More painting........

........yesterday, we started first thing in the morning, got the 4 posts painted with their 3rd coat, and then went around to start on the back deck.   I painted the new banister that borders the steps........actually, it was new when we had it built a year and a  half ago, and we should be ashamed for letting it go this long without either stain or paint !   But I got that painted with 2 coats, and then started on the railing around the porch.

I just kept thinking of Tom Sawyer as I painted all of those 'pickets', so to speak.   Not really fun.  But I'm glad that hubby drives me to do these things that need doing, or I'd spend all of my time at the sewing machine.  Hmmmmmm........sewing machine--it's cloudy and wet today, maybe I could re-acquaint myself with the old girl for a few hours !

UPDATE-------I did get to my sewing machine for a while......actually, it was my SECOND sewing machine, because I wanted to try my triple zigzag stitch for machine-quilting now that I can see where I'm going with my open-toed walking foot.


I like it !  Here's a sneak peek.......

Anyway, back to yesterday.........my Irises were blooming when I took my first look outside yesterday morning.  6 blooms, and all of them are this beautiful purple that reminds me of my mama (how she loved them !)

I took a trip out to the cemetery to check mama and daddy's headstone late yesterday evening.   I planted some things in back of it when I moved back home 4 years ago, BEFORE I called to check and see what was allowed.  Turned out, planting wasn't allowed, but it was too late then ~!~  Anyway, there's a beautiful thick patch of Iris and there are 7 buds right now.   On daddy's side, the Daisies are showing buds too.   I always like to think that daddy would laugh at the fact that he's literally 'pushing up daisies" !  (You'd have to know my daddy.)

What does this look like?

I've been wanting to post pictures of this plant that sprung up in my rose bed.  It may be something that I planted from seed.........I'm bad about forgetting WHAT I put WHERE.   It looks like it is about to bloom, so maybe it will be a beautiful surprise, but I fear that it may just be weeds.  Anybody recognize this green growth?

Any clue what this is?

I trim back my striped Monkey Grass every Spring, once I see new growth started at the base of the plants, and I am amazed at how much it grows every day when the sun comes out full force !  I never had this plant before moving to this lot, and I am so glad that it was planted here before I bought this place.    I moved a lot of it out here to the near-woods flower area because of the work being done on the porch last Fall, but I also have it along the front of the trailer with the Irises.