On Being Appreciated. . .

It was the last day of school on Friday and some of the parents showed their appreciation in a tangible way.

Holly thinks this poor bunny looks scared. . .

And who can blame him?

Once I put him out in the garden he's going to have Jada to contend with.

And we all know how much she loves her bunny!!

And let's not forget about these incidents. . . http://rose-gardendiary.blogspot.com/2008/01/jadas-friends.html

Gardening Is Not For The Faint Of Heart!

Do you remember your mom telling you "If you want to look beautiful it has to hurt?" ( Usually said on a Saturday night while hauling a brush through the tangles in your wet hair as she puts rollers in your hair for Sunday. Which, by the way, you had to sleep on all night!)

It seems that goes for a beautiful garden as well. . .

This is what happens when you turn your back on the wheelbarrow you just loaded with rocks for the pond. . .

For crying out loud!

The garden's worth it though. . .

Vegetables

I've spent all winter dreaming of a huge vegetable garden.

There is no space for a huge garden, but oh how I've longed for one!

I've searched the real estate listings for hobby farms in easy commuting distance in our price range. . .

Ha ha ha ha he he he ho ho ho!!!

I've wandered the neighbourhood scoping out empty lots, trying to figure out how I could contact the owners and make a deal which would have them accepting produce or fresh bread in exchange for space to garden. . .

I began to despair of finding anything that would allow my dream to flourish.

In the end however, I decided to take a leap of faith and plant as though the land would be there when I needed it.

These are my leeks. I believe there are over 200 in this tray.

And every last one of them has a place to grow. . .

I not only have one new garden space, I have just been offered a second!

And they came to us!! (Ev and I of course. . .)

Stay tuned for details!

Dreams do come true!

Spring Madness

I've been out in the garden most of the day.
The sun is shining, small bulbs are blooming, large bulbs are poking out and the plants that need to be moved need to be moved now, before the leaves really start budding out.
So I started moving things.
When I got to the peony, (yes I know it should be moved in the fall!) I made an unwelcome discovery.
Some of the ground was still rather frozen.
Heating that soil with a blow dryer crossed my mind. . .
Yes indeed. . .
Spring madness has begun!

One Of Those Days

Today is one of those days.
You know the kind.
The ones where no matter how fast you run you just can't catch up.
I drove to school this morning and had some time to kill before I had to do a field trip.
I ran over to the nearest Safeway and picked up a few things (more on that in another post!)
I got back to school, loaded up the kids, dropped them off at the museum and headed home.
I threw my turkey carcass in a stock pot, chopped up some veggies and added them to the pot along with a few spices.
Once that boiled I put the leash on Jada and we headed out the door for a quick walk.
I got back, gave her breakfast and headed back to the museum.
Dropped the kids off at school and came home with just enough time for a quick lunch and the chance to finish off the stock before I had to leave again.
Jesse has drama after school which means as soon as I park my bus I will hop in the truck and head back to school. Unfortunately, drama's over at five and I don't get back with the bus until after five. Last week it took me 45 minutes to get back to school because of traffic!
Yikes!!
It's also catechism tonight and I have to pack up my Easter flowers while he's there.
Seriously, it is really one of those days!
And yet. . . amidst all that chaos I was blessed with a tiny adventure.
Which somehow brought joy to most of my day.
More on that another day. . .
I've got to get back to school!!

Shopping

I hate to shop.

I love beautiful clothes but I hate to shop for them.

Which, all things considered, is a little odd.

My mom LOVES shopping!

My sister Lisa not only loves to shop, she can also spot a bargain both at home and abroad.

My sister Tamara shops for business. (And pleasure!)

Not me.

My wardrobe was in serious need of help.

So I called in professional help!

Holly came shopping with me. Not only does she have a great sense of style she is also a manager at a clothing store.

Which makes her a professional.

We hit the mall and didn't leave until I had every thing I needed.

I am now well stocked in underwear, have two pretty tops for everyday (or dressy), one beautiful blouse (which I discovered was silk once I got home), a rose printed scarf, and a new pair of shoes!

It took four hours ( four hours that flew by because we had so much fun!) and I shouldn't have to shop again for a few years!

Bonus.

Thank you Holly!!

Quiet Sundays