One of the plants starting to bloom!

This morning it is already 44 degrees on the big thermometer with the sunshine streaming in the door and windows of the living room.

Yesterday there was trouble finding the server ( not sure if it was mine or the provider’s) but it was after 8 pm before it was cleared.  I spent that time pretending I had gone to the movies back in the old days.  You know when you saw two major  pictures plus the newsreel, and a couple of cartoons.  Well the newsreel and cartoon were unavailable but I managed to view the tail end of To Kill A Mockingbird with Gregory Peck, The Queen with Helen Marrin, and Space Cowboys while crocheting.  I finished square 2 and 3.  I must confess that I would find my hook resting quietly in my hand as I became entangled in each story. I would like to make at least a dozen squares for my friend Pammie to pass on to the Huron-Valley Optimist’s Club, the organization she spoke at the other day.

Yesterday I was all fired up to tell you about how the weatherman had said we would have 80 degree days by next week.  I wanted to open the chest where the summer clothes were packed away and start shaking out the wrinkles they had taken on over the winter.  But alas I had no way to share my good news.  As I sit here this morning the realization that if we did get 80 degrees it would only be temporary so there was no reason to open that chest yet.

A bit of whimsy for the front door!

In the long ago past when my children were young I can remember taking them to the store just before Easter and buying each a new outfit. We wouldn’t be going anywhere special but in this mother’s mind the need was foremost.  Whether it be a suit or vest and trousers for the boys and a cute little chiffon dress for Cindy it had to be purchased.  I don’t know when I stopped buying what I felt was the needed article but it is sad to remember that it did end and Easter time is now just whimsies on the door!

I had to take a letter down to the mailbox this morning so I grabbed Brandy and my camera because you never know what is new to see in the morning.

On the way back up I decided to take a walk around the dome before going back in.  It is in the mid 30s but the sun is shining brightly so the hopes of a warmer day are strong in my mind.

The clue that colorful blooms are on their way.

On the East side of the dome, under the bedroom window, at the foot of the Rose of Sharon this line of green promises to bring forth a delightful array of colors very soon.  This seems to be the case in several of the flower beds around the extensions of the dome.

I turned my attention to the side yard where Jay had planted a Green Gage plum and a peach tree.  Sadly the peach didn’t make it but the plum is hanging in there.

We have buds!

There have been no blooms on this tree yet but we keep hoping to see some each year.

A bit further out in that yard is the Forsythia bush.

The promise of a gown of yellow blooms soon.

This is another sign that Spring is near.

But an omen has hinted that it isn’t here yet.

The Evil Omen.

If I were superstitious I would say that the lamp shade is predicting more cold weather–even snow–before Spring arrives.  What do you think?

Purple to join the yellow in the gardens.

Yes the regal purple blooms are back announcing that the Hyacinths, Tulips, and Daffodils can’t be too far behind.  The temperature is in the 30s but the sun is shining brightly so it should warm up some around here.

I have been a little restless the last few days because I haven’t chosen my next project yet.  You cannot believe how useless one can feel if there is nothing to do with your hands when time is available between the normal chores of every day living.

When it warms up again I will resume the raking of the flower beds.  I want to change the locations of the fountains this year, set up the new bird bath, get my two gazing balls out, and relocate the garbage cart and recycling bin out of sight from the kitchen door.  During the winter they were on the porch so that I didn’t have to wade snow to get to them.

The blue, plastic container that I keep the bird seed, thistle, and suet in will be moved from the porch and placed on the end of the deck.  I want to put a chair and small table on the porch and bring the grill, umbrella table, and a couple of chairs up to go on the deck.  The two Plants that spend the winter indoors will go out on the deck also.

Both Plants are waiting for outside!

I so want to get them out on the deck and out of the corner by the living room door.   They need the sunshine to keep growing!  Of course all this will depend on the temperature from here on out.

The shed out back has some things to go in the flower gardens  for decorations but I’m afraid some will have to be discarded because they are pretty worn out.

While Jay is in dialysis this morning I think a quick mop of the kitchen floor and vacuuming the living/dining room area is called for so I’ll be dragging out the domestic goddess stuff and doing a bit of’  ‘spit and polish’ (well not really spit) around the old homestead.  Have a great day everyone!

The tech found one old nest and one new in the floor area over the garage.  He cleaned it all out and left only a hole in the garage ceiling  roughly the size of a garbage can lid.  No tearing out the outside wall or inside the house proper.  We will close the hole in about two weeks and caulk  the entrance hole out on the deck.  I think , for the first time in over two years, I will be able to sit on the deck and read.  The best thing was we spent not quite  a couple of hours in the bedroom/bathroom area with all the critters in there instead of traveling 40 miles to Cindy’s house.

They bloom again.

When I went to water the indoor plants yesterday I found my two Christmas Cactus plants forming buds again.  So I will have another array of pink blossoms  soon.

I haven’t decided on which craft project to start on next but my Dawkins’ book should take up some time while I make up my mind.

It was around 40 degrees when Brandy and I walked to the road to pick up the garbage cart.  The sun hasn’t decided to show it’s face yet so this may be a chilly day today.

Jay and I went to Menard’s yesterday and ordered a double door retractable screen for the french doors.  Now we have to hire  someone to install it.  That deck time is looking better all the time.  All I need is Spring time and sunshine to complete the formula.

Well I have to type up Jay’s Blood pressure and sugar report for Dr. Hukill so I’ll close for now.  Take care–pretend your a car and keep the shiny side up and the dirty side down!!!!

With the Pest Control people coming tomorrow I have quite a bit to take care of tonight so this is a short one.

This is the last sequin project for now.

Yes this project is wrapped up and packed away and so is Jeffrey Deaver’s  Roadside Crosses.  A really good read with unexpected twists.  I started Richard Dawkins’ The Greatest Show On Earth.  Now I must confess I get a bit lost as I read it but overall I’m hooked on finishing it and I’m only 40 pages in on it.

The snow is gone this evening and I have no clue as to what is coming but it really doesn’t matter because I can’t change it.  I will  say Good Night and continue with the duties at hand.

After I wrote yesterday’s post my good day went out the window.  It started with discovering I had a bird in my basement.  I had opened the door to let Molly downstairs when I heard and saw a bird thrashing around the ceiling of the stairway.  I quickly closed the door, grabbed the remote garage door opener for the garage, and started walking down the side of the hill onto the lower driveway.  I took the last step and fell backwards to the ground.  I had stepped on  groove on the side of the drive which turned my foot sideways.  I didn’t bump my head but my right elbow is scraped by gravel.  My right shoulder took a hard bump, and my left knee cap got a good size abrasion.  In order to get up I had to roll over on my knees and crawl in the gravel to the incline on the side of the drive.  I finally managed to obtain enough of an angle to be able to push myself upright with my hands.  Needless to say I’m very sore today.

I did get the door to the mudroom propped open in hopes that the poor bird will see the light, sense the fresh air, and fly outside.

On a  better note I called the pest control people yesterday for more information and learn that we didn’t need to leave the house during the bee treatment.   We only have to go to a room where the bees can’t get in until the procedure has done it’s job.  This is a big load off my shoulders because I didn’t look forward to transporting my menagerie forty miles on Monday to my daughter’s house.  So I plan to set the coffee pot up in the downstairs bedroom, roll all the cages in, also put Brandy and Molly in there.  With a good book, a place to nap, and the bathroom right next door we should all be fine waiting for things to clear.  I might even put some cookies in there also!

The latest on the Santa boot project is four completed and two to go.  It looks like I’ll have enough silver beads to finish them all.

Now for today!

Yep it is snow!

I don’t know how long it will be here but the forecast calls for today and tomorrow.  Oh well this is Michigan!

Yesterday was a good day.  I was able to pick up two items that I had wanted last summer but was unable to purchase due to lack of funds or the items being sold out in my local stores.

A metal birdbath

When I went looking for this last year they were gone or too expensive.  But the other day I found this at ACO and decided I wasn’t going to wait to buy it this year.    They also had a low base for a gazing ball.

The right height and not expensive!

This item was sold out also last year and they didn’t reorder.   I’m going to wait to put both of these items out after our last snow storm of the Winter.  Yep we will have one because we always do.  In fact they are expecting snow tomorrow and Sunday!

Despite the forecast we have an appointment to get the bees removed from our wall on Monday.  That means Momma, Brandy, Molly, and three birds are all going to Pontiac to visit with Cindy for the day.  This should be a hoot seeing that she has four cats, a dog, and one bird!   She said she will have the day off but I bet she wishes she had gone to work by the end of the day.

Well yesterday Jay hooked the little trailer to the tractor and followed me around as I started raking out the flower beds in between and in front  of the extensions on dome.   I have four area done but I need to trim some bushes and cut some long grass in the beds.  The trailer is so I don’t have to pile debris up and then pick it up later.  It just goes right in the trailer for dumping on the pile behind the shed.  I haven’t started on the berm and have three area around the dome yet to do.  Just can’t do it all in one day anymore!!!

Also yesterday I hung my birthday present from Kathleen in the Crab Apple Tree.

A good size to discourage the large birds.

The balance is such that the big birds have trouble staying on it.  But they spill more seed than the little guys so there is still plenty for all on the ground.  Beside it is a happy addition to to the color out there.  Thank you Kathleen for thinking of it.

On the inside this is a picture of the Santa Boots in progress.

two done, two partial, two to do!

These little boots are a bit over two inches long and two inches high.  I think I will have enough silver beads to finish the project.  But I still had the company send me the bigger pins to have on hand.  I’m already thinking about how to use my extra supplies from the kits to make other designs.  I don’t know if I’m capable of such a task but I think I will try!

Well I have to locate some food and water dishes for the bird’s travel cages, make something for Jay’s lunch when he gets out of dialysis, and of course finish up another boot or two.   Besides the big thermometer says it is not quite 50 degrees and the Welcome flag is waving pretty steadily in the wind so I have no desire to work outside today.  Take care, stay happy and healthy until next time!

Lady In Green

St. Patrick’s Day here consisted of Brandy sporting her four leaf clover kerchief  and Jay’ cooking an Eye Of The Round Corn Beef.  It was delicious.  I hope you had a great day!

Well all you Florida folks you will be happy to hear that the Robins have made it to Michigan.  I saw my first one in the yard this morning and my mail lady said the were all over the place.  So for us that makes one more snowfall and Spring will start.  ( It is Michigan you know.)

Snowmen done and packed away!

I finished them last night and am ready to start the Santa Boots.  But I have one problem.  The sequins have holes too big for the pins so I will have to search through my supplies for the small silver beads to hold them on.  This will change the look of the boots and I’m not sure I have enough beads to do all six of them.  This also means using glue to hold the pins in but we will see how it goes.

I have a double duty trip to Clio, Michigan tomorrow.  I take Brandy to Doggy Depot and then the pickup into Simms Chevrolet for an oil change.  I think I’ll stop at the Tractor Supply store for thistle also.  All the businesses  are on Vienna Rd.  so it is a straight shot through town.

Brandy and I walked down to the road to take the mail to the box and bring the garbage cart back up to the house.  I only stopped once on the return climb and then we rested in the swing for a bit.  It gets a bit frustrating when a 400 foot walk turns into a big deal because of fitness and age.

But the sun is shining, which makes me smile, so I can’t feel bad.  If your day is beautiful please enjoy it to the fullest.  If not–don’t worry it will be soon!

40 degrees outside  but with no sunshine and lots of wind it feels like 20 on the hands and face.

Yesterday Jay’s sister came to visit for a few minutes.   She brought jelly jars, a carton of pints, and two boxes of lids and rings.   With the case of jelly jars that Greg brought over earlier in the week we are beginning to accumulate a decent start for this year.  So they will go down to the food room until the next canning session.

Campanula Get Mee on the name tag.

Emily  also brought this plant and said as soon as the weather permitted get it in the ground.  I have never heard of it but it is a very pretty purple!

Well it has been three weeks and my balloon is still flying high!

Don't you love Milar!!!!

This morning I finished the baby blanket for Cindy’s friend.  Although I did have to purchase a skein of purple and one of blue all rest is from my yarn basket.

Colorful --yes--pattern--free form!

Now having finished the blanket, swept the kitchen/utility area, and run the vacuum in the living/dining area and bedroom I am free to go back to my snowman!

Did you Spring Forward?   I did but I still have a couple of clocks to change.

Take care everyone and enjoy the rest of your weekend.