Good Intentions

When it comes to this blog, it seems I have good intentions and then something gets in the way and it takes a back seat to that.

Here's a peek into what I've been up to instead of blogging.

Around the end of March I didn't like the direction my bathroom scale was heading every time I stepped on it.

Having never had a "weight problem", this was something new to me.  I decided to take action and signed up with a mid-life weight loss health coach.  I have learned so much about how the menopause years can contribute to weight gain and the old ideas of eat less, move more don't work for that kind of weight gain.  I am working hard and am happy to report that so far I have lost eleven pounds.

We are encouraged to follow a whole foods diet with an emphasis on plant based.

Along those lines, Brett & I recently signed up for the CSA program through a local farm.  The photo above is what we received last Friday.  Needless to say, a lot of my time has been discovering and preparing new recipes for things like rainbow chard, baby bok choy and kale.  

Late April found us traveling to Florida to see grandson, Jaxson and his parents.  The really exciting thing about this visit was attending Amber's pinning ceremony from nursing school.

It has been a long road for her and we were all so happy and proud of her.

The graduating class celebrating their accomplishments.

After nearly 7 years in this house, I finally made it a priority to find artwork for the little wall next to my pantry.  This is the only wall in my kitchen.  I have wanted to hang something there all these years, but haven't seen anything I like so one day I spent way too much time browsing on Etsy.  I really wasn't even sure what I was looking for which, of course, led to the time consuming project it became.  When I came across these I instantly knew they would be perfect.

It's a small thing, but makes me so happy to finally have the selection made.

Perhaps what has been keeping me the busiest of all . . .

At the end of next month Brett & I will be retiring.

Closing his (almost) 35 year old business required a lot of thought.

He has finally decided that the time has come so we have both been busy doing all the things one must do to bring an end to that chapter of life.

It seems when you tell people that you will soon be retiring, the question is "what are your plans?" or "will you be traveling?"

I think our biggest plan in the immediate future will be to have a relaxing summer.  Maybe by fall we'll be looking for a bit more structure to the days.

Outdoors in Springtime

Mrs. Wren started to build a nest in my pansies (see previous post) and then changed her mind.  So, no wren nest to report.  I can, however, report a black capped chickadee nest in the birdhouse.

I startled the momma yesterday when I peeked in to see what was happening.

Yes, that's yours truly pushing a lawn mower for the first time in 25 years.  Brett has developed a problem with foot drop which makes navigating the inclines in our backyard with the lawnmower very difficult.  Before making the decision to hire it done, I decided to give it a try.  It was such a beautiful day yesterday and I've been trying to lose some weight and get more fit.  I found it to be a good challenge.  Between the two of us we finished the job.  We'll see how I feel about it when the heat and humidity sets in.  Could be a different story then.   

After the mowing was done, I went around to see what was in bloom.

The clematis has climbed to the top of the trellis and decided to continue growing all through the laurel bushes.  The laurels are due for a trim.  I guess I'll wait until the clematis is through blooming to give them all a haircut.

For now we will enjoy their beautiful blossoms.

Recently we had a fence and stepping stones installed along the side of the house.  You may remember me mentioning that this side has a four foot drop off.  Since the water spigot is located on this side, we do have to walk along here.  We've talked about doing this for years and finally got it done.  I'm so happy with the way it turned out and have greater piece of mind now that nobody will be toppling over the edge.

I like how they made a couple of steps up to the courtyard patio.

Along this same side of the house just past the patio, the azaleas are in all their glory.

While checking out all the things in bloom I came across this.

After watching them for awhile I have no doubt that there will soon be a population increase of ladybugs in our area.  :D.

I will be happy to lay out the welcome mat as they are such beneficial insects for the garden.

Flowers and Other Signs of Spring

Look close and you will see the Carolina Wren that popped out of my pansy pot a couple of weeks ago.  March 1st to be exact.

Fast forward to March 19th and the pansy pot is a profusion of pretty colors.

This morning I saw Mrs. Wren paying another visit.

With a tiny twig clutched in her beak, she was clearly beginning the construction of a home for her babies.  I intend to pay closer attention in hopes of discovering where this nest building is taking place.  I know wrens tend to set up housekeeping in all sorts of interesting places.  I'm hoping the nest isn't going to appear in my pansies as it would be a challenge to keep them watered.

Time will tell.

Not far from the pansies, my grape hyacinth are just coming into bloom.

The daffodils have been in bloom for a week or more.

I clipped a bouquet for a bit of bright and sunny cheer at the front entrance.

Grocery store tulips are adding beauty to the dining table.

Tomorrow Spring will officially arrive.

I'm ready.

Are you?

Let me be the first to wish you a Very HAPPY Spring.

The Sweet Scent of Spring

While waiting for Spring's arrival, I have enjoyed browsing through some of my gardening books.  This morning I pulled this one from the shelf.  

I purchased it awhile ago at a used bookstore.

Published in England in 1992, it is geared toward the youngest gardeners.

Each season offers simple projects sure to spark a lifelong interest in gardening.

Although I no longer qualify for being a young gardener, the sweet projects and delightful artwork of Beatrix Potter make me excited for the gardening season to begin.

Here is a little gardening project that is taking place in my house right now.

Hyacinth In A Jar

Mine came from Aldi.

I found one with two buds on it.

When the first one bloomed it kind of tipped over.

I don't mind as the smell is so reminiscent of springtime.

Every time I catch a whiff the excitement for Spring's true arrival begins.

I plan to keep the vase it's in and start my own next year.

While it's a bit early for Easter decorating, I couldn't resist changing out the display on my island to something more springlike.

Until now, the snowmen have been on display.

After arranging my display I placed the hyacinth near the bunny.

He looks quite pleased with the scent too.

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Almost Valentine's Day

Just a reminder on this day before Valentine's Day.

With the holiday falling on a Friday, I imagine the restaurants will all be filled to capacity.  We went into the city earlier this week for an early celebration.  No big crowds that day.

The restaurant had a lovely patio for dining alfresco.

As it was cold and rainy, we opted for indoor dining.

We both enjoy halibut which isn't always easy to obtain on the east coast.  "Just For The Halibut" caught our eye on the menu and it didn't disappoint.  When the waiter brought it out, at first glance it looked like a dessert.  The halibut was topped with crabmeat and resting on a potato cake with a layer of spinach between layers.  A delicious sun dried tomato sauce was swirled around the bottom.

Yum!

I was able to enjoy it twice as the portion was way more than I could eat in one sitting.  Although I should mention we also had a delicious salad and had to save room to share their famous carrot cake.

Tomorrow we will dine much lighter.

I'm thinking a pot of vegetable soup in the quiet of our own home sounds good.

How do you plan to spend Valentine's Day?

Sending LOVE your way.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Two Bags Full

Today we have been treated to an unseasonably warm February day.

73 degrees fahrenheit currently.

This called for opening the doors and a few windows.

When I opened them this morning I thought it would be for a little airing.  They've been open all day without the house getting too cold or too warm.  Delightful!

The jasmine growing on my trellis had gotten really wild looking.

It has been bugging me every time I walk by it.

The beautiful weather acted as a magnetic force pulling me out the door. 😎

Technically I am working my job from home today.

During a slow moment this morning I snuck out with my pruners and a garbage bag.  Here a snip, there a snip.

This isn't the easiest thing to prune as I can't reach the top and the ground slopes toward the 4 ft. drop off so getting on a step stool is out of the question at my age.

I took my light weight rake and pulled down as much as I could from the top, then got on my tip toes and snipped some more.

I spent the day going from my desk to the trellis and after a few hours ended up with two bags full of clippings from the jasmine.

Also managed to finish my day's office work.

While I was out there I checked in on a few of my herb plants.

The oregano is showing signs of new growth  and, while the chives are looking a bit bedraggled, they are also showing some new growth.  There were a few weeds popping up in there.  They are now relocated to the garbage bag.

The pansies that were covered in ice in my last post have begun putting out a few new flowers.  I gave them a weak dose of fertilizer to help them along.

Our high temperature tomorrow will be 20 degrees lower than today.

Looking at the weather forecast for next week I see two days featuring snowflakes.  That could all change by then so for today I am just enjoying this delightful day breathing in the fresh air and tending my little garden with thoughts of the pretty flowers that will soon begin blooming.

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A Good Weekend For Reading

Frosted Pansies

Well, our highly anticipated snow event resulted in a bit of snow followed by a bit of sleet leaving a frosty coating on everything in it's path.

Tiny icicles hung from the gutters.

Not enough to build a snowman with, but pretty nonetheless.

It was a good weekend for reading.

I finished this and thoroughly enjoyed it.

After remarking to Brett recently that I needed a book that I just couldn't put down, this one crossed my path. (note the words above the title).

Having never read this author, I decided to take a chance.

I didn't realize until I got home that the book was written in 1978.

Apparently it was hard for me to put down as I finished it in a day.

It definitely took some unexpected twists.

This one, set in Australia, was next up.

It is starting off on a mysterious note.

Sometimes when I finish a book I like to wait a few days to process the one I just read.  I planned to do that last night, but before I knew it I started this one.

Last year I signed up for a reading challenge on GoodReads.

I fell short of my goal by ten books.

I set the same goal for this year and now feel I am off to a good start.

"Reading One Book Is Like Eating One Potato Chip"

~Diane Duane

At The Start Of A New Year

As the new year has unfolded, I have been taking my time putting the Christmas decorations away and restoring order to each room in the house.  It's nice to have the time to do this at a leisurely pace.

The charcuterie board above was a gift from my brother and sister-in-law.  On New Year's Eve I made a pot of vegetable soup to go along with the delicious cheeses, nuts, dried fruits and salami.

Yesterday I was texting back and forth with my brother as they live in Los Angeles very close to the wildfires.  He said they haven't been told to evacuate, but have a go bag in the car in case that becomes necessary.  It is horrifying to see the videos coming out of that area of California.  I can't even imagine how that must be for the people living through it and my heart goes out to them.

We have snow in our weekend weather forecast.

It's been years since we've seen any so I'm secretly hoping to see a pretty snowfall.

I'll keep you posted on that.

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