Cleaning Day

Today, I'm sorry to say, I woke feeling a little discouraged. I had stayed up last night, into the wee hours of the morning, and as a result, I slept until almost noon. Since I'm a housewife, I don't guess it really hurt anything, but I was disappointed. I had my days and nights mixed up throughout the whole winter season, but lately, with the coming of spring, and my love for gardening, I'd finally begun to straighten them out. Dave and I were getting to spend his lunch hours together again the way we used to, and I was getting more done around the house. I just have been feeling so much better, that I don't want to go back to sleeping my days away.

After Dave left to go back to work, I sat and brooded for a while, but that was getting me nowhere. I decided it was time to get myself up and do something. I put some music on and begun cleaning my house. I vacuumed the carpets then moved onto the chairs and couch, which were covered with cat hair. I dusted, then moved into the kitchen, where I swept the floors, cleaned off the counters and stove, and emptied the dishwasher. I had just put in a load of laundry, when I looked up, and realized how pretty and clean everything looked. My spirits were automatically lifted, because nothing feels better than a job well done. This has been a good day after all.

Now, off to sweep the screened in porch, while I'm still in the mood to clean....

Easter

But the Angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He is risen as he said..." Matthew 28:5-6

Happy Easter!!

Remembering Mom And Dad

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. Proverb 31:10

My mother, I believe with all my heart, is the epitomy of the virtuous wife in Proverbs 10. She raised us with strong Christian values, and we never lacked for love. She loved to quilt, sew, and tend her home, where EVERYONE was welcome. She was always ready to bless others with a song, a prayer or an encouraging word when they most needed it. She always knew what to say to me when I was down, and I will forever be grateful to God for her, and all the memories in my heart.

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudging or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 corinthians 9:7
My Dad was an iron worker by trade. He loved to read, garden, and build things, but one of his favorite things to do was give. He grew vegetables, and shopped for groceries in large quantities, just so we would have plenty to share. Over the years, I've grown to appreciate this trait in him. He is most definately a cheerful giver. I'll never forget what my parents passed on to me and my brothers and sisters, and I thank God that one day we'll all be together again.

Mom (October 28, 1932-April 9, 2004)
Dad (September 27, 1927-April 27, 2009)

Friday Evening Fun

When I posted earlier today, I was feeling disappointed at not getting to garden, but this turned out to be a fun day after all. When Dave got home, we went over to the radio station. My sister had an old cassette that our mother sang on, and she had asked him to put it on a CD. When that was finished, neither one of us was particularly ready to get home, so we decided to do a littls shopping.
We went over to Tuesday Morning, where I found some new garden gloves, and a kneeling mat in the shape of a leaf. It's really cute, and the gloves are so lightweight, I hardly know I have them on.
I also found some hand dyed, sportweight sock yarn. I'm really excited about this buy, because this particular yarn is supposed to cost $15 per hank, but we only paid $7.49. I love getting great sales on good products. :)

Next, we went over to Sears, to look at this refrigerator we've been eyeballing, to see if the stimulus for appliances would apply. They weren't sure, but gave Dave all the information he needs to find out. While he was talking to the sales rep, I found an MP3 player on sale for $14.99. It's not a particularly fancy one, but it holds 2 GB, which is plenty of space for me. I had been using my CD walkman to listen to music while I do yard work. This is lighter, and I think it will be much easier for me, as I wont have to carry it around the yard. Dave has already put some of my Monkees music on it, and I'm very excited about it. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and beautiful.

Camelea Blooms

I had such great plans for today. My sister is here for a visit, and we, along with our other two sisters, had planned to have an early lunch together before she headed home to Irving. Afterward, I had planned to work in my yard. I had purchased a spectacular hosta from a local nursery, which I wanted to pot up, and I was also looking forward to setting the landscaping bricks on the last area of our side garden.
I had a great visit with my sisters, and lunch was delicious, but my plans for gardening were changed, when I heard the prediction for storms all day. My husband and I were sitting on the screened porch during his lunch break, and I was feeling a little sorry for myself, when he glance out and noticed that our camelea had bloomed. I'm so happy about this, because this is one of the plants from the front planting bed we dismantled earlier. The other camelea didn't make it, and this one looked sickly to me. I just knew it was going to die, too, but this bloom, today, shows me that there is still hope for this little plant.

Monroe, Indoor Cats, and....Diet Coke?

I just couldn't leave today without sharing this picture. this is Monroe, one of our tame ferals. He sat at the screen door almost the whole time I took pictures. That is Abby looking out at him from the inside, and if you'll notice, sitting on top of the Kitty Condo, is Morty. Also, in the right corner of the top step, is my ever present can of Diet Coke. I've given them up more than once, only to go back to them. I think, deep down, I don't really want to give them up. That's the only explanation I have, because if I really wanted to, there's no reason I shouldn't be able to. I just love them so much, so I guess it's time to stop making excuses, and just say, "I, Jennifer, am a Diet Coke Drinker." Right? Anyway, to ease my guilt over not being able to control this habit, I donate the money from recycling cans to the church. So, see, something good comes out of everything.

New To My Garden

As I was walking around my yard today, I realized that I hadn't yet shown the new additions to my garden.
First, we have a closer shot of the primrose jasmine, previously mentioned. I just love the delicate look of the leaves, and can hardly wait to see the yellow flowers it is to produce. Then we have a basket of petunias. I hung this under the oak tree in the front yard for the hummingbirds. Normally, I put a feeder there for them, but I thought this would be prettier. Hopefully, when the oak leafs out, it wont be too shady for the flowers, but if that happens, I can just move it and return the hummingbird feeder. That's the beauty of a potted garden. :) Yes, people, it's a Topsy Turvy. I know it's silly, but ever since I saw the ads for this thing, I've been wanting to try growing tomatoes in this manner. Normally, I pot them in those big buckets cat litter comes in, with a tomato cage. Effective, but not very pretty. If this works, it will officially be my new way to grow tomatoes. Notice the wind chimes? I included them in the picture, because they hold a special memory for me. When Dave and I were engaged, I went with him on many of his radio remotes. One of those locations was a local business, that sold spas and spa accessories. Now, normally, I'm not a fan of wind chimes, but the ones they sold at this place made such a gentle, soothing sound, much more pleasant than any other I've heard. I bought this set, which was the first decorative item I added to this house. Now, everytime I hear them, I can't help but smile. Next, we have my new rosebush. I know, I know! I already have plenty of roses, but I just love them, and this one was just full of buds, ready to bloom...and now that it has, I'm even more glad I bought it. I took several photos, trying to capture the true color of the rose, which leans more toward purple than the pink portrayed in the picture.
This is a closeup of our two new shepards hooks, added this year. I love the deep purple color of the petunias. They, along with the addition of a hummingbird feeder, are sure to provide lots of entertainment, right from our window. Lemon Zest petunias, are one of my favorite new annuals. This pot is hanging right outside our screened in porch, along with another hummingbird feeder. I can just picture myself, sitting on my backporch, with a Diet Coke, and my knitting, enjoying the peace and quiet, as I watch birds. Ah, heaven.
Dave and I had gone to Dallas to visit my Brother-In-Law at Medical City. On our way out, we decided to stop by Calloways and look for shrubs. Well, we couldn't decide on a shrub that day, but I did manage to snag this bird's nest fern.

I hope you enjoyed this little introduction to my new plants. I'm sure this will not be the last of my garden pictures for this year. :)