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Around Here Lately

Chitchat 4 Comments

Let’s just chat about things around here lately. And of course, a bit about the garden spots as well. Brace yourself, this post is going to be a bit of a ramble.

That orange lily was completely closed up when I bought the bouquet last Friday. It’s really opened up and now stands out.

We have some daylilies in our yard but they aren’t anywhere near blooming yet. And I didn’t plant them so we’ll see what we get. I slogged through the yard and mowed it yesterday (more rain due overnight tonight). Each time I mow lately, I start to dream about replacing the front yard hill with flowers. Daylilies crossed my mind. Have you ever seen a lawn replaced with flowers? What do you think?

In a complete turn around, want to talk trash? Not like competition trash talk but actual trash?

Trash And Recycling Woes

Wildflower garden fence recycled from husband’s late grandfather’s garden

 

Not counting this week (I didn’t need to call), I’ve called our trash company 3 weeks in a row! And not just to chat. Not complain either, well not at first. The company used to be local but now they’re based out of Arizona but of course, the day to day stuff is still handled locally. Unless you want to talk to customer service, then you call Arizona. Makes sense, sure?

Here’s why I called them. The day after Earth Day, we received a letter stating our recycle pickup would only occur every other week moving forward. Apparently, it’s not longer profitable and they didn’t want to increase our rates. Oh, they’re so kind (sarcasm). However, they’d be glad to provide us a larger or an additional container at no charge. All right there in the letter.

The letter the customer services folks in Arizona didn’t believe existed. Well, the first person could see it as she transferred me to sales to request my bigger container.

The black hole of customer service. Also, a picture of our newest and unwelcome backyard resident’s home. Mr. Mole’s House.

 

Customer Service Fail Again (and Again)

Guess what? Bigger recycle containers don’t exist. So, I requested an additional one. They’d be happy to provide it for a charge. Um, NO, not what the letter says. Delivering one for free the next week. Okay. Did it arrive? Nope. Another call, another promise. Did they deliver the second time? Yes. Did they deliver the right container? No.

They sent a second trash container and charged me! Suffice it to say I was simmering a bit when I called customer service yet again where they mysteriously couldn’t transfer me to a sales supervisor or their own supervisor. Kudos to the poor gal in sales who took my call. She did get the charges fixed and hopefully, next week (everything recycle is every other week now) the bin gets corrected.  Oh, and last week they forgot to pick up the recycle container on the right day! Thankfully, I fixed that with an Internet issue form.

Moving on…let’s talk about the Internet or rather our data usage.

Data Usage Increases (Or ISP Wants More Money)

Snapdragons. Would like to snap my fingers and change our ISP but our choices are so limited

 

Apparently, our ISP can change our contract terms at any time without notification. And so, now, they have given us a data limit.

via GIPHY

Made even more annoying by the fact that we’ve miraculously used more data this month (double from last month) than during the last pandemic year. We get one free month, then they start charging unless, of course, we want to switch to their $30 more a month unlimited plan.

Why don’t we just switch companies? Sadly, we have two choices in this city. (Don’t get me started on why there isn’t free competition with all this, my brother who lives in KC proper but only 15 minutes away has different options but can’t use this company). And we’ve had the other Internet choice previously. It was worse. SIGH.

How’s your Internet service? Issues? Or are we just the lucky ones here?

Ending my post on a positive note, let’s talk Christmas!

Rudolph Day in May

Yesterday was Rudolph Day! Did you do anything for it? I didn’t do much other than glance at the tasks.

Great suggestion: order Christmas gifts out of summer catalogs for great clearance finds. Guess that dates the site a bit, haven’t seen a good catalog in some time but might be fun to look for catalogs to order or bargains on-line.

For my quick treat for the day, I made an iced hazelnut hot chocolate. Discovered, I think the iced version of hot chocolate might taste better than the hot!

Three Days of Posting in a Row!

Not that anyone is keeping count, however, I’ve now posted 3 days in a row.

Later, this afternoon, I have to work, then we’ll probably watch the finale of The Masked Singer. Exciting Wednesday night plans! What’s happening in your life lately?

My Summer Reading List

Books and TV Shows Chitchat 2 Comments

I thought it might be fun to share my summer reading list.

While browsing online over the weekend, I found the best beach reads of 2021 according to Bustle. Can I just say the titles all looked kind of blah to me?  Maybe I’m judging the books by their covers (ha!) but none of them appealed. I did link it, in case you might find a title intriguing.

However, my choices are different.

My Summer Reading List

By the way, more than a few of these are likely free through kindle unlimited if you have that. And of course, there’s always the library.

 

  1. Summer Island by Natalie Normann. Earlier this year, I read Christmas Island by the same author and loved it! Just your basic romance set in Norway.  Summer Island is available in paperback and I just might treat myself.  Main character leaves London, moves to Norway, and finds love?  summer reading list                                                                                       
  2.  Summer Wedding at the Cornish Confetti Agency by Daisy James is another light and fun read. Please note, it’s the 6th book in a series. However, I highly recommend the entire series if you need some light hearted, funny reading material. Lexi is a wedding planner and we all know things never go as planned. However, they always work out in the end and romance wins.  summer reading list                  
  3. How about a nonfiction choice? Meik Wiking wrote The Little Book of Hygge as well as The Little Book of Lykke.  I’m excited to read his newest, The Art of Making Memories, been waiting for the perfect time to read it. And I think it’s going to be this summer. Title seems self-explanatory. His books always contain beautiful images and graphics. Great front porch reading material!summer reading
  4. The Village of Lost and Found by Alison Sherlock. This one is the second in a series. Just lighthearted, uplifting reading. The story of a different character in the same village as the first book. Basic premise as most books in this genre, protagonist leaves big city with problem. Small, homey village atmosphere solves it in the end. Even knowing the plot lines are probably the same, I’ll enjoy this one.                                                              The Village of Lost and Found: The perfect uplifting, feel-good read for 2021 (The Riverside Lane Series Book 2) by [Alison Sherlock]
  5. Summer in the Scottish Highlands by Donna Ashcroft. I’ve loved every book of this author. Nothing too heavy but still enjoyable with characters a little more complex. Her Christmas books are some of my favorites. (This one doesn’t come out until June 4) I’m usually ready to pack my bags and move to whatever coastal town/small village she uses as a setting for her books.    Summer in the Scottish Highlands: An utterly perfect feel-good romantic comedy by [Donna Ashcroft]
  6. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Not exactly a light, uplifting choice. However, Andy Weir is one of my favorite authors (he wrote The Martian, a favorite movie of mine as well) so I do plan to read this. Probably going to be on my library hold list for awhile unless I get lucky. (Have you heard? The library is open to go inside once again! I’m so happy about that)  Project Hail Mary: A Novel by [Andy Weir]
  7. Afternoon Coffee: Thoughts on Motherhood, Family, Home, and All Things Cozy by Billy Jo Stoltz. This one is by a fellow blogger. And I’ve had it on my radar to read for some time. This summer I plan to treat myself to this as well. I already love her blog, so I’m sure I’ll enjoy this one. Sounds like a perfect one for a rainy (or sunny) summer afternoon.                                       
  8. Magazines! Summer is the perfect time to flip through a few magazine pages. Who says this list has to just contain books? My magazine collection is mostly home decorating, gardening, and those general household types.                                                                                           GOOD HOUSEKEEPING MAGAZINE - MAY 2021 - THE BIG TESTED ISSUE! - 2021 BEAUTY AWARDS Hgtv Magazine May 2021 Curb Appeal Inspo From Charming Shutters To Dazzling Zinnias BETTER HOMES & GARDENS MAGAZINE - JUNE 2021 - THE GREAT OUTDOORS REAL SIMPLE MAGAZINE - MAY 2021 - GET IT DONE
  9. Ten Arguments for Deleting All Your Social Media Accounts Right Now by Jaron Lanier. Another nonfiction choice. A bit deeper but I need a little balance to my light hearted stuff.  Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now by [Jaron Lanier]
  10. Walking: One Step at a Time by Erling Kagge. My review of another book of his, Silence in the Age of Noise can be found here.  Excited to see the local library finally has another English translation of one of his books. Subject of this one seems self-explanatory.  Walking: One Step At a Time by [Erling Kagge, Becky L. Crook]

Currently On Hold At Library

While the books above are on my summer reading list, I’ll read more than just those 9 titles.

If I see an interesting title referenced in a magazine or a blog post or even on a tv show, I’ll usually jot it down and look it up at my local library and/or on Amazon. If I can’t find it or it costs too much on Amazon, I’ll add it to my Goodreads “want to read” list.

Here’s the short list of my current library holds:

  1. The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins (this says it’s 2 weeks out for me)
  2. Daylight (Atlee Pine #3) by David Baldacci
  3. Good Company by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeny
  4. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

Before I end my post, let me know what’s on your summer reading list? Any suggestions for me?

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Homemaker Monday, A Manic Monday

HappyHomemakerMonday 10 Comments

Today was a manic Monday.  Late getting my post up after working all day. I agreed to be in the kitchen at work for today. Let’s just say that phrase about no good deed going unpunished fit for the day.

It was rather stressful from the fluorescent lights not firing on properly to a lack of information about the food I had to prepare. Oh, and add in a delivery right as lunch needed serving. However, I did have several teachers help me how they could and offer to help. And that was very much appreciated. That said, I’m looking forward to hopefully having a day off tomorrow!

Let’s just move on to the planning of the rest of this week with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

The Weather

Hot and humid today.  Upper 70’s/low 80’s all week until 65 degrees on Friday. Good news is it didn’t rain yesterday or today (in this area, other areas still got a few downpours). Bad news is that it’s supposed to rain yet again tomorrow and Thursday. The backyard is essentially turning into a wetland at this point. Maybe I’ll see a duck or two at the birdfeeders, who knows!

On My Reading Pile

Still not much. I did breeze through my turn with a library hold over the weekend, The End Of Her by Shari Lapena. Wasn’t my favorite, all seemed a bit far fetched. Could’ve just not been in the mood for a thriller though. I have a list of lighter summer reads that I’m planning to start on after Memorial Day when it’s proper summer season. Might do a blog post about my list.

On My TV

Been watching Fear The Walking Dead and ahem may or may not have signed up for the 2 months of AMC+ for 99 cents each over the weekend to see the end of the season 5 cliffhanger (had been watching on Hulu). Blaming the weather, dreary rainy days make for good days to watch zombie shows. However, our self-appointed comptroller (J) informed me of the total were spending on streaming services so we really should look into making some cuts and soon.

On The Menu

G turned 20 last Friday!

 

MONDAY: Tacos *I worked 8:30-5*

TUESDAY: honey lemon chicken legs, asparagus, salad

WEDNESDAY: Fridge Free For All (leftovers) *I work 3-6*

THURSDAY: Hawaiian Chicken, rice *I work for just a tiny bit in the a.m.*

FRIDAY: OUT *I work 7:30-3* *J has an appt at 4*

On My To Do List

  1. This post (in progress)
  2. Clean up house (always)
  3. Mow front yard if it stays dry
  4. Still need to clean out upstairs freezer
  5. Pay a few bills
  6. Mail a graduation card
  7. Probably a bunch of other stuff I just can’t think of right now

What I Am Creating

A Wildflower garden area in the far corner of the yard.

My garden helper inspecting the flowers:

Silly cat follows me everywhere, trudged right beside me through the soggy yard that looked like this:

Looking Around The House

I did at least get my summer/spring wardrobe change out put away so we could sleep last night. Rest of the house needs a good cleaning as usual.

From The Camera

A bloom from the yard.

And a bloom from the grocery store bouquet.

Something Fun To Share

I’ve been trying to listen to more up to date music but you know I just have to share this 80’s favorite today.

And One More because it popped up and I like that song, too.

 

On My Prayer List

Next door neighbor, still in the hospital, friend of my husband, recently diagnosed with cancer on his jaw, father-in-law, who fell and is doing knee rehab. All the recent high school and college graduates. Friends, family, strangers.

Quote For The Week

May your life be like a wildflower growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day. (Native American Proverb)

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Did you have a manic Monday as well?

 

 

It’s A Bird! It’s A Cat!

Birdwatching 6 Comments

I’m just sharing 4 quick photos today. We’ve had rain pretty much every day this week (and again this morning!). Haven’t had a whole lot of bird watching (photo taking) luck lately. Hopefully, that changes if the sun ever returns.

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy the following 4 snaps.

It’s A Bird!

Caught a house finch in flight toward the feeder.

It’s A Cat!

Took a photo of the cat through the window during just a cloudy part of the day. Doesn’t she kind of look like a ghost cat? However, I assure you, especially after her very loud meow in my ear at 4a.m. this morning, she’s very real.

It’s A Catbird!

Saved the best for last. A catbird stopped by to visit for a bit on Tuesday morning. He spent a lot of time hopping around the lower fence and ground. So the photo below is through the deck railing (and out the backdoor window).

Finally, he hopped up on the fence so I could get one semi-decent shot.

Other Birds Spotted In The Rain This Week (No Photos)

The grackles are taking over my feeders. Getting almost as annoying as the squirrels. Our hummingbird is back. Briefly saw the tufted titmouse one day. And the chickadees and woodpeckers (downy and red-bellied) continue to hang out. As do the house sparrows, cardinals, and doves.  An occasional blue jay stops by. I’ve also heard crows and geese flying over once in a while. Hopefully, next week the sun returns along with the chance for a few more photos.

What birds have you spotted this week? And before I end this post, could you please send some sunshine this way? Soon, please!

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Joining in with The Bird Depot hosted by Anni over at I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Another Rainy Day

Chitchat 2 Comments

It’s another rainy day here.  And an unexpected day off for me.

rainy day

I can’t remember the exact weather forecast when I shared it on Monday. However, this morning they showed 3 days in a row with 100% chances of rain. Does not do much for my outdoor gardening plans. They also had to cancel/reschedule yesterday’s preschool graduation because of the weather (it’s an outdoor thing).

rainy day

We’re just hanging out indoors watching it rain today. Well, just the two of us. The cat is the only one home with me. A bit of rainy day bliss to be home alone for a change.

rainy day

Lit a candle, a beach scented one I picked up at Aldi. My plans for this rainy day now that I’m free for the afternoon?

Nothing too exciting. I’ve been working on slowing down. It comes naturally to many of you (and many preschool kids, especially when time is of the essence, ha!). However, it doesn’t come naturally to me. Lots of reminding myself there is enough time in the day to get the things done that need doing. Just stumbled across this article, seems to sum up where I’d like to be on the slowdown journey.

I blame my late mother! Not really. Well, maybe. I think I inherited her “city” blood. For me, there is something about the pulse of being around an urban environment, the energy of the pedestrians going about their business. However, I don’t like large crowds.

Then, there’s the love of flowers and attempting to garden. I know that comes from my late father who grew up on a farm. So basically, all I need is a house with a huge yard in the middle of a walkable city. Tall order. Suburbs for the win, I suppose.

Are you a country or city person at heart?

Wait, I was talking about my plans for today.

Today’s Rainy Day Plans

rainy day

  1. Make dough for tonight’s pizza roll dinner (done)
  2. Clean up the house a bit (a lot, in progress)
  3. Finish up the laundry (in progress)
  4. Maybe pay a few bills
  5. Relax and simply enjoy the day

How are you spending your Wednesday? And if you have any spare sunshine, could you please send a little this way?

Happy Homemaker Monday, A Rainy Start

HappyHomemakerMonday 10 Comments

Our week got off to a rainy start. All day yesterday, it rained. The sky is still cloudy and gloomy this morning with a few more rain chances.

The weekend around here reflected the weather. Didn’t do much. Even putting off a few “have-to” items until today. Finally, made it to the grocery store this morning. Laundry is in progress (could’ve done that yesterday but didn’t).  And now, it’s time to join in with Sandra and the other wonderful bloggers who link up with her over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

The Weather

Cloudy and rainy. Basement has water trickling inside (more than that but not a flood, thank goodness!). Looking forward to lots more flowers blooming when the sun reappears. Temperature is fine, mid to upper 70’s.

On My Reading Pile

This is odd for me but the answer is nothing. Well, not any books at the moment. Plan to give my magazines a glance through this week. Sometimes I find interesting book suggestions in those. And I do have a couple e-books, I’ve been putting off reading because I want to read them during true summer weather.

On My TV

The series finale of Prodigal Son on Tuesday. I am DONE with shows on the Fox network. Second time (3rd if count Fringe but I started watching it too late to complain) I’ve become very interested in one of their shows and then, they cancel it. I don’t know why they think their entire audience wants to watch even more animated tv shows. UGH. (Fit over). Also, Masked Singer on Wednesday. And yes, I know it’s also on Fox.

Watched a couple movies over the weekend, Tenet and Inception. (Husband insisted we’d seen Inception before but I couldn’t remember it so watched it again). Both were odd but enjoyable movies. Also, caught up on a few episodes of Fear the Walking Dead. Probably watch a few more while folding laundry later.

On The Menu

Rainy weather equals baking weather, also. I used up some things that were about to expire/go bad and made peanut butter banana bread on Saturday. Then, yesterday, I made sour cream softie cookies as well as 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies. Lunchbox items covered for a bit.

A few carryover items from last week on here.

MONDAY: Salsa Verde Chicken in the crock pot

TUESDAY: ham steak, asparagus, black-eyed peas, and cornbread *I work 10-4*

WEDNESDAY: Pizza rolls (homemade, rolls…not the store things), salad, maybe minestrone

THURSDAY: either pork chops or chicken strips, French fries

FRIDAY: OUT for G’s birthday (He requested Chinese)

On My To Do List (For the Week)

  1. Laundry
  2. Clean up the house
  3. Clean out upstairs freezer
  4. Call the trash company for the THIRD time, it’s getting comical the level of incompetence
  5. Pay some bills (thankfully, the trash company phone call is not bill related!)
  6. Make sure I have some graduation cards/deliver one/mail the other
  7. Get G a birthday present! And find out what kind of cake he wants
  8. Still need to switch out clothes for fall/winter/spring/summer
  9. Verify When I’m Working This Summer
  10. Clean out my purse (car, too if the weather improves)

What I Am Sewing, Knitting, or Creating

Still dreaming about my garden areas and working on those. And attempting to make a garden journal. Go back and forth on how I want to put it together.

Looking Around The House

Pretend house looks great!

Real one where we actually live, not so much.

Clean up house is number 2 on my to do list for good reason.

From The Camera

For some reason, I woke up super early on Saturday. However, it was worth it because I got to witness the most amazing cloudy sunrise.

Something Fun To Share

When I worked on Friday, the kids had their last share day. At my school, it revolves around letter sounds. And of course, Z was our last letter sound. One sweet kid brought in Zinnias for the school to plant. And another, Zebra Cakes (the little Debbie treats) to share with the entire class including the teachers. We also, of course, saw lots of zoo items, zippers, and stuffed zebras.

On My Prayer List

Next door neighbor who was taken to hospital by ambulance on Saturday with breathing issues (she was sitting up and talking at least), preschool student (and his mom, a fellow teacher) who had a severe asthma attack last week, a couple of blogging friends having health issues either themselves or within their families. All the graduates out there. Friends, family, and strangers.

Quote For The Week

“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”  (Psalm 118:24)

 

A Robin, Goldfinch, and Cardinal Meet at the Feeders

Birdwatching 4 Comments

Another lazy posting of mostly photos from me. Still, I wanted to get back into the habit of sharing my backyard birds. Our weather’s been so weird (I had the heat on one week!) that I kind of got out of my bird watching and photo taking habits a bit.

We were excited to see an American goldfinch hanging out around the feeders this week! And sad to have only briefly spotted a rose breasted grosbeak one morning when I’d yet to restock things. Maybe they’ll try again next week and I’ll get a decent photo.

The robin still likes to ham it up for my camera at least.

As well as our regular house finches.

We’ve spotted the hummingbird just a few times in the very early mornings, too early for pictures. However, we did have some new visitors to the backyard. Finally, some pine siskins!

The little yellow patch on the wing and the different beak helps to tell them apart from the female house finches.

Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to see the fun little pine siskins again this week. And maybe the goldfinches and hummingbird as well. I doubt we’ll be lucky enough to get a second chance from the grosbeaks as last year was the first time I’d ever seen one in the yard. However, you never know.

I also spotted our regular woodpeckers, bluejays, pretty sure a yellow warbler, some type of vireo, and a regular house wren (!! haven’t seen one of those forever!) in the backyard. Along with some mean grackles and the annoying squirrels.

What birds did you spot this week?

Joining in with the Bird Depot hosted by Anni over at I’d Rather B Birdin’.

 

 

Flowers and Front Porch

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I had a whole post written and then *poof* it disappeared. I don’t have time to re-write it but I still want to share my work on the front porch and flowers with you.

Front porch is still a mess but I’m making progress. (We need to power wash, husband cleaned the gutters, but it’s supposed to storm all weekend)

Before:

After:

My *new* hanging basket of blue lobelia. I took out the violas and gave them a new home so I could make myself a blue lobelia basket. Can’t find them in hanging baskets.

New home for the violas.

Did you know they’re perennials?

Still waiting on a few blooms from growing flowers.

However, I did get impatient and add a few snap dragons to the side of the porch flower garden. (I ended up putting the white lobelia in a pot)

I played outside in the dirt all day except when I took a break to work on the disappearing post. Now, it’s time to go cook dinner. Have you played in the dirt this week?

Happy Homemaker Monday, Is It May?

HappyHomemakerMonday 8 Comments

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day yesterday. It is May, right? Wonder why I’m asking? I’m asking because I generally don’t get up thinking about bumping on the heat during the second week of May!

It was a cold 41 degrees this morning! Supposed to stay chilly until the weekend. Wait, I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s save the weather talk for its category.

Joining in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom where she hosts these wonderful weekly link ups. And she changed up the categories just a bit as well. However, the weather always stays at the top.

So, on to the categories starting with…

The Weather

Yesterday was gray and gloomy and also, chilly. I talked about this morning above but at least the sun is shining again! Most of our week is in the low to mid 60’s, about 10 degrees below normal. We’re, thankfully, back in the 70’s for the weekend. And because it’s spring, there’s also a chance of more thunderstorms over the weekend as well.

On My Reading Pile

Currently, nothing. A bit unusual. I did read Reluctantly Home by Imogen Clark last week. Always enjoy her novels though the subject matter of this one rang a little heavy at times (deals with the death of a child).

On My TV

Usual, Masked Singer and Prodigal Son. Phinneas and Ferb with J, a bit. And I watched the entire season of Dad Stop Embarrassing Me on Netflix over the weekend (only 8 episodes).   A bit of an edgier comedy, probably not for everyone but I found it a bit like the comedies from the 70’s, 80’s, & maybe 90’s so I enjoyed the reminiscent feel of the show while it dealt with current issues.

On The Menu

Chocolate chip banana bars, change up from banana bread

 

My husband and kids took me out to eat yesterday and we had a lovely in restaurant meal. Probably the first time we’ve all eaten out together in a restaurant in over a year! It was a catfish restaurant and so lots of delicious fried food, led to some rather tender stomachs last night and this morning.

Luckily, dinner for tonight is already prepped.

MONDAY: BBQ roast sandwiches (my husband cooked one on the smoker), leftovers from the restaurant (okra, fries, coleslaw, and beans)

TUESDAY: taco salads

WEDNESDAY: ham steaks, baked potatoes, asparagus

THURSDAY: Spaghetti or I might try these zucchini boats (zucchini was on sale at the store!), salad *I work 8:30-1:30*

FRIDAY: OUT! *J has an appt at 4* *I work 8:30-1:30*

SATURDAY: (not sure I’ll do this but I had a thought that Saturday would be a great crock pot meal day) Chicken Verde

On My To Do List (This Week)

  1. Put entire pantry back together. I know it IS May despite the weather because we had ants visiting the pantry yesterday morning. UGH.
  2. Still need to sort winter/spring/summer clothes. Except it can’t seem to pick a season around here!
  3. Find a new book to read
  4. Go outside and dump all the standing water I can find (rained over the weekend so now I’m on mosquito patrol today)
  5. Call the trash company (AGAIN) to get a second recycling bin delivered (it was supposed to come last Tuesday)
  6. Figure out what to do for G’s birthday and to celebrate him getting his Associate’s Degree (He’s transferring to a 4 year college now)
  7. Work in the yard, get some plants in the ground
  8. Clean the house
  9. Look for a new pair of tennis shoes
  10. Pick up the camera every day

What I Am Sewing, Knitting, or Creating

Working on getting the outside front porch and yard ready for the summer. I’m also back to working on my Animal Crossing New Horizons Island just for fun.

Looking Around The House

Well, the kitchen table is completely full at the moment, covered in pantry items. The rest of it is okay but needs a good clearing and cleaning.

From The Camera

The purple iris fell over but it still bloomed!

Something Fun To Share

I got nothing. Although I’m excited there are only 9 school days left for J! It’s been a rough year but he’s almost done.

On My Prayer List

Friends, family, strangers.

Quote For The Week

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20)

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What’s Growing in the Vegetable Garden Areas

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For fun, I thought I would share what’s growing in our vegetable garden areas.

vegetable garden areas

First, I want to talk about the weather today. It was 39 degrees when I woke up this morning. Thirty-nine degrees! That is too cold for May. Luckily, we didn’t have a frost here. Funny because J was just asking what if it snowed in May. And my husband was answering we’d have wasted a lot of money on plants. So, while not unheard of for here, thankfully, no snow, just a bit chillier than usual this week.

I’d have been sad if I lost this little tomato baby. So excited for how well my from seed tomato plants are faring so far…

vegetable garden areas
My baby tomato plant needs a bath!

Side of House Vegetable Garden Areas

Here’s a blurry glance at the vegetable garden area where we planted all our tomatoes. I can’t seem to get a decent shot of the whole area.

You may remember I shared about my husband making me a raised bed from the wood left from old box springs and an old fence gate. 

Well, to the left there I had him build me a small flower bed as well. More on what’s in there another time. Then, oddly enough, he decided to add the rest of the wood to a burn pile. Too many project ideas from me, I guess.

The blue tub in front is my first attempt at a raised bed. I bought a $7 tub cooler (maybe?) from Target, drilled holes in the bottom, added liner, rocks, and dirt. It contains corn, green beans, and zucchini. All started from seed, trying something called the 3 sisters method of planting.

And we decided to try just all tomatoes in the other raised bed. It contains both my plants started from seed as well as some starter plants purchased at a local nursery. And of course, marigolds. I always add marigolds to my gardens. Do you?  I’m a bit obsessed with the flowers this year. Even found a type supposed to repel mosquitoes for the deck table. Need to get more. Bonus of marigolds, they’re fairly cheap.

vegetable garden spots

Regular Vegetable Garden Area

Let’s move on and talk about our regular vegetable garden area. The place we just stick the seeds and plants in the ground and hope for the best.  Our strawberry plant holds lots of promise this year:

We’ll see if the human creatures here get to enjoy any red berries before all the other wildlife finds them.

Here’s a glimpse of our garden for this year:

I really do need to quit being lazy and take the zoom lens off for some of these photos. This year, we’re attempting: green beans (from seed), cucumbers, zucchini (yes, more), onions, and some hot peppers. I also bought a small compact eggplant, designed for containers but I planted it. High hopes for fresh from the garden vegetables later this summer.

Flowers in the Onion Family

Because I’m a bit more obsessed with my flower garden areas than the vegetable gardens (it’s a patience thing), I want to end by showing you my allium flowers. I recently learned some kinds of these flowers are edible as they’re related to onions. Mine, I think, are not. However, I still love these purple globe flowers. Even when they don’t behave and grow between my herb garden containers like I planned, choosing instead to stand tall and show off right in front of them.

What’s growing in your gardens?

 

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