A Sunny Day, A Wet Yard

So after all the rain we've been having today was a nice sunny day.  I took LK and LT outside to enjoy the sunshine.  LK noticed that the lilacs are in bloom and went over to investigate.  I love the smell of lilacs.  Aren't they pretty?

There is a lot of standing water around after the rain.  Luckily LK didn't head straight for it as he is prone to do.

Instead he headed up to the train tracks to collect some rocks.



He brought this one to show me and he wanted me to take a picture of it.

Then he headed back up to tracks to gather more rocks.

But he stopped in the long grass and called me over to check out a lady bug.  Can you spot it?

Then we went to check out the garden.  It was very wet and there was water running through it.

I have a feeling it will be a few days before I can get in there and do some work.  But we will continue to enjoy the sun.

FOR TODAY

Outside my window . . . It is cloudy, cool, and raining.  It has been raining all weekend and it it very wet out there.

I am thinking . . . that it is going to be muddy outside for a while.

I am thankful . . . for this rain that will help the grass and crops grow (but I am also looking forward to a little sunshine).

In the kitchen . . . I am making potato rolls.  I plan to add some pizza sauce, pepperoni and cheese to them to make into a sort of pizza bun for lunches.  We will see how they turn out.

I am creating . . . currently crocheting a baby cardigan for LT and I picked up a shawl that was hibernating for a few years and am working a little bit on that.

I am wearing . . . jeans, a black tank top, and a blue fleece sweater.

I am going . . . to Star's band concert tonight.  It is the last band event of the year.

I am wondering . . . how much rain we got over the weekend.

I am reading . . . Cloudy Jewel by Grace Livingston Hill.

I am hoping . . . the sun comes out soon.

I am looking forward to . . . getting out in the garden when the weather turns nice.

Around the house . . . laundry is overflowing.  I try to do laundry on nice days so that I can hang it outside to dry.  However, I am going to have to break down and use the dryer or risk getting buried by laundry. 

A favorite quote for today . . . "It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters."  Blessed Mother Teresa

One of my favorite things . . . tickling my little boy and listening to his giggles.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Not too much going on.  Star has her band concert tonight and she has a field trip with school to the city on Wednesday.  This coming weekend we are planning to brand the calves.

A few pictures I am sharing: Memories of warmer days! (These were taken on May 16 when it was considerably warmer than it is now)

Yarn Along: Beach Bag, Jar Cozy, Mystery Afghan

It has been a while since I did a blog post but I decided to hop on the computer today and join in Ginny's yarn along.  Since it has been a little while I have a few things to share.

First up I made this simple jar cozy for a canning jar I am using as a water bottle.  I know that I haven't been drinking enough water lately so hopefully having this colourful drinking container will encourage me to drink water throughout the day.

Next up is this market bag (that I am planning on using as a beach bag) that I first shared with you all here.  It turned out nice and I think it will come in handy.  It is quite large and it will stretch to hold quite a bit.  I didn't make the pouch as I didn't need it in this case but I am thinking of making some more of these to actually use as market bags and I will make them with the pouch. 

And lastly I have finally finished my Bernat Mystery Afghan.  It came together quite nicely.  And whilel I was dreading seaming it all together it really wasn't all that bad.  It took a little while (and of course it was less portable at that stage) but I eventually got it done.

LT seems quite happy with her new blanket.

Oh, and I almost forgot to share what I have been reading this week.  I purchased some books for the girls for end of the school year presents and of course mom's got to read them first to see if they're okay;)  So at night (in hiding) I have been reading The Betsy-Tacy Treasury by Maud Hart Lovelace.  They are lovely stories and I hope my girls enjoy them as much as I do.

Also after seeing them mentioned on Elizabeth's blog I downloaded some books by Grace Livingston Hill onto my Kobo from Project: Gutenberg (This is a great site where you can get free ebooks of books that are in the public domain).  You can also find these books on Amazon for the Kindle.  I am currently reading Girl From Montana and finding it to be an enjoyable read.

 

Daybook - May15, 2012

FOR TODAY

Outside my window . . . it is a beautiful spring day.  The sun is shining and everything is nice and green outside. 

I am thinking . . . that I shouldn't try to have too large of a garden this year.  It is difficult to get out there and get anything done with two little ones.    LK constantly wanders off on me as he loves to explore.  Many a time I have searched the yard for him, praying for his safety, and berating myself for letting him get out of my sight again.  And LT, well she  just wants my attention focused on her not on the weeds.

I am thankful . . . for the health and safety of my kids and husband. ( and that everytime I lose LK I soon find him again safe and sound)

In the kitchen . . . making bread today. I still have to put a menu together for the rest of the week.  I haven't been cooking that much (or that well) for the last little while.  Time to put a plan in place so I can have some healthy and tasty meals to serve. (Kraft Dinner gets old pretty fast although I will admit the kids don't seem to mind)

I am creating . . . just doing a little crocheting here and there when I have a moment to spare.

I am wearing . . . navy sweatpants and a light blue t-shirt.

I am going . . . nowhere for the next couple of days.  There is plenty to keep me busy at home.

I am wondering . . . why LK went and laid down for a nap all on his own today.  Has the fresh air just really tired him out or is he coming down with something?

I am reading . . . oh we have all sorts of books about the Little House on the Prairies series out of the library right now.  Most recently I have been flipping through The Little House Cookbook by Barbara Walker.

I am hoping . . . to get up early tomorrow morning and do a little planting in the garden.

I am looking forward to . . . more warm sunny days spent relaxing outside with my kiddos.

Around the house . . . lot's of cleaning needs to be done per usual but the outdoors beckons.  I do need to clean the porch this week and pack up the winter stuff.  We shouldn't need it again for a few months (I hope).

A favorite quote for today . . . Mother Teresa, upon winning the Nobel Peace Prize, was asked "What can we do to promote world peace?" She answered "Go home and love your family."

One of my favorite things . . . big, light up your face smiles, from a certain adorable, chubby 7 month old.

A few plans for the rest of the week: just the usual cooking, cleaning, laundy, gardening and spending as much time as I can playing outside with the kiddos.

A peek into my day . . .

Yarn Along & New Chicks

First of all I would like to say THANK YOU to all who stopped by my last yarn along post and helped me choose the layout for my Bernat Mystery Afghan CAL.  Layout #2 got the most votes and that is the layout I went with but I switched some of the colours around.  I am slowly working on seaming it together. 

In the mean time I did start work on a string bag.  I am making this to store our beach and sand toys in for trips to the beach this summer.  (I am being optimistic and hoping we actually get to the beach a few times this summer).  I haven't been reading many books lately (mostly just reading blog posts) but I am still reading bit and pieces from Kid Cooperation by Elizabeth Pantley.  She has a number of parenting books and I have enjoyed the ones I have read by her.

In other news look what came in the mail today!

Yes, our chicks arrived.

LK was very excited to see them.  All day today he kept asking to go check on the chicks.

Getting their first drink of water after their trip through the mail.

LT was quite fascinated with them as well.  They sure are cute for the first few days.

 

Garden Journal

 Over at Small Things Ginny has started a garden link-up and I thought I would join in (late as usual).  I definitely need some motivation and accountability to keep up with all the garden work I have waiting for me.  There is not much happening in the garden yet here in Saskatchewan but there is still a lot to do to get ready for the garden season.

 

My rhubarb is growing well though and will soon be ready to eat.  (Yes, Jax decided he needed to be in the picture too!)

Here I have some chives growing nicely.  Every year my mom gives me some chive plants and I usually manage to kill them (or hubby cultivates them) before the year is out.  Finally, this year they survived and came back on their own.  Yeah!

These are some tomato seedlings in my kitchen window that I started on Apr. 16, 2012.  They came up on Apr. 23, 2012 and are doing well.

Yesterday was nice and I did some planting with the girls.  Star wanted to grow some flowers so we planted some marigolds. I also started some parsley, dill, and basil.

Sky planted some marigolds as well and then she was kind enough to push LT in the stroller to keep her happy as we finished up.

 These little yellow flowers seem to pop up all over the yard with no help from me ;).

LK is very happy to pick them and lovingly offers them to me. 

What a sweet gift given with a big smile!

How does your garden grow?