I have finally taken some time to spruce up the garden and for as long as it took me to get started, now I don't want to stop. Unfortunately (or fortunately for the inside of our house) my back is telling me to slow down and take a couple of days off from planting.
I love spending time in the front garden because of the opportunity it gives me to say hello to my neighbors and passers by. We are in an older neighborhood (circa 1954) and at least half of the residents here are either original owners or close to it. I had the best conversation with my neighbor Dolly who lost her husband a few years back. What a spunky lady. I see her walking her dog everyday and always think of my mom 60 miles away and her little dog Pepper.
I have made a promise to myself to spend more time out front this summer. Maybe even invite friends and neighbors to spend some time on the porch with me in the evening, watch the kids play and share a glass of wine or a margarita or two.
Speaking of the porch, it is just about finished. I am so happy with how sweet and inviting it turned out and as soon as the sun comes back to shine I will take a few pictures to share with you.
My husband put in a beautiful hydrangea bush for me over the weekend. This is our third attempt at having one flourish in our yard. I love them and hope we've finally found the perfect spot.
I am a little sad that my grandsons baseball season is winding down, even with all the running to practice and given up Saturday afternoons, I'll miss my time at the ball park. I love watching the little six and seven year olds learn the game and encourage each other. I know it won't be long until the innocence of baseball just for fun will be lost to a more competitive atmosphere. I love that baseball too but I just wish it would wait a little longer to come.
I made this carrot cake from the Pioneer Woman's Food from my Frontier cookbook for my mom for Mother's Day. This is the second time I've made it and it is so good. It takes a little effort but it is worth every bite. I also made this delicious banana bread. I got the recipe many years ago from Kim at Daisy Cottage and it is now my go to banana bread. We add a few nuts to it but other than that we love it just as is.
The house is quiet today so it's time to give it a good cleaning and maybe a little fluffing and then I plan on curling up on the sofa with a new magazine and a cup of hot tea. It looks like we have another cool, drizzly day in store for us here and in Southern California we make the most of them.
Whew! That was a long one. If you're still reading, happy Monday and I hope you have a wonderful week!
xo, Patty
Beautiful! Our gardens are really popping up now also. Spring is just full of wonders! It looks like you have been very busy. We might get a chance of frost tomorrow night so I have only planted the pots that I can move to the garage if I need to. Our temps have ranged from in the 80's down to the 30's! Spring in Wisconsin. Hugs, Teresa
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It's finally warming up here so I can get outside. I have a LOT of work to do! I'd love to have a front porch to sit on and talk to passers by....in the meantime I'll enjoy a book or a magazine on the back deck. Love your flowers!
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday! It's supposed to thunderstorm here this afternoon, but the rest of the week is clear and we will be using our evenings to beef up the raised beds and plant our garden. I can't wait. Gardening just makes me happy :) Your garden always looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYour porch looks great. Yes, we probably all need to take the time to spend time with our neighbors and friends!
ReplyDeleteJudy
That was a fun random post. I went over to Daisy cottage and copied that recipe over. I love trying new banana bread recipes. Love your little turquoise table top. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteHi Patty ~ I'm still working on planting flowers, too! I'm done with my front porch area; now I'm working on the patio. I have one big planter on the patio, but I have a 3-tiered wicker stand where I want to put pots of flowers. I also need another hanging plant for the side of the house. I don't have much luck with hydrangeas either, for whatever reason. We tried them in front of the house and they died after two years. We were able to save a small piece of one of them and transplanted into the back yard. This year it's finally coming back but it's so small. We'll see what happens. My mom bought me a hydrangea for Mother's Day (yes, she gives me a gift, lol) and we planted that in the back yard, too. I hope it stays alive and well! I know one thing is for sure with hydrangeas though - they need a LOT of water. I think they like a lot of sunlight, too. I hope yours does well!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty! I haven't even worked in the yard once yet this Spring. I do miss it too!
ReplyDeleteMiss you
XO Kris