More Babies on the Way?

No, it's not what you think...just possibly some bird babies! Rob bought me a strawberry plant in a basket a couple of weeks ago and it's been hanging from our front porch. The past few days, I've noticed a robin flying into the basket and bringing bits of straw and grass. This afternoon, I checked it out and here's what I found inside:

a nest waiting for robin eggs

It's so cool how they can build the nest so perfectly shaped!

view from the top

So, even though it might be too hard to try to water my strawberries, I can't possibly take the nest out now. We'll be waiting, instead, for some robin eggs to arrive soon, and hopefully, the chance to for all of us (Ella, especially) to watch the baby birds hatch. Stay tuned!


Here are also a few more flowers that are sprouting up around our gardens. It's so refreshing to wake up to green things and bright blue skies outside after what felt like such a long, dreary winter. The recent rain (April showers) and warmer temperatures are also great for weeds, which we are also growing. I have spent the past few days digging out dandelions from our lawn. I don't want to use an herbicide this year, so I thought the best thing to do until I find a healthier solution is to dig them out (roots and all) by hand before they turn to seed and spread. (I actually was laughing at my retired neighbors who did this last year....but now I am the one doing it). I heard that a water, vinegar solution works, but haven't tried it. I am going to search for an alternative, but in the meantime, I've actually found it kind of relaxing, in a weird way. Maybe I just like the challenge of trying to keep a step ahead of the dandelions.

the only tree in our yard..starting to bloom

petunias in a container

hostas quickly growing

a neat view of our first tulip of the season

a little blurry, but still kind of pretty