This is the first time I've taken the opportunity to use the library's computer since I dropped internet service to my home.
We're doing fine, enjoying working in the yard together as usual, and have eaten the first couple of cucumbers from our little garden. The okra has babies showing on many of the plants, and we added another row. The squash have looked like they weren't going to make it, but this week we have a few little starts of squash fruit, so we're hopeful that we'll soon harvest those for our table. The tomatoes are EXCEEDINGLY hesitant, too. We lifted almost every plant in the garden, and worked composted manure into it, so maybe things will come along well now.
I'm going to try to find me some books to read before I go home, so I'll move along now. No sewing going on, still, but I am knitting a pair of socks, SLOWLY.
Love to you all, in Jesus's precious name !
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Happy Mothers' Day
A special Happy Mothers' day goes out to my little girl as she spends this day without her hubby there to help. I'm told that 9 year-old Zoe fixed grilled cheese sandwiches for everyone (with mommy supervising, of course) so that mommy didn't have to cook. Way to go, Zoe, I'm so proud of you !
My son-in-love, Tim, always spoils my daughter as she deserves, but is now deployed once again, so I especially wish that I could have been there for her day.
As far as my mother goes, she passed away in 1988. I was able to put together a small bouquet in a glass vase to take to her gravestone. The bouquet included roses, daisies and bachelor buttons. Her stone was easily recognizable from the road, as the Irises growing behind it were still in bloom, towering over the stone. Daddy's daisies were also in full bloom.
On the homefront, with this strange Spring we're having we're expecting a frost tonight; so, I dragged every ice cream bucket and leftover potting container I could find to cover the new little plants. I put a few English Pea seeds and a few watermelon seeds into one area of the garden today, too.
Anyway, sending love and good memories out to all the moms today. Be sure and stop to smell those red roses !
My son-in-love, Tim, always spoils my daughter as she deserves, but is now deployed once again, so I especially wish that I could have been there for her day.
As far as my mother goes, she passed away in 1988. I was able to put together a small bouquet in a glass vase to take to her gravestone. The bouquet included roses, daisies and bachelor buttons. Her stone was easily recognizable from the road, as the Irises growing behind it were still in bloom, towering over the stone. Daddy's daisies were also in full bloom.
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| I can hardly believe that just hubby and I went through that much ice cream this past year ! |
On the homefront, with this strange Spring we're having we're expecting a frost tonight; so, I dragged every ice cream bucket and leftover potting container I could find to cover the new little plants. I put a few English Pea seeds and a few watermelon seeds into one area of the garden today, too.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
I guess I have a cold !
It looks like the cable company hasn't pulled the switch on the internet connection yet, so I'll post again.
Just the other day, I was trying to remember what it felt like to have a bad cold. I heard that my daughter and son-in-love were suffering from sinus attacks, and it made me realize that I hadn't had more than a runny nose in a LONG time.
Well, yep, you guessed it........I've got it now. This is the first time I've been sick like this since we moved into this home, I think. ( I am truly blessed !) Full-blown (pun intended) runny/stopped up nose, sinus headache, postnasal drip, slight cough...........phew, what a night I just had ! I'm starting my third day with this mess, so hopefully if it is a cold, it'll be gone in another 4 to 7 days.
In the meantime, my life is easygoing enough, praise God, that I can take naps when the sleepiness from my own naturally-produced antihistamine hits me. That's usually around noon, it seems.
A family member helped us to bring home a couple of sheets of lattice to finish the rear deck area. Now we need to wait on a pretty day for painting. Trimming the old pieces last time was such a joke, balancing them on a wheelbarrow and a lawn chair ! I'm thinking of pulling out my 6 foot craft table and using it for support this time.........I totally forgot about it before. That should make the job some easier.
The plants in the garden look good except for the cucumbers. The leaves on them have turned pale and I don't know that they'll survive. No sign of any sprouts from the okra seed.. UPDATE: I did a walk-through in the garden, and I counted atleast 14 of the okra seed sprouting !
I did plant some Marigolds and some mint in different places, hoping to deter the deer.
Just the other day, I was trying to remember what it felt like to have a bad cold. I heard that my daughter and son-in-love were suffering from sinus attacks, and it made me realize that I hadn't had more than a runny nose in a LONG time.
Well, yep, you guessed it........I've got it now. This is the first time I've been sick like this since we moved into this home, I think. ( I am truly blessed !) Full-blown (pun intended) runny/stopped up nose, sinus headache, postnasal drip, slight cough...........phew, what a night I just had ! I'm starting my third day with this mess, so hopefully if it is a cold, it'll be gone in another 4 to 7 days.
In the meantime, my life is easygoing enough, praise God, that I can take naps when the sleepiness from my own naturally-produced antihistamine hits me. That's usually around noon, it seems.
A family member helped us to bring home a couple of sheets of lattice to finish the rear deck area. Now we need to wait on a pretty day for painting. Trimming the old pieces last time was such a joke, balancing them on a wheelbarrow and a lawn chair ! I'm thinking of pulling out my 6 foot craft table and using it for support this time.........I totally forgot about it before. That should make the job some easier.
The plants in the garden look good except for the cucumbers. The leaves on them have turned pale and I don't know that they'll survive. No sign of any sprouts from the okra seed.. UPDATE: I did a walk-through in the garden, and I counted atleast 14 of the okra seed sprouting !
I did plant some Marigolds and some mint in different places, hoping to deter the deer.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
No internet for awhile
My package price went up, so I'm dropping internet service to offset the raise in price. I'll miss journaling, and I'll miss checking all the blogs that I like to keep up with.
Seems like I do this about every year or so, so it will be interesting to see how it plays out this time.
I can still check in at the library, so, bye for now !
Seems like I do this about every year or so, so it will be interesting to see how it plays out this time.
I can still check in at the library, so, bye for now !
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Thank you, DEE !
Atleast, I think it was Dee, of Dee's Doodles, who sanely suggested using stakes and string to give me straight edges for laying the concrete border in my long flower bed ! I took her advice today, and it worked out really well !
I'm finally resting, but hubby and I started at about 9 a.m. this morning, measuring things off, driving stakes, and using red acrylic yarn for our string.
By working in spurts, with a rest inbetween, he was able to put a few borders at a time in the wheelbarrow, and deliver them to the flower bed.
We made quite a team today, I tell you !
The pieces are all in place, but darkness fell before I finished pushing the dirt back into place around them all.
I think that this is going to look quite nice.......I'm excited, and thankful for the strength to do it and the good working comraderie ! Praise GOD !
I want to make a note here that hubby had his quarterly bloodwork done today.
I'm finally resting, but hubby and I started at about 9 a.m. this morning, measuring things off, driving stakes, and using red acrylic yarn for our string.
We made quite a team today, I tell you !
The pieces are all in place, but darkness fell before I finished pushing the dirt back into place around them all.
I think that this is going to look quite nice.......I'm excited, and thankful for the strength to do it and the good working comraderie ! Praise GOD !
I want to make a note here that hubby had his quarterly bloodwork done today.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Blooms !
Anyone who knows me has to know how I love blooming things ! God's creation at it's finest !
My Knockout Roses started blooming on Thursday, I think it was, and they are waist high with the most gorgeous full blooms.
My deep purple Irises led the way down the front of the trailer-home,
but were quickly followed this past week by these taller, bigger, more ruffly medium purple blooms. Now THESE are my favorite of my Iris, and somehow I just have to label/mark them so that I know which ones they are when they're NOT in bloom.
These ones that I always call burgundy started blooming down at the end closest to the porch. I don't care for this color in my yard, but with the 7-9 blooms all at once that were on Mama and Daddy's grave this week, they were quite beautiful.
Hubby likes this coloration.
I used a few of the concrete borders to shape up this flower area where my Deep Pink Hibiscus has been growing for a year and a half. I made it big enough to add this Mexican Bush Sage that I just bought.
It is supposed to become a bush and bloom every Autumn (of course, the nurseries get them to bloom early to show us what we're buying).
And, here's a shot of the garden once it was planted. I still have room for 2 more partial rows. I may want to put in more okra.
My Knockout Roses started blooming on Thursday, I think it was, and they are waist high with the most gorgeous full blooms.
My deep purple Irises led the way down the front of the trailer-home,
but were quickly followed this past week by these taller, bigger, more ruffly medium purple blooms. Now THESE are my favorite of my Iris, and somehow I just have to label/mark them so that I know which ones they are when they're NOT in bloom.
These ones that I always call burgundy started blooming down at the end closest to the porch. I don't care for this color in my yard, but with the 7-9 blooms all at once that were on Mama and Daddy's grave this week, they were quite beautiful.
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| Wow, this is alot prettier in a photograph than I ever noticed in person ! |
Thursday, May 2, 2013
We did it.......the garden is IN !
I'm sorry about the lack of pictures of the actual garden work. Had a problem with the camera, but wanted to be sure and document today's momentous progress !
I couldn't figure out why I had so much trepidation about this garden all Winter long, and it finally hit me today.....I've never made a garden big enough to need walking rows ! Before it was always a patch with a fence on one side for climbing things, and reaching distance on the other side.........maybe 4 ft x 12 to 15 ft.
This plot measures 21 feet x 21 feet ! With hubby's supervision, direction, moral support and encouragement, I tilled, loosened soil for rows, made a plan, purchased plants, planted plants and seeds, erected tomato cages (one of THE most difficult jobs of the entire DAY), and made hills for planting the cukes and squash. IT IS DONE.
I have one small section that I may fill with potato eyes if I can get it dug a little bit deeper. And I have most of 2 rows still open for anything that I might want to add later.
I wound up with 8 tomatoes, an entire row of Okra, 6 hills of cucumbers, 6 hills of yellow squash, 4 bell peppers, and 4 banana peppers.
Now comes the concern about deer eating everything I've put into the ground ! I have no fencing or any other deterrent. I am praying.
In other news, my niece, Mandy, Allyssia's mommy, got married yesterday evening. I hope they live well and happily together and for Christ.
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| This is the only shot I got of the garden before the card needed reformatting. And since the wedding photos are on it, I couldn't reformat right now, or I would wipe them all out ! |
I couldn't figure out why I had so much trepidation about this garden all Winter long, and it finally hit me today.....I've never made a garden big enough to need walking rows ! Before it was always a patch with a fence on one side for climbing things, and reaching distance on the other side.........maybe 4 ft x 12 to 15 ft.
This plot measures 21 feet x 21 feet ! With hubby's supervision, direction, moral support and encouragement, I tilled, loosened soil for rows, made a plan, purchased plants, planted plants and seeds, erected tomato cages (one of THE most difficult jobs of the entire DAY), and made hills for planting the cukes and squash. IT IS DONE.
I have one small section that I may fill with potato eyes if I can get it dug a little bit deeper. And I have most of 2 rows still open for anything that I might want to add later.
I wound up with 8 tomatoes, an entire row of Okra, 6 hills of cucumbers, 6 hills of yellow squash, 4 bell peppers, and 4 banana peppers.
Now comes the concern about deer eating everything I've put into the ground ! I have no fencing or any other deterrent. I am praying.
In other news, my niece, Mandy, Allyssia's mommy, got married yesterday evening. I hope they live well and happily together and for Christ.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Another painting day.......and I feel GOOD !
My Centrum Silver must be hard at work !
We took one of the pieces of lattice that we had removed, and experimented with being able to trim one down to size with a circular saw, figuring that's what we'll have to do if we buy new 4 foot by 8 foot sheets of lattice. I had to use the saw ! Yikes, I was fearful ! And even once I got the hang of using it a little bit, that thing spit those lattice pieces out like a machine-gun, everytime a piece was ready to come off ! I know that it probably means that we needed a saw blade with closer-together teeth, but I ran into the house and got my rubber boots on ! Thusly, armed with boots, goggles and a leather glove for my left hand, I was pretty successful completing the cut.
Then the fun part began.......I told hubby that I wished he had taken the REAL pictures I'd like to post. I sat on the grass, in the SHADE, praise God, and painted that old lattice piece with a 2 inch roller. I layed it on a big sheet of plastic first, and with two coats, that worked out well.............NOT FUN, but do-able. Then hubby painted the 4 x 4 posts while I tackled the lattice that was still attached BEHIND the back steps. It couldn't be easily removed, but was in good condition. I reached THROUGH the steps with the roller, painted the lattice, and then proceeded to paint the risers of the steps themselves. Before I was finished, I actually had to lie down on the grass in front of the steps to get the lowest part of the risers !
When the posts and the lattice were dry, we refastened the long lattice piece to the left side of the deck. It looks pretty good for a redo. Now we just need to purchase two 4 x 8 sheets, trim, paint and apply to the deck..
NOW........how many of you LAUGHED when you saw that I had PAINTED my deck floor boards ? Be honest now, it won't hurt my feelings. I ask because, after applying 2 coats of really good exterior paint/stain, my husband scooted around in his lawn chair putting the third coat of white on the railing, and you can just guess what happened . Yep, peeling paint everywhere he scooted !
Bless his heart, he can't stand for long because of the arthritis in that replaced hip, and he was a HUGE help painting those inside rails. So.........I WON'T whup 'im ! I have retouching to do because of this white painting I did today, so I'll just give the floor a third coat of the orange........and be more careful with it.
I really wanted to go with weather-proofing, but ..........well, I didn't.
In between painting, I got mowing done around my Irises, and down the driveway by the mailbox. I am SO PLEASED with my driveway plantings. The Lilacs are blooming as small as they are........this is their first Spring in the ground.
And the Daisies are reaching tall for the sun, the Irises are starting to bloom. The Mums are coming back behind the mailbox, along with a Hibiscus, and Bachelor Button, and some sort of yellow flower. I am just so very blessed that God entrusted us with our very own place to care for.
We took one of the pieces of lattice that we had removed, and experimented with being able to trim one down to size with a circular saw, figuring that's what we'll have to do if we buy new 4 foot by 8 foot sheets of lattice. I had to use the saw ! Yikes, I was fearful ! And even once I got the hang of using it a little bit, that thing spit those lattice pieces out like a machine-gun, everytime a piece was ready to come off ! I know that it probably means that we needed a saw blade with closer-together teeth, but I ran into the house and got my rubber boots on ! Thusly, armed with boots, goggles and a leather glove for my left hand, I was pretty successful completing the cut.
Then the fun part began.......I told hubby that I wished he had taken the REAL pictures I'd like to post. I sat on the grass, in the SHADE, praise God, and painted that old lattice piece with a 2 inch roller. I layed it on a big sheet of plastic first, and with two coats, that worked out well.............NOT FUN, but do-able. Then hubby painted the 4 x 4 posts while I tackled the lattice that was still attached BEHIND the back steps. It couldn't be easily removed, but was in good condition. I reached THROUGH the steps with the roller, painted the lattice, and then proceeded to paint the risers of the steps themselves. Before I was finished, I actually had to lie down on the grass in front of the steps to get the lowest part of the risers !
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| Don't let anyone tell you that it's fun to paint latticework. |
When the posts and the lattice were dry, we refastened the long lattice piece to the left side of the deck. It looks pretty good for a redo. Now we just need to purchase two 4 x 8 sheets, trim, paint and apply to the deck..
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| The white is a bit bright compared to the trailer itself, but atleast it's crisp and clean-looking. |
NOW........how many of you LAUGHED when you saw that I had PAINTED my deck floor boards ? Be honest now, it won't hurt my feelings. I ask because, after applying 2 coats of really good exterior paint/stain, my husband scooted around in his lawn chair putting the third coat of white on the railing, and you can just guess what happened . Yep, peeling paint everywhere he scooted !
Bless his heart, he can't stand for long because of the arthritis in that replaced hip, and he was a HUGE help painting those inside rails. So.........I WON'T whup 'im ! I have retouching to do because of this white painting I did today, so I'll just give the floor a third coat of the orange........and be more careful with it.
I really wanted to go with weather-proofing, but ..........well, I didn't.
In between painting, I got mowing done around my Irises, and down the driveway by the mailbox. I am SO PLEASED with my driveway plantings. The Lilacs are blooming as small as they are........this is their first Spring in the ground.
And the Daisies are reaching tall for the sun, the Irises are starting to bloom. The Mums are coming back behind the mailbox, along with a Hibiscus, and Bachelor Button, and some sort of yellow flower. I am just so very blessed that God entrusted us with our very own place to care for.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Latest project.......not quilty !
I wish that this past week's blog absence meant that I had been getting a lot of stuff done, but for the life of me, I can't think what it is !
Wanda's comment on the neutral color for the bottom portion of the deck structure really got me to thinking.......that and the fact that they are currently out of the white paint that I had planned to use. I like the idea of the base fading into the background. And we haven't yet purchased replacement lattice as we aren't sure how we're going to do it, and we need use of a borrowed pick-up truck to haul it. That can be arranged, but still thinking.
On the other hand, customer appreciation day came and went yesterday at the local lumber yard and nursery.
Since they had concrete borders and round pavers on sale for only fifty cents each, I decided to get enough to edge the long flowerbed that runs along my driveway. I originally dug it up last Fall because I was tired of mowing in and out between the shrubs, but I'm tickled to have that much planting space to use as I desire.
Here's the problem, though. I made NO measurements or markers when digging around the shrubs, and I have a very wiggly-shaped bed !
I have to figure some way, even if I use a chalk-line, to straighten out these edges BEFORE I can install the concrete border pieces.
So, I've added another project to the growing list. But first it has to stop raining so that I can dig........right now there's water standing in that flowerbed !
I did replace one of the missing wooden pieces from around the bedroom window. I still need to go in and touch-up paint all of the brown wooden slats, but this corrected the problem from driveway- viewing distance.
I almost forgot the fact that I got the shed cleaned up and reorganized so that you can now WALK IN once again, instead of just peering in and grabbing stuff. I guess I have gotten a BIT of work done lately.
On the quilting front, not alot has been done, although I do recall a couple of really comfortable naps that I took under the Goldie quilt (family asked me if I'd like to have it back after she passed away, and I said "yes".) But, work-wise, I did finish the machine-quilting on the 'pots' quilt, and it is awaiting binding. I am still thrilled with the open-toed walking foot.
My son-in-love, Tim, left yesterday on his latest deployment. My brave daughter and grandchildren are starting 9 months of coping without his physical presence, and I am very proud of all of them. I hope the time passes quickly, and is filled with wonderful things to share with him, (electronically) during his absence and, in person, upon his return in January.
Wanda's comment on the neutral color for the bottom portion of the deck structure really got me to thinking.......that and the fact that they are currently out of the white paint that I had planned to use. I like the idea of the base fading into the background. And we haven't yet purchased replacement lattice as we aren't sure how we're going to do it, and we need use of a borrowed pick-up truck to haul it. That can be arranged, but still thinking.
On the other hand, customer appreciation day came and went yesterday at the local lumber yard and nursery.
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| I bought 56 of the scallops, and 4 round ones (for who knows what?) |
Since they had concrete borders and round pavers on sale for only fifty cents each, I decided to get enough to edge the long flowerbed that runs along my driveway. I originally dug it up last Fall because I was tired of mowing in and out between the shrubs, but I'm tickled to have that much planting space to use as I desire.
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| Can you see the wiggliness ? |
So, I've added another project to the growing list. But first it has to stop raining so that I can dig........right now there's water standing in that flowerbed !
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| Missing a wood strip |
I did replace one of the missing wooden pieces from around the bedroom window. I still need to go in and touch-up paint all of the brown wooden slats, but this corrected the problem from driveway- viewing distance.
I almost forgot the fact that I got the shed cleaned up and reorganized so that you can now WALK IN once again, instead of just peering in and grabbing stuff. I guess I have gotten a BIT of work done lately.
On the quilting front, not alot has been done, although I do recall a couple of really comfortable naps that I took under the Goldie quilt (family asked me if I'd like to have it back after she passed away, and I said "yes".) But, work-wise, I did finish the machine-quilting on the 'pots' quilt, and it is awaiting binding. I am still thrilled with the open-toed walking foot.
My son-in-love, Tim, left yesterday on his latest deployment. My brave daughter and grandchildren are starting 9 months of coping without his physical presence, and I am very proud of all of them. I hope the time passes quickly, and is filled with wonderful things to share with him, (electronically) during his absence and, in person, upon his return in January.
Monday, April 22, 2013
One step closer ....well, 4 steps, actually !
Today has been a BEAUTIFUL day from the beginning, ON !
Hubby and I started clearing off all the clutter on the back deck, including the hose reel attachment screwed to the side of it, and then we brushed off a lot of accumulated yuck. We pulled off most of the old latticework from down below-deck, and then hubby and I started cutting in the new porchfloor color.
It was frightening ! So orange ! This was supposed to look like an aged clay pot, I thought ! But it went on so shiny and bright ! I stuck in there and had faith, though, and after two complete coats and a quick drying in the bright sunlight, it now resembles a NEW clay pot...........which really isn't bad at all. I'm pleased with the finished look.
I left the big boards under the floorboards unpainted, intending to purchase another gallon of the white, and possibly white plastic latticework. I'll have to do some pricing before I make my decisions, but I'm thinking that I'd like those boards white. I didn't want a huge band of orange showing from the yard level.
Anyway, I have chicken thighs slowcooking, potatoes boiling for mashing, and French-style greenbeans simmering with new green onions. Not bad for a gal who went and tilled some more of that garden spot AFTER finishing the painting......huh ?
Love ya'll !
Hubby and I started clearing off all the clutter on the back deck, including the hose reel attachment screwed to the side of it, and then we brushed off a lot of accumulated yuck. We pulled off most of the old latticework from down below-deck, and then hubby and I started cutting in the new porchfloor color.
It was frightening ! So orange ! This was supposed to look like an aged clay pot, I thought ! But it went on so shiny and bright ! I stuck in there and had faith, though, and after two complete coats and a quick drying in the bright sunlight, it now resembles a NEW clay pot...........which really isn't bad at all. I'm pleased with the finished look.
I left the big boards under the floorboards unpainted, intending to purchase another gallon of the white, and possibly white plastic latticework. I'll have to do some pricing before I make my decisions, but I'm thinking that I'd like those boards white. I didn't want a huge band of orange showing from the yard level.
Anyway, I have chicken thighs slowcooking, potatoes boiling for mashing, and French-style greenbeans simmering with new green onions. Not bad for a gal who went and tilled some more of that garden spot AFTER finishing the painting......huh ?
Love ya'll !
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Railing painted
Hubby and I got the second coat of paint on all of the back porch railing today.........we drained the bucket of paint DRY. It could use some touch-up in some places, so I may have to buy another quart......another DAY !
I was blessed to find a gallon of paint/stain for the floorboards of this porch. It was in the orphans at the lumber store and I think that it will work just fine. It's sortof a terracotta color, and I'll probably use it for the steps as well. I hope that one gallon is enough for that ! Be glad when IT"S done !
My Hibiscus are making their reappearance all over the place in little sprouts.....so excited (no photo yet)!
The artichoke plants that produce sunflowerlooking blooms have comeback five-fold, if not more so !
My Moss Roses have re-seeded themselves, and I think I've seen sign of the same thing about my Celosia (cockscomb). This is my absolute favorite time of year........it's like God is just walking me through his greenhouse ! So amazing how it all works, year after year, from the beginning of time and the Garden of Eden !
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| Gotta love the $3.00 lawn chair I found last weekend ! |
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| This one needs a roof over it, too ! |
I was blessed to find a gallon of paint/stain for the floorboards of this porch. It was in the orphans at the lumber store and I think that it will work just fine. It's sortof a terracotta color, and I'll probably use it for the steps as well. I hope that one gallon is enough for that ! Be glad when IT"S done !
My Hibiscus are making their reappearance all over the place in little sprouts.....so excited (no photo yet)!
My Moss Roses have re-seeded themselves, and I think I've seen sign of the same thing about my Celosia (cockscomb). This is my absolute favorite time of year........it's like God is just walking me through his greenhouse ! So amazing how it all works, year after year, from the beginning of time and the Garden of Eden !
Friday, April 19, 2013
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.)
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?
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.
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 !)
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| What does this look like? |
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| 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.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Feeling tired is better than feeling useless
In the wintertime, I can go for days where it seems that I just don't really serve a purpose on God's green earth. Life slows down, I stay home, I stay in, and just don't do a whole lot !
These days, though, I keep finding myself totally worn out at the end of the day, and, yet, it is so nice to look back over these days and see actual accomplishments. It seems ridiculous that these normal, average activities SHOULD wear me out, but there has to be more to aging than these wrinkly legs and droopy jowls..........HA !
ANYWAY, .......... today hubby and I got a couple of coats of paint onto the 4 porch posts that were left unpainted when the porch roof was built. It is pressure-treated lumber and had to 'cure'. We painted them white, and still want to put a third coat on them another day.
After that, we managed to get the front yard mowed.
The pretty white and purple carpet of tiny flowers has been replaced by a beautiful, lush carpet of spring green.
I don't know why God blesses us so, but I'm awfully thankful that he does. The Irises are ready to bloom any day, and they look like they're all going to be deep blue-purple. I re-worked the Iris beds last Fall..........last Spring most of the few blooms that I had were that burgundy color. which I really don't like ! But this year I'm thrilled !
And my Daisies have started blooming again. These are the wild Daisies that I rescued from the side of a highway. I also have taller, bigger-blooming Daisies that will be blooming a bit later in the year.
My backing fabric arrived yesterday, and when I layed it in the floor with the scrappytripalong top, you would have thought that I designed the one based on the other. They're wonderful together ! I do dread basting a 72 x 96 inch quilt all by myself, but as Scarlett said........." I'll think about that tomorrow".
Anything made you really happy today?
These days, though, I keep finding myself totally worn out at the end of the day, and, yet, it is so nice to look back over these days and see actual accomplishments. It seems ridiculous that these normal, average activities SHOULD wear me out, but there has to be more to aging than these wrinkly legs and droopy jowls..........HA !
ANYWAY, .......... today hubby and I got a couple of coats of paint onto the 4 porch posts that were left unpainted when the porch roof was built. It is pressure-treated lumber and had to 'cure'. We painted them white, and still want to put a third coat on them another day.
After that, we managed to get the front yard mowed.
The pretty white and purple carpet of tiny flowers has been replaced by a beautiful, lush carpet of spring green.
I don't know why God blesses us so, but I'm awfully thankful that he does. The Irises are ready to bloom any day, and they look like they're all going to be deep blue-purple. I re-worked the Iris beds last Fall..........last Spring most of the few blooms that I had were that burgundy color. which I really don't like ! But this year I'm thrilled !
And my Daisies have started blooming again. These are the wild Daisies that I rescued from the side of a highway. I also have taller, bigger-blooming Daisies that will be blooming a bit later in the year.
My backing fabric arrived yesterday, and when I layed it in the floor with the scrappytripalong top, you would have thought that I designed the one based on the other. They're wonderful together ! I do dread basting a 72 x 96 inch quilt all by myself, but as Scarlett said........." I'll think about that tomorrow".
Anything made you really happy today?
Monday, April 15, 2013
I am BEAT ! ! !
I mean, I am so wore out, I can hardly sit here and type ! I did one partial row in my garden today, this time an un-tilled section, and it was so wearying, if that's a word. My arms want to scream, "I can't keep this up another minute", and I rest for a few seconds and then go again. Then there is a huge pile of dirt all worked down to the end of the row, that needs to be raked BACK up throughout the entire length of the row ! And it is SO HEAVY!
Hubby was hoping that I would complete the last of the tilling tomorrow, but heard that it is going to rain for the next 3 days. I say, "Thank you, dear heavenly Father !"
In the meantime, I should receive my order from Fabric.com tomorrow. I ordered 5 1/2 yards of this print
thinking that I would back my Scrappy TripAlong quilt top with it (which, by the way, I have pieced an additional 6 blocks for, and just need to add them to the length). But I really, really, REALLY like this print, atleast what I can tell about it from the online photos, and I may not want to use it for this top. We'll see.
It is a HUGE print, which I always love for quilt backs, with some of the flowers measuring 6 inches across !
Anyway, I'm fading fast, so I'll stop for now. Wishing you all a restful night's sleep !
Hubby was hoping that I would complete the last of the tilling tomorrow, but heard that it is going to rain for the next 3 days. I say, "Thank you, dear heavenly Father !"
In the meantime, I should receive my order from Fabric.com tomorrow. I ordered 5 1/2 yards of this print
thinking that I would back my Scrappy TripAlong quilt top with it (which, by the way, I have pieced an additional 6 blocks for, and just need to add them to the length). But I really, really, REALLY like this print, atleast what I can tell about it from the online photos, and I may not want to use it for this top. We'll see.
It is a HUGE print, which I always love for quilt backs, with some of the flowers measuring 6 inches across !
Anyway, I'm fading fast, so I'll stop for now. Wishing you all a restful night's sleep !
Friday, April 12, 2013
Fort Sill Soldiers Prepare to Deploy for UAE - KSWO, Lawton, OK
Fort Sill Soldiers Prepare to Deploy for UAE - KSWO, Lawton, OK- Wichita Falls, TX: News, Weather, Sports. ABC, 24/7, Telemundo -
Let's pray once again for all of these soldiers who spend their days protecting our freedom. And an added prayer must go up for the ones left behind to carry on alone until these return.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Tilling has begun !
This morning I started the day by adjusting the carburetor on my little Mantis Tiller -------YOU GO, GIRL !-------I had never done THAT before, but it was necessary, and I got 'er done, so to speak ! Praise God for my hubby's cheerleading on the sidelines ! Anyway, once I got the little machine running well, I went over all of the garden spot that I had broken up last Fall. It's not a big space, although it's more than we ever dug up out in Oklahoma. I may do more, but will wait to see exactly what it is I want to plant and how much space I think that I'll need. I'm not a canner, and I don't have a lot of freezer space, so I need to be realistic about what we can use and share.
Then this afternoon I finished weeding that flower garden that runs down the side of the driveway, the one where the Dwarf Crape Myrtles are planted. I noticed that those shrubs have tiny budding leaves on them, and my Rose of Sharon trees are starting to leaf out too........even the 3 in 1 that I ordered from Michigan Bulb. Of course, it's only about 9 inches tall, if that, so it'll be awhile before I see 3 different colored blooms on it. But you know what? The little Lilac bushes that I put out last Fall have buds on them, and they're only about 14 inches tall !
Our temperature here today may have actually reached 80 degrees ! It's very warm inside tonight, but there's a breeze coming in the windows. I just love sleeping with the windows open at night. We're predicted to get semi-serious storms here tomorrow, so I went to the grocery store tonight instead of to church. There was a good crowd at church when I guiltily drove by on my way home......John is doing a good job of teaching that class.
Then this afternoon I finished weeding that flower garden that runs down the side of the driveway, the one where the Dwarf Crape Myrtles are planted. I noticed that those shrubs have tiny budding leaves on them, and my Rose of Sharon trees are starting to leaf out too........even the 3 in 1 that I ordered from Michigan Bulb. Of course, it's only about 9 inches tall, if that, so it'll be awhile before I see 3 different colored blooms on it. But you know what? The little Lilac bushes that I put out last Fall have buds on them, and they're only about 14 inches tall !
Our temperature here today may have actually reached 80 degrees ! It's very warm inside tonight, but there's a breeze coming in the windows. I just love sleeping with the windows open at night. We're predicted to get semi-serious storms here tomorrow, so I went to the grocery store tonight instead of to church. There was a good crowd at church when I guiltily drove by on my way home......John is doing a good job of teaching that class.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
A day of gardening
Every Winter for the last few years (since I passed 45 or so), I end up being pretty inactive, and I always wonder if, once Spring comes, I'll still be able to do the yardwork and the gardening that I enjoy. It may sound silly, but it's a reality for me.......I get so stiff and out of shape inside this little home that doesn't require a lot of work to keep going for the two of us !
But, praise God, I always seem to find that the rebirth around me seems to spur me on, and gradually, day by day, I find that I can jump right back into the old routine. I am more tired in the evenings than I was in my younger days, but, hey, that's the price of getting older, right?
Today, I thought I'd try to weed a couple of flowerbeds, but wound up working at it for probably 4 or 5 hours without tiring. I was amazed, and just kept thanking the Lord for my renewed energy. I quit around suppertime, and went into the house, stood about 5 minutes, and TIRED washed over me like a warm shower ! You know what,,.........that's okay. Hubby-sweetkins was patient enough to settle for a summer sausage, cheese and cracker meal since I had gotten totally wrapped up in my yardwork and forgot to thaw his dinner. Maybe I'll even sleep good for a change.
Oh what a blessing a good night's sleep is.........if you sleep well, never take it for granted ! It is a blessing straight from God !
Changing subjects, sortof, I have more flower photos.
These are a perennial called CandyTuft.
I had never raised them before, but bought two plants last spring. They stayed green all Winter, and began blooming again in late January or February if I recall right. The second photo shows where they are in relation to the Violets and Violas I shared yesterday, my front sidewalk.
Ever just take a picture of the sky above your head? I don't think that I ever had, but I did today ! Rejoice in all things........what a beautiful day ~!~
And this is a photo of my yard from ground-level. Someone asked yesterday what kind of grass I have because my yard is currently just a flowing carpet (occasionally interspersed with a weed or two) of little tiny white and purple flowers. I don't know what it is, but it happens every Spring around here, and I wait until it's gone to do a full mowing because I just think that it is lovely !
I apologize to anyone who started following this blog because of quilting info that I might share. Once the weather breaks, I find myself drawn outside.......after all, this little home is only 700 square feet, and I'm a big girl; I desire space ! But the lure of the sewing machine is equally strong, and will soon win again !
But, praise God, I always seem to find that the rebirth around me seems to spur me on, and gradually, day by day, I find that I can jump right back into the old routine. I am more tired in the evenings than I was in my younger days, but, hey, that's the price of getting older, right?
Today, I thought I'd try to weed a couple of flowerbeds, but wound up working at it for probably 4 or 5 hours without tiring. I was amazed, and just kept thanking the Lord for my renewed energy. I quit around suppertime, and went into the house, stood about 5 minutes, and TIRED washed over me like a warm shower ! You know what,,.........that's okay. Hubby-sweetkins was patient enough to settle for a summer sausage, cheese and cracker meal since I had gotten totally wrapped up in my yardwork and forgot to thaw his dinner. Maybe I'll even sleep good for a change.
Oh what a blessing a good night's sleep is.........if you sleep well, never take it for granted ! It is a blessing straight from God !
Changing subjects, sortof, I have more flower photos.
These are a perennial called CandyTuft.
I had never raised them before, but bought two plants last spring. They stayed green all Winter, and began blooming again in late January or February if I recall right. The second photo shows where they are in relation to the Violets and Violas I shared yesterday, my front sidewalk.
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| The sky under which I worked today ~!~ |
And this is a photo of my yard from ground-level. Someone asked yesterday what kind of grass I have because my yard is currently just a flowing carpet (occasionally interspersed with a weed or two) of little tiny white and purple flowers. I don't know what it is, but it happens every Spring around here, and I wait until it's gone to do a full mowing because I just think that it is lovely !
I apologize to anyone who started following this blog because of quilting info that I might share. Once the weather breaks, I find myself drawn outside.......after all, this little home is only 700 square feet, and I'm a big girl; I desire space ! But the lure of the sewing machine is equally strong, and will soon win again !
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