Each fall we plant more daffodil and tulip bulbs so when spring arrives they cheerfully welcome in the miracle that never ceases to make my heart sing after the long cold winter. Then the golden forsythia starts decking itself out on slender, graceful branches all over our property looking like identical gowns at a prom. I tell John every year that I think that is why so many birds make their homes here....because it is so cheerful and welcoming. We have several birdhouses out front and in The Secret Garden and we watch the bird couples house hunting and then as time goes by we get to see the new babies emerge and learn to fly.....mostly bluebirds, chickadees and wrens. The others nest in our bushes. The thing that charms us most for the past several years is the robins building their nest on the large twig wreath on the front of our home . We watch them through the window in the front door meticulously building the nest, then patiently sitting on the eggs, then little heads popping up eagerly accepting the food mommy and daddy drop into their mouths. Most exciting of all is to watch them grow stronger and braver and one by one fly out into this big world. I just love the anticipation each year of waiting for the rhododendrons, the spirea, the lilacs, and the magnolia tree to come alive in all their glory once again. I always make sure to tell each one how beautiful they are and how much joy they add to our lives. I believe that they just like our bird and animal friends understand what I am saying and like being appreciated.