An early start.

I spent yesterday moving a heavy piece of assembled decking around the yard.  My back today is going to keep me from doing a lot of planting, and it is a gorgeous day.  The flowers are out and ready, but, I’m a bit too sore to do much of that. 

I was up early today and sat down by the water on the little bench the niece-neighbor brought out a couple years ago.  We washed it down and oiled it earlier this spring on a couple of warmish days.  It is back in its spot on the porch of the shed and is a welcome place to sit in the morning, birds chirping and flitting about…a great vantage point for watching little dog walk all around the property.  I am glad to be back outside in these early morning hours, coffee in hand and thinking about my plan for the day.

 

I walked down to the pier, and out to check the bottom of the lake that I could see, before the lily pads take over, to peer from the pier.  Geese squawked from the lake, wondering when I would vacate so they could get back on shore to leave their droppings all over.  There were three sets of parents and their little goslings…cute but annoying. The mess they make of the shoreline irritates me.

 

A stroll around the house after a sunny day tickles me as the perennials have started poking up through the ground and unfurling their leaves.  I delight in what wasn’t there yesterday but is there today.  A walk out on the trail to nowhere and to the moon garden area results in a mental list…”If my back were not so sore today I would…” The squirrels and chipmunks have left big holes in the ground.  We will have to have a conversation about that, oh chattering squirrel.  That is not cool.

Continuing on the trail, I made note of the many clumps of daffodil leaves poking up without blooms.  I’ll need to divide those and replant, which I can manage a bit later this spring.  There are also tons of daffodils in bloom, so pretty, but more would be fine, too!

Back into the house to feed little dog and grab some breakfast before getting on with the day.  The walk did my back good, and my ol’ stiff knees.  Maybe I will be able to get out there and dig in some dirt after all.

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Tiny squirrels, tiny patience.

Started accumulating a few plants to fill up the many, many pots.  I have worked on the “dry creek bed” at the downspout area and fought the urge, fought it again, still fighting, to put something in the ground.  I have started “hardening” the few plants I have by setting them outside and then bringing them back in at night.  We have a few more days of cold nights…below 40…ahead but I think the freeze is over.  Possibly.  There’s a chance that Wednesday will get below 32.  Come on.  My patience is wearing thin.  

For the last couple of years we have had a black squirrel running around the property.  I have only seen one, at least I think its just one.  However, this morning I noticed a little bitty black squirrel, a baby, chasing around with other tiny squirrels.  Now, my old neighbor told me when we first spotted the lone black squirrel a couple years ago that they are not a separate type of squirrel but more of a rare coloring of your typical squirrel.  So, it’s not like I have new varieties of squirrels popping up, just regular old squirrels that have a degree of “melanism”.  Here’s some info, if you would care to learn more: https://animalsake.com/facts-about-black-squirrels

At any rate, the tiny little squirrels chasing around and around the wood chip pile and up and down trees this morning are very entertaining.  As soon as they start uprooting my plantings I will be less enamored, I’m sure. 


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Spring marches on.

Yesterday I watched two white birds circle the lake, hover, dive and circle again.  I watched the birds for a long time, trying to determine just exactly what they were.  I am hoping they come back today, so I can get a better view of them.  Yesterday was just too cold to walk down to the lakeshore for a closer look; today is a bit better but, they haven't shown up yet.  And, no, they were not sea gulls but, thanks for that. I have my guess as to what they were but need a closer look to know for sure. 

I am not necessarily a bird watcher. I am more of a bird appreciator but it’s not something I spend a lot of time thinking about.  In the spring, though, like today, and in the morning, I am fascinated by bird behavior.  Like, right now, for example, I glanced out the window and way, way up in the sky is a big bird, circling, I can’t make it out enough to know for sure, but my guess is its one of the bald eagles that has settled in to our area. It’s cloudy today but the sky is very blue, and this guy was easy to spot, hunting for breakfast.

I need to shake it up a bit, however, and watching out my window is one of those things I need to consider...as in giving it a rest.   Complaining *almost* silently about the snow and temperature this early April is not how I hoped it to go, and being inside even less so.  Its going to stay pretty much mid-30s today which makes it just a little too tough to dig into the wood chip pile or to think about having some dirt delivered. I am going to shop for dirt. Of all the things I would like to have for the yard this year, a load of dirt is going to be the big expense. Maybe even a load of river rock. Hey, big spender.

I am watching a woodpecker out my window now and wondering how many holes it can punch into this particular tree before the tree gives up. From the looks of the tree, thousands. I really wanted to get a picture of him to share with you, but woodpeckers flit and he's being mighty coy.  Husband and I spent a little time in the woods this past weekend, surveying the trees, picking up limbs and sticks, blowing leaves off the walking trail, explaining my ideas for the moon garden and talking about undergrowth and “weed trees”. Grateful to be able to spend a little time outside, doing what we do every spring in unspring-like temperature, but it still felt good,  I may get about an hour in the low 40s mid-afternoon today to venture out and move around some rocks.. 

 

Yesterday I put out a call for help this weekend to put in the pier.  The weather is to improve a bit and the water should warm up, at least a little, as I am sure it is not the most comfortable thing to walk in icy cold lake water.  A bonfire might come in handy, even if in the early part of the day, and of course there will be food and drink.  Because, it’s a pier raising, and still a party.  


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We will get there again.

This has been a crazy week, with the stock market going up, then down, then up…then, who knows? Then, there’s the snow issue.  I’ve written about April snow before and well, I don’t like it one bit.  I have sweet little primrose blossoms trying to push their way through and it isn’t going well for them, nor all the daffodils that sprinkle the woods with their smiley yellow.  What did they ever do except look precious and sweet?

Good news is I am watching robins daily.  Now, I am keeping an eye on the light fixtures around the house to prevent nests from appearing.  I know some of you would just say “Oh, let them nest on top of that light!” but, you know, its just not my thing.  I like birds but really don’t think they need to nest on the house.  Especially not my new light fixtures.

 

I am still struggling with the right piece of furniture to put on the front porch area.  I’m now just without anything out there.  The wicker settee that I had moved there came back in to the screen porch last week for a party and has not been moved out.  The screen porch is the next project to be completed, is about 90% and awaits the arrival of the ceiling tongue and groove boards, and the shiplap to complete the project.  Yes, shiplap.  I drank the kool-aid and admit I kind of like the look, at least for now.

Another project I am undertaking this next week is the top of my desk and the office/guest bedroom closet.  I am just going to have to bite the bullet and buy another tote for Christmas decorations that can go in the attic.  I couldn’t possibly squeeze another box in this closet, and I feel like I have condensed as much as I can.  Now, this is from the lady who doesn’t put up a tree remember?  Yes, and still has that many boxes of Christmas stuff, and there may be just a bit of Halloween crammed in that closet as well.

  

Construction is going on all around me this spring as the neighbors across the way are finishing their garage, the house next door is being renovated and the big project – the brand new house.  Its going to be noisy and not always the most convenient perhaps since we share a yard and driveway, but, we are all so excited to see that house get underway!

I am looking forward to it warming up just a bit more…to longer days and being able to sit on the deck, with a fire in the firepit, or down by the bonfire. Maybe with an adult beverage, a cheese or two, as we say goodnight to the day.   

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Getting out in it.

I started on a bit of the landscaping needs around the house this week.  It is still cold, rainy (at least today) and windy, but gosh I needed to get out there.  For a couple different reasons, really.  One, it is driving me crazy to see all this dirt and two, my doctor advises more activity.  Nothing like moving a couple wheelbarrow loads of wood chips to be active.  Since its too early to bring in plants and flowers, I am concentrating on woodchips, and feeding azaleas. 

As you may remember, my pile of wood chips is from two summers ago, when we were first starting to plan the remodeling.  I asked the guys who were cutting down the trees if they could leave a little.  They said either they leave the whole load or none.  So, I had them dump the load from that last day.  Which, thankfully, was not ALL the wood chips from the job.  The wood chips have been used for two seasons, the huge pile is now pretty compacted and tough to shovel. Long live the pitchfork!  Why didn’t anyone tell me to use a pitchfork last year? The year before?  I moved woodchips to a couple places yesterday and although my back is paying for it today, the pitchfork was the right tool for the job. I will be out there moving woodchips later this week, if it stops raining.  I may even finish the walking trail.

It has remained cold where I am and the flowers are slow, but I remind myself it is only March.  I cleared some landscape areas I maybe should have left alone for a little while longer but, golly, I am anxious to see some color, some blooms.  I am struggling with furniture for the front door area…can’t decide what to put out there.  Everything I thought would work seems wrong.  I lost out on purchasing a chair a few weeks ago at the Habitat store that I think would have been just right.  But, not wishing to cry over spilled milk, I move on.  Remembering that chair has made all other chairs pale in comparison.  Yes, it’s that bad darn it!

I purchased two, tall, black, made from recycled materials, plastic pots for the porch at Target this week.  I am fond of these guys and can’t wait to load them up with some impatiens and coleus, sweet potato vine… be still my heart.  It means moving some other pots off the porch but goodness knows I have places for those, too. I remain determined in the moon garden and am keeping watch on the light patterns that hit that spot now, since a couple trees have fallen or been taken down.  I have been waiting on previous plantings to sprout so I can make a list of what might be staying and what will be replaced.  Last year I planted two bright, lime green hosta but I don't think they made it through the poor soil and rough winter.  We'll see, but those are two plants I expect to have to replace, among, of course, the white columbine, which I will probably abandon.  Love columbine but it just does not love me. Since I am revamping this area and beefing up the soil I plan on replacing a few plants, and introduce more pots of annuals.     

Coming up on Easter and usually daffodils adorn the table.  I am not sure that will happen this year but I did see the early snowdrops late last week, so I know the daffodils are coming! We will have family here, so much laughter and love will fill the house.  Weather forecasts indicate we will be inside…but, we’ll see.  We are hardy stock and are called to be outside.   

Oh, and just for fun, I came across this article and thought some of you might also enjoy...I hope to visit a couple of these spots soon!  http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/around-the-region/12-standout-midwest-garden-centers/




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More color, more color.

It seems to be a slow start to spring, doesn’t it? I mean it just won’t kick in.  Today is a good example…it is sunny but boy is it cold.  Another 10 or 15 degrees would make all the difference!

Last week, I went out looking for unique items to place in flower beds or pots.  The stores are filling up with all the usual stuff but I want the unusual. Something fun, colorful but not cheap looking.   I have spent hours on sites like Pinterest looking at ideas, saving pins, trying to locate items featured, or something close that catches my eye.  This week I begin rehab of the moon garden, starting with the soil.  I think there is one plant in that area that I can salvage, maybe two.

 

We spent several days away from home again this week to attend some events with grandchildren.  The highlights were a talent show and a six-year old’s birthday party.  I mean, it can’t get much better.  The kids are so funny, so much fun. Now, I think we will be spending several weekends at home as we finish up some projects around the house to get ready for summer, although I am sure I will squeak out a visit to grandkids even if I go alone.

 

Even though it is just now spring, talk of summer creeps into our conversations.  Summer comes fast and the “big” events require some planning! In going out and about I came across a huge display of 4^th of July decorations already, and the Easter grass isn’t even off the shelves yet!  For some reason, this doesn’t’ bother me as much as Christmas decorations shoving out Halloween costumes.  4^th of July is different for me this year, too, with a mantle and two new porches to decorate!

And speaking of mantles, I can’t tell you how much fun I had with Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day and doing just a touch of something different on the mantle.  Nothing huge, just a swap out of a couple of little things but brought me much joy.  I’m setting out a bit of Easter today.  I am sure hubs thinks I am about the silliest. So, yes,  I am starting to think about getting the screen porch finished, the deck railing, busting out 4^th of July decorations and having a yard and house full of friends and family. A girl can dream.

Today, however, I am bundling up a bit, throwing on some work gloves and heading out to work some compost into the moon garden area.  It needs help people.  I largely ignored this area last year while working on the house and I am being punished for it now.  Give me a few weeks, however, and she’ll be back! I have new pots on order, as I think to feel more success here I will have to use planters and pots, with some good potting soil, and a fun piece of garden statuary tucked away for just this spot! I moved an azalea here last year, and trusting she made it through the winter, it will be a nice, new anchor for this spot.  It is pink not white so I have decided to run with it and use a bit of pink, along with the lavender and silver already there, and declare it Lady Esmerelda’s Prime Pastel Garden and Water Respite.  Just kidding.  I just call it the moon garden, but with more color.

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Not the usual stuff

Having just returned from a refreshing and relaxing week in Jamaica, I headed to the center of our state this past weekend to care for three of the five grandchildren while the parents enjoyed an adult weekend away with friends.  I hosted a sleep over and pizza party for all five of the kids so the other daughter and husband could enjoy a grown up date night out.  I remember how rare those days and nights were, and my mom helped me many, many times when my kids were young, so I guess I am continuing a tradition.

Unusual for me to have spent so much of the last two to three weeks in the company of others.  I’m alone so much of the time around the house, out doing my errands and shopping around that it was nice to have someone with me most times.  In Jamaica I was with a group of grown up folks, which was great fun.  With the grandkids, besides being together at home, we squeaked out a trip to a school playground to practice on scooters and burn off some energy.  We skipped our planned picnic as it was a bit colder than we hoped it would be for the day. 

We had a great, sometimes loud, sometimes too loud, long weekend.  I successfully got three kids up and ready three mornings…not one time were we in pajamas all day.  Since my watch extended to Monday, two were dressed, fed and out the door for the bus on time.  Now, I must tell you for nine and six-year olds, these two are awesome at getting it together, and needed very little assistance from me.  Once they were on the bus it was just me and a toddler, which went well.  After all, I was caring for a near two-year old who still requires a long after lunch nap and hey, who doesn’t?

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