How does your garden grow?

I have been so busy - at work and at home. The end of the school year is always like this - and then with working summer school - It just takes a lot of time to get it all done. I have gotten so much done in the last two weeks - but I have been working 10 - 12 hours a day and sleeping on average 4 hours each night. I should be exhausted - but I seem to keep going. I think finally things are starting to get back to normal. While I have been working away - our garden has been growing. I am still waiting for the fence to hide the garbage cans - but Richard is just as busy as I am. It will happen eventually. Our plants have really taken off. We are learning as we go - and will have to do some things differently next year.
Like plant zucchini somewhere else. It's a monster!

We have peppers nearly ready to pick.

And I swear if you sat and actually watched the tomatoes - you could see them grow.

I can't wait to taste them. We ate our first zucchini the other night.

Ladybugs all dressed in red

Strolling through the flowerbed.

If I were tiny just like you

I'd creep among the flowers too!
Maria Fleming

Thunder & Lightning

We never get lightening like this. I love thunder and lightening and it is one of the things I miss about the Midwest. We had quite a show last night, and thunder that rumbled and cracked. It was above us and all around us. It was great!
We watched for quite awhile - Luke with his camera.
He got a few good shots.
The power behind a storm like this is amazing.
We watched as it moved toward us - you could feel and hear it as it a came closer.

"The wise man in the storm prays to God,
not for safety from danger,
but deliverance from fear."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Outside Everyday

"With a few flowers in my garden, half a dozen pictures and some books, I live without envy." ~ Lope de Vega

I have been spending a lot of time working in the yard the last few weeks - before it gets too hot to enjoy being out there. I have gotten so much done - but I have a long way to go before it looks like I want it to.



Our raised garden is doing fine. Only now I wish it was bigger.

I think next year I will put one in on the other side of the house.

Richard did build another box - so we can plant a little more. I want to plant some more kohlrabi (which no one around here has heard of). And I have some garlic to put in. My dad can grow anything - he simply waters a plant and it thrives. I can't say I got any of that from him - but so far everything is looking great! Except the inside of my house (time for me to spend some time and energy in there)

I feel like this . . .

Life is so busy right now - and although this picture truly expresses how I feel, I really don't mind. I tend to function very well when things get busy and chaotic. And the more I have to do - the more I can get done. The only problem is that when I get busy and really throw myself into things - then I have a hard time stopping. I just keep on going and going. I end up getting everything done - but I wear myself out. I will try to avoid that - but probably won't.
I love this picture! Time to take a couple of deep breaths and get back at it.

Planted

Our plants are in. We got a late start on our garden and now we are getting some hot weather, but they look as if they will do fine. It is supposed to cool down again after today. We planted tomatoes, yellow peppers, eggplant, zucchini, jalapenos, cilantro, kohlrabi, and some peppermint. Richard is going to put up a small fence to hide the garbage cans for me.

Jake - barefooted? I love when the boys do things together. They are not really close - there is a five year age difference and they are so different from one another - but as they get older this is changing a little. One of my biggest blessings - is that they do come together when I need help with something. I have watched them both go through so many things - and the years seem to have gone by too fast - sometimes I miss the years when they were young, but on days like this I simply enjoy them as my sons.

Pigtails and Puppies

Jennifer and Josh brought Lily over last night - with pigtails. I can't believe how big she is getting. I not only enjoy Lily - but it is so much fun to watch Jennifer being a mama - she is so relaxed with her and seems to enjoy every minute of motherhood.
Yesterday was Sadie's birthday - 4 years old. Sadie is such a sweet dog - and very spoiled . . . and if I do say so myself - she is adorable!!! Happy Birthday Sadie!

Mother's Day Project

I just have to post a picture of this sweet little thing with her sunglasses. I can't begin to explain how much joy I get from her.

I think Sadie was wondering exactly what we were up to yesterday - (I love when she looks at us this way.) Luke and I have been wanting to plant a small vegetable garden. So that turned into our Mother's Day project.
We took this spot . . .
(Sadie is back there watching and wondering.)

. . . and put in this raised bed. I am so excited. We are going to grow tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, garlic, and possibly some green onions. I am also thinking of having Richard build an arbor over the back side and whether we need it or not - I am going to have to have a cute scarecrow.

I have some other pictures of the boys working - but they are on Luke's camera. I will have to post them later. It was a wonderful Mother's Day - having both the boys out there working on this. I have to order some top soil - then get some plants going.

"A garden is a delight to the eye and a solace for the soul." -- Sadi

Flashback Friday - no wonder I brought him home!

I was looking at old pictures last night and found this one of Boo. I may have posted it before - but he's cute enough for a second showing if I did. He did grow into those ears and the collar. He was born under one of the portable classrooms at the school I work at - he needed a home and I guess I needed a kitten. He was so little! He grew into an extremely independent cat, but likes to climb into my lap when all is quiet and it is just him and I.

I just realized that it has been 8 years since I brought him home - I am a little amazed at how fast 8 years has gone by. Amy - I think you need to come visit me again. This is what Boo looked like the last time you were here. (No pressure - I just really miss you!)

50 Years of Sunshine!

Life got a little complicated for me for awhile - and took me away from the things I like to do. But things seem to be somewhat back to normal. If you can call dressing a skeleton in a black gown and a pink feather boa normal . . .
My friend and co-worker turned 50 this week. She often greets people - "Good Morning Sunshine!" - which explains the sign. We had a great time decorating and a wonderful potluck to help her celebrate!
. . . and 50 cans of Pepsi. That should last her a few days anyway.

Ugly - but I figured it out!

I don't like this yarn - I don't even like this pattern now that I am knitting it, but I am doing it!!!

I am knitting, purling, yarn over, actually following the pattern, and I still have 23 and only 23 stitches on the needle! I don't think it is going to be very pretty - I used this old yarn that I had until I was able to figure out what I was doing. So I may get out the pretty purple yarn that I have and start over. It is very simple I know - but I am so proud of myself for figuring it out. I even was able to un-knit some stitches when I made a mistake and I no longer want to throw the needles and yarn across the room.

Lily

One of my favorite blogs to visit is - A FancifulTwist
Vanessa created these adorable egg huggers. They were perfect for Kasey's Easter gift.
A few more photos of Lily from the other night.
She so makes me smile!

We tried taking some pictures of with her tutu and wings - but she was not in the mood and the lighting was terrible. I did manage to get this one.

Never Too Old - or Too Young

Here they are - all grown up, but still coloring Easter Eggs!
Well . . . not everyone is grown up.
Both the boys are very big on traditions - which may explain why they still do stuff like this. It is very different from when they were small. There are girlfriends involved, the conversation has changed, the cups of dye don't get spilled - I just love it when we are all together.

Grrr... knitting

I finished my squiggle scarf. I am sure it is riddled with mistakes (one nice thing about this kind of yarn). But I finished the scarf, used up some stuff that I had, actually tried something new by using the circular needles, and I am determined to continue knitting until I get it. Always look for the positive - right? I know these pictures are dark - I am hoping sunshine is in the forecast for tomorrow. This little bag contains a pattern and yarn for a lacy scarf. It was a gift from my cousin Amy. I told myself - not another scarf, but it is such an easy thing to practice on, and I am trying to use some of the stuff that I already have. I started it three times last night. What is with me and knitting. I know what I am supposed to do. I was getting pretty good at it a few years ago, but I seem to make mistakes no matter how hard I try not to. Amy - I need to live closer to you so you can help me. I think I get the most frustrated - because when I do make a mistake - I have not idea how to fix it. When I crochet - a mistake is so simple to fix. I'll wear the yarn out simply by ripping out the first four rows so often. I finally decided I was tired (it was 2:00 in the morning) - so I will start again this morning. I found these little crocheted carrots in a gift shop that I walk by nearly everyday - but rarely go in to shop. I probably should have just walked by this time too - I keep telling myself that I don't need any more "stuff".

This Easter basket was mine when I was small. Made out of plastic, it somehow has survived all these years. It is one of my favorite decorations this time of year. I am going to go pick up my knitting needles again - hopefully with more success today.

"You can do it. It's only one stitch at a time." ~ Myra Hansen

Simply Knitting

I am really trying to use up some of the supplies that I have. I have been cleaning out and organizing - and when I look at how much stuff I have - I don't need to go out an buy anything (no matter how fun that is). I have been wanting to knit something - so I needed to find a pattern that I already had yarn and the needles to use. This isn't probably what I would have chosen to knit otherwise - but it will be a fun scarf - and the squiggle yarn definitely hides any mistakes I may make. And I am trying something new - the circular needles. I am going to try something a little more difficult next.

We had a thunderstorm last night. Usually when they forecast a thunderstorm - it doesn't amount to much. Last night was the real thing.

My house is clean, I have errands to run, then I am going to work out - after that I will be picking up this squiggle yarn and finishing my scarf. Spring Break - I love it!!!

Smile!

Lily and I went for a walk yesterday.
She is such a happy baby - it does me good just to be with her and see her smile.

Another beautiful day here today!

"Babies are bits of stardust, blown from the hand of God." ~ Barretto

Spring Break At Last!

I have been away from here for so long. I had the flu - and then simply have been busy - busy - busy! This week I am on vacation - so I will be busy still, but hopefully with some things that I like to do - including getting back into posting something regularly. I want to work in the yard, read, work out, and I have been looking for something to knit. I am not very confident in my ability to knit, so I want to do more of it. I am going to make a visit to the yarn shop hopefully tomorrow.
Today I am babysitting Lily. It is supposed to get up into the 80's - so we are definitely taking walk. She has changed so much - I will have to take pictures after her nap.

Magic Mushroom

I have not taken time to make much of anything lately. I started working out - and my extra time seems to be going to do that. I am also still reading every chance I get. I finished the Twilight series and enjoyed them so much more than I thought I would. The good thing - is that I have lost 10 pounds and I feel great, but I miss not having some project going. So I had to make something this weekend - no matter how small. I have been loving all the mushrooms I have been seeing, so decided to crochet one while I was watching TV yesterday - (I was watching "Twilight" - I had to see how it compared to the book. - also a little better than I had anticipated - entertaining enough.)

Jake seems to think it is a little weird to crochet mushrooms - what does he know? I also cleaned out my closet this weekend (the kick off to my Spring cleaning) and I found this little pocket bag that I had made. I decided to keep this - but was very happy with how much I decided to get rid of. It is a good thing when I decide to throw out.

Top o' the Morning!

May God grant you always . . . A sunbeam to warm you,

a moonbeam to charm you,

a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you,

Laughter to cheer you,

Faithful friends near you,

And whenever you pray - Heaven to hear you.

~ Irish Blessing ~

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
I brought breakfast into the office this morning - scrambled eggs, a potato casserole, and green bread of course. What a great way to start the day.

Green is my favorite color!

“If you're lucky enough to be Irish,

then you're lucky enough.”

We had our St. Patrick's Day a little early this year. Our friends could not make it for dinner on Tuesday - so I made corned beef and cabbage last night. I will have to come up with another Irish meal for Tuesday.
Our friends have two young boys and I always like to give them something when they come over. These glasses twinkle when you push a button on the bottom - so we filled them up with green soda of course and let them twinkle away.

Green bread of course! This meal is becoming a tradition in our house as big as Thanksgiving. I felt like I had cooked all day - but enjoyed every minute of it. My Grandma Kubicek (who was Irish) - always made green bread on St. Patrick's Day - so I am keeping that tradition going.

Richard was also thinking green this week - he kept bringing home green candy. The shamrock dish full of green Jelly Belly's seems to have disappeared - not only does Jake like Jelly Belly's, but the green watermelon flavored ones are his favorite.

I believe these little shamrock cups belonged to my other grandma (who was German - not Irish, but hey, her last name was "Green"). So we had a wonderful evening - good food, good friends. And we still have St. Patricks' Day to celebrate on Tuesday!!!

May love and laughter light your days,

and warm your heart and home.

May good and faithful friends be yours,

wherever you may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world

with joy that long endures.

May all life's passing seasons

bring the best to you and yours!

Bella

This adorable puppy - "Bella", belongs to one of the girls that I work with. How precious is she?!
It is hard to snap a picture of her - she doesn't sit still for very long. She is on her way to the vet this morning - we don't ordinarily have pets in the office with us, but how fun it is when we do.

I finally took a few minutes to get the hair and little bloomers on my shabby little rag doll. The poor thing has been waiting for hair for some time. I like how she turned out using the old Raggedy Ann dress that I had. I took the sleeves off the dress to make her bloomers. She is shabby and recycled - poor thing!