A Special Day !

  Today is my youngest grandson's birthday . He is 5 years old and ready for school;  "not that he will learn everything at school--'cause he already knows a LOT of stuff !! "   He's already received most ofhis birthday gifts. We bought him a good shovel, his cousins bought him a small, but very sturdy wheelbarrow and his auntie bought him his own gardening gloves, watering can and  garden tools ! He was so excited as he was well equipped to move the mulch from the driveway to the backyard. His birthday party is later on in the month .

 I've poked around in the soil, and yes the asparagus is almost ready to burst through the soil.So I have planted lettuce, radishes, green onions and cukes in the vertical planter.










The front flower beds have been edged and 4 ball cedars planted. Now we have to move around some perennials to fill  the spaces. Mot of the beds have been cleared of leaves and twigs, ready for some compost and worm poo. ! DH shredded newspaper ready to put into the wormery.

Mother's Day was lovely. I spent most of it ou tin the gardens. We went to ED for supper[ I so enjoyed the mushrooms ! ]  and our game of croquet . Thank goodness for our PVR ! My ' soap opera' as DH calls Outlander was interrupted by a real life soap opera  with the neighbour. Sometime this week, I'll watch the episode

People got out and voted !!! An orange wave [ orange crush] swept across the province. We are desperately hoping they increase the budgets for education and the cutbacks will not be too great. I should be safe being here the longest and being bilingual. Time will tell. We are having a meeting tomorrow, but I suspect nothing will be decided on til next fall. By then we could have won the lottery and I wouldn't need to work ! Who knows ???

Sunny, But Cool

It is a gloriously sunny mornig, but only 5*C. We were so spoilt with warm weather  for a few days, but we are back to normal - or even below normal. However we have had no rain and we a re desperate for rain. The ground is so dry that we have even had to water. My asparagus is not up yet even thougoh the rhubarb is. That means, to me, that it is  not warm enough yet to plant.

  It was a long week at school and very busy. It has been a satisfying year and I'd love to continue in the same  job next year, However with all the cuts proposed  in the coming year, we are all left up in the air. The most important thing is that I have a job next year as I can deal with whatever I'm assigned.

   We had a little guest last night for a sleepover. YGS loves to stay overnight even though he goes to bed at the same time ad last night didn't even have a treat ! [ unless Grandpa slipped him one ! ] The whole family ended up here for a pizza supper, completely unplanned.

   Today we can hopefully get out to do more work in the yard. DH has bordered one of the front flower beds with 4 x 4. He's hoping to  do the other today. Then we have to figure out what perennials we can move into the beds as they were destroyed last fall. Decisions, decisions. More leaves have to be raked, All of the smaller branches of our huge tree have been cut and organized into the wood pile. There are only the large trunk pieces to split and stack.

    Next week is the provincial election. Will the people come out and vote ? Will they vote for change ? we've had the same governing party for 44 years and we need change. Course one member of our household is a right winger while the rest of us are left leaning. Could be interesting !

The household is waking up so we'll get on with our day !

Sunny Sunday

  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 !

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 !

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 !

Finally Spring -- or is it ?

  Although spring has officially arrived, we are being inundated with snow !! Another snowfall warning early this morning. I can't see anything beyond the tree line.We have another 6-8 inches since last night. YS was out in the hot tub last evening  and so the top was completely cleared off so it is clear to see the snowfall amounts. [ He set out the gardening bench so he could place his ipad on iti and continue to watch a show while he soaked ! ]

    Yesterday we decided to go to St. Albert to find some pants for DH. We counted at least 10 vehicles in the medians as we ventured forth ! I'm glad we went yesterday and didn't put it off til today. I"ll be hemming four  pairs of pants - so it was a good day of shopping. Picked up two new tops for me as well.
    Before this dump of snow, my tulips were up about six inches, the irises and day lilies were showing new growth and two hollyhocks were showing 3-4 new green leaves. Granted they are all in a southfacing bed next to the house, but it was so nice to see ! Hopefully the snow will keep them warm.  We may not have had as bad a winter as the east coast, or even central Canada, but it has been loooong !! We are all so ready to see some green and get out into our gardens !

     Food prices are continuing to rise and I can't see it changing any time soon. We need to grow as many vegetables as possible  and process our fruit. DH found a unique project to build to increase our growing space vertically . I have found the perfect spot for it. We are also looking into keeping a beehive . Projects abound  !!!

     I've nearly finished the 'Rainbow scarf' . With this weather, I might even be able to wear it this week ! And it is a  short week as we start our spring Break Thursday night. It is Book Fair and Parent Teacher interviews so it will be a long week. Funny how short weeks can be so long !

    Housebound today, but that is just f ine with me !

Karma

Last weekend I had a very interesting conversation with YGS's maternal grandmother. Listening to her describe her daughter's living conditions, I couldn't help but giggle. Rude, I know.... but

This is  woman from a wealthy family who has traveled to Scotland for family visits; whose parents were going to buy her a house !; who were going to sign their restaurant over to her to bring in extra income; who is, by her mother''s own words, haughty and snotty.

Her living conditions were described as so bad one wouldn't want a dog living there ! Black mold, weeks worth of dishes, garbage thrown out the door - not even in bags ! Abandoned cars in the frontyard. No car, no phone, a job cleaning hotel rooms when they need her, maybe one or two days a week. A far cry from her $54 000/yr job .

There is no ' bond' between her and her daughter.The father has a court order that he has full custody and she is not allowed to be taken out of the little town. Supposedly this has all been done through the courts says the other grandmother, but who knows ?

All those lies, all that stealing  and she has  boyfriend that ' isn't very swift'  and that her mother hopes figures out what S is all about before too long. And what of that poor little girl- men and women in and out of her life. It's criminal.

However, YGS's other grandparents have been talking to him about his half sister without asking permission of my son.  I know they want to bring her out this summer and want the two of them to  meet, but that is all up to my son and he says no. He's the one who will have to deal with the repercussions. So they will be told. And if they continue or try to tell YGS that it is a secret, then contact will be cut off. YGS is stable and secure with the life he has. I fully understand why ES doesn't  want anything  to upset the progress he has made. "They' have said how both ES and YGS are like two different people so why do they want to mess it up ?

Guess the apple doesn't fall  far from the tree.l