Who Was Mr. McGregor Anyway?

Peter Rabbit Soundtrack

While planning for our upcoming trip to England and Scotland, Mr. B and I came across information about Beatrix Potter's home in England's Lake District. She was the author and illustrator of several children's books including The Tale of Peter Rabbit and she purchased several farmlands to save them from being developed. They are now in the care of The National Trust.

Since one of our lodgings is in Ambleside on Lake Windermere, we decided........(well I decided.....and Mr. B is gracious enough to come along) to visit Hilltop farm & museum nearby!

Now the funny part is that I was cleaning out my office the other day and came across this newspaper article from 1956.

Yes!  Mr. B was Mr. McGregor in his kindergarten operetta!!! 

Even though he doesn't look anything like the "real" Mr. McGregor, I am sure he did an amazing job! 

"We cannot stay home all of our lives, we must present ourselves to the world and we must look upon it as an adventure."  

--Beatrix Potter

Garden Colors

Song - Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls (Kina Grannis Cover)

The first round of roses are blooming and the very first one was this beauty above.  I don't even know the name because it was one of the few plants that we kept when we bought our home 20 years ago. In honor of the woman who built and lived in this house for about 45 years, I have nicknamed it "Nancy's Rose". 

The main plants that are blooming right now are the bearded Iris.....

And the Wisteria.....oh my.....

If you walk anywhere near this Wisteria you will hear the hum of big ol' fat black bees and get knocked over by the aroma from the flowers.

The Dogwood trees are loaded with blossoms.....

....as are my three white Lilac bushes.

And if you look closer.....

The Lady apple trees are making me and the honey bees happy.

 The little Japanese Iris in the woodland garden loved all of our winter rain!

 

Even the Foxgloves are preparing to bloom.

Our side garden has once again become my meditation place after we brought back 

our lawn for our son and sweet daughter-in-law's wedding last Fall.

Mama Dove and Papa Dove are enjoying the new nesting box under our eves.

Last night Papa showed up one hour early to relieve Mama.  

True Love.

I find that my day is not complete without a morning & early evening walk around our garden to see what's blooming, growing, changing, hatching, in need of pruning, etc. each and every day!

"Nothing in nature blooms all year.  

Be patient with yourself." -- Unknown