We didn't realize how much we missed playing in the dirt until we were able to start new flower beds and vegetable gardens at our new home.  North Carolina's climate is a far cry from Central New York State.   By the beginning of May, we were able to plant  flowers and vegetable seeds and set out some of our seedlings in the garden and in pots on our patio-to-be behind the house. It's hard not to go crazy buying plants knowing that almost anything will grow.  I got a nice little crape myrtle for the corner of the patio and we planted my pretty blue hyrangia in the front flower bed.  A bright pink  bouganvilla in a hanging basket is the latest addition to the collection along the front porch and single pink roses brighten up the back of the house.  I love all the shades of pink !

Bill built a bluebird box one weekend and the next day we had a pair of bluebirds building a nest!  The best part is that we can see them from our dining area, and we spent much of the day watching the male and female gather nesting materials and flying in and out of the box.  I love watching the male turn upside down and look into the box at the female.  We haven't checked the box itself, but suspect that the female is already sitting on eggs.