Mulch time

"Today the gardener is here edging and mulching outdoors. It looks so nice. 

Orchid

Chris gave me a beautiful orchid for Mother's Day. I have never had an orchid before and thought of them as delicate and hard to care for. To my surprise the directions said to add three ice cubes once a week and set it in filtered light. Really? It couldn't be easier. The blooms are lasting very long and I love it. 

Blame it on the rain

,Today I stopped at an estate sale on my way home from my morning coffee get together with my friends. After our really warm days a few days ago it has gotten colder...forty one degrees this morning with rain. The house was small but had the usual assortment of kitchen items, furniture, bedding, and decorations. Since I am currently on a mission not to add to my household belongings I carefully perused through the rooms. I quickly walked past the Christmas decorations knowing full well that my attic is already storing way more than I need. And no more cooking items are needed either. But then I spotted this gem. 

What could this be?

Oh, it's an umbrella in its own case. 

How beautiful!

And look at this. The case can be turned inside out to make a tote and the umbrella can be zipped into the bottom. How clever..

More chores

It seems the list of chores goes on. Today Don power washed the siding while I cleaned the spare bedroom in anticipation of company. We have a pile of clippings and wood to burn.  We are looking for a strong young man to help us with it. I think we are learning our limitations as we get older. 

Long Island medium

Do you watch Theresa Caputo the Long Island medium?  I've always believed in life after death but I think she proves it. You may be a sceptic and that's all right but I am convinced that the dead are able to communicate with some tuned in people. And I definitely know that my deceased father opened a bottle of wine for me and my sisters. We were debating weather or not to drink one of the few remaining bottles of his homemade wine. And a few minutes later we heard a crash. When I went inside my last bottle which had been sitting in the wine rack had been popped open and nary a bit spilled. Dad always loved it when the three sisters were having a good time together and we think it was his way of saying...enjoy the moment. 

Leader luncheon

Today my friends and I attended the Sixteenth Leader Luncheon to support our friend Judy Yorks who was one of the recipients. Judy and I first met when she began teaching in Bradford. We became good friends and traveled together to Clarion University to get our Master's degree. One summer we even roomed together down there. Judy and I were both in a local social sorority, Beta Sigma Phi. We also taught in the same school at times. Judy is currently president of our school retiree's group. She is very active in our local Landmark Society. She is very deserving of this honor. 

A quote from Oscar Wilde

Each day it seems that I discover more things to do with my ipad. Yesterday I downloaded a new app called Procamera. It turns your ipad  into a better camera and allows you better control over the focus and exposure. I also used another app called Your Moments to create this collage. Using the ipad is so easy that I've practically abandoned my old computer and camera. 

Landscape

The landscape made it through the winter in good shape. Here's what is blooming around the house. 

The viburnum is showing white flowers. The willow tree is so pretty and lacy.  The coral bells and bachelor buttons are on display too. The lumpines are just starting to come. Mr. bunny is on guard. 

Windows

I know you can't tell but now all my windows are clean on the inside and out. I love the new windows in the two bedrooms that we replaced last year. They tilt out for cleaning. It's another warm day today. I think we'll need to put the window air conditioner in soon. It is supposed to go down in the fifties at the end of the week. 

Just about done

We are almost there. The yard is just about ready for summer. There are a few new additions. We got a really good looking box for the hose and Don out some pavers underneath to eliminate a muddy area. The new stone work encloses the herb garden. And the table came out of storage. Now for some dining al fresco!

The stone work

Highly recommended

If you loved the DiVinci Code you'll love Dan Brown's newest. I can't put it down. 

The waterfall

The waterfall is now running. Don cleaned out the pond, a nasty but necessary chore. Welove listening to the sound of the water. And Sadie initiated her private swimming pool. If you doubt that dogs  have long memories just know that all we had to do was say ....ok you can swim...and she ran right over and jumped in. She loves splashing around and some days in the summer she will go in three times a day. 

I’m ready

Do you remember those carefree days in the summer sun? I know it doesn’t officially begin for a few more weeks, but I’m ready. I mean I’m ready to throw that long list of chores into the wind and just stop and enjoy the view. Time to have some fun.

Little treasures

First thing this morning I stopped at the annual Zonta Club tag sale. I found this lovely ginger jar and a small vase. I've always been drawn to the color blue and still use it in my living room. Another lovely day today but still a lot of wind. I plan to do some mulching. 

Little projects

It's looking nicer and nicer outside. The weather today was beautiful....eighty two degrees. Wasn't it just two days ago we had a snowstorm?  We have a saying about Bradford's weather...if you don't like it just wait a minute, it will change. 

  Don is putting new stones around my porteger ...herb garden. I brought my summer breezeway curtains upstairs and hung them. It was so windy today I thought they would blow away. 

Are you done?

Are you finished with your Spring cleaning yet? If you are well you are way ahead of me.  I found this colorful list at how to nest for less. I like to tic off boxes. And I don’t mind spring cleaning, it’s just that I only do it on the days when I feel like it and have loads of energy. Hmmm..  As you can tell I’m not done yet. We had some very nice days and I worked hard and did my kitchen. I washed windows and cleaned hard. It looks good now. But I have much more to do. If I do just a few things each day it may get done.

Where do you find joy?

I used to be moody. Yes, when I was younger it seemed my emotions were like a roller coaster ride. I'd  anticipate an event and set expectations only to have outside events beyond my control influence whether or not I had a good time. I'd get angry easier when people didn't perform as I thought they should. So many times I'd be upset at senseless things. All those experiences were my life lessons to teach me a thing or two. I must have been a slow learner because it is only now in my older age that I have a calm attitude and find so much joy in everything. I remember reading Don't Sweat the Small Stuff..and it's all small stuff. And they were right. In the grand scheme of things those little annoyances don't really matter. So you have to wait a minute or two longer in the grocery line because the person ahead of you has a price check. Or someone doesn't drive the way you think they should and are gandering instead of pulling out with the green light. It doesn't bother me any more. I'm not perfect either. I just relax. It'll be ok. I have such joy in my life that it overcomes any daily pettiness. Many things now are cause for a smile. It is a pleasure just to wake up and think that I have a wonderful day stretching ahead of me to spend any way I want. I used to be moody.....but now I'm not!

A few pictures

We took a few pictures outdoors on Saturday. Don and I and Chris and Michelle.

Is it spring or is it winter?

This was only the beginning. We had a real snowstorm this morning. I can wait this out. It will be seventy soon. 

Bradford weather

It's May 13th. The birds are singing, the flowers are up, and......oh yeah, that is snow you see on the rooftops and my car.  Crazy weather we are having.