Dig, Drop, Get 'Er Done!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bulbs. Dig, Drop, Done. for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Like you didn't already know this but, 

I have this thing for flower bulbs.

I love them!

I love how easy they are to plant.

I love that they come back every year for me to enjoy.

I have several perennial gardens

 and I know Spring has finally arrived once the

little green shoots of bulbs I planted last Fall

peek through the soil.

 

 Just recently I was introduced to Dig Drop Done. 

visit www.digdropdone.com to learn more

It's a really cute site that will help you

 and encourage you as you get ready for planting bulbs and taking care of them. 

Are you a novice and have no idea where to start?

Their "Ready To Learn" menu is the perfect place for you to start.

 

I've also been looking for some new bulbs to plant.

I have planted bulbs to bloom in the Spring

and bulbs that bloom later in the season.

What I'd really like is flowers and color

blooming throughout the Spring, Summer, and Fall.

I went through their "Bulb Browser" and BAM!

One of their first drop down menus was

"Bloom Time"!!!

Just what I needed!! 

I also found out about a bulb I have wanting

to plant forever!

I have always wondered when I could plant Muscari.

I used the Garden Guru tool at Curbside Chaos

and selected my area to find out when I can plant them. Now I know!

It also goes along with their Bulb Calendar that you can find in the

"Ready to Plant" drop down menu.

When you click that, it brings up the month we're already in.

You can then look at the months ahead to see

what you'll need to prepare for next month!

For me the ability to plan ahead is huge!

I can then keep an eye on sales

and buy what I will need in the future now more economically!

Another thrifty tip,

most bulbs multiply and can be divided!

This means free plants!!

When you visit the website you will also be introduced to some

fun ladies!

I can totally relate to Evelyn.

Like her, I now find myself with grown children

that have flown the coop, leaving

the nest empty.

For the first time in years I now have time that

I can devote to planting beautiful bulb gardens.

 

I could seriously spend all day

on their website!

I am so happy to have found it it just in

time for they planting and

gardening season!

 

But wait!

In addition to all of the great tips and information on bulb planting,

 "Bulbs. Dig, Drop, Done"

is having an awesome contest.

They're giving away a $5,000 yard makeover to one lucky winner.

The contest ends April 15, 2012

so enter right now!

All you need to do is submit a photo of your yard at Curbside Chaos

When you enter the contest share on Twitter.

“Bulbs. Dig, Drop, Done.”

will donate $1 to Rebuilding Together

for every time this contest is shared on Twitter!

 

So, what are you waiting for?

Get out there,

grab some bulbs and

dig, drop and get 'er done!

Easy Peasy Spring Wreath

In this post from a few days ago

I shared with you 

our gardens 

in Spring.

Every day, when I leave to go to work

and come home,

I am greeted by the forsythia bush

at the end of the driveway.

The yellow flowers, this time of year,
are just so vibrant and cheerful!

It's makes me smile and glad to be home
after a long day at work and
sitting in traffic.

It became my inspiration for a 

new Spring wreath for the front door.

To be honest, I don't normally
put up a wreath on the door in the Spring.
I do put one up for
Christmas, Summer, Fall and Halloween
but not Spring.
Why not, you ask?
Because in the past,
birds seem to like to make a nest
in the Spring wreath!
We don't use the front door very much
as we enter through the garage
so they must find it a
safe place to
raise a family.

This year, after seeing all
of the pretty doors
on all the blogs,
festooned with
beautiful wreaths to
welcome the Spring season,
I decided to try again
and make a wreath to put on the door.
Fingers crossed!

I had the grapevine wreath already

and spent a tad over $5.00 

at Michael's

for two stems of silk forsythia, 

marked 50% off,

and two clip on butterflies

from the dollar section.

Oh and I had a 20% off my entire purchase coupon too

(but of course!)

 Some snipping and clipping.

 Some glue gun action 

and in less than 30 minutes

I had a kaaa-you-tah, to me,

wreath to greet guests at our front door!

Or, at the very least,  

it is a very nice place

for a family of

birds to 

start a new home!

I'll keep you posted! 

Click here to see where I may be partying this week.

Springtime in Colorado

Like most of the country

we have been experiencing

an early Spring
here in Colorado.

The front of our house faces north

and we usually don't see the lawn 

until mid April.

This year 

all of the winter snow 

was gone by the second week of March.

March is normally our snowiest month.

2012 went into the history books

as the driest on record.

This past weekend we broke 

other records.

We were in the mid 80's both Saturday and Sunday. 

This strange weather pattern 

meant that 

we are able to enjoy

the color of the bulbs planted in Fall

in Spring!

 The daffodils and  hyacinths

are blooming.

Tulips are peeking through the warm soil.

The forsythia bush
is in full bloom
with flowers as bright as the sunshine.

I was able to get out the rake
and clean out the back perennial bed.
I cover it with my homemade compost
and then leaves
that were gathered and shredded
last fall as mulch.

After the April and May rains
I will put up
the little wooden fence
to hold all of the anticipated
plants in check.

 Mr. B's hop plants
are already climbing the twine
he set up to go
up to the second story of the house!

This is their second year and they are
fuller and stronger than last year.
He is hoping to get enough hops to
add to his home brewed beer this Fall.

Of course, as anyone that
has lived in Colorado, for even a short period of time knows,
the weather can change in an instant.
Our last frost isn't usually until Mother's day.

Tuesday was no surprise to us then
when we woke to cold and snow.
80's one day, high 30's the next.

It is much needed moisture.
We learn to trust that

Mother Nature knows what she is doing.

The snow she sends now

actually protects the young plants and flowers.

The snow now means

beautiful gardens later.

We accept that here. 

Nay, we expect that here.

We look ahead to 

the beauty of 

Springtime in Colorado!

Click here to see where I may be partying this week.

Be sure to stop by on Friday April 13th for a big announcement!

Easter Tablescape

Hoppy Easter!
As you know, I love this time of the year!
Easter is one of my favorite holidays.
I L.O.V.E
setting a table for Easter.
This year I decided to keep things
simple and let the
centerpiece shine

I used a galvanized metal tray
from Ikea,
loaded it up
with moss,
 moss "rocks"
and plastic eggs from the Dollar Tree.
I then topped it off
with a ceramic bunny
from Goodwill.

The pale, pastel green tablecloth is from
Bed Bath & Beyond from several years ago.
I started each placesetting
with a burlap placemat,
gifted to me by Mr. B.
The bright green plates are from
the Dollar Tree
and the square green polka dot
salad plates
were a clearance find
at Hobby Lobby.

The napkins were purchased online from Boscov's
and the flatware is from Ikea.
The green stems came from the Dollar Tree
and the clear water stems are our everyday glasses.
Each setting is topped off with a
different colored egg cup.

I found these wire votive baskets
several years ago, on clearance of course,
at Coldwater Creek.
Mr. B's mother liked them so much
she wanted some and I was able to find her four too.
I have used them in the past as placecards
with dyed eggs instead of a candle.
I only used two for this table.

The silver candlesticks are another
Ikea find.

Thank you so much for stopping by to see our simple Easter table.
May you have a very happy Easter!

I always share my tablescapes at these parties
Cuisine Kathleen
and
Between Naps on the Porch

Click here to see where else I may be partying this week!

Easter Decor 2012

Oh my goodness!  

Where is this year going?  

It's already April?  

Oh please 2012, please slow down!

When I looked at the calendar

and saw that Easter 

was next week

I knew I needed to get a move on

and get the holiday decor out of the bins!

 Do you notice anything different?

How about now?

Yep, I changed out the lampshades on the buffet!

These were found at my favorite designer boutique, 

WalMart! 

Ha!

$9.99 each to give the room 

a lighter, Springier (spell check took it so it must be a word?) look!

I placed some of my most favorite

thrifted and gifted Easter decor on the buffet. 

The plants were received

when dad passed away 

in February.

 You may remember this post when I purchased
The taller green and pink Mr. & Mrs.bunnies
back in January.
Well...several weeks ago I was back at
Goodwill and ran across
the third member of the family.
I named him Little Boy Blue Bunny LOL.

I think they are quite the lovely family
and I am so happy to have reunited them.

The Fitz & Floyd plate and pitcher
were a gift and I always
love being able to have them
on display.

Just look at that sweet face!
Could you not just squee??

Take a look at this find!
I found this big beauty on clearance
at Pier 1! 
75% off, so I paid under $5.00!!

I must have bunny fever.
I love seeing them in the front yard,
at thrift stores,
at Home Goods
and at Ross.
Especially if they are
priced right like these were

Max, once again, let me do a bit a of decor
on the table that
he hides under during
thunderstorms.

The sheep family is from Hobby Lobby last year.
The feathery egg tree
was made, by me, several years ago.
I just took a pink boa, clearanced from Valentine's Day,
hot glued it to a foam tree form
and then hot glued some plastic
Easter Eggs to it.
The fun ceramic bunnies with 
eggs are from the Dollar Tree.

Whew! So, I got the Easter decor done
before Easter!
Now, I just need to get the
table set for Easter dinner...
Before Easter!