're out. Some recommend a mixture of alcohol and water to keep them from getting kind of leggy, which they can do, but I'm too cheap for that. Plus, I've read mixed reviews on it. I do however, plant them kind of low in taller pots to help with their height, and then I'll tie some ribbon around them while they're blooming in they start to flop over.

Have you planted anything for spring?

The Master Bedroom

Today's task was to tidy up the master bedroom.

Not much has happened in here recently, except that we have hung curtains, and we purchased a new four poster bed from Kijiji. It was $100, and was already painted white. I actually would have preferred it to be unpainted, but I wasn't having any luck finding an antique frame in a queen size.

I'm still on the hunt for a night table. I have one that would work as a night table, but it's too large for this space. 

In need of some time out of the house, Hudson and I ventured to the grocery store today and picked up all of the Spring bulbs that they had. The Hyacinths were three bunches for $10!

We also picked up a chocolate croissant for with coffee. It was a much needed treat.

I put a few bunches on our night table. They will make the whole room smell beautiful.

The curtain panels were $29 from Ikea, and the rods were 20% off $14.99 at Target. We tried out the curtain hanging tip from Miss Mustard Seed, where you use a template and just switch it back and forth for each side of the window. It worked quite well.

I also picked up a few more pots of bulbs as my others were finished.

Daffodils are always so cheery.

And I always enjoy the look of Muscari.

And I managed to get a photo of this cheerful looking Cardinal. She's so fluffy and was chirping happily the entire time in the Lilac bushes outside of our bedroom window.

Snowdrops

While wandering around the yard on Sunday afternoon, enjoying the warm Spring weather, the boys and I discovered that our little clusters of Snowdrops have come up.

They are one of my favourite bulbs, with their delicate white flowers dangling gracefully from their stems.

They're a welcomed sight.

I picked a tiny bouquet for beside my sink. They open and close with the sunlight.

New Frames and Spring Bulbs

Is it Spring yet?

It's nearly March and it seems as though everyone except mother nature is ready for this cold weather to lift, and warm temperatures to start moving in.

This morning it's 21 degrees below zero. And that's before the wind chill!

However, to make the weather a little more bearable, the grocery store had buckets of beautiful Spring bulbs this week.

My bright, yellow Daffodils remind me that despite how deceiving the weather currently is, warm Spring weather is right around the corner. 

Another discovery while shopping was this antique frame that I found while looking for a light fixture with my mom. It was in an antique shop down the road from them called The Duke and Duchess.

The painting that I got for Christmas from Ryan fit perfectly in it. It's now beside my chair in the living room. At $35 I thought it was a good find.

You can read more about the beautiful painting here.

I also found some Hyacinths, which always fill the house with the scent of a garden blooming in early Spring.

While cleaning out an area of our basement, I came across a collection of small gold frames I've collected from thrift stores over the years. At 50 cents each, a small collection of them isn't expensive, but they make a pretty display on our dresser.

And our home isn't the only place that's ready for the arrival of Spring!

I was excited to see that my parents had started setting up the shop. It will be opening soon, and it's coming together so nicely.

The Oxalis (Four Leaf Clovers) are already out on display among some of the beautiful antique pieces they've been collecting. 

Hyacinths and Crocuses

A scent that always reminds me of the freshness of Spring is the fragrant Hyacinth. 

The other week, friends of ours came for dinner, and along with them came a little bundle of Spring.

White Hyacinths and White Crocuses. 

She had planted them in little silver pots, tucked bits of moss around them and then finished them with a raffia bow. Don't the make a lovely hostess gift? 

It was a completely unnecessary gesture as they are best friends of ours, but I loved them. They make the cold winter days much more bearable, and remind me of the Spring soon to come.

Sitting in the window, soaking up all the warm sunlight.

The Hyacinth is now just opening, and it's beautiful scent fills the room.

Thanks Steph!

First Signs of Spring

 

This afternoon, with both boys sleeping and a rare moment of quiet, I snuck out to the back to poke around in the muck that this warm weather has turned the yard into.

 

There, tucked amongst the remaining leaves from the Fall months, are the first promising signs of Spring.

 

Pushing their way up through clumps of damp earth and debris are the Snowdrops and the Daffodils and the Eranthis.

 

A promise that Spring is on it's way.

 

Dainty white Snowdrops.

 

These are found in our neighbor's yard. Yesterday, while coming in the door, I noticed a small patch of Snowdrops in our hedge. Today, when I went to take a photo, our dear neighbors, the Lambs, must have been having a good laugh at my expense. Mrs. Lamb finally came out and told me to take a walk through their "dell" (They're a lovely old British couple), and see the other blooms. This was much easier than trying to maneuver through a hedge.

 

Daffodils sprouting.

Our walkways in the ravine are all speckled with pretty yellow blooms - Eranthis. It's actually part of the buttercup family. It's a nice contrast to the barren trees and they bring bits of colour to the grounds.