Loving Our April Showers!

It has been raining all weekend and the ground looks so rich and refreshed. 

I thought I'd take a few photos of our early spring blooms and my new succulent garden before the sun came out.

As a design pattern, I decided just to go with color and contrast in small circles, waiting for the groupings to grow and fill in later. Blooms from purple ice plant will soon 

add to the color splash.

A red Alstromeria was already in the center of the box so I decided to let it stay. Lithadora adds the sprightly blue.

Here are some of the "succulent circles" up close and personal.

Also adding color the the yard are my precious pansies. The newly transplanted Galardia (orange in back of photo) I pulled out of the center box is still struggling, but I believe will do well in this sunny spot.

Despite many Ironite applications, the leaves of my Rhoddie are still yellow, but the bloom is great!

PS:

Even though our backyard looks verdant, our front yard has been 99% junipers and 1% olive tree since 1971. We cut water use 40% last year by using shade sails in the backyard. I am hoping my succulent passion will further cut water needs. Still, the joy at hearing Shasta Dam is over capacity is well deserved. 

Dave's New Years Birthday balloons atop our olive tree with junipers below.

A Walk In the Park 2/26/16

It's snowing plum petals:
feathery-light
white missives
of spring.

It's raining sweetness
from baby pink blossoms,
tickling latent emotions
stored up since winter's frost.

Heaven is walking right out of the sky
landing next to me
taking my hand and leading me on.