The effects of a long, miserable Winter...

You don't really realize the effects a super cold, long winter has on the landscape until Spring arrives and things should be greening up.  This is just two of my dozens of boxwood's.  As you can see, the damage is beyond repair...I'm still holding out pulling them up for a while longer to see if anything greens up on them. Do not be fooled by those so called botanists that say you don't have to water established plants...they all need moisture, no matter how well established they are.  I believe if I'd watered my boxwood's before the cold winter set in, they would have survived...maybe not 100% but not to the point of damage that they are now. I've had these for over 20 years and hate to lose them. The Azalea that I babied for 3 seasons to get established took one hard winter to die!  My ornament pear trees look like they have developed a disease too...so they are coming down...I will not fight for their lovely white flowers any longer! I'm sure there is a better alternative for these disease trodden beauties. My Korean Lilac is blooming but the beautiful, full bush I had last year is just a memory cause its sparse in leaves this year.  I'll be cutting it way back after the blooms are gone to try and shape it back up into the beautiful lush bush it was last year.  Most of my Hosta survived but not all....the Shasta Daisy that I fought for years to get established is struggling to even get itself started and it should be 6 inches tall by now.  No matter how much you want it, fighting with Mother Nature is a never ending chore.  I'm getting too old to continue this fight and think I'll throw in the towel and admit defeat...the lawn won this battle!  Next week, I'll be feeling more optimistic and give it another fight! LOL and pray that Mother Nature is kind to me and brings me more rain this summer than it has the past 3 summers.

Wind Burned Boxwood's

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Made these the other day and haven't had time to get it ready to post until this morning. They are just from a mix that I pick up at Aldi's but they are so good. Even better when they are still warm with a hot cup of coffee or tea. Little bits of dried apples and then topped with a cinnamon sugar crumble. Brent's Dad was here and he thought they were great.

Don't you love the tea towel that I used in this shot. Looks like vintage linen but I spotted these at Wal-mart and had to have them to use in what little dab of food photography I do. Or maybe I just like to collect food photography props.......I think the later.