Peaceful Easter day

It was a really nice day with the family all getting together and celebrating Easter together. I really enjoyed it. Since had already gotten everything  made and cooked and ready for today. All I had to do is pop the ham in the oven this morning, before I went to Mass and then put out all the food when I got back in time for everyone to be ready to eat. I love buffets. Much easier than a sit down dinner and I know the family like it better too.

The family all just hung out. Some watched television and others got a card game going. Some of the kids (they are still kids to me no matter how old they are) went for a walk and all in all, it was peaceful for a change.

The only thing that put sort of a damper on the day, was that it was windy and despite it being a bit over 60 degrees outside, the wind was strong and it was cold! At least it didn’t rain though and the sun was shining! I would have liked to do some gardening with the plants I was given for Easter, but it was too cold outside for me.

 

Finally Spring

It’s going to be a good day when I wake up. At 12:00 am it turned Spring. It seems like even though we had a mild winter, that Spring was teasing us when it got unseasonably nearly really, warm.

Today I did inventory of my yard. What I knew what would come up, and where. What I needed to move and transplant them in their new homes. It was good to get out and not be cold, as it was 82 degrees outside today.

Now comes Spring cleaning and making new spaces. Time for lots of home improvements and self improvements also. At least in my case.

Summer fix ups and recreation

Opening the pool is a big deal when May comes. Along with uncovering the flowers and plants around it, adding more flowers and bringing out the pool floaties, as we call them. I have to fix a part of the deck rail that a storm damaged in the winter, and then the cleaning of the pool begins. After the liner is clean and the water we keep in it during the winter is crystal clear, we of course add more water which is going to cost a mint…as well as ordering everything we need to maintain the pool will, as I ran out of a lot of items last fall since it was still warm enough the first part of October to swim. I’m so looking forward to doing these improvements and having pool parties for the kids and of course my husband and I relaxing in the evenings on the pool deck. I love the Summer.

So here I am, waiting impatiently for May to come. Not only to open the pool, but to start gardening and doing all the Summer recreations we do. It’s a tradition that the whole family does every year, even the kids that have moved away and have husbands and my grand kids come. After we are finished with the repair work, cleaning and getting the gardens ready, we have a big cook out. Everyone jumps in the pool at the same time before we eat, and all in all…it’s a wonderful time for me to sit and watch my whole family together enjoying our first get together of the Summer!

I let my youngest son cheat a little and jump in first when no one is looking. 😉

Some new flower boxes

My flower boxes are old and starting to look really shabby. I would really like to get some new ones. I love how the flowers are under the windows so they partially look like they are peeking into the house. I can also tell when they need water, or pruning and weeded. I don’t know where the weeds come from since I plant with clean dirt, but I guess they sort of blow in from all directions and of course the birds that come up to feed on the feeders hanging on the front porch have a lot to do with it. I’ve decided to get new boxes this Spring. I honestly don’t think the ones I have will last another summer. And even if they did, they wouldn’t look nice.

I’ve been “finger shopping” on the internet and think I may have found the window boxes that will look awesome under my windows. They are kind of pricey, but look and seem like they will last a good while. This is worth the price, since the ones that I have now, I sort of scrimped on and are already looking like they are ready to fall apart.

I’m going to also go with a window box under my kitchen window that I will grow only herbs in. I think that will be a nice touch for the kitchen, not to mention handy, since my screens slid up easily and I can then get fresh herbs when I need them.