Looking for new neighbors

Looking for a place to call home?  The house just across the little side street from us is for sale.

It's a 2 story house with a detached garage.  It's a wonderful neighborhood and we would love to have nice people move in.

Our beautiful yard

What a wonderful Friday and weekend!!  We worked in the yard -- Friday, Rick and I mowed the grass and tidyed up the  yard.  I went to Menard's (very pleased that they require you wear masks the WHOLE time you are on their property!).  I bought stepping stones for the garden area.  I placed those and like them a lot -- makes it easier to get to the electrical outlet and to do what needs done in that area.

I planted all the New Guinea Impatiens in their new homes for this year.  I transplanted a few hostas from the front of the house (they were doing a slow death there) to the new area by the stepping stones.   While planting, who did I find???  A dark-colored TOAD!  He took me by surprise, but I "guided" him to the myrtle while I did my planting.  I am making him a little "toad house" so he has a place to shelter.

I bought two boxwood shrubs and planted them in the front of the house.  I hope they can thrive there, not much grows well in that area, but I have felt for a long time that we needed a couple of shrubs.

I bought a new Oriole feeder -- you put grape jelly in it!  I have it hanging in the Japanese Koosa tree in the front yard.  We can see it from our deck.  I also hung a suet feeder and put 2 mandarin orange halves in it.  Hope it draws some colorful visitors to our yard.

I've put several photos of our yard:

Fun day

I went to Menard's today.  They won't allow you in the store without a mask.  They won't allow you to be on their property without a mask.  I was pleased about their efforts to keep their employees and customers safe.

I bought 5 patio stones to put into my garden.  I got them installed and I think they look good and they are very helpful when I need to get into the bed to weed or get to the electrical outlet.

I transplanted hostas along the fence on the north side of the house.  I pulled some weeds and it all looks pretty nice.  I still have to plant the New Guinea Impatiens in the pots in front of the house.  I bought new potting soil while at Menard's and will do that when the weather is nice again.  I believe we are supposed to have thunder storms tomorrow, so I might have to wait until Saturday.

Here is an in-progress photo of the New York Beauty that I've been working on.  I want to so another one just like this so that I can put them in the front window.

-H

Mother's Day, 2020

Ah...Mother's Day

I am waiting to FaceTime with my girls today, but have not done it as yet.  The sheltering in place and social distancing is getting harder on me.  I've been in a funk, but try not to let it get me too much.

Rick and I went to get the cars washed today.  Our new Zoom car wash establishment is offering FREE carwashes for moms!  We got both the cars washed and they really needed it!

We went to Plant & Thyme greenhouse and bought one more New Guinea Impatiens and 3 Coleus plants.  It's still too cold to plant them...maybe by Wednesday.

We were going to have turkey tenderloin and stuffing for dinner, but ribs sure sounded better!  We are having ribs and will have the turkey this week.

I had some bananas that are getting pretty brown, so I whipped up two banana breads.  I love banana bread.

That's all for now.

-H

Outdoor time - BEFORE the MAY 2020 Polar Vortex FREEZE

  

This year -- 2020 is truly a crap shoot!

So many unusual things that have come this year -- the leading calamity is COVID-19 and all the changes it has made in everyone's way of life.  But enough about that...

Yesterday was a beautiful day -- the calm before the coming MAY POLAR VORTEX -- it's supposed to get down in to the TWENTIES tonight!  I think I need to cover some of my plants, like my tender growth on the hydrangea bushes.

Anyway, yesterday was beautiful and since we mowed the lawn the day before with our new self-propelled mower (lots of getting used to that new slick machine!) I decided it was time to work on the hosta/iris bed behind the house.  I cleaned out the leaves, removed grass that grew where it wasn't wanted and then went to the gas station (believe that?) to buy mulch.  I bought mulch in bags that wasn't water logged, so it was quite easy to spread.  I put up my metal sculpture bird, too.  The photos below are from the bed with the fountain.  I got those GIANT footprint stepping stones at an estate sale last year and I just love them!!

This photo to the left is our fountain and the wind sculpture that Jennifer got me for Christmas in 2018.

Rick bought me Impatiens for the five pots in front of the house and I bought and planted a few pansies to put in a hanging pot near our door.

It's too early and cold to plant the Impatiens yet, I'll pamper them by putting them in the garage to shelter them from the freezing temps to come.

Jumble of thoughts, things and stuff

Okay, this is a jumble post!  I have been semi-busy, painting rocks, got to visit with one daughter and her family and even did a grocery pick-up/run today.

I have been shopping online and doing a pickup at Walmart.  I needed to run into Acme to pick up some buns and beans before making my trek to Walmart.  I have disinfected the groceries and put them away.

Here are photos of my in-process painted rocks.  The rocks have not been "sealed" as yet.
 
For some reason, the photos won't line up as I would like, but oh well!!

The rock to the right was gifted to Cris->

Over here on the right is me in my crazy face mask with my sweet Sophie.  Below is my Sophie, smiling.

The following photos are of my daughter Kelly's family, Rick, Sophie and Indiana (Indy).  We went to Mill Creek Park on Sunday and the dogs got to play and get to know each other.

Moodiness

I've been blue yesterday and today.

I'm cranky and just plain sad.  Not much fun to write much when you feel like this, so I just won't.

-H