Surveying The Estate

After a very grumpy start to my morning, I came home from taking the girls to school and made myself breakfast and ate it al fresco.  I'm not really sure why it was such a grumpy morning but I apparently had my claws out when I woke up.  After breakfast and another cup of coffee I decided to "Survey the Estate".  My good friend once told me that if her dad a particularly long day at work he would come home and "Survey the Estate".  It makes me giggle every time I say it but I use it frequently.  When I here the word estate I think of all the Jane Austin books and movies I love.  I definitely do not live on an estate, I do have a rather large yard but my home is a typical 1970's rancher.  "Surveying the Estate" makes a simple walk around the yard sound so grand just like "mowing the lawn" is much more sophisticated than "cutting the grass" according to my dad. HA! Here is what I found as I "Surveyed the Estate" this morning.  (Warning: This is a picture heavy post).

Little tiny strawberries that the squirrels will probably enjoy before we do.

Hanging baskets on the deck.

Flowers that make me think of my Papaw.  He loved Dahlias.

Our frog prince in the middle of my abundant thyme.

Garden Bed #1

Garden Bed #2

Hydrangeas that have grown so much and will be full of beautiful flowers soon.

My Rhododendrons that finally, after 3 years, are blooming.  The plants look terrible but they are still going strong.

Lovely roses

Purple iris around a tree that is completely covered in poison ivy.

And last but not least a sea of "flowers" in the yard that always find their way into a glass on the kitchen window seal from two special little girls.

I hope you enjoyed your tour around my "estate".  It made me feel so much better.  I am now much less grumpy and armed with an apology and Popsicles for those two special little girls after school.