MOWING?!?!?!?!?!

Yes, I mowed my yard for the very first time this year on Sunday afternoon.  I usually try not to mow on Sunday, but it was going to rain that afternoon and throughout this week.  I just couldn't wait any longer.  We have a ton of clover in our yard and it was purple with blooms, very pretty.  I felt bad for my little dog though.  She really doesn't like getting wet when she goes out and with the grass high she was getting soaked.  I have a small yard and push mowed the yard as usual.  It was so nice to be able to get out and enjoy the day like that.  I do have to say that the front yard was still a bit wet.  I almost fell like four times.  I shouldn't complain, I was in my normal mowing uniform of flip-flops and shorts.  I know, not very safe.  I do wear pants and shoes if I am weed-eating.  

I am still working on planning out my flower garden for this year.  I hope to be able to get that knocked out later this week.  My mother and I are going to work on planning out the vegetable garden and actually get plants started in pods next week.  She works in education and is on break for this week and next week.  We are hoping that the weather will be nice and we will be able to enjoy the outdoors together the next couple of weeks.  

Glorious Rain

Honestly, I could do without the rain right now.  I am completely enjoying it though.  I am sitting in my living room in the recliner listening to the rain and thunder.  I LOVE days like this.  I have been up all night long and am hoping that this lovely melody does not lull me to sleep.  I know that rain is needed for the plants and the hardened Earth.  Maybe it won't stick around all day though.  Mowing the yard might make my 'To Do List' for next week.  Knowing that this weekly chore is just around the corner doesn't make me jump with joy.  Being outside is something that I do enjoy.  I look forward to tending to flowers and the garden, but sometimes I just really don't want to mow the yard.  Trimming the grass in the spring and fall usually aren't that bad though.  I make a point to mow just before dark in the hot summer weeks.  I am sure my neighbors really like the fact that I wait until an hour and a half before sunset to start mowing.  ***At least I don't mow before noon!*** Those people that do really tick me off!  No one wants to wake up to hear a lawn mower any day of the week!

Ah, the rain is already slowing.  The birds are beginning to chirp once again.  It must be time for me to make a cup of coffee and start my day by actually accomplishing some real work on this computer.  I wish you all a wonderful day and hope that you are able to find some way to see the joy and smile at the weather where you are today.

Making a Plan

It is time for me to really start planning out the flower beds for this spring and summer.  I know that I am going to actually draw out some plans and do some research on the plants before I just dive into it blind like I usually do.  It saves time in the long run for me to plan out for these things and stick to the plan, for the most part at least.  Symmetry is something that I really like to make sure to incorporate into most everything that I do.  I like to have things look appealing in that way to the eye.  There are many people and experts that know much more than I do that would like to approach things in a different way and lend a more creative approach.

Pictures will be set to come in the future.  I know that I have promised these before, but I am thinking of actually following through in the near future.  I challenge you to plan out your space and make a plan before starting your planting this year.  Don't forget that you can make a plan that spans over the season or one that will span over a few years.  Depending on your budget you might want to smart small and simple and then expand upon your plans over time.

Planning for Spring

Today after a night of storms and rain I noticed that some of the flowers in the beds on either side of my front door are starting to appear.  Luckily the day turned out to be very nice here this afternoon.  There were many places in the midwest that did have severe weather and my thoughts are with those people and families that were touched by the storms.  The notice of plants emerging has encouraged me to remind everyone to be looking for these things in their own beds around their homes.  It is a great time to move these new plants to other destinations and to even pot them and give them as gifts during the spring months.

The Gurney's catalog came in the mail a few weeks ago.  The arrival of this catalog is always a hint to look forward to spring planting.  My mother and I are planning on doing some vegetable gardening this summer.  Being able to can and put up vegetables for the fall and winter months to come is always a great way to be sure that you know what you are putting in your body.  I am looking forward to spending quality time with my mother over the summer and learning how to can a preserve food for the months to come.  

Alive and Well

I am proud to report that my house plants are alive and well.  Well, they both could use some TLC.  So far they are alive but need to have some dead leaves removed and a little more water added.  I did water and turn them both the other day a week after re-potting.  The water that was added was not sufficient enough to keep up with the plants.  I am going to baby them a little this evening.  I was afraid of over watering when I tended to them the other day.

For the most part if you water house plants once a week and turn them once a week or every other week you are pretty much good to go.  One thing that you must keep an eye on is the amount of light and what kind of light they are exposed to daily.  My plants require indirect low light.  Knowing that I have limited plant experience and historically bad luck with plants I decided to keep things as simple as possible to start with at least.

My house plants were purchased from a store and I do like them.  It is important to know that if you have a friend or family member that has an indoor plant, especially a vine, that you like you can usually just get a cutting from that plant and place it in water and sit it in a window to get it to take root.  Once you see healthy roots the plant can be placed in a pot with soil.  The plant should do fine from that point on.  Make sure to thin your plants and re-pot them when necessary to keep them from becoming root-bound.  Fertilizing is recommended every 2-4 months, depending on the specific plant.

Good luck with your indoor plants and start planning ahead for the upcoming spring weather and planting season.

House Plants

Thursday I purchased two small house plants.  The crazy winter weather has made me long for spring or winter, either one really.  We have had a very mild winter and it makes me long for either cold weather and snow or warmer sunny weather.  The strange mild winter has made me want to think about my garden for the upcoming year.   I know that I have made posts on here previously and my gardening hasn't really panned out like I had hoped.  This year I am hoping to change all of that.  I do enjoy spending time outside and intend to make time for that this year.  The house plants are a start to my gardening efforts this year.  My mother and I are planning on starting some flowers and vegetables from seeds this year.  The planting process won't begin until around March.  I will share more about that when the time comes.


Now is the time to be concentrating on my house plants.  I did have a cactus at one time in my bathroom.  It died.  This might have been because of the moisture, but I mean I couldn't even keep a cactus alive.  This should be an interesting next few months.  These house plants should be fairly easy to care for and I hope that I am not getting in over my head.  I invite you to follow along and contribute and helpful comments and curious questions.  Throughout the process I will share information that I find helpful regarding plants.  During these "winter" months that will involve house plants.  Happy planting to all.

It is Spring Time Again

It is finally Spring Time again. I didn't do such a great job on this blog last year and keeping it updated, but I will be attempting to do a much better job this year. A garden is always a nice way to start off a morning or end a day. This will also be a great place for me to take amazing photos with the camera that I received at Christmas. My husband is a wonderful man. He also gave me a bird feeder and stand for my birthday. Now the birds can enjoy the flowers and the food. The new camera will feel loved as well with all of the photos that I will be taking throughout the spring and summer in my garden. Let the weather become warmer once again and let the flower bloom.