By The Numbers

5 to 9- How many days until Ms. Thang's new bedroom furniture gets here. Umm.. no, in fact it isn't finished being painted yet. No questions.

15- How many days left until school gets out. (technically it's 14.5, but who's counting?) No, I can't wait. Yes I am excited. Yes I will cry on the 18th during graduation as I say goodbye to my first class of students (I can't believe they are in 6th grade all ready). Those kids were my introduction to our school. They welcomed my son who missed the first 3 days. They have always gone out of their way to talk to me or hang out and chat, or give a high 5 in the hallway. They have grown up so much since 1st grade and I will miss them all. No I am not working over the summer.

All in a Day's Work....

Long time blog readers will know that this garden used to be a vegetable garden. Last summer after much research and conversation with coworkers who garden, I tested a patch of yard in the back by the kids playhouse. I put different vegetables into pots and plunked them back there to see how much sun the spot got, and how well the vegetables did. It was a huge success. We decided this year we'd put in a new vegetable garden and I turned the other one into a bird garden.

In Which We Find a New Family Member......

I'd like you all to meet Bailey, our new kitten! Bailey was born on April Fool's Day, and will be 8 weeks old on Sunday. She is a sweet, playful calico kitten who's momma was abandoned (pregnant) by her owner who was moving. My dear friend adopted her and her unborn kittens and we're happy to be able to take in one of the kittens. I named her Bailey because (and shh don't tell my kids this) the coloring of her fur reminds me of Kahlua that has had Bailey's Irish Cream poured into it. When you first stir it, you can see the dark Kahlua, the white Bailey's and the tan of the mixed drink. I don't know what that says about me, but there you have it.

Spring has Finally Arrived

Even though the calender reads spring in April, it never really feels like spring until the lilacs bloom. Today I walked home and realized that the day has finally come. I love lilacs, and wish that they stuck around longer than they do. The previous owner hated lilacs (his wife loved them) and he didn't take care of them. We have lilacs next to our barn that are as high as the bottom of the roof! Tomorrow after school I will go out and clip some for the kitchen. Seems like the lilacs bloom each year in time for my birthday (which is next week)

This Rope is Long

This rope is long
This rope is long
It takes me awhile
To bring me back
This rope is long
This rope is long
Sometimes I can’t tell
It’s what brought me back
This rope is long
Promises harmony

In Which We Find Wednesday

It is Wednesday isn't it? It's been a long week people, and I am plumb worn out. We had some kick butt storms blow through here today.. pouring rain, thunder, lightning, tornado watches. It went from 72 degrees this morning, to 61 in less than 15 minutes. Wild! I wanted to start painting Ms. Thang's bedroom Sunday, but I think it's going to be damp and rainy. Damp and rainy doesn't mesh well with Latex paint. We'll see.

The birds are enjoying my bird bath quite well. Last night I was getting ready to go to a Zoning Board meeting and a robin was standing right in the middle of the bath. I'm enjoying watching the birds as well. Our new kitten, as yet un-named), will be coming home on May 31st. This naming business is causing quite an uproar in the house and I'm finding it quite amusing.

23 more days. Not that anyone is counting.

The Second Sunday of May....

You'll remember that this used to be my "dirt garden." Once a vegetable garden, it doesn't get sufficient enough sun, and for the past two years it has sat both empty and full of weeds. Last summer I wanted to plant flowers, but between painting the porch and working, it never happened. Over this past winter I dreamed, and researched and read. I decided that I was going to plant a garden with flowers that are attractive to birds. Between the hedges and the bird feeders, the birds spend a lot of time in this part of my yard. I planned out the plants, and waited. "Frost Free Day" comes late in NH.
The Boy bought me this lovely faux granite birdbath for mother's day. I actually got it last Friday before we went to Maine. It's fiberglass and hollow on the inside, intended to go over a well or something. I don't care.. it's awesome and I love it. Friday evening we turned the soil and removed the weeds.

Some beachy eye candy

One of the coolest things about visiting Fort McClary, was looking out through the cannon windows. It's hard for me to imagine what it would be like to have lived back in the times when forts were necessary devices to protect our soil and not installations that our military train and live on. I particularly like the color/black contrast of this photo. It was hard to shoot but it came out fabulous IMO.

It's been a crazy, busy week since we got back. Between things I had to attend, and meetings the Boy had to attend we haven't been home much together. This weekend I have to get my errands done, mow the lawn (he bought me a new lawn mower before we went to Maine I'm so excited) and we SHOULD start painting Ms. Thangs room. But it's Mother's Day weekend, and part of me is soooooooooo tired from the past two weeks that I don't want to paint. Next Saturday I won't be home, and I want to get it done before her new furniture shows up so I don't know what to do yet. I guess we'll play it by ear.

*24.87 miles logged

Maine... A story in Photos pt. 2

We continued up the Maine coast, and stopped when we got to York. Before you get to the official "York Beach", there is another section of the shore that is jagged and rocky. We couldn't resist pulling over to play on the beach. Off in the distance we could see a lighthouse, and The Boy told me that we could try and see if we could get a closer look at it. I discovered that my limited experiences with visiting Maine with my grandparents and camping at Lake Sebago hadn't educated me properly about the glorious state that Maine is. I found out later that we were looking at the Nubble Lighthouse.

Maine... A story in Photos pt. 1

Ya'll.. I don't even know where to start. I went to the eye Dr. and had my annual exam. It went ok. I have to go for my Visual Field test Thursday (I have to have one every 2 years. My eyes have some issues, which turns out are normal for me.. but normal to about only one in a thousand people so I am closely monitored to make sure that it is just "normal" and nothing more serious). So anyhow... we left for Maine with DH driving because yanno... dilated eyes aren't great for navigating your way on the highways and byways on a bright sunny spring day. We were in Keene, so we took Rt. 9 to Concord and picked up 93 South to 101 and out to 95 North. Our plan was to get off 95 in Maine and take the back roads up the coast.

Bo Peep's Garden of Ruffles

Oh, I have soooooo much to blog about.. my garden, my new bird bath, my new kitten (ok, we don't get to bring her home for 3 more long weeks, but still)... my awesome weekend in Maine(oh, that might be a post or two later this week). I haven't even looked at my photos from Maine, but rest assured, we got some good ones. But first, I have something to share with you.

I finished that little dress I was working on. I have a vision in my mind for how to modify it to be a sundress, and I can tell you that I will be making it again, maybe a little larger as a sundress. I think even in these same colors. I didn't care much for the Bernat baby yarn (it's splity and slippery and I found it dificult to work with), but they had the most perfect color of pink. Not too bright and not too pastely. I loved it. I also used antique white and regular white. I chose eyelet lace to put around the bottom, because I don't care for itchy lace, and there are clearish-white buttons up the back. The pattern, which you can buy here, called for a ribbon around the waist and little rosettes around the bottom.

Random Wednesday

Spring is finally here. I love when the Tiger Lilie's start coming up in the back yard. They were planted by the previous owner, and each year the ones near the granite marker spread out a bit more. The only time you can see the granite marker is when the lilies are little. They grow to be quite tall and hide that marker in their leaves. That marker has been there (although upright at one point) for apx. 170 years and I just love it. We've had a few warm days, but not a lot and this week it's a little bit chilly. I've been walking again at lunchtime and the sunshine is making me feel much better.

I'm currently crocheting the most adorable little dress. The pattern is amazing and Lissa created those ruffles just for this dress. You can buy your own version at The Crochet Garden. I always enjoy testing patterns for Lissa. Normally we can't share them until she publishes them "live".. but this is an older pattern that we are retesting.The pattern is Bo Peeps Garden of Ruffles and works up on an F hook. I am using Bernat Baby yarn in pink, antique white and white. I have no intended recipient for this little dress (it's a newborn size, 0-3 mos) and it will go into my gift closet. I'll post a finished photo soon.

We'll be leaving Saturday after my eye exam for Maine. We're going to be staying in Freeport (hello outlet stores!) and the Steel Band Festival is in Yarmouth. We have discussed getting off 95 in Hampton and driving up Rt. 1 along the coast the rest of the way. It will take us longer, but will be soooooooooo enjoyable. I've really missed the ocean.

On and unrelated to anything else note.. my p key on my laptop is broken. You have no idea how often you type a p until it becomes difficult for you to use it. Unfortunately it's not like a regular keyboard and there is no way really to fix it. My finger is sore from having to push down on it so hard to get it to make a p. I'm in denial about my laptop, have been for some time.. but am seriously starting to reconsider a MacBook... I just can't get past the price. We'll see.

* 17.74 miles walked to date