It's a beautiful day today, with bright sunshine streaming through the window while I drink my coffee. There is also that feeling of satisfaction and relief when the income taxes are done !! Finished them off last night instead of prorastinating til this morning. What a feeling ! [ and we're getting refunds :) ]
This week felt long but I did get a few things accomplished, both at school and at home. I also finished off the stocking for another teacher at school . I was not totally pleased with it as it is hard to pick up someone else's knitting and hopefully continue without there being a huge difference. I started another baby afghan, The Nostalgic Quilt pattern, to use up more bits of wool. The best thing that I have found for keeping the wool organized is to use a wine carrying bag. With six compartments, it keeps everything all tidy and tangle free. I might even make by own fleece poncho . Everyone else received one for Christmas so I guess it is time to get mine done !
We had some very warm days - over 20*C and then we plunged !I was hoping to mix the potting soil, compost and vermiculite for my planters, but it became so cold and windy that it was impossible to do ! My friend who lives on an acerage had three Spruce trees topple onto her driveway with the winds. We were very glad we had the tree at the back cut down on Monday so we didn't have to worry about it falling onto the trailer and garage. We did pick up seeds on Wednesday and some grass seed for the front and side yard. The grass seed was put down on Thursday as we were supposed to get rain and snow[ we badly need some precipitation, but we got nothing while others close by were dumped on ! ]
Yesterday we headed into the city early so to avoid the snow and bought a boatload of meat. It took me over 2 hours to cut and package, but it should last us quite a while ! DH spent time cutting branches from the downed tree as well as puttering in the garage. With warm temperatures predicted, I might even take some of the leaves off the front flower beds. My tulips in the back which is south facing are nearly in bloom, the Clematis has shown growth and I have a daffodil !! Haven't had a bloom for years. Two years ago I dug them all up in the spring, kept them in the cool basement, replanted and still nothing ! I had read that perhaps they were planted too deeply. I'm glad they are starting to bloom; they are sch a cheerful flower.
My daughter's asparagus has started to poke through so I must get out and see if mine has. I always feel that when the asparagus starts, it's a true sign that spring is here. Rhubarb is showing signs of growth as well !
Today I might get some summer clothes out and I might bake a cake ! No promises !
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Sunday, April 19, 2015
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Spring !
Finally, I think Spring has arrived, albeit a very dry Spring. We've had a few sprinkles, but not even enough to form a puddle. Everyone is itching to get out and dig in dirt ! Some garlic bulbs will be planted this mornng. I have never had any luck with garlic so we'll see how that goes. DH has finished constructing a vertical planter with 8 planters !!! It fits in between the two windows on the southside of the house. The bottom three planters will be 'salad fixings' which will easily be accessible. The upper ones will be tomatoes, cucumbers and green peppers. I also picked up a mini poly tunnel and have finally decided where I will put that to see what I can grow in it ! Once three tree surgeon comes to cut down an 80 foot tree, that will be set up. Once I've settled where all the veggies will go, we'll relandscape the front beds that were totally destroyed after the new weeping tile and sump pump were installed. Much work ahead !
This morning I finally finished the rainbow scarf and sewed it up and the bright pink one that was done ages ago. I am going to continue to knit a Chritmas stocking by another grandma [ who has since died] for a new member of a teacher's family. Here's hoping my tension is the same as hers !
Yesterday my ED asked what I w as doing for lunch; I was thin king leftovers ! However she had a"Secret Shopper" mission to Sorrentos, an Italian restaurant. So off we went ! On the way I read the 5 pages of questions and observations....5 !!! It's quite different when you are ' on a mission' instead of just going out for a meal. We even had to report on the bathrooms ! I loved doing it and would love to do it each week !
And now I have to brag about ED. She has been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship ! awarded to a full time graduate student with a high grade point average. ED works full time for the University of Athabasca as well as working on her Master's with a 3.8 grade point average ! In that time, she has opened her house to her brother and nephew becoming the mother figure to YGS, has landscaped her yard, built a deck, gone on a Californian vacation and a Carribean cruise. So very proud of her !
YS is gearing up for baseball season. He has such a good time playing last summer. Many nights he has been out in the park practicing with his friends. Hopefully today he can fill up the composter with more leaves !!
ES will soon be starting a new job and he's been over trimming trees an helping construct the vertical planter. Many days he has been out in their back yard raking up their leaves and inspecting the new growth. It is always exciting to see what comes up after the first year ! YGS is doing so well. IT has been a year - AAril 18th- since his mother has phoned to see how he is. She never asks her own mother about it, and they will not mention that they see YGS or ES. They phone to try and speak to their granddaughter-- and are always asked for money. They tell her to get a job ! She is now 17 months behind in support payments, soon to be 18 !!
GD had her last cheer competition yesterday andnow she has 4 gold medals !! She's 4 and just loves it !
Off to plant garlic !!! I'm ready for spring !
This morning I finally finished the rainbow scarf and sewed it up and the bright pink one that was done ages ago. I am going to continue to knit a Chritmas stocking by another grandma [ who has since died] for a new member of a teacher's family. Here's hoping my tension is the same as hers !
Yesterday my ED asked what I w as doing for lunch; I was thin king leftovers ! However she had a"Secret Shopper" mission to Sorrentos, an Italian restaurant. So off we went ! On the way I read the 5 pages of questions and observations....5 !!! It's quite different when you are ' on a mission' instead of just going out for a meal. We even had to report on the bathrooms ! I loved doing it and would love to do it each week !
And now I have to brag about ED. She has been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship ! awarded to a full time graduate student with a high grade point average. ED works full time for the University of Athabasca as well as working on her Master's with a 3.8 grade point average ! In that time, she has opened her house to her brother and nephew becoming the mother figure to YGS, has landscaped her yard, built a deck, gone on a Californian vacation and a Carribean cruise. So very proud of her !
YS is gearing up for baseball season. He has such a good time playing last summer. Many nights he has been out in the park practicing with his friends. Hopefully today he can fill up the composter with more leaves !!
ES will soon be starting a new job and he's been over trimming trees an helping construct the vertical planter. Many days he has been out in their back yard raking up their leaves and inspecting the new growth. It is always exciting to see what comes up after the first year ! YGS is doing so well. IT has been a year - AAril 18th- since his mother has phoned to see how he is. She never asks her own mother about it, and they will not mention that they see YGS or ES. They phone to try and speak to their granddaughter-- and are always asked for money. They tell her to get a job ! She is now 17 months behind in support payments, soon to be 18 !!
GD had her last cheer competition yesterday andnow she has 4 gold medals !! She's 4 and just loves it !
Off to plant garlic !!! I'm ready for spring !
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
What A Joke !!
Mother Nature plays a mean April Fool's Day joke . Yesterday we were up to a balmy 18*C and this morning .....SNOW and very, very windy . There are special weather statements out by Environment Canada. We cannot see beyond the treeline into the farmer's field. Hopefully the buds on the sour Cherry tree will not be affected, we want to make more Sour Cherry liqueur ! Leaves are almost out on some trees, but not enough to be weighed down by the snow. I hope.
Nothing much going on here. ES and DH started trimming trees and then cutting up the cuttings. I've been checking out the planats that are starting to show growth. Found a Ladybug yesterday and a robin was spotted 11 days before normal !! Jokes on him with all this snow !
Other than that, watching some programs on tv, reading and doing a little knitting. While DH is at the gym, I 'll be washing the floors. Perhaps tonight, YGS will be over to make his Easater Gingerbread House. We picked up the Christmas kits on sale for $1 so we'll just put the Christmas candies away for next year and decorate with Easter candy !
Supper is Boiled Mince. Funny how in Canada/USA hamburger is never called mince. It's my English/Irish roots coming out ! It's a good day ato have a stewy type meal.
Interesting to read on a blog yesterday that the blogger could only find 6 things which are good about Canada. They travel all over the world, spend most winters in Mexico and the States, but I, as well as at least one other commentator, find that they do subtlely diss Canada. Hmm, Canada where they earned enough to retire at a very young age and where they return to each summer to work. We do have extreme cold temperatures, our prices are higher than the States and Mexico, food, booze, and gas are the worst, BUT we are a welcoming nation, we have good, but not perfect Universal Health Care and we do not have the gun deaths that the States experiences. We are a small nation, but we have made our mark in the world with scientific research, discoveries etc.etc.
I am thankful to live in this country, even with the snow falling on my tulips !
Nothing much going on here. ES and DH started trimming trees and then cutting up the cuttings. I've been checking out the planats that are starting to show growth. Found a Ladybug yesterday and a robin was spotted 11 days before normal !! Jokes on him with all this snow !
Other than that, watching some programs on tv, reading and doing a little knitting. While DH is at the gym, I 'll be washing the floors. Perhaps tonight, YGS will be over to make his Easater Gingerbread House. We picked up the Christmas kits on sale for $1 so we'll just put the Christmas candies away for next year and decorate with Easter candy !
Supper is Boiled Mince. Funny how in Canada/USA hamburger is never called mince. It's my English/Irish roots coming out ! It's a good day ato have a stewy type meal.
Interesting to read on a blog yesterday that the blogger could only find 6 things which are good about Canada. They travel all over the world, spend most winters in Mexico and the States, but I, as well as at least one other commentator, find that they do subtlely diss Canada. Hmm, Canada where they earned enough to retire at a very young age and where they return to each summer to work. We do have extreme cold temperatures, our prices are higher than the States and Mexico, food, booze, and gas are the worst, BUT we are a welcoming nation, we have good, but not perfect Universal Health Care and we do not have the gun deaths that the States experiences. We are a small nation, but we have made our mark in the world with scientific research, discoveries etc.etc.
I am thankful to live in this country, even with the snow falling on my tulips !
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)