spring flowers

Ranunculus- one of my favorite flowers, no matter what time of year. I picked these up from my local grocery last week- even though the Bay Area was in the middle of a blistering heat wave. I knew they wouldn't last long (and they knew it to) but I felt the need to rescue them from the dumpster, where they were surely headed. It was a win-win situation: they brightened up my studio for a few days, and they got to enjoy a little shade, a fresh cut and some cool water in the process.

Gardening has been tough this year, with water rationing and the lack of spring rain (April showers there were not.) I've planted a few things, but there are no showy blooms to display here. I can, however, live vicariously through the gardens of others. To name just one, there is the lovely Amy Shutt, whose blogs I have been following for years.

Her catch-all weblog, day-lab, chronicles her adventures as a mother, business owner and lover of all things vintage. She's also lovingly restored rooms in her rented Baton Rogue home, and carefully cleared overgrown gardens and is bringing them back to life. Read through her past entries and see some amazing 'before & after' photos of the spaces she's renovated. I hope you'll be as inspired as I am.