It's Over

I don't want to sound dramatic, but it's over. 

Here I am, on this cold, dark, dreary (possibly snowy) morning and I can't believe that Spring Break 2011 has come and gone.

It feels like I blinked my eyes, and it all went by. I let my guard down and it passed without a moments notice.

And yet...

So may things happened. I traveled. A baby was born. I made dinners and desserts. I planted seeds and crocheted, and finished projects that need to mailed. I've watched more basketball this week than I have since 1997. I hung out with good friends and watched movies with The Girl.

I slept in, I slept in, I slept in.

Six o'clock came early this morning.

There are a few things I managed to avoid this week that are first on my agenda today...folding piles of clean laundry (to empty baskets for laundry currently being washed), getting to the gym, and cleaning out the refrigerator (a chore that I do often but always seems to "grow".)

Its not a glamorous life, but its steady work. What more could I ask for?

Well, maybe longer vacations.

Happy Monday!

Signs of Spring

I know that spring is nearly here when I see these things...

The Boy just sitting outside in the sunshine.

(Later I found that Kona the Wondermutt had decided to join him for a little time in the sun.)

They then became aware of the paparazzi.

Kona sticks her tongue out to the camera.

Kona asked that this unflattering picture not be put on the internet, but since she continues to get on the couch when we are not home, all bets are off.

Ok, ok, Kona would like this picture posted so you know that she is really excited about St. Patricks Day. (Just between you and me....she thinks she is Irish, and I don't have the heart to remind her that she's Australian. So we just let her think what she wants.)

We are also growing a carrot top for our beloved Penny. (she likes the tops the best)

After-all, what is springtime without a floppy eared rabbit?

Especially one who adores banana's?

Is she not the cutest. little. thing? 

The reason we took this video is that we were hoping to record her 'hum'. When she eats something she REALLY loves, or when you give her lots of attention, she will do this buzzing kind of hum. Its the sweetest thing.

Have I mentioned that I love this bunny?

I try really hard not to show my favoritism around the Wondermutt. 

(Uh, actually, I don't. Sometimes favoritism is just apart of pet ownership. I mean who wouldn't favor "I just went out in the yard and rolled in poop" over  "I'm cute and fuzzy, trained to a litter box and give myself my own baths."

But that's for another post.

More signs of spring?

Daffodils that grow all over the yard. 

But the best part of spring (and also maybe the worst) is that I start to sound silly. 

In case you couldn't tell.

Happy Tuesday!

The Garden Plan

Whew! Its chilly outside!

I've just come in from taking some pictures of our front and back yard. Spring is amazing here in NC.

Last spring as a school project the kids and I tended a small garden.

We didn't yield much fruit, we lost sweet peas to the snails and raccoons, and the deer ate 80% of our cucumber.

I had planted a little too early, and a very hard and cold rain came in and took my lettuce and bell pepper seedlings as a tornado takes a mobile home park.

We did get a half a dozen cucumbers (which were delicious) and about a dozen tomatoes (also amazing), but the bottom line is this: I learned a lot. Which has a flavor all its own.

This year we've expanded.

Well, I should say The Mister is using his mad wood-working skills and is in the process of building me a mack-daddy garden, complete with a gate. (not yet installed)

I think this garden is a personal battle against woodland creatures that I have named Man vs. Wildlife.

He says he just wants me to have a nice place to grow my vegetables.

I believe him. That man has a 17-year history of taking excellent care of me.

 I do believe this space is going to be my favorite place this summer.

This year I am trying my hand at straw-bale gardening. Right now I am in the middle of a 10-day preparation process, which includes A LOT of watering. But it will be worth it!

To the right of the hay bales are the planters from last year. The Mister will also build three more to the left.

Right now my seedlings are Roma and Beefsteak Toms, zuchini, cucumber, H2Omelon, sweet pea, broccoli, yellow onion, and several different lettuces.

We are also growing some "bunny food" and sunflowers.

(last year we tried to just put the sunflower seeds in the ground and a squirrel dug them up, ate the seeds, and left the shells all over the place)

This time of year, with Easter on the horizon and spring in the air, always makes me a bit contemplative.

 The wonder of time when all things that have been asleep suddenly come alive.

Every day there is a new reminder, within the reaches of my back door, that there is a good and gracious God who tends the garden of my heart...

Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you...

~Matthew 6:28-30

How about you? Planting anything this season?