Some signs of spring? Please!!!

This is the time of year when I often wander our small patch of property looking for signs of spring.  This month has been particularly damp, cool, and cloudy, so signs of spring are few and far between. 

I have seen a few daffodils in bloom, though those on our slope still need a few days of sunshine to show their faces.

But our Lenten Roses, tucked under the edge of our deck, are in bloom right on time.  So I can share a couple of photos of those with you.

Officially "hellebores," they are a plant I was not familiar with until we moved to North Carolina.  Here's our smaller plant which has a nice rich burgundy tinge.

I have also noticed that the pussy willows are out as we drive by one large roadside bush nearly every day.

Below are a few "fuzzies" on our weeping pussy willow bush which I severely pruned last fall.  I was glad a few new shoots survived to give us a little show this year.

I bought this weeping pussy willow at the local grocery store several years ago.  It was in a sunny yellow 4 inch pot, meant to be enjoyed inside this time of year.  After the plant leafed out, I planted it outside, maybe 5 years ago, and it now stands about three feet tall and over four feet wide.  So it was time for a "hair cut" because it's drooping branches were snaking into other plantings and under the deck.

I was outside during a brief sunny period on this windy, stormy day.  I wasn't inside more than 5 minutes before I could hear the rain pounding against the windows.  Crazy weather!