Surprises

When moving into a new home, surprises are generally not a good thing:  They are signs that something is broken and it's going to cost you a boatload to repair (the shower stall sinking through the subfloor immediately comes to mind).

Sometimes, though, you can be pleasantly surprised.  With spring right around the corner, our new yard is sprouting all kinds of surprises.

Daffodils are popping up everywhere.  So many of them!  I just adore daffodils.  Besides being a harbinger of spring, is there a more cheery flower?

Clusters of Paperwhites at the base of a big oak tree.  So pretty in the dappled sunlight.

Violets!  I haven't seen these since I left New England a loooooooong time ago.

This plant appears to be growing out of the side of a dead log, but the roots are actually in the ground.  I've no idea what it is, and there is only one. 

I don't know what this is either, but the vibrancy of the pink and yellow is amazing.