..:Spring :..

It was sometime last week when someone flipped on the "Spring" switch and suddenly EVERYTHING in Texas is starting to bloom. It quit being cold, and out of nowhere the trees are starting to get their leaves, birds are singing, and the bugs have come out. It's fabulous. Unless you're Chunky and you're allergic to pollen. Then you have squinty eyes and sneeze a lot.

Otherwise, it's beautiful to see all the buds bursting out of winter. I got to enjoy a good portion of the day outside and ran around taking pictures til my camera battery died.

I love this little plant, whatever it is. They're so tiny and precious! I love them. When I was little and played with Barbie's, these were perfect for her wedding flowers. And since her and Ken got married at least 4 times a day, she needed a lot of bouquets. All you had to do was run out, grab a bouquet off the tree and Voila! Barbie was ready for her wedding. See how they're all connected? They fit perfect into her little tiny hand. And her bridesmaids hands. And the flower girl's paws. They usually were our pet rabbits.

I know most people think these are weeds, but for some reason I've always just loved these little guys. They're so dainty and pretty, and when some little kid brings you an armload, they're even cuter.

Texas has oodles of azalea's. Oodles. I took a botany class one time and learned that those little dots are to attract the butterflies to the flower. Clever! This is Tiffany's apple tree. We (the kids I nanny and I) stopped by her house to check on the dog and I couldn't help but get my camera out when I saw the blooms. I think it's her apple tree. Either that or it's the peach tree. Whatever it is, it's pretty. She's never gotten to eat any of the fruit until she got Miller. The squirrels always got to the fruit first. Finally this last summer she finally got to sample some. It was an epic moment.

More pretty weeds.

Jasmine is my favorite flowering vine. Wisteria is a close second, but Jasmine smells so pretty I can't help but fall in love with it's beautiful blooms.There were a couple of these vines that overtook the front porch growing up. I loved to grab a book and sit on the swing and enjoy their scent while I read.

I should really learn the names of all the neighborhood plants, huh? I haven't a clue what this one is, but the flowers are amazing.

I know these little guys are weeds for sure. I've never thought they were particularly pretty-I just always admire how brave they are to grow wherever they want, and they look nice when there are tons of them.

They might be related to this thistle. I like thistles.

And dandelions. I love blowing their little seeds off, but I always feel a little guilty for not giving other people the chance to enjoy their little fuzzies. Hopefully that's what you're doing on your Spring Break! I'm finally finding a chance to sit down and do nothing important for an hour. I've been so incredibly busy the last couple weeks I finally feel like tonight is the night I can catch my breath before I dive head first into the next major event.