D-IN-LOVE'S #28

Got an early,like 6 am, wake-up call, a dog with a very forlorn sounding continuous yelp. Hubbie looks at me and says ,you better go see if one of your dogs is caught in something in their lot. I got up and opened the back door to still dusky dark ,but I could see both Annie and Sadie and they were fine. The sound was coming from somewhere out through the pasture.I looked on the front porch for old man Willie and he wasn't there.
I got back in bed and told hubbie I couldn't tell where it was coming from exactly,but Willie wasn't on the porch in his regular spot. It was his turn to get up and he found Willie out in the middle of the pasture, down in his hind legs,not able to walk. He carried him back to the front porch and put him to bed. We can't figure why he went out into the pasture or how he even got through the fence. He is better tonight after some canine aspirin, I think the dampness made his arthritis flare up.
Another slow day at market, daughter's little sister showed up while her mother was furniture shopping. We found out after their recent move into a new apartment they do not have any furniture. Kate has been sleeping on a stack of blankets on the floor and her mother on a wicker couch. I had the mattress that I had recently taken off g-son's bed and daughter made a call to the church yard sale to see if they had any furniture left. They had a double bed,a desk and chair and small book shelf they would gladly donate.
I stopped at Aldi and Walmart on my way home ,it started pouring rain during these stops. It has been dreary all day and I was hoping to get home ahead of the hard rain,but didn't make it.
Hubbie was installing the new dishwasher when I got home.
I sat all my potted plants out in the rain to get a drink of good rainwater.
Daughter is pet sitting this weekend,and had to go take a test for her part time job today.
The church dropped the left over furniture off on #2 son's porch.
When daughter and Kate got here we loaded up everything in the van and daughter's jeep,stopped by the in-laws old house to pick up a twin bed frame and a couple more shelves and headed on over to their new apartment to unload.
I was surprised to see only a couple pieces of furniture in the whole place,all their belongings still in boxes,because they didn't have anywhere to put it to unpack.
The mother had spent the afternoon going from thrift shop to thrift shop to get some furniture and didn't find any help at all,excuse me but I thought that was part of these places purpose,I guess I was wrong.
As we were finishing up I got a call from d-in-love,they were going to El Paso for supper and wanted us to join them. I've never eaten there so it'll be a new treat.
The food was really good and the prices were great,g-son behaved and all was well!!
We got home with just enough daylight to do our chores.The rain has continued all evening,there is almost an inch in my new rain gauge tonight with more on the way.
HAPPY,HAPPY,HAPPY,HAPPY BIRTHDAY D-IN-LOVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank God for all His wonderful blessings.
Good Night and God Bless.

THE PRESIDENT PAYS A VISIT

This morning was beautiful,sunny and warm with a clear sky so far.

The rain so far according to the weatherman has slowed a bit but is still on it's way,I hope so. This is my most favorite azalea,it is planted at the corner of the front porch and as you can see has grown almost to the roof. When it is in full bloom it looks like a giant purple cloud. The blooms are the bigger ones with a blush on the inside,very pretty.

There is a small white azalea growing right beside it,with the same type of bloom.I'm trying to pet this one a little and get it to begin to do as good as the purple one. My tractor tire bed of spearmint made it through the cold winter and is really showing itself this spring,and smells absolutely yummy! Speaking of yummy I baked cakes all morning and finished just in time for lunch.

After a BLT for lunch I spent the entire afternoon outside planting the herbs I bought last week and planting my new blackberry bed. I ordered 12 Triple Crown plants from a nursery in Georgia and finally got them Wednesday. I wanted to get them in the ground before the rain. I tasted these berries last summer from a friend and they were so sweet and good. The ones I have now are nice big berries,but are sour to taste,they make nice blackberry jam and bread though. These new ones won't bare this year, but should next season if all goes well.
This is a pic of the new dog lot roof that hubbie designed and we put up yesterday. It looks so much better than the tarp that covered them all fall and winter. Sadie and Annie have a house of their own inside the lot.They are always put up at night and they seem not to mind at all. At least I know where my dogs are when things go bump in the night!!
Hubbie and I went over to the elementary school where daughter works for a fundraiser hotdog supper tonight.The PTO got all the food donated and got all kinds of things donated to fill gift baskets that they sold tickets on for $1. I like this way of raising money,it is much better than selling all that overpriced crap my kids used to have to sell when they were in school.The food was good and we saw a lot of neighbors there.
After we ate we went to finish cleaning church,hubbie doesn't feel well,he thinks he probably has what g-son had,maybe his will be all better in the morning!!!
Back at home I iced cakes early and did 2 dishwasher loads so we can unhook the old dishwasher and have it ready for pick-up when they bring the new one tomorrow.
Well watching the news tonight I was reminded that the President is in the next town. I guess this is a historic event,but to stand out in this heat all day with your babies hoping to just get a glimpse of the man, no, you won't find me there,you wouldn't find me there even if it was a president I liked!
Here is some pics I got off the local TV website,this is as close as I need to be,uhumm!!The Mrs. does not look happy to be here!!!!Sure glad I wasn't on the interstate trying to get past Asheville today,they closed it down for the motorcade.My favorite picture!
I have a dishwasher sitting out in my back yard tonight,does that mean I'm a redneck??!!
I'm so glad that God is in charge!!!
Good Night and God Bless.

NEW FISH, SUNNING TURTLES

Market day went slowly again today. I picked up my Avon order on the way there and bagged my orders, read the newspaper and sorted my coupons,does that say what kind of day it was!
Although the large sewing order I have worked on all week was picked up so I had a pretty good day thanks to that.
Ran errands after market,went by Lowes and bought a new dishwasher. We have needed one for awhile but were waiting on this government cash for clunker appliances deal. They will deliver the new and pick up the old sometime Saturday.
I also restocked my fish tanks,hopefully these will live at least as long as the previous ones did. I got 2 Betas, 2 fantail calico goldfish and 1 black moor,they all are active and act like they are enjoying their new homes.
Hubbie and I finished the top over the dog lot, we made it out of metal roofing scrap pieces left over from our house roof.
We watched Survivor and went to clean church.
These turtles seem to be sparing for position on this log in the pond. I'm sure after the long cold winter the warm sunshine is a welcome relief for these little guys.
By listening to the weathermen tonight I don't think we will be enjoying much sunshine for several days now as a big front approaches from the west bringing much needed rain. I just hope it doesn't all come at once!!
I am very tired tonight, a slow day at market makes me tireder than working all day.
God is good all the time.
Good Night and God Bless.

FROGS, SNAILS AND PUPPY DOG TAILS

After my Yoga exercise this morning the busy day didn't seem so bad. Sometimes it amazes me how energized yoga makes me.
While waiting on g-son I started icing caramel cakes,he came right as the icing started to boil and his mom had to stay until it was finished because once it starts to boil it has to be stirred continuously or it will stick and burn.
For breakfast g-son had a toaster pastry covered in caramel icing,his favorite! He is feeling much better today and is hardly coughing, he brought his little jar of honey just in case the cough came back!
After lunch he wanted to play outside,so we played hide and seek until he got tired and came in for a snack and a rest.
He played in his room and watched Spongebob while I sewed some on my order. 4 baby bonnets,4 medium bonnets,these are for a 3 year old and g-son was not happy when I made him try 1 on to make sure it would fit a 3 year old! I also made 4 of these little aprons with toy kitchen utensils in them. I rarely have these aprons because the little toy utensils are very hard to find. Whew!, this has been a job,but I got them done later this evening when daughter came in and played with g-son.
After we all ate supper we moved our dog lot to it's new location and now we just need to put a cover on it and the back yard will be finished,yaaaa!!!!
Daughter did her baking while I payed bills and did paperwork tonight. I iced my chocolate cakes and wrapped and labeled everything.
All I can say about this picture is.......
FROGS , SNAILS, AND PUPPY DOG TAILS
THAT'S WHAT LITTLE BOYS ARE MADE OF!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Look at that face full of wonderment,oh and Strawberry jam!!!!!!
Thanking God tonight for all the blessings he keeps heaping on me,I am so grateful!!
Good Night and God Bless.

VIOLET DREAMS

Took Dolly to the groomer this morning. She hates these days,I have been grooming her all winter just to keep her from getting so upset,but she needs to have a professional job periodically.When she looks up at me shivering with those big ole eyes,it's all I can do to leave her.
When I got back #1 son brought g-son over and left him,he does not feel good today and has a really bad cough.
I did laundry and some housecleaning around him while he layed in the recliner watching cartoons. Other grandma is out of town today so that's why he's here on Tuesday.
D-in-love came after him early and they went home to rest.
I moved my fish aquarium since all my fish died and I'm starting over,I was going to get some new fish today at a pet shop in town. When I got there, algae was growing in all the tanks and the Beta fish bowls had nasty looking skims on the water so I didn't buy any fish there.
I stopped by Ace Hardware and picked up a rain gauge,then picked up a beautiful Dolly. As much as she hates going I think she knows she looks nice when she comes homes as she prances around. I'll admit she sure doesn't look like this when I groom her!
I did some more sewing tonight,I finished 3 more baby bonnets and 2 medium bonnets and then baked cakes.
Today has been dreary,but with little rain, the dust is just barely sprinkled on here and now the cars are spotted and all the dust shows up on them.
The temperature has been a cool 60 degrees with plenty dark clouds.
Violets , you know those pretty little purple flowers that you step on when you take a walk through the woods or pasture. They are an interesting ,fragrant ,edible herb! No surprise they are members of the pansy family,look at that face! Have you ever smelled a violet,they are very fragrant. The leaves are so tasty they are eaten alone and in green salads.
You can steep leaves and flowers in water until it becomes fragrant,pour into ice cube trays ,freeze and use for fragrant ice cubes that give tea a wonderful new flavor.
They also have medicinal value,they have expectorant qualities and have an asprin-like substance in them.
One man claimed eating violet leaves cured his colon cancer, but he ate a 1600 sq.ft. bed of the leaves,wow, thats a lot of leaves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And of course there is magic in them thar flowers!!!!!
A strong love potion can be made by mixing violet flowers and lavender.
Carrying violet flowers will bring good luck.
A dream about violets means your life is about to change for the better!
Never ceases to amaze me what you can do with a plant that most of us think of as a weed. I always wonder how all these uses were discovered and how many people died of poisoning when things didn't go as they should.
God provides for our every need,we just don't recognize it everytime.
Good Night and God Bless. May you dream of violets tonight!

WASSAIL BLEND LIKE NO OTHER

G-son arrived at 7 this morning,hubbie got up with him. I might as well have gotten up since he was intent on having me up as well. I didn't sleep well last night,my back hurt from lifting all those potted plants inside!
While hubbie took him to pre-school I got ready to run a couple errands in Asheville. That is not my favorite place to go but these were on the outskirts and I had put them off long enough. The first stop was none other than the Biltmore House,this is tulip blooming time and although I didn't go all the way inside,there were some pretty ones at the little store I went to. They have a wassail spice blend that I use in my green tea that is truly wonderful. If you are there you have to try some. I have been out of this for some time so I've had 2 cups this afternoon,soooo goood!!!!
I also went to a neat little store located in an old manufacturing plant that is called Amazing Savings,they have very good deals. I usually find baking supplies for a fraction of the cost,but didn't have any luck in that area today. I did get some other things that were truly a good deal and some things I probably should have passed on,like that box of cinnamon toast that I have almost eaten the entire box today!!! YUUMMMM!!! But not good for my weight loss effort!
I also stopped by a hardware store where we always get our garden plants and picked up 2 cherry tomato plants to put in hanging baskets,I may as well have 2 more pots to carry in and out!
I met hubbie and g-son at Sam's Club to pick up some things and feed g-son lunch,he loves their pizza slices.
He was asleep by the time we got home,poor thing he had an early morning.
While he slept hubbie mowed the lawn and I transplanted some houseplants and fixed my tomato hanging basket,carried all the plants back outside so they can get a drink from the rain we are supposed to get tomorrow.
It's the red's time to shine,these are 2 red azaleas above my house in full bloom.I love how the different colors are taking turns blooming this year,the next will be the light purple ones you can see in the right picture.I think azaleas are some of the prettiest flowering plants there are and I'm glad I have them all around my place.
Now there are 2, quails that is, once there were 3, hopefully the other hen found another mate and just moved away. I see 1 female who obliged me for a picture this evening, her mate was far too nervous to stand still long enough for a photoshoot.
These 2 are regular guest in the late evenings after the dogs are fed and put up for the night,they will dart in and out picking spilled seed up off the ground. I hope they start a family here on our farm,I love to hear the "bob white" call. Hubbie still has a hen left from the ones he raised from day old chicks and she loves to talk to these 2 when they come around.
I set up my sewing machine in my office tonight and started sewing some bonnets and aprons for a large order that needs to be delivered Thursday.My back would only allow me to sew for a short period of time. I got 1 baby bonnet finished and parts of 3 others done so all I need is the lace on the brims and putting them together.
Thankful tonight for safe travel this morning and the love of a bright beautiful little 3 year old.
Good Night and God Bless.

PERFECT SUNDAY

God sure gave us a beautiful Sabbath today! The clear blue sky with not a cloud in sight made the church steeple take on a blue hue.
After church we had lunch and then I sat outside and just relaxed with my girls,sooo nice!! G-son played outside and inside all afternoon,then talked his pawpaw into riding him on the lawn mower around the driveway,he never mows while g-son is on there,but they just ride.(is he spoiled or what!!!)
D-in love took g-son home so he could see his dad before he had to go back to work tonight. This will be his 3rd, 12 hour night shift in a row,but he gets a couple days off after tonight.
#2 son came for supper and helped hubbie move the quail cage to a new spot,so we can move the dog lot and finish the backyard. I'd really like to get the yards fixed by the end of the month.
I spent time carrying my plants back inside tonight,as we are under a freeze warning.My inside garden has grown since the last time and the ghost figures in the yard have also multiplied as more plants have came up and are tender. Hopefully it won't get cold enough to damage the azalea blooms,they are so pretty this year.
Thankful for a perfect Sunday and for my loving family.
Good Night and God Bless.