Spring chores completed!

I have spent the last few weekends trying to get my yard and gardens in shape!  I started early with the planting of annuals ~ keeping my fingers crossed that we don't get a frost.  I started early because I was planning a birthday picnic for my 21 (aargh) year old daughter this weekend.  I lucked out so far and the forecast show no signs of frost!!!  I have mulched all of my flowerbeds and actually had to re-mulch a couple of them that were  partially washed out  from the heavy downpours we had last week.  My other project for the picnic was to power wash my deck ~ what a chore but WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!  I couldn't believe how much better it looks!  It had become discolored ~ almost a dark algae covered green/gray and now it looks brand new!  It took me about 6 hours total but it was well worth it.  As for my flowers... my perennials are coming up wonderfully ~ I don't think I lost any plants but I did lose my favorite shrub ~ my brooms.  I pulled one completely out and the other I trimmed all the dead off and am hoping the rest of it survives, but it doesn't look good.  I had taken a close up photo of it last spring and actually had it blown up and framed for in my living room ~ at least I have that to enjoy.  I don't have the heart to pull the other one out as long as there is green on it.  I purchased 14 flats and a few 6" pots of annuals and put them in planted and a few in the ground.  The planters turned out beautiful.  I even shared some of  them w/ friends.  I planted the dahlia tubers that I saved over the winter and 2 of the geraniums, hopefully they'll make it.  Now it's time to put this exhausted body to bed.  Have a great weekend!!!