As a little girl I was blessed with a wonderful family. Not only did my brothers, sisters, and I have two parents who loved us, but we had lots of aunts and uncles who showered affection on us as well. Tonight my Uncle Chuck is in intensive care at a local hospital fighting pneumonia. I'm told he is sedated. He is very much in my thoughts and prayers this evening.
There is no doubt these little flowers are undergoing a transformation. Something deep within is causing a visible change in the outward appearance. (Yes, I'm getting redundant here... Be patient with me, please.) My question is, is my life being changed from deep within? Is there a visible difference on the outside part of my life? Am I more like Christ today than I was five years ago? One year ago? Or even yesterday?
So today I went to the garden store and bought some vegetable plants; peppers, cucumbers, squash, and celery. I picked up some flowers too, marigolds and alyssum. Bethany had already given me some tomato plants, grape tomatoes and beefsteak. We mixed up some new garden soil in my garden boxes, covered the dirt with landscape fabric to keep the cats out, and then I planted my gardens.
Planting vegetables always brings back childhood memories of Dad and his big vegetable garden. Today was no exception. It was Dad last year who suggested I try planting a square-foot garden. He was such an encouragement when it came to growing things, always excited with our success. I hope this year's garden is one that would make him proud.
Yesterday and today... Each day the blush spreads a little farther gradually changing the tulips from yellow to red. If one wasn't paying attention, they might not even notice the difference. I only realized last year that these flowers were being transformed bit by bit until they finally appeared a totally different color.
Pretty cool, huh?
In the midst of chasing children... uh, I mean "tending flowers"... I have been attempting to do a little bit of gardening and lawn maintenance. While pruning dead lilac blossoms the other night, I discovered a robin's nest. I would probably have not noticed at all had the silly bird not made all kinds of noise in her haste to distract me.
The nest, though nicely hidden, is not in the best of locations. I fear the little fledglings may never live past their days in the nest. Three cats prowl the grassy area just beyond the lilac bushes. They sleep in the shade, wait in the shadows, and soak up the sunshine. They live here. Yes, I am quite certain these little birds are doomed. It's all too sad.
Blueberry bells are bobbing in the breeze. Now if only I can use up what remains in the freezer without eating it myself...
I spied this feathered friend in my back yard tonight. He was waiting, I hope patiently, for me to find him something to eat, which I did as soon as I saw him. I did not, however, get to see whether or not my offering was accepted. I hope he doesn't mind that we cut down the snowball bush. The lilac tree is still there and it makes a very good place to hide or build a nest too.
Apparently we are only allowed one day of warm weather and sunshine at a time and it was yesterday. Today was not sunny and I feel cold. On the bright side, for the first time since I have left it to grow, my wisteria has bloomed. The leaves look sick, probably from our Mother's Day snow, but it actually has blossoms! Too bad it is such a nuisance to me. I do not know how to train it and therefore am seriously considering removal. I am tired of vines crawling across my picnic table and reaching out to pull the hair of little girls. It is wild and unruly.
I have a small group of tulips that start out yellow and gradually turn red, at least that is what they did last year. I have not noticed other tulips changing, just these. Kind of funny because the red starts out along the very edge of each flower and travels along until it fills each petal almost entirely.
I have some rather stiff competition in my flower gardens. The gardens are full of weeds, weeds with long tap roots that grow deep into the soil. Pulling them out is impossible and digging them out is almost out of the question too. One of these days I will muster up some gumption and plan an attack, but not today.
It was a busy weekend for me. Most weekends are. Since my weekdays are filled with small children I am left with evenings and weekends to run errands and catch up with housework. Mostly I run errands and try to keep up with whatever activity is on the agenda. Last week it was Mother's Day, this week it was the Apple Blossom Festival. Though I struggle to move faster, I never quite catch up to where I want to be. Housework gets done only in tiny bites. Maybe I need to slow down and realize instead that I am just where God wants me to be... at least as far as housework goes.
It's always a good idea to have a friend close by, one who can help out in case you get stuck along the way and one to whom you can lend a hand in case of trouble.
In my attempt to find something for little girls to do outside, I stopped at the Dollar General and purchased a few cheap hula hoops. Unfortunately, they are a little on the light side and tough to keep spinning. (Did I mention they were cheap?) Oh well, the girls find them fun and pretty and that is what counts. Vinegar, of course, finds them funny. He laughed at Hannah spinning one on her arm. That baby has a silly sense of humor.
Rather than giving the girls bottles of bubbles today, Hannah blew bubbles for them. I think I need to add a little soap to the solution as these bubbles disappear faster than they can be made. There's scarcely time to chase them before they all pop. I must look up that recipe for homemade bubbles...
Days around here are quite different from what they were a few years back. Today, instead of wandering my yard looking at flowers, Hannah and I stopped in a couple of second hand shops to see if we could find any dress-up clothes for little girls. When we got back home I dug up an old suitcase to keep them in. The girls were all excited to try on the new dresses! Now I will be on the lookout for strings of beads, scarves, pretty shoes, and maybe another hat or two. (Being a kid again sure is fun!)
Can you guess what's in those cute little boxes? They aren't apple crates, but I do believe they just left one of the local orchards. I would not want to be in the vicinity if that truck were to have an accident. (Reminds me of an old movie...) We followed it down the highway for a while before it turned off down another road. What's in those boxes? I'll give you another hint. Can you see what it says on the mud flaps? "Buy USA Honey" Bzzzzz...
While at the store last week I bought a package of bubbles, eight little bottles wrapped up together. Of course, everyone wanted the pink one... We took them outside where I foolishly gave each girl (there were three) a container of bubbles. Yes, I do know better... I no sooner opened the third bottle when the "wiggly girl" had spilled her's all over the back steps. Soon after she managed to spill half of the bottle belonging to girl number 2. Only the pink bottle remained unspilled.
Next time I purchase bubbles, I am going for the big bottle and I'm going to pour it in a dish so they can share without the danger of getting my steps soaped. It was lunchtime anyway...
My little ones came tired this morning. They wanted to play nice together, but couldn't quite do it. They squabbled... Bella sulked... Em poured on a bit of drama... I finally had enough, gave each of them a pillow, and told them it was time for a nap. It was 9:15 am and they were shocked. I should probably mention that I was feeling just as tired and cranky as they. I was wishing for an excuse to lay back and close my eyes for half an hour and the little darlings provided the perfect opportunity.
After about a half hour of quiet time, Em asked if she could get up. We were all feeling better and decided to take a ride to the library and find some good books. First we went to the library in Ontario and then the one in Williamson. There was no more fighting. Back home we ate some lunch; Em had tomato soup and Bella had chicken noodle (I can't get either one to eat both...), and then we settled down on the couch to read our books.| All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold. |
One of my little darlings brought a suitcase full of dress-up things today. As Em tried on the pretty, pink princess dress, I heard her little friend remark, "I'm already a princess." I smiled. I had heard her daddy say, "Goodbye, Princess," when he dropped her off this morning, and she certainly did look like a princess in her little pink dress and sweater. (It brought to mind this photo taken back in October on one of our preschool field trips.)
I neglected to take my camera out into the world when everything was in full bloom. Now the blossoms are falling, some blown off in the wind and others washed away by last night's rain. Across the road on the other side of the new orchard is a blueberry patch, and beyond that young apple trees. James and I have taken several long orchard walks this spring but each time I have left my camera at home. He thinks it is a distraction to me and we have such nice talks when my attention is not diverted. One day I will take it along and maybe catch some deer or a turkey.
Maple, Ash, and Juniper; these are the big allergy culprits right now. Funny, I would have thought maple pollen to be gone by the time the leaves appeared, but according to my local "pollen watch" it is not. Well meaning friends suggest all kinds of relief and I have tried most of them, even the Neti Pot, which I did not find helpful enough to warrant torturing myself with. Had it actually alleviated my symptoms, I would try again, and if I get desperate enough, I may try again in spite of myself.
supposed to be napping, but that is hard to do when there is a coughing contest going on. Between colds, allergies, and strep throat, there is plenty to cough about. I, myself, prefer to sneeze.
My "garden" is growing. I think I may eventually assign plant names to all of my "seedlings", but that is still in the thinking stage as yet. Today I have three little "flowers" instead of two. We shall see what becomes of this situation. It is another adventure.
This summer I hope to install a fence around my backyard and put up a swing set. A sandbox would be really cool too. Did you know that "plants" love sandboxes? Of course, I can't do this alone, so I am once again hoping to enlist the help of someone I love dearly. (I think he's not quite sure what to do with me yet. I'm hoping he hasn't gotten any ideas from Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater.)
It was a typical Monday just like the one I expected last week's to be before we left the house in a rush. I did laundry today, a bunch of it, and baked a batch of peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. I looked the recipe up online and made the Tollhouse version except that I used 2 1/2 cups of flour instead of 1 1/2. (What were they thinking?) Yes, I did eat one. I've been cheating lately and paying the price too. It's so hard to resist.
Warm weather, sunshine and cameras go hand in hand. My patience and watchful eye were rewarded Friday morning with a rather nice photo of Oreo.
are in full bloom. Along with apple blossoms come the bee boxes and hundreds of honey bees. We walk quietly past the bee boxes and try to maintain a safe distance while in the orchard. Occasionally a bee will buzz over the top of our heads as we walk along. The bees find not only apple trees alluring, but are very happy to buzz about my lilac bushes. I climbed atop the doghouse the other day, not only because the roof was nice and warm, but to catch a fee bees in my "trap".
I also caught a few butterflies in my "digital net". They fluttered about and made quite the game of staying out of my clutches. Maybe this is actually a moth, but it moved it's wings very much like a butterfly would, and rested with them pressed together over it's body. It had a friend too with orange markings. I'm not much of a lepidopterologist but I do find the little creatures fascinating.
This is my daughter in law. Several years ago I told her she was my favorite daughter in law and she rolled eyes at me and said, "I'm your ONLY daughter in law." I told her that she could ALWAYS be my favorite, and when another one comes along, I will tell that one she is my favorite, then wink at Leta and she will know she is really my favorite daughter in law.
Leta works hard and is always giving of herself to others. Though I know it is often difficult, she does a wonderful job of taking care of my mother. She looks out for her well being, makes sure she takes her medications, keeps the house clean, and checks Mom's oxygen tanks whenever she goes out. I sincerely hope my mom realizes what a wonderful gift it is to have Dave and Leta living with her.
Along with being a wonderful daughter in law, Leta is a loving wife to my son and mommy to two of my little grandsons. She puts up with Dave's shenanigans and helps him in any way she can. She takes tender care for her precious little ones. I am blessed to have her in my family and call her mine.
The weather has warmed up a bit and this morning we ventured outside for a little while. I cleaned out my garden boxes while the girls picked handfuls of dandelions to surprise their mothers. Bella found this treasure.
Let's just say this decision has to do with growing a "garden". I already have two little "plants" growing. Each day I feed them, water them, read them a book, and cover them up when they take a nap. According to the NY state "rules of gardening," I can care for two "plants" legally without a fancy little certificate. If I want to add more "plants" to my "garden" however, I must abide by the bigger set of "gardening rules". This is where the decision comes in. Do I go for the certificate, continue to "pot more plants" and take my chances, or stick with just the two little "plants" I am already growing? (One of my fellow "gardeners" was turned in recently.)
Yesterday it snowed, today the wind blew for what seemed all day long. It swirled my long hair into a tangle and threw it across my face. I could scarcely see what was about me! I made a visit to Bethany's house this morning. When it was time to go Josh said, "Don't weave, Hannah!" The sun was warm and bright and it actually felt like an afternoon outside might be in order, but when I arrived home another stiff lake wind awaited. Rats! Instead I finished up the nap I started yesterday.
We are already halfway through the week and it still feels like it has hardly begun... I wonder what I shall accomplish in the next couple of days? Only time will tell. If it actually warms up, maybe I will try weeding my flower garden or pulling the plastic covers off my square foot gardens. Is it time to plant the veggies yet?
Two years ago I posted about this little guy. (Read the story here.) His name is Beau and he is pictured between the feet of my friend, Becky, at a local horse barn. Becky's daughter was taking riding lessons and also training her first Guiding Eyes for the Blind puppy. I'm sure it was terribly hard to say goodbye when it came time for Beau to move on in his training, but I'm also sure the rewards of his success are just as great.
Beau is now a working guide dog. If you care to read about him, you can find the story here. (He's second from the bottom of the page.) I am impressed, and happy, to report that my friends are not done training guide dogs. Dahlia has been training with them since the time Beau moved on. I wish them much great success! (The pastor even lets the dogs come to church now! I saw Dahlia there just the other night.)
Emma arrived at 6:45 am, bright and early, and I added an afternoon nap to my list of things to accomplish. My kitchen was a mess from weekend overload, so I set to work doing the dishes and popped a load of clothes in the washing machine. Bella arrived and settled into a chair with Emma to "read" The Pokey Little Puppy. At this point in the game my plans began to change... A voice upstairs summoned me for help and my day went in a totally different direction.
Once upon a time there was a sneaky, little, green snake who loved minty ice cream, partly for it's minty-ness, but mostly for it's greenness. The green snake liked green things, for obvious reasons. One day the sneaky green snake sneaked itself into the freezer and found some minty ice cream, while no one else was around. The snake just couldn't help itself, so it helped itself to some ice cream. Yummmm! Then it wanted more, but somehow had enough restraint to keep itself from eating the rest. And that is the end of the story.
I made a visit to Mom's house this afternoon and on my way out found a troop of gardeners working on the front garden. Several years ago my dad filled the area with crushed stone in an effort to keep the neighbor's cat from using it as a toilet. The cat is no longer around and the stones are being removed to make way for flowers.
Lucas, just up from a nice long nap, thought helping Daddy in the garden was a wonderful thing. He pulled dry stems from last year's flower pots and tossed them in the pile. He found old flower tags to carry around. He took this gardening business very seriously.
The trees believe that spring has arrived. I sure hope they're right! I'm feeling like it's time to plant my vegetables but don't quite trust the night time temperatures. They're still good for snuggling up under a warm blanket or sipping hot coffee, but I am looking forward to ice cream cones and lemonade instead.
