A beautiful day to piddle around the house and yard.

I walked out my front door this morning and heard the chirp-chirp of little ones in the flower pot.  As much as I wanted to get a better look at the newly hatched baby Finches I left it alone.  Mom and Dad have been flying in and out for several weeks now and my coming and going has not seemed to bother them.  The Hoya in the pot has not been watered for weeks and still looks good so I'm leaving the new family alone. These little Finches are so loud as they sit in the tree most of the day, right by the front door.  It's a nice sound and I think I'll miss it once the family leaves the nest.

Today was a day full of different chores.  I clipped many of my herbs and set them to dry.  My kitchen window is the best place to hang them. Below is a good bunch of Oregano that fills the kitchen with it's wonderful sent.

The all ready dried bunch has been hanging for about two weeks and today I picked the tiny leaves from the stems and put them into one of the little plastic storage containers that line my herb shelf in the pantry. Growing my own Oregano is so much better than buying a jar of dried from the store.  The flavor is so much more intense and flavorful.  I have two very large plants that have been outside now for about three years and each year they seem to get bigger.

My Rosemary bushes are also thriving.  Compared to other plants in my neighborhood mine are so small.  Could be because I'm always clipping them to use in cooking.  My neighbors just grow them for hedges  and never use the herb.
A great way to use the large stems.. when you BBQ  put your veggies on the stems instead of using regular skewers.  You will not believe how the rosemary flavor gets into the food as it cooks.  Yes, if you eat meat use the stems the same way.  
Since my neighbors cut down a rather large Hickory tree this past week  I saw the sun in my kitchen window for the first time since living in this house... I was so excited and clipped rosemary and put into water to root.  It will take a few weeks but I have all the time in the world.  Will be nice to have a few new plants. 

As you can see my kitchen widow is a busy place.  Always full of my favorite things.  Basel rooting is another constant thing going on there. 

I noticed this past month my garden bench has seen better times.  With all the weather it's endured over the past 8 years it's starting to rot really bad.  The bench is way down by the creek and no one but the critters sit on it so I'm not afraid anyone will be hurt.  It's nice to look at from the back deck.  Decorative you might say.  

But I don't want to loose it or toss it in the trash (I got it out of someones trash years ago)   No surprise it's rotting, each rainy season the creek rises and the water comes up to the seat on this bench and it sits in the water for a few days.   But it always dries out and has served me well.  The ground below is just a modge podge of weeds, ferns and clover and always green and pretty. 

 Today I used some scrap wood and liquid nails and glued the boards to the legs with hopes of keeping it standing.  But first I used some craft paint and tried to match the color.   Might give this wonderful bench at least one more summer season to delight my garden?  I might just use some left over white spray paint and change the look?  It's not a very professional job but then no one looks at it way down there except me.

Today was a beautiful sunny day and a great day to piddle around the house and yard.  You know those days where you have no real plans and just see and do all the things you have not had time to get done.
Tomorrow is Saturday, that means yard sales.  I'm on the look out for some flower pots to put some really nice flowering bulbs my niece sent me for my birthday.  They will look good on the deck. 

Wish me luck.

Have a great weekend everyone. 

I'm linking this post to
 Sunny Simple Sunday 
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday 
Fertilizer Friday 

 

A little time out to be thankful for another birthday.....

There is nothing better than  Fedex  coming to my door with 'Two Dozen Tulips"

 Ten years ago I was told I had (maybe) one year, to live.  

My heart stopped working on the left side.

So for that year I walked around afraid of the next day... but I found a great Cardiologist that helped me by implanting in my chest a Pacemaker/ defibulator that gives me little zaps when needed.  Every few years my doctor gives me the newest model and my heart is still beating because of all the new technology.  I also have a heart monitor in my home that reads my pacer and sends information right to my dr's office and they call within minutes if they see something odd.  

Today my girl, Cyndi sent me a beautiful bouquet of  

"Tulips"

 because she knows they are my favorite flower and there is noting more I want or need in this life than the love of my family and friends, and of course 

"Tulips"

 I just love the spring because it brings new life and "Tulips" not to mention another year for me to be here with my family and all the wonderful friends I have both in life and here in blogland. 

With all the horrors going on this past week here in America I am trying so hard to deal with it all and  keep telling myself that life is good and 95% of humans are also good.

I am so grateful to be here and enjoying life. 

"I love you all"

Happy 17th Birthday to my Turkish Van, "Rikki"...

17 years ago I took my daughter to the pound in Ft Lauderdale to pick out her birthday gift.  This little "Turkish Van" was the first kitty to walk forward in a crowded cage.  She was sickly with ear mites and so timid and shy.  "Rikki Ticki Tavi"was the name the pound gave her so we kept it.  She looks like a "Rikki" we all said.

Over the 17 years I've made so many moves to different cities and Rikki made the moves with us. Then  when my daughter finished high school, married and moved away with her CG husband Rikki went to live with my other daughter.   Well the other daughters job took her on the road so Rikki came to live with me and has been here for the past 8 years.

My sweet little girl Rikki has brought so much joy to our family and I wanted to wish her a very  

"Happy Birthday"

There will never be another pet like you!

I'm linking this V post to Jenny's Alphabet Thursday

Once again America has been touched with pain and suffering......

The Hummers and the Dinos were out on this beautiful day....

Ok my photos are not great, it was dark on the deck this morning.  The sun not quite out and this crazy woman sat in the chair just waiting!  Then it happened, the  Humming Bird came for the goodies.

I saw him/her yesterday and of course I did not have the camera so today I waited (for what seemed like a long time).  Then he came!  

As exciting as it may not be to all of you, it was to me!

 I know the photos are blurry but it's the best editing I could do.  I'll be out there later this afternoon when he comes back and this time I'll be ready!

 While I was out there I noticed the Dinos were making babies. 

 Yep, it's spring around my house.

I needed a mouse pad, so I made one from fabric and the trees come tumbling down.

 It may not seem to be an important item but I've been looking for a mouse pad and they all are so big and square.  I only have a small space on my little desk for my mouse.  I know, I have a lap top but the mouse makes it so much easier to get from one site to another.   

Since I've been  using my mouse on the desk top and the paint is now starting to show little scratches and scrapes not to mention I may be killing the mouse?

So I went to my fabric scrap box and simply cut out two pieces along with some very thin batting.  Stitched them together and done!  As you can see I made it reversible with two different flower patterns.

It works great!

The best part it's small and fits my space.

 While I was sewing this morning the Chain Saws began.

 Today has been a beautiful sunny day and it seems all the neighbors came out to watch the trees coming down in my neighbors back yard.  The chain saws (three at once) have been bzzzing since 7am yesterday morning and there is no getting away from the noise, no window or door closed helps.  

 We  who live on "Alligator Creek" have very old Hickory trees.  They must be 5 stories tall and most are dead or dying.  Some have fallen over the years and by some stroke of luck the high winds each season brings them down across the creek and not on someones house.  The three being removed this past two days are huge and so dead and will surly fall on our houses if a 50 mph wind comes in from the north.  That is how the tropical storms and hurricanes blow.

My neighbors admiring the mess they have to clean up. Their poor yard has been destroyed with all that fell from these monster trees.

What you are seeing is only from one of these trees.

These stumps must weight around 400 lbs each and are huge!

 My two trees are the next to go.    

Look how tall they are and one is leaning on my deck and soon will start cracking it.  My bedroom is in the target if they fall.

Only one problem... I just finished planting all my spring and summer flowers so the Mr and I decided to wait till the fall to take ours down!

 

Although having such trees covering our deck and house helps with the hot summer sun the entire deck is totally covered in shade due to the house in a N-S direction.  I need E-W to get sun there.  I'm hoping once the trees are taken down I'll get more sun for my potted herbs? The a/c will take care of the heat.  Now a new thought is in our minds.. enclosing our deck and making a nice sun room.  Right now with the trees there, it can not be done due to how they lean over.

That remains to be seen?

Gota go, the chain saw guys are back from lunch and it's about to get LOUD!

I'm linking this post to

 Show and Tell Saturday 

 

The Blue Waters of Tampa Bay

 Photo courtesy Tom Pauser

 "Now this is blue"

 

  "The Great White Egret" sitting on the rail of "The Pier" looking into the Tampa Bay

St. Petersburg, Florida

 My son came for a surprise visit on this day and we took a drive down to St. Pete and walked out on"The Pier"
Surprisingly enough this Pier is slated to be demolished in 2014. Yes a new one will go in it's place but this one is a landmark and will be missed.  There are shops and a food court along with an aquarium on the top floor.  A wonderful spot to sit and enjoy the weather.

We found the Egret  just sitting there posing by the blue waters.

Beautiful! 

I'm linking up to

Anything Blue Friday 
Outdoor Wednesday 

Day three of the back yard transformation and my grandson's wrapped tight to his mom.

 My girl sent me a photo today of her new baby, just 3 weeks old.   She is using the baby wrap I made for her and she loves it.  Gina is the kind of mom that holds her new born all day long.  She is a busy mom and homeschools her kids.  As most of you know this is baby boy #4 for her and she did this with all her children.  I love how she wraps her baby's and keeps them close to her body for the first two months.  She lets them tell her when they want to venture out.
 I remember the day about 3 months ago when Gina sent me a photo of a wrap she found on the net.  "Mom, they want $80.00 for it"... "Will you make me one"?  Sure I said and after looking at the photo I bought 6 yards of a light jersey fabric and made her two.  (I paid all of $24.00 for it)   I remember when I finished making it I thought the length was much too long but after wrapping it on myself it was perfect.  It's made  to wrap a small baby in so many different ways.  It's very light and airy.  She loves it and that is all that matters to me.

 Let me share a little trick.

 When I first wake up in the morning I usually turn on my music while I read my e's and get the coffee made.   My iPod is in my phone where I have all my music stored.  I put the iPhone  in a glass... amazing how it amplifies the music.  It's like having a great speaker attached.   I also do this when using my phone on speaker which I do while cooking or other household chores.  It makes the callers voice so much clearer.

  Amazing!

Then after breakfast on to day three of my back yard transformation.
I have been working on the perimeter and wanted to get as much done as I could today. Our weather is going to change after 5 days of beautiful sunshine and 70 degree temps.  They say "big storms coming for the next two days"....   My thoughts on this,  Good  I need to stay indoors and clean my house before next week.  I'm going in the hospital for a bit of  female repair work.  It's just something I've been putting off  but needs doing.  I'll be laid up about a week after an over night stay.  So I got busy on the yard.  I moved the bromeliads from down by the creek nearer the deck.  They don't need any work at all and will fill in an awkward spot that gets no water or sun.  I love it when they bloom.

  Then I put in Azalea bushes along the deck.  I've been wanting to do this for several years now.  I think I missed the blooming season for these new bushes but next spring it should look wonderful.  The mulch is sitting in bags just waiting for me to finish putting it down.  Of the 25 bags I bought this week I have 4 left, hope it's going to be enough?

Depending on when the rain begins I might get a few more hours in the yard tomorrow?  Then all I need to do is add a few more flowering plants in a few weeks, and it's finished for the year.

  Yes!

I'll be joining

Wow Us Wednesday 
Down Home Blog Hop 
 We did it Wednesday
Share your Cup 
Alphabet Thursday 
Under $100.00 link party 
Be Inspired 
Thrifty Things Friday 
Tickled Pink 
Power of Pinterest Link Party 
What To Do Weekends 
Sunny Simple Sundays 

It's April and that means it's really Spring.....

 I'm so happy to welcome "April".  That means the end of winter and warmer weather is upon us once again.  I'm really not looking forward to the above 90 days but you will all have to agree, this has been one cold winter.

 You think I would have learned something from last week when I damaged my back after lifting  20 bags of Red Mulch from the car to the back yard.  I got them from the HD (they were on sale for $1.00, how could I not?)  Well this morning I saw Lowe's flyer and they had them on sale for .99c and off I went to get more.. 
My back had 4 days rest and feels great and I didn't  do any heavy lifting or bending today, because the mulch stayed in my car till the Mr. got home.   

 The mulch was such a bargain how could I not get more!

  I did spread 5 bags in one of the planting beds. 

That was enough for today.

 While I was out sitting on the deck enjoying a good cup of coffee,  in this wonderful weather,  I noticed how the topiary plant was starting to take over the Hickory tree.  This is a teeny leaf variety of the Buxus microphylla japonica family – Japanese Boxwood plant.  I planted two 6" plants at the base of this large tree  and they have really started to take off.  My plan was to totally encase the tree and my deck staircase.

 It's doing it's job but sure takes a long time.  I read where the topiaries at Disney, you know all the cute animals they have, well they can take up to 10 years to totally cover the frames before they are put on display in their gardens.

 Mine is now going on 6 years.

The Hickory tree is about 3 stories tall and the vine has really climbed up there.  Since I have no control it's just doing what it wants.  It's just not wrapping around the large trunk as planned, but it sure looks good.

The sun has helped sprout my  herb seeds.  I use a lot in cooking and try to maintain them all winter. I normally put them outside by day but this past week I have been letting them stay outside all night.

Wishing everyone clear skies and sunny days with warm temps because we deserve it!

"Happy April" 

I'm linking up to
Metamorphosis Monday 
Make it Pretty Monday 
Outdoor Wednesday