My yard says it is rapidly approaching. We are in the eighties most of this week and I found this blooming today:

Critters here are acting like it's spring. Birds are frisky, and I had two big black snakes chasing each other around the back yard. DH was not pleased when I told him I saw them disappear into his shop, which he had opened to air out. He hates snakes, but I went out to scout later and it seems they found their way out again.

My amaryllis sure are a long way behind yours though, Hetty. Just barely putting up some new growth after the cold.

These begonias sure smell like spring.

I noticed a frisky black snake here today too. The Amaryllis is the only one blooming of many bulbs planted...

Feels here like spring is coming & soon! The other day I heard for hours & hours, the calls of large, multiple groups of Sandhill Cranes in the sky. I went out to look several times & they were up there heading NNW. The migrants are heading back home so that's a sure sign spring is not too far away.

Earlier in the week I would have agreed but not now!!!! All this rain (again) and never out of the 50s. Of course it does force me to stay inside & work on projects but I really want to see some sun!!!!

It's been a bit more like Seattle WA, instead of Central Florida around here....need and icon with a snorkel and fins.

How about a grumpy face with a parka on? Same here, cold and clammy for about 3 days now. At least the night temps have stayed high enough so the orchids can be outside. We missed out on the rain, though. Looked like you got some good rain the last couple of days?

My broccoli has taken the warm-up to mean 'it's time to flower' . .. darnit, when DH is away I just can't eat broccoli fast enough. Tomatoes have a terrible case of powdery mildew from all the cool and damp - we've had fog nearly every morning. I hardly ever see this problem and it went from just a few leaves to the whole plant practically overnight.


A neat plant that I bought at Selby's plant sale last fall, Clown Fig has been evidently enjoying its new home. New leaves and a pretty little striped fig on there!

I don't mind the rain; it's just that I would like some sun when the rain quits. These cloudy, grey days tend to get to me. The rain is welcome as we'll be praying for it soon enough when summer hits.

I generally don't mind the rain either, and am rather glad for it. Makes for nice green pastures for the horses and less watering of plants. But we've been getting quite a bit the last two weeks. It has been pouring here, literally all day. I just looked at the radar and it looks like it might be done for awhile.

The sun was a welcome sight this morning. When we lived in Northern Illinois, the whole winter was like it has been the last few days -- grey skies but not everlasting humidity.

Dutchlady1 said:I noticed a frisky black snake here today too. The Amaryllis is the only one blooming of many bulbs planted...

Don't usually see snakes here until March. This morning though all the birds were up in arms and looking in the same direction. I can only assume they had spotted a snake. I looked, but could not see what/who they saw. Guess it's time to watch where I step once again.

Why did I click in here? I knew I'd be so jealous and exasperated, guess I got what I was asking for. Naples is precisely the location where I fantasize about being, at least for winter, within the US. What day do you usually have spring anyway? Does it last the whole day, or just that morning?

I'm going to go have a primal scream now... and enjoy the beautiful day (that must there there above the clouds) and my weekly tease, going ever so briefly across the border so far out in the country there's not even a sign. Ironic, when one fantasizes about going to FL once a week, the fantasy should be more specific (but I'm not complaining - just appreciating the irony, and giving what I think is pretty darn good advice for anybody else with vague warm winter dreams.)

Hey Ginger, my Mom keeps finding little snakes in her shrubs, sometimes at eye level, a few of them poisonous. Please be careful in all directions in your little wild kingdom!

Elaine, your Begonias have a scent? I would love to hear more about this if I'm not misunderstanding your comment.

Yup, Tiffany this particular white one is Begonia odorata alba, and has a nice fresh scent in the mornings as it's warming up. The plant is vigorous and also will stand some sun. It's a sprawler, though, so I've seen it planted behind a row of low shrubs, and laying up over the shrubs in front for support. I have it in a huge 20in. hanging basket that needs to come down and be re-planted this year after about 3 years. The flower umbels are up to 10in across, and it has big, roundish dark green leaves too.

These pics from 2 years ago before it got really out of hand This year it is twice the size, scraggly and I've been taking a lot of cuttings preparing for making a whole new basket.

Couple more of the whole basket. I got it as a 9in. cutting in Fall of 2011 and it grew to this size by March of 2012. Last fall it probably measured 5ft. x 5ft.

That is very cool! TY for the awesome pics and info about this beautiful plant, I had no idea. Something for my wish list for sure.

You're welcome, Tiffany and thanks for the acorns! I'd offer you cuttings, but I've promised starts of this plant to so many people . . . if I have any starts left by next month (when your weather will be warmer) I'll send you some for postage, if you like. (postage has gone up so much it's not nearly as fun to trade plants any more)

What a kind thought, thank you for saying! I've decided to declare a moratorium on trading this year. It ended up adding up to much more than I usually devote to plant budget, kind of snuck-up $12.35 at a time... and the house is already crammed with tons of little plants that are supposed to get a lot bigger. If the price is raised from that, I'm more firmly in the 'maybe next year' camp. I did put it on my 'lottery list' though!

Got this Phal for $3 on a U/I table at a market last April. She only had buds at that time. This is the 3rd time she has bloomed. Very soft coloring. Does so much better than the expensive ones I have.
And the Christmas/Easter cactus are all blooming again.

Hetty: Remind me what that beautiful plant is in your first photo!

Elaine: You always have such gorgeous plants blooming, that begonia is really pretty and I LOVE the Clown Fig!!

Jean: Wow, $3.00 for that gorgeous Phal, what a bargain! Lucky you to have your holiday cactus blooming again!

I think spring is finally arriving over this way too; the Weeping Bottlebrush is bursting into bloom; the flowers have been covered with honey bees lately!