Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

Went to the tulip festival in Woodburn, OR a few weeks ago. My pictures were okay, but my friend Mario took a bunch that were so amazing that I can't get over them. Here are the best of the bunch:

First nice day this year - lots of tulip pics

It's supposed to get up to 75 today! At 9:30 I was sitting outside with my coffee and my book, happily enjoying not being freezing cold for once.

The thermometer. Oh what a joyous sight, to see that red line do something other than point straight up in the air!

The supplies. The book I'm reading right now is wonderful. (The Unpredictable Adventure: A Comedy of Woman's Independence by Claire Myers Spotswood Owens) Besides, I love my new dinnerware so much that I want to show it off. Isn't that mug just adorable?

Here's my neighbor working on his motorcycle. I was hoping he wouldn't turn it on and destroy the peace and quiet. Ironically, just as I was thinking that and taking this picture he turned it on. Fortunately he got on it and rode away a few minutes later.

I'm going to post all of the tulip pictures I took today in just a second, but before I do, I want to point out how many of them aren't even open yet. Here is an example. I'm so happy to know that I'm going to have more tulips showing color and opening over the next few weeks.

Also, the bulbs that I'd forgotten about and planted late are only now showing green, so they won't be mature for a while either.

Okay, here are all the tulip pictures I took today. I'm so glad I planted these! It was completely an experiment - I had no idea whether tulips would do well in flower boxes. I absolutely am thrilled with the result.

Gorgeous, no?

Here's the whole balcony. Those cute little cherry trees are getting a few hours outside today. By the end of the week I hope to have them out there for good.

Finally, updates on a few of the clematis. It's amazing how quickly they grow.

Asao #1. Note the bud at the tip of the tallest vine - just one of many, but it's the most visible in this picture.

Close-up of the bud.

Asao #2, also with a ton of buds and looking wonderfully lush and full. Both of the Asaos are still putting new vines out of the soil, amazingly enough.

Palette #1

Venosa Violacea

Palette #2 (I didn't bother taking pics of Palette #3 or the rest of the clematis, but they're looking good as well.)

...and that's it for now! I'm going back outside.

Updates - tulips showing color and clematis growing strong

Tulips are really starting to look good! So fun to see that burst of color as I turn into my little section of the complex.












Here's Palette #1, growing nicely. I have a feeling that's a bud at the tip of the stem there.

Here's Palette #2, the healthiest looking of all three Palettes.

Finally, wee little Palette #3.

Asao #1 is the tallest so far. You can't see it in this pic because a leaf is blocking it, but there is a really nice plump bud at the tip of that tall stem. I don't know how long it will take to mature and open. I can't wait to see it!

Asao #2, also looking good. 

Mme Julia Correvon. Clearly not much to see here - it's the only one that hasn't sprouted up yet and I'm starting to worry that it died. I'll give it another month or so before I decide what to do with it though.

Dr. Ruppel, still looking teeny. There are three nice strong stems coming up, though, so who knows.

Inspiration. Another one that's hiding a nice plump bud with a leaf. Is it camera shy?

And here is poor Oliver, saying, "Momma! Stop taking pictures and come feed me!"

At last, the sun

It's finally happened: A couple days without rain. Yesterday and today have been beautiful. Not a cloud in the sky. It's even supposed to get up to 60 by the end of the day today and I believe tomorrow, too.

Too bad the rain is supposed to be back by Friday, and is supposed to stay with us through most of next week.

Hail, snow, more hail...

I watched about 2" of hail fall in under 5 minutes yesterday afternoon, and it was still piled up on my balcony when I left for work this morning. It completely filled all the containers that are out there and was overflowing over the edges.

I think we've seen snow and hail for 6 days in a row now.