April is well under way and we have been treated to some lovely weather, almost summer like on some of the days. We have been spending more time outside so the website has been neglected.
The boots and bumbershoots are out in the garden. Bumbershoot is an old fashioned name for umbrella. My umbrellas are filled with forsythia and pussy willows and hang on either side of the garage door.

An old pair of children’s boots is filled with dirt and then has lots of tulips and daffodils in it. The rainbow rock is one that I painted a few days ago. April showers bring May flowers.

The garden is growing rapidly, and every day there are changes to document with my camera.

Herbs such as sage and feverfew, bleeding hearts, columbine, daylilies and more are growing with lots of green growth.

The daffodils have been blooming, such a wonderful sight after the winter.

On the summer like days we had bbq and everything tasted wonderful. On one of the normal temperature days I made a delicious pot of chick pea soup. This is a delicious way to get your servings of veggies, so be sure to click the link to find out how to make it. There is also a recipe for roasted chickpeas there as well. A yummy snack.

Soup is always in season, find a delicious recipe that just might become your new favourite.

Soon there will be delicious cooking smells with rhubarb as it is growing bigger daily.

I’ve been embroidering a set of pillow cases for a birthday gift.

A new crafting toy is a neck light. This is great for working at night when the light isn’t so good. It has 3 settings and shines right on the stitching. I’ve also used it for reading. It has a plug in attachment for charging when necessary.

The finished pillowcases all ready to gift.

I get lots of inspiration from other stitchers at Slow Sunday Stitching and appreciate all the visits and comments from there. Visit them and gather some inspiration for yourself.

The fragrant hyacinths have just started to bloom

While the crocus have bloomed and faded away.

The garden decorating has started with rock houses and ladybugs making their way into the garden for the season.

And finally after being blown down in a strong windstorm in the winter, the flagpole has been repaired and is proudly flying the Canadian flag once again.

More from the gardener side: garden areas, bulbs, corms & tubers, plant profiles, seeds & seedpods, veggies & herbs,
Alphabetical posts A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
My series on Alphabetical gardening and my personal alphabet.
Robin
Linda, your gardens look beautiful. The soup looks delicious! Hasn’t this warm weather been crazy?? Walking by a neighbours house I could see the rhubarb looking quite big in their garden. I can’t wait to make a rhubarb pie.
Take care.
Crafty Gardener
Hi Robin, miss seeing your posts on Instagram. I’m sure you are still enjoying your walks at the park.
Vondean Erickson
Linda,
All your flowers are so beautiful and make me homesick for Iowa. I had so many of them in my yard.
My son Tim and I planted two beautiful rose bushes yesterday and cleaned out my utility shed. There was dumpster to put trash and things we did not want any more. We have clean up every spring and fall. WHAT WOULD I DO WITHOUT TIM?
Suppose to get up in the high 80’s today. It cools off at night though.
I will have to try making the chickpea soup. I love soup of any kind.
So nice hearing from you again.
Be safe
Crafty Gardener
Hi Vondean, it has been lovely to work in the garden on a few days. I’m so glad you moved closer to Tim and he is able to help you around the house. Have a great day.
Gillian Turnbull
love the pillow cases, you did a lovely job. I agree every day is a good day for soup!! Miserable day though today, wet and cold here in Barrie, Ontario!!
Crafty Gardener
We had rain yesterday, and today it is chilly so won’t get out in the garden as much. I have another friend that lives in Barrie.
Gail
Our gardens are coming to life too. I love seeing what is coming along as I walk around the yard. Such pretty pillowcases. I have a set my grandmother embroidered for me.
Crafty Gardener
Thanks for stopping by Gail. I’m looking for my next stitching project now the pillow cases are finished. Have a great day.
CathieJ
As I sit here on another miserable cool and very rainy day your garden looks amazing. Most of our recent days have been cool and cloudy. 🙁 Your embroidered pillowcases are very pretty. I really like that neck light. I like your painted rock garden. I have to consider doing this for the area around my above ground pool. I am always looking for little statues and such, but the painted rocks are a great idea. Have a great week.
Crafty Gardener
Chilly here as well Cathie, after a rainy day yesterday. The grass is growing quickly now and will need the first cut soon. Happy stitching.
Diann@LittlePenguinQuilts
Spring is looking beautiful at your house! I love all the flowers, both growing and stitched. That light looks very handy!
Jenny Benton
What a beautiful tour around your garden, thanks so much. Its Autumn down here in New Zealand and I’ve just cooked up some rhubarb and apple which is to have with our breakfast cereals. I love the embroidered pillowcases, so pretty.
Debbie- Dabble
Linda,
So much to see!
First of all, I love the boots and bumbershoots! My Mother used to call umbrellas a “bumbershoot”! I have a nice black one that was hers and I have been wanting to fill it with flowers so now, after seeing how pretty yours is, I seriously need to do this!!!
We had that burst of very high temps a week or so ago and now we are paying for it with at least 2 weeks of lower than normal temps…All your perennials look great…Mine are popping up too…
You have me sold on that neck light!! I definitely need one of those!!! May I ask where did you get it?
I love the pillow cases and the rock houses!! So cute!!
Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind comment!!!
Hugs,
Deb
Crafty Gardener
We are waiting for the hot weather to return, but looks like a rainy weekend. I bought my neck light at Amazon, and there are many different ones. I love mine and hope you find one that suits you.