Elsa: It was another week for the books. Sunny but chilly with windy conditions and {gasp} a speck of the white stuff for Holy Week though Mom assured me we should be warming up over the next several days.
Norman: You have to agree little sis, Mother Nature is nothing if not cruel diverse with what she dishes out. Oi…my poor aching bones. On the bright side, it looks like Spring is doing its level best to wake up and well…spring forth. Even a couple of bulbs surprised Mum by making a colorful appearance. Take for instance this daffodil. Mum squealed with delight when she saw it peeking up in the blue grape hyacinths and dried leaves.
Elsa: More like shocked. She told me she didn’t plant that guy over there. This is either the work of a ‘helpful’ squirrel, which we all know isn’t likely because, I mean…a “helpful squirrel” come on, that’s just fantasy, am I right? It’s probably more likely to have been an escapee…that’s what Mom calls bulbs who migrate from their original planting spot.
Norman: I even had to go over and check it out, it was so bright in that area where dried leaves prevail.
Elsa: {interrupting} More likely you probably went to water it.
Norman: {Ahem} As I was saying, there was another bright spot in our garden, some deep purple hyacinths although they decided to appear on the first day it snowed. Mum was scratching her head about where it came from too. She didn’t remember planting it there but said it’s always possible. As you said, it’s not likely she got any help from the resident critters and we both know we didn’t get our paws dirty in the soil. Now that the snow has melted, it seems nothing worse for the wear. Hardy little buggers, aren’t they?
Elsa: Well they are native to eastern Mediterranean near Turkey so I guess that makes sense. I’m no botanist but I think a fair number of our spring bulbs originated in that region. Hmmm, and here I always thought they came from Holland.
Norman: Oh dear sweet Elsa…aren’t you precious, little one? Another bulb that originated in Persia is the tulip. Mum’s have just broken ground but we found this one on a walk. From a distance it looked like a bright piece of rubbish but as we got closer, Mum was thrilled it wasn’t something she needed to put into a bin.
Elsa: They sure seem hardy. I know you wouldn’t want to have snow on your head.
Norman: Right you are on that, Ninja! Brrrr. The day it snowed Mum walked over to the Post Office and saw how the snow had swirled on dried leaves and branches and seed heads. It’s much prettier seeing it on screen than being actually there. {shivers}.
Elsa: Ah come on…it wasn’t that bad? I mean if the Easter Bunny can handle it, surely you can. I swear I think these folks have one of those inflatable things for every holiday. This one is new this year.
Norman: It’s kind of noisy whenever we walk past; they’re nothing like real bunnies who tend to be very quiet and freeze in their tracks until we get too close for their comfort.
Elsa: Wait, I missed a live bunny? Where was I?
Norman: I think you were checking out a taunting squirrel.
Elsa: Oh yeah, I hate it when they think they can get away with mocking me on our walks. Why I’ll show ’em…
Norman: Umm, sister, no need to get yourself all frothed up. We just need to learn to co-exist.
Elsa: Co-exist…ha! Not a chance.
Norman: {sigh} In your case, that’s probably highly unlikely. I just enjoy seeing them and as long as they don’t bother us, I say live and let live. I’m more about keeping ‘herds’ together rather than treed.
Elsa: Dream on, dog breath. Not as long as I’m around…I’m going to make sure those stupid tree rats don’t sully our garden or on our walks either.
Norman: Oh Elsa…keep your knickers on. Besides, during this special week, we must practice peace and love. All the major religions are celebrating this week. Passover began on Wednesday, Ramadan has been going on since March 20 and ends April 20, and Easter will be celebrated this Sunday. It’s a trifecta of holy days in religion, so peace should be front and center. There was even a blooming Pasque Flower on one of Mom’s walks. Just in time for the holidays. Known as Pulsatilla hirsutissima, Pulsatilla ludoviciana, Pulsatilla patens, Anemone patens) they have an undisputed appearance but a somewhat disputed name. It has been known as Pulsatilla hirsutissima, Pulsatilla ludoviciana, Pulsatilla patens, Anemone patens, etc. “Pulsatilla” from the Latin for “pulsing”, “moving about”, plus the diminutive, “illa”: thus “a bit of quivering” (from the wind). Pasque Flower or Easter Flower is from the Hebrew “Pasach” i.e. “Passover” [the last supper was the celebration of Pasach] and so this plant is associated with Easter since they generally flower around the Easter/Passover season when winter snow begins to melt. The name most likely arrived through variations of French, “passefleur” and “passflower” both similar to the French word for Easter, “Pasques” which has its roots in the Hebrew word “Pasach” so it’s kind of easy to see how the common name morphed into “Pasque Flower.”
Elsa: Since you put it like that, ok, just this once. Besides, I hope that whatever holiday you celebrate, you celebrate Nature in some fashion as well. Have a safe and happy holiday. Mom told me we’re headed south to see our Grandpa and Mom’s other sister who is coming to town. Aren’t you excited? I get to sit up close next to you in the car! Woohoo-road trip!
Norman: Yes, I’m {almost} breathless with anticipation. Happy Easter, Chag Sameach, and Ramadan Kareem everyone.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
👍🐶
Lulu: “Happy belated Easter! Sorry, we are behind on visiting while we have company for the week!”
No apologies necessary, Lulu. I’m waaaay behind myself. Hope you all had a lovely Easter.
Spring iss furinallee ‘springin’ there an about time rite Miss Monika?!?!
Sweet Norman an Elsa our weather has been a copy cat of yoress…..
Today (Monday) wee furinallee were abell to sit out on patio! It iss 45 deegreess out an allmost a **heet wave** mew mew mew…..
So many purrty flowerss Miss Monika. Yore foto-grapphy of THE Daffydill an Tulip are beeuteefull….all THE flowerss are beeuteefull <3 <3
~~~head rubss~~~BellaDharma~~~ an ((hugss)) BellaSita Mum
Thanks. We’ll be hitting the 80’s this week! From winter to summer practically overnight. 🙄
Same here!!!! Mee-yow it iss 62 deegreess here today an so lovelee!!! Wee sat out fore 2 hole hourss Miss Monika…mee thinkss wee all furinallee got SPRING!!!!! YEAH!
Beautiful blooms. You two look so cute in your bunny ears. Happy Easter!
Why thank you. We aren’t very keen on wearing the ears, but it always makes Mom happy. Hope you had a great Easter.
Flowers blooming, bursting up through the snow ~ your beautiful photos of this just blow me away. Wishing you all a blessed and beautiful Easter.
Thanks Ann. We typically receive much more snow in March and April but not so much this year. One year we got a couple of feet on St. Patrick’s Day but the flowers still eventually bloomed when it melted. They seem to thrive with it.
Happy Easter to you Elsa, Norman & Momma! Love all the spring pics…hyacinths were always my favorite and loved to see them peek up through the snow! Enjoy, and a have lovely Easter…hope the Easter Bunny brings you guys lots of treats!
Thank you and a Happy Easter to you and yours. Those dark purple hyacinths smell absolutely divine and are one of the best flowering bulbs to usher in spring.
What a lot of pretty colors in all those hardy and pretty blooms! That snow makes them look so cold, but they must thrive somehow.
So far we had 2 crocuses blooming…that is all that we have left, BOL!
And tons of Scilla are allover my yard, giving the lawn a blue hue in places. So pretty!
Ooh, our mom is very jealous of your Scilla. They’re one of her favorites for early spring.
Crazy as it seems, spring bulbs seem to thrive in the cold. Even when they get snowed on.
Kids,
A speck of the white stuff is exceptional news. And now it looks as if the spots of color are taking the lead over those specks of the white stuff! I can (almost) see the finish line . . . or starting line. Both.
Happy Easter everyone
Color other than brown is more than welcome this time of the year. Have a great weekend.
You too Monika
Riley: Zzzzzzzz
Lucy: You can wake up now Riley, Norman’s done.
Riley: Uh, sorry, hi there Norman, good to see ya!
Chia: Those squirrels have been teasing me on my morning walks, too. They better hope I don’t get lose!
Elsa: I think my brother is boring most of the time too, Riley. 😆
BOL!!
I love the flowers, especially the pasque flower. And i have a soft spot for tulips. They last such a short time. Cute bunny ears…i bet they could infiltrate a bunny gang then pull off their ears and yell surprise! Wouldn’t those bunnies go tharn?! Happy Easter!
Pasque flowers are such beauties. I wish more gardeners planted them.
What a beautiful post Elsa and Norman!! You two do such a great job showing and explaining the different flowers and plants!
xoxo,
Sunny and Rosy
Thanks, Sunny & Rosy. We’re trying to improve our delivery to keep mom happy. She gets upset when we are too snarky. Norman needs pointers that I’m always too happy to school him. Hee, hee.
Happy Easter, Monika!
Thanks, Sue. Right back atcha.
Stop the weather. I like it just like it here-73 and sunny.
Sounds perfect to us, too! Happy Easter.
Happy Easter to you all, from the Z Kids and me! Great photos!! Have a safe road trip!!
Many thanks. Happy Easter to you all. 💙
Lots of Spring celebrations happening so I’m just gonna say “HAPPY SPRING!!” to you! Love the photos of the bulbs coming up through the snow – persistent little boogers aren’t they!!
Hugs, Teddy
They sure are and we’re doggone glad for it! Happy Spring.
aren’t you two adorable bunnnies! we got more than a speck… one full day of snow, then the next day flurries but it’s going up to mid 80’s which is too hot for me but a faint taste of the hundreds to come. ack. weather in colorado is something.
love to you all, LeeAnna
We think it’s going to be a hot summer (and much to our chagrin too) but seeing spring start to burst forth seems much better than another February that’s 87 days long. Happy Easter to you, Drew and Milo. Hugs and tail wags.
What a wonderful spring tour you have given us. Nicely narrated, you two!
Happy Easter to you!
Thank you very much. We wish you a a pawsome Easter.
Thank you!
Glad to see that spring has started – despite the snow. Safe trip!
Thank you. Mum forgot to add one flower (but has since updated the post). It’s the Pasque Flower and a favorite of hers. Happy Easter, Helen.
Happy Easter to the Denver bunch!
Thank you and to you as well.