Found

Those pumpkins- they are smug vegetables if there ever were. While I was lamenting my lack of a garden- they were sneakily growing themselves into the best hiding spots they could find. Only to surprise me with their very existence. There they dangle, looking ever so pleased with themselves about that trick- and the cracked window too, I suppose.

emma & pumpkins- 7 years ago

It's nearly time to harvest the only thing that grew in our garden this year. Seriously, just the pumpkins. Nothing else, really.

Not a single squash, or cucumber to speak of. Nary a pepper in sight. And oh, my purple beans that never were, how I missed roasting you. I'm sure if we could stand tomatoes, and planted some, they would have failed miserably too.

Last year I was quite smug about all of my green thumb-ness, I have since repented.

naked barbie maids

Yesterday, I intended to get lost of work done inside the house. Get the guest room ready, mop the floor, clean bathrooms-since my Mama is coming today- yay!

None of that actually happened, see it was perfectly weathered outside, AND I even remembered to put sunscreen on. So I took that as a sign that the yard work should be commenced, and I was right. I have accomplished my goal- we do not have the worst lawn on the block, and it's not even May. There aren't even bedding plants in either- I'm feeling pretty smug right now in case you were wondering.

All of my inside projects sit half completed- and I will officially have people staying here in less than 12 hours.

seriously it's time to get all of the naked barbies out of the tub and off of the floor so I can scrub away, and yet here I sit typing away- while they lie there creeping the dog out. It's a good thing that I work well under pressure, because eventually the laundry will need to be put away and the floor will need to be mopped and the bed made up.

Must turn on work music for additional motivation, cause those naked barbies don't clean the tub that they live in- rent free I might add.

backyarded bliss

We've decided it's finally time to really get on the back yard- new fence, some sod, a sprinkling system- the works. I'm so excited I can barely contain myself- cause that means a swing set. Girl Child is vying for a trampoline but I'm just not sure- they are rather dangerous- it's the smother in me coming out I know. Maybe she'll catch me on an off day and get her way- who knows?

I remember when we bought the house, and then started fixing it up, the yard was on the to-do list but somehow the money wasn't- strange how that happens right, lots of plans and good intentions but no cash to bring them to life. It'll make it that much more enjoyable knowing we saved up for it though.

I can just imagine the picnics, laying out in the sunshine, swinging with Em, playing in the sprinklers in the heat of July and August. Eating the grapes right off the vine and then laying on the grass slowly digesting. Camp outs in the too tiny tents. But can you just imagine it? Heaven on earth is what is passing before my eyes.

I'm imagining this while a huge fire is blazing in the fireplace and it's snowing- but that's beside the point. We're getting a backyard worthy of play and that's enough to make a spring snow seem pretty insignificant.

march wind

The Bear dog is pacing, nervous about the weather change, he doesn't want to go outside- really strange. I think it's the annoying wind. And the wind is really annoying- it's 60 some-odd degrees out today, but you can't go out to enjoy it since there is a 'strong breeze' that's weatherman speak for hurricane on land happening.

The sun and even the clouds are obscured by this crazy dirt haze that's swirling all around, ruining all of my good intentions to go walking or even to the store and walk the crazy dog. I don't think I can walk out without getting my face sandblasted off and sand in my eyes. The lawn must wait-patiently.

It's a good thing I feel like baking today right? Bananas need to be used and beans are begging to be roasted- but not together I think. And I'm sure I can fit in some reading now too- I think it'll be a good day despite the whipping wind.

Oh I know that March is supposed to be windy- good kite flying weather and all- but the whole sand storm need a new paint job for the car stuff is a bit much. I didn't think I'd ever say anything like this in March - but I'll take snow over this any time, so bring it on mother nature I promise not to complain.

continue, thief!

Today feels like a stolen day, see it's the 1st of February, but it feels more like April. Fat puffy white marshmallow clouds are floating in the blue sky, nary a rain cloud in sight. It seems like I went and stole a day right out of spring, and deposited it right here in winter. I love those kind of days.

The heat is off, the windows are cracked and fresh air is coming in. Laundry is going, vacuuming completed, bathrooms cleaned. Spring has the magic effect of making the chores fly by, enlivening everything so I don't feel so blah about it all. The work music is blaring, I'm sure any passersby can hear it. maybe they wonder just what is going on in here. cleaning, dancing, everything.and i love it.

I hope that cute little groundhog tells me that there will not, in fact, be six more weeks of winter. that spring is on its way, and that it will bring all of the pretty spring flowers I love. crocuses, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths.

Too bad there are none for my yard, those pesky squirrels ate my bulbs, right out of the ground. oh I know they need winter sustenance, but I need spring bulbs. they don't seen to understand my predicament. bulbs need to be planted in the fall, and have a long winters nap and such, in order to bloom properly. if I could plant in the spring I would, to avoid the squirrel eating, etc, but alas now that they've been eaten no such blooming will occur, 25 bucks down the drain, or squirrel if you prefer. and no they don't bloom once they come out the other side, unfortunately.

Again, my goal for this spring and summer is to not have the crappiest yard on the block, a feat yet to happen in all of the years we've lived here, much to the chagrin of my neighbors as well, I'm sure. Maybe the sprinkler valve won't break again, for the third year in row, and we won't have a pile of dirt surrounding an open hole in the lawn, waiting to swallow children and small dogs whole. even that would be a small victory in my lawn maintenance goals.