April Bloom Day

I have been absent from the blog for a couple of weeks. I suppose the freezing and raining and snowing in April just had me down. But! Waking up this morning to 45 degree weather, warming up into the 60s this afternoon really helped my mood! What a day for Bloom Day! I wasn't able to get to the Farm today (I live about 60 miles south) but Julie & Mom (GramaHoot) sent pictures so I could make one post instead of 3 separate ones. It felt so good to get outside again. It was a little on the wet side, but it was just solid enough that I didn't sink in the mud. I was able to get all my front beds weeded, and of course ~ I was able to take pictures for BLOOM DAY!

Daffodils were in bloom today at the Farm. They started blooming at my house just before March Bloom Day, and are still blooming today.

You can see the daffodils at my house in the background of the Grape Hyacinth that were open in full glory today!

The Grape Hyacinth were blooming at the Farm as well, and are adorable surrounding the rooster statue!

The white Narcissus blooms were sparkling today at the Farm.

All 3 of us had Creeping Phlox open today. This nice lavender (left) is Mom's, from the Farm.

This paler blue Creeping Phlox (right) is mine. It's been in bloom for about 3 weeks now, and is a little muddy from all the rain that we've had this past week.

Julie's Creeping Phlox (left) is blue as well, and seemingly unaffected by mud. Hmm... maybe my dogs had something to do with my mud splatters.

While I do try to eradicate dandelions, I always leave a few violets (right) in the lawn. They remind me of my Great Grandma, whose shady side yard was full of violets all spring and summer.

Julie also has violets in her yard, and they were blooming today as well. (left) I just love the variety in violet blossoms!

Now, I did say I TRY to eradicate dandelions. But, it just wouldn't be April without a few of these. Actually, I tend to be a little bit fond of dandelions. After all, they're the only flower that my children have free-reign on making into bouquets for me.

Another 'kid-friendly' plant in my yard is the strawberry. I have strawberries in almost every flower bed in my yard. I allow my children to eat them, and it keeps them very close (out of the road) while we're working in the garden. They were VERY excited to see the blossoms on the strawberries this morning!

Isn't this a cutie?! (right) I don't know his name, as he came to me unlabeled from an auction of a nursery that went out of business. The pretty blue flowers are each smaller than a dime, and the whole plant is maybe 3" to 4" tall. If you know his name, please speak up!

Now, this obviously isn't a bloom, (left) but we're just so excited about the peonies this year! We have several new varieties that we haven't seen bloom yet, and they're full and lush already this year. We love 'meeting' the newbies!

Mom's pretty vinca is in bloom today. I love the soothing periwinkle color of this flower!

Despite all the crazy weather and late freezes, the Red Peach tree came through and is in bloom today!

The Red Bud tree (right) is coming along nicely!

The lilac (left) isn't in bloom yet, but has started to bud out quite well.

Also making it through the freezes unscathed are the plum trees, whose pretty white blossoms sing out in the landscape.

This landscape shot (left) that Mom took at the Farm today shows forsythia, crabapple trees, and pear trees all in bloom.

A close-up of the peach blossom taken by Julie on the Farm today. I love how pretty this little blossom is!

Now that you've seen all the blooms we have here at Painted Acres Farm, feel free to leave your comments, and make sure to go visit Carol at MayDreams Gardens for much more Bloom Day fun!