Red Dogwood

I was surprised to get my red dogwood tree in the mail today! It was a rainy day but mostly the drizzle kind of rain so after I swept out the garage I decided to plant it. We had a place just waiting for it so it wasn't hard, just muddy and I had to wash off the shovel and my shoes and my  jacket when I finished but I think it was  a good day to plant it as it won't be too hot for the next few days and it will continue to drizzle probably and not freeze. I hope I planted it right and it grows, it will be so pretty and I never had a dogwood tree ~ bushes yes but not the blooming tree.
   Since it was a rainy day I decided to get my mending finished finally, its been sitting there way too long. I guess if I didn't spend so much time on the computer or taking pictures I could have gotten it done sooner but today was a good day. Needed to do some for my son and also shorten some pants for me, I'm only 5' tall and every pair needs shortening and that can be a big pain, not hard but frustrating as I don't really like to sew anymore.

Miniature Iris

I walked by this Iris and couldn't believe they are already in bloom. The 2 next to this one were already showing signs of shriveling up.... We have had 2 very warm days and some rain so I guess thats what does it. The leaves are even coming out on the trees today and so many  pretty flowers. What I did though since it was in the 60's already when I got up was to go into the basement and get the screen for the front door and the living room and kitchen windows and clean them up and put them in... I had the nicest warm breeze going through my house today and no furnace on all day... What a treat!

Another bird~ Woodpecker

This is the best I could do with the woodpecker... Pretty isn't it? there were so many birds in the yard all at the same time I just started focusing in on one and another flew by I wanted to get.... I didn't get a very good shot of the Blue jay but got another nice Robin

More pictures

Just had to add one more Cardinal picture, they are so pretty aren't they?

Peaches, Twinkie & Charlie

We had to go to the gromers early this morning and it was all over by 10:30. Nice to see them all clean and neatened up with nails clipped etc. They don't like me clipping them but I guess Twinkie didn't like the groomer doing it either but it has to be done.
   Leo finished taking 2 stumps out of the yard today and we still have one left. it sure is a big job or we must be getting old.... probably both.
    Tomorrow is supposed to be a warm day... it will be a pleasant change as we have been getting so cold again lately. When its cold and windy it isn't fun to do the yard work but I would rather it not get too warm before I finish the work either.... Perfect weather is what I want. LOL  The leaves are coming out on a lot of the trees now and when they are all leafed out then it will seem like summer.... its getting there !

Robin

I took this picture of the robin in the back yard through the patio and storm patio doors.... can you imagine, 2 windows that weren't even that clean.  if you look close you can even see his eye.... I think he is listening for a worm, don't you?

Cardinal picture

I guess the secret to taking bird pictures is to fill the feeder so you get birds in the yard. So I put some of their favorite food in the feeder and I got a lot of birds today around 5.... must be supper time.

Busy day

Today is a cloudy day with a little sun thrown in for good measure! I started doing some laundry and then the sun came out so I went to check my roses and before you knew it I had my snippers out and a large bag to put the dead stems in.... I got 4 large rose bushes cut back and 4 little ones before my husband wanted me to go to the garden center with him..... and who am I to say  no to a trip to Steins. The only plant I got was a red semi dwarf Canna with yellow edges.... I couldn't pass it up as it looked so pretty. I will plant it In the center of my whiskey barrel..... ( I changed the print because it was so small.... hope you can all read it better) Anyway the reason I wanted to go to Steins was to get a new shovel as the one I was using to dig out the roots of the evergreens was starting to show signs it was going to break ~ I like the new one I got and hope it lasts a long time.... Its a fiskers with a large orange handle.... says you can put both hands on the handle at the same time   ;) I also got 2 new pair of gloves. My rose gloves are starting to show wear after 10 years or so.... I don't think the new ones are as good but they are pretty. lol  Leo got some spray because we have had 2 ants in the house already so he will spray around the house hoping to keep them out and also to spray the lawn so we don't get any fleas on our sweet pets. It seems every time I go out lately I get a few bites from some kind of a bug and that is a giant pain.
     Yesterday at the store I got a new book to read. Not the one I wanted but I couldn't find what I wanted and settled for  "The Da Vinci Code" I started reading it and wonder if I will be able to finish it..... I hope it gets better.... I should have know as it was written by a man and usually I cannot read books written by a man.... they think so much different than I do and don't tell me what I want to know and go on and on about uninteresting things. haha  Well, thats the way it usually is with me and I can't help it.... The picture of the guy in the back of the book looks like he is a nice guy though so maybe it will be ok. So many have read this book so it can't be all bad, or can it ~ I just wonder. I will let you know as soon as I finish it, if I ever do. ;)

Crazy Robins

Just as I was snapping the camera to take a picture of the Robin on the left he got up and flew to the other Robin I didn't even see.... darn but it could have been a better picture.... this would be good too if I had the camera set to take action pic.... Maybe if I try that though the bird will sit still. You just can't win can you, lol

Grape Hyacinths

I noticed the grape hyacinths were in bloom this morning when I went to take a look at the flowers.... and while I was figuring out what kind of vase to put them in I thought I would lay them out on the patio table and take their picture.... cute little things but I will be transplanting them this year.  They aren't like the other spring flowers because when I cut them back they just grow again.... no flowers but stems that look just like the grass is growing in my flower bed... and they get thicker and thicker each year so I guess they will be going into a spot way in the back garden, just so I can still pick them and bring them in the house. They make a neat little bouquet.

Week Two~ second best

Second week and second best things of mine....

1. second best comfort food= crackers and cheese

2. second celebrity crush= David Letterman, first was Michael Parks ( any one remember Long Lonesome highway) in that tv show where he always went somewhere new on his Harley Sportster.

3. cartoon character= Peanuts and the gang, 1st was Porky pig and Mr Magoo

4. way to relax= sitting in my big recliner reading a good book. First is sitting there with my puppies and my kitty. We can all fall asleep in the afternoon for at least an hour if we aren't disturbed.

5. 2nd favorite movie, You've got Mail, was first until the new Cheaper by the Dozen came out.... haven't met anyone yet that didn't enjoy that one.

6.2nd favorite books are The Cat Who series.... I have a lot of favorite books and can't come up with a number 1

7. 2nd favorite album ( CD) is Norah Jones "Come Away With Me" Don't have just one favorite though

8. 2nd favorite school teacher... its a tie between Sister Thea my 8th grade teacher and Miss Stanfield my Senior speech teacher. 1st fav was Kindergarden (Miss Kilroe) and 2nd grade teacher ( Sister Jude)

9. 2nd favorite ice cream is Maple walnut from Hansens and Ist is just plain Chocolate.

10. 2nd favorite sports team is the New York Yankees and the first is a tie between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago Cubs.... I guess the Green Bay Packers should be there too somewhere but I like baseball.....

Next week ask again and some of these will be changed Im sure.... Anyway its been fun   ;>)

Picture day

Just had to add a few pictures I took this morning.... now I have company so have to go see what its all about... later

Rainy days

The sky is finally clearing and its supposed to be a sunny day tomorrow!                   I haven't been writing for  a couple of days because there isn't anything to write about....It seems to me if I use the number 14 as usual to write with then the words are too small and the 18 is way too big. I think they must have changed the size because 14 was always just right.... oh well another mystery I guess.
   We have been getting either wind or rain so I haven't been working in the yard lately. I was just looking around though and it seems the weeds are growing and I don't like the way they are growing too close to my roses.  I guess they like to cuddle up. Now I will have to get some gloves on so I don't get picked and try to get them out of there. More fun, huh? I got 8 pots of buttercups planted today and they are outside.... the guy said they don't mind the cold and should be planted now so I hope to have some pretty flowers in a couple of months. When we were at the store today I saw a lady buying 2 tomato plants and another one with strawberrie plants in here cart. I wonder how they will do and if they will freeze etc.... taking a chance around here I say. They also had some beautiful hanging baskets ~ made me want to buy one but I know better. ;) I would have to bring them in and out and then be lucky if they held up.... Usually when I get plants for mothers day it is still a week too early around here and they need to be babied. Wish it wasn't so....... But I have many plants in bloom in my yard and some that are still waiting to bloom.... Like the larger tulips and the daffodils in the back and then it starts and I see a lot of violets coming back even if I thought I dug them all out last fall.... the little buggers. A lot of the perennials are coming up already too and a lot of the trees are getting green buds.
Our Son Mike called yesterday from Florida and told us he is coming for a short visit sometime in May.... It will be so nice to have him home for a little while. he said he is coming to play golf and go fishing with his father. He also said he is getting homesick.... he likes Florida though especially the weather. Wish I could talk him into coming back here to live but I will just hope ~ we all miss him so much , his wife too. I guess she is not coming this trip as she was here once before and he stayed in Florida.... They have dogs,they can't leave one in a kennel  because she is too old. I think its been 5 years since he was home and that was for his brothers wedding.. We went there 3 or 4 times though.  Now Im just blabbing for something to write about.... sorry. Hope you are having a nice day!

My Grandaughter Carley

I finally got to take some pictures of my other Grandaughter. You have seen pictures of Mindy and my Greatgrandaughters Morgan and Brenna and now here is my other Grandaughter. I have 2 Grandaughters and 2 Greatgrandaughters and 3 Grandsons. I also have 3 stepgrandchildren I don't see much anymore. 2 of them did come over the other day after school though. Adam has gotten a car and drove over with his sister Michelle but I didn't run and get my camera, ;)  Their brother Mark is graduated from high school and works in a different city and for now lives with his father.... Anyway Sunday was Carleys day and we had fun.

Week end assignment

Well, since John Scalzi is having a Week End Assignment with the journalers ( is that  even a word?) I decided to join the group. I don't know if I will make it to 25 but here are the random facts about me that I could come up with....

1. I don't drink or smoke.
2. My favorite place to be is my home or yard.
3. I worked one whole summer at a Catholic girls camp when I was 16
4. There was a Catholic boys camp near by and I met some of the counselors
5. I don't like pea soup or oatmeal
6. I wear glasses
7. 8 & 9.....I like to crochet and knit and read
10. I love to work in the yard and tend to my flowers etc.
11. I collect dolls
12.Iam a Democrat
13 I am a Catholic
14. I went to Catholic school until I graduated from 8th grade
15. I  LOVE David Letterman  ;)
16. I have 7 children
17. I am one of 7 sisters  ( also have 2 brothers)
18. I was born on Groundhog day
19. I like taking pictures
20. I went to live in Norfolk, Virginia when my husband was in the Navy
21. Desserts are my favorite food.
22. I have 2 longhaired chihuahuas(Peaches and Twinkie) and a cat (Charlie)
23. I love jewelry
24. I think I'm still thin and young until I look in the mirror
25. I'm an open book, everything about me is known by someone, no secrets here.

Another beautiful day

I got my wish and it rained last night and its supposed to rain again tonight but its also supposed to continue tomorrow and thats not a good thing to happen on Sunday. But I do see green coming on my Bridal Wreath. I know April showers are good for the May flowers so we will take what we get.  If it doesn't rain closer to the house in front I will have to get out the hose and our water bill is very high where we live and besides rain water is much better isn't it.
    I finished my laundry today and made a nice meal in the Nesco Roaster and did some grocery shopping,  so it was another day well spent. Now if I can get finished reading my book  and making  a pair of slippers  for my daughter in law that would be a good thing too..... You just never know, lol   I have that yarn around here somewhere but when I cleaned the family room it dissapeared and heaven only know where it ran off too.

First Dandelion

It was in the flower bed on the side, for shame   lol

tiny red tulips

These are so sweet and they get about 4 or 5 flowers on a stem

buds on the tree

Finally budding out!

Flowers in front yard

Another Hyacinth

The pansys the bunnies didn't eat. Now I should be getting some nicer ones for awhile

pictures

Pink hyacinth in front yard

Pictures I took today

this is either the first or the last.... I think its the last, lol Anyway you look at it though I had a good time taking pictures today. Its so amazing what a week of warmer weather will do... Its 77right now.... hard to believe but it shows in the way the flowers are starting to look and the buds on the trees are finally showing up...  ;-))     I hate to admit it but we do need some rain.... maybe tonight while we are sleeping would be a good time.

Yard work finished just in time

We finished our yard work today just in time ~ soon after Leo finished fertilizing it started to rain to soak it in.... This was a good day as far as yard work went. The town even came by and took all our branches  ( we had a large amount waiting by the curb). I finished digging our the hostas and transplanting them too. That was a job I don't ever want to do again. I do have all the space ready for planting now though, but Leo still has to dig out the stumps from the tree and 2 shrubs. Hope I don't  get that job. Anyway everything in the yard looks nice now and all ready for spring. Tomorrow its supposed to be in the 70's ~ isn't that nice!!!!!!!! Maybe I will even be able to sit outside and read or take some pictures, but of coarse it will be between loads of laundry I didn't get finished this week....but thats ok, I can't sit still all day anyway.

Busy Day

This was a busy day today but I did get some yard work done. I am cleaning out the hosta bed and putting them in the back under the pine trees. I sure hope they like it there as it is a lot of work moving those big plants. If I cut them in quarters, each quarter is about 12 inches square. It was a lot of work digging them out and then cutting some of them and then digging the holes to replant them. They were in the front yard for 12 years and were so pretty there but with the tree down now they got too much hot sun and the leaves burned. After I get them all moved I will have a nice place to plant some other things.

While I was busy with the hostas Leo got his 2 lawn mowers ready for another season and he cleaned out the shed. Then he cut down  an evergreen tree in the front of the house( it was very ragged looking ) and 2 smaller shrubs. Now when I look out my window here I don't see the birds in the tree anymore. I will have to figure out a solution for that now as Charlie and I loved watching the birds. Leo said I should plant something else there to take its place but I know I won't be able to get anything to grow fast enough..... maybe it was a mistake to cut it down but Now I have to live with the mistake. The birds have other pine trees about 10 feet away so don't feel too sorry for the birds. It was just a little resting or hiding place for the sparrows and mourning doves and we will miss them by the window. Charlie hasn't noticed yet.... poor cat.
I just put this picture in to show you what the hosta's looked like when the tree was still there and they were still in the shade. this is only one small section of the hostas so you can see the size of the plants toward the end of summer. Also you can see in the picture the tree next to the house that Leo took down today. I sure hope i come up with an idea to make the yard look pretty this year too.... Most of the hard work is finished though and the fun part will begin.... I love picking out plants and planting them so it will be fun. I hope my Hostas do well in the back. if not this year then in the future years..... I hope, I hope.

A beautiful day

Its a beautiful day today !!! Hip hip hooray! and tomorrow is supposed to be even nicer. Its surprising how my attitude can change with the weather. I didn't get much yard work done today though. Just went to get a bag of dirt to fill in a hole I made last week and then I had a little grocery shopping to do. Leo's tv stopped working ~ just like that and its not even 3 months old yet. So we called the guy yesterday and he came already this morning ~ thats the good part. The other part is he took it with him and said it would probably be 3 weeks before he can bring it back..... probably will have to order a part etc. Well we haven't much choice because its the guy the store said to call and its supposed to be without charge. So in the meantime he is watching my little one I have for in this room and he is squinting ... oh boy he may have to get his glasses out of the case and cleaned up for a few weeks im thinking, hehe...

I thought that was a good picture of Twinkie looking into the grass to see what that white thing was. I think it was a part of an egg shell. So thats about it for today. Hope the sun is shinning for everyone else today too. :-)

Black Bird kind of day

This picture shows you just what kind of a day it was today. The sky is just starting to clear up as evening approaches. Tomorrow is supposed to be a nice day and it will even get nicer the day after, but today it was cold. I wore a winter jacket working in the back yard today but I finished raking the debris under the pine trees. Now I can finish transplanting the hostas without taking time out to rake.

I tried to put 2 pictures in but I haven't learned how yet. It will take me awhile if I put my mind to it and I'm afraid I failed to learn some basics and now I'm stuck and have to start reading my computer book again.... between my computer book and my camera book I'm going to be kept busy. That is if that is what I want to do. I think I will forget it for awhile. I printed out what Bill said about putting the pictuers in and put it in my computer book for another time.... I have so much other stuff to do at this time .... so I will be putting my pictures in one at a time or else the little way again if I want more and you will have to enlarge them to see them...... I know its not nice but I really can't figure it out. I think I will save it for another rainy day, sorry.

HAPPY EASTER

I hope everyone  will have a very Happy Easter. I hope also the sun shines for at least a little while but you never know. I guess we will have to make our own sunshine because the weather man doesn't seem to be co operating again. It will start to get nicer here around Tuesday. Isn't that just the way. Oh well, at least it will get nicer and I have a good start on my yard work already and the grass is getting greener. I got myself a little green house to put on the front porch today. i put it all together myself so you know it was easy, LOL This way I won't have to keep bringing things in and out of the garage. All I will have to do is zip the plastic up and down. Sure will save me a lot of moving of plants if it works and it should being as its on the front porch and the sun does get in that corner and its proped up against the house for extra support. I was going to put it in the back on the patio but its too shady there. Its always fun to get a new toy, I hope it holds up as it was only $30.

Yard Work

I guess I made this picture too big... actually it's the same size as the last one so I had better practice some day and write down the correct size. You know its all changed since I got my new camera. I may have to resort to the old one for here as its so much easier.
   I have been working in the yard some more this morning but I had to quit because its almost time to go to church. I did get some things done though and its starting to look so much better. The grass is getting greener and that always helps things look nice. Seeing pretty flowers like the daffodils remind me all the work is worth it and its such good exercise too.

A little yard work

I started doing some serious gardeningyesterday and today its raining ( wouldn't you know it). So we went out for lunch and to find a little something to wear for Easter. I found a jacket type top the color of this writing. and a few shirts to match those flowers in the picture, lol. Anyway I was really into the gardening and starting to get excited now too as I was transplanting some hostas I had in the front to the shade garden in the back.... We took the tree down in front so the hosta leaves got burned last year and finally I made the decision to put them in the back yard. I have 2 huge clumps transplanted so far. I had to rake the needles and pinecones off of the spot first though. Leo had to make 3 trips to the yard waste recycle spot with his new van... we got it broken in now I guess. Leo also raked a part of the back yard where the leaves had gathered next to the fence. We just got a small start but its going to be fun deciding what flowers and bushes to put in place of the hostas as it was a nice big area. I think I may plant some of the new hydrangeas and maybe even the yellow lilac bush there. And in the middle I may put the new dogwood tree or else the crooked willow... I can't decide. Its going to be fun anyway and since they are small yet I will be able to get a lot of annuals to use as fillers for a couple of years.... We are planning on digging 3 old bushes out of the front yard too. They are close to the house and they make it almost impossible to wash the windows. Its going to be a big job but maybe one of our sons will be around to help. Ha Ha.... Where are they when you really need them. :)  Anyway thats what is on my mind today. We shall see what tomorrow brings. Hope you are having a nice day today too.

checking to make sure

This is the Easter Bunny I got for Carley my grandaughter. I hope she likes it as much as I do. I hope I can get a picture of her with it later today.

WHAT HAPPENED

Do You think its going to keep working now? I can only hope. I have to go and get my husband and son set up now for their fantasy golf before bedtime comes..... They have been waiting patiently and only have a little time left. It sure is nice to get in here again....

Peaches

I'm trying to figure out what size works for everyone. Janice did you try to Maximize the picture to see it bigger. I did send John many e mails but so did about 14 others and so far the only way we can add or delete on our journals is to go to internet explorer and its a pain if you ask me.... I don't rea lly enjoy it any more.   But won't it be fun to be able to do all the neat things when it gets fixed.... look what I did to Peaches picture..... all in internet explorer yet though... oh well.

Im trying it for the 10th time now at least....XXXXX crosing my fingers etc

I can't fix my journal and the only way I can write in it is if I send an instant message and I cannot send pictures or anything so I guess thats the end of my journal unless aol gets it figured out.... bye

I'm editing this from Internet Exlorer to see if it works from here like someone said it would. ;)  I hope

   I seem to be having a lot of fun in here. Hope I will be able to do this from aol too.

 

Sunshine today

Its a pretty sunny day today and I'm feeling better today. I figured out what has been wrong with me and its just my good ole anxiety ~ a small attack as they go but lasting 3 days ~ its not fun and caused the headache and heart palpations etc.... I sure hate that when it happens. I let it get ahead of me , I guess by surprise, this time. Its been a long time and just when I think it will not happen again ~ BANG.... Anyway I am coming out of it and feel better today.

My husband was at his fishing place when the Press Gazette came and took pictures. The fish are really biting now and everyone is coming from many miles away and now there will be more because of the article in all the papers. The Appelton paper was there along with the Press Gazette. Last year he got a big picture in the front page of a sports paper with a big fish he caught. He always throws the fish back and just goes for the sport and talk to all the friends he has made there since he retired.... I envy him but I don't like fishing ( espesially not with all the guys) I guess its his special thing. Anyway he is not facing the camera but talking to his friends. he is the one with the red plaid jacket on.

3 of my favorite race car drivers won today .... no I take that back they came in 2,3,and 4 and the other one got a flat tire and had to leave the race half way into a good race. Must have been one of those Good Year tires they were having so much trouble with  :) I won't get into trouble saying that will I? :)

After church today we went to the store again and I got a new candle to go into the pot that fits into a garden girl. will be nice on the porch Im thinking. Also got a new cd and few other things. Its been a good day for me. My daughter and her husband were at church with my precious Grandaughter Mindy. I can't believe Mindy is about to graduate from High school already and is signed up for collage in the fall.

Dreary day

I feel like writing in wingdings today. Just because its such a stinkie sort of a day.
   That is exactly how I feel about the day we are having today. You know when you are expecting any sort of spring day and get a day like we are having it really really stinks. No other way to put it. Winds up to 35 to 40 miles per hour and it is dark and dreary and just as it was getting dark I saw snow flakes. Now that is a stinky day for a Saturday isn't it? I didn't even go out of the house except with the dogs and to put the containers back over my rosebushes and they kept blowing off. The dogs let me know by barking so I went out and put them back on again and again and got cut by a thorn. I have a terrible headache again too. I even had the house nice and clean so I could do whatever and I just tried all day to get rid of my headache.... Moral of the story is " Don't clean your house" LOL I did make a nice supper though in my new Nesco roaster and if I may say so it was tasty! I have a new movie to watch too if the head clears up a little more.... " Something"s Gotta Give" with Jack nickolson and diane keeton...I mixed it up with "As Good As It Gets" I saw that one awhile back and now his new one just came out at the store and I think it will be even better.... I hope anyway.  I think it will be good but will let you know. I hope your day was great. Now I have one coming, don't i?

Crocus

We were so surprised to see these crocus coming up in the lawn where our tree used to be. I had planted crocus all around the tree but after they ground the roots and Leo added dirt and dug out all the roots etc up came the crocus. We are going to leave them in the grass and Leo will cut around them until the leaves turn brown. ( supposed to help the bulbs multiply etc)       They are so fun and can't believe there were bulbs still in there. Probably when Leo put some of the dirt aside to get at the extra roots and then was lucky enough to have some in the right place to flower this year. Thre are purple, white and yellow.