Monday, February 1, 2016

February First

February blew in like a breath of fresh air.
The snow and ice of last week now a mere memory.
Around here it was a lunch on the patio type of day.
Not every year would this be possible.  However, with temperatures nearing the 70 degree mark, the patio seemed to be beckoning.
Even Peanut was happy to get outdoors and soak up the warm sunshine.  See her over there gazing into the pond?

 
I think she was checking on the goldfish.
We are all happy to see them once again. 
Last year we fought a battle with algae.  The pond was green and the goldfish were hard to see.  We're encouraged to now be able to see the bottom of the pond and the fishies too.
Fingers crossed!


Finding it nearly impossible to go back inside after lunch, I made my way around to the pansy pots.  It's still early for serious gardening, but a bit of grooming and deadheading seemed like a good job for today.  Soon we will start watering them with liquid fertilizer.  That coupled with the warming temperatures will have them blooming beautifully by the time March rolls around.

Book #3
 Once gardening season is in full swing, my reading time may suffer or it may just shift to garden related books.  For now I'm moving right along and tackling a few that have been on the "to be read" pile.  Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn was one of them.  One day I was at the thrift shop where they were having a fill a bag with books for $2 sale.  Believe it or not I was having trouble filling my bag.  The lady working in the book dept. that day was trying to help me get that bag filled.  She brought me this book saying it was by the author of Gone Girl.  We decided it was worth a try and tossed it in the bag.  It was a whodunit involving a seriously creepy family.  It was a book completely different from the last two I read.  It did, however, hold my attention and keep my fingers turning the pages to see how it would end.


Book #4
I'm sure by now many of you have read this one or seen the lecture online.  Don't know why it's taken me so long.  In this case, better late than never.  At a time when most of my books are read and then passed along, this one has earned a spot on my bookshelf to be read over and over.  Hopefully I can even share it with my sons who don't take after their parents when it comes to reading.  
The story behind Randy Pausch's last lecture and the lecture itself... beautiful, touching and so very inspiring.  To quote Randy, "we cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."
He sure did play his hand well.

On that note, I wish you all a Happy February. 





9 comments:

  1. Aw! Lunch on the patio? We have LOTS of snow. The fish look pretty.

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  2. Its been a very mild winter here. and the few days that it has been really cold and snowy, I dare not complain! lol! but I am looking forward to spring and outside weather!
    have a great week.
    xoxo
    vivian

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  3. Lunch on the patio looks lovely! Glad it's warmed up a little for you. The books sound interesting. It's good to break out of the usual genre once in awhile, although I always go back to my favorites. The fish look like they are enjoying life.

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  4. What a nice turnaround in the weather! It was 50° here today. Kind of crazy for a winter day in my corner, but I'll take it! Peanut the explorer! You could write a children's book. I remember seeing Randy a number of times on various programs. He was inspirational.

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  5. I enjoyed this post! We have had a couple of warm sunny days too and it feels wonderful! February is usually the month I dread most, so I appreciate these pretty days. The goldfish are pretty. Hope you have good luck with them.

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  6. We had a nice warm day here too though not nearly as warm as by you. How nice to be able to eat lunch outside.
    Have haven't read the book but I'll add it to my list.

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  7. Lunch on the patio sounds wonderful for February and yours looks delightful! I haven't read the book, it sounds interesting. Have a great week!

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  8. Although we have much milder weather than most of Canada we still are quite a ways from eating out on the porch!
    I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Last Lecture and if I see it in the thrift store I'll buy it because as you say, it seems like a book to reread from time to time just to remind us of what's important in life.

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  9. Hi Kim, This month has started off nicely, hasn't it? Well, except for today -- we've had rain all day here; how about you? Your lunch on the patio looks wonderful! Seeing your pansies reminded me that I'm afraid mine may not make it to spring this year. They don't seem to be getting enough sunlight, as they're on our covered porch. Also, I think I've over-watered them. They were beautiful and healthy when I purchased them, so I'm not too happy with the way they look now. Last year, I planted pansies in the same location, and they were beautiful in the spring. Go figure. ;)

    Thanks for sharing, Kim, and have a great week!

    Hugs,

    Denise at Forest Manor

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