Full Moon

I just happened to look out my kitchen window and saw the moon beginning to climb up and over the tree line.  So I grabbed my camera and hurried out into the chilly night air to get a shot.  The color was just as it appears in the photo above.  I did use my zoom to get a closer shot.   Did you know the May full moon is named the Full Flower Moon?  It is so named because in most areas in May, flowers are in abundance.   Each month's full moon has a name and here is the list if you'd like to know more.  Don't you just love a full moon and the way everything looks at night bathed in moonglow? 

Until next time...

A busy time of year

Hello everyone...I didn't intend to stay away so long, but the days flew by and before I knew it I was 2 weeks away from blogland instead of one.  The days were mostly very busy ones.  Outside work and shopping for flowers, mulch and various gardening items were done when we had nice days.  I just drooled over the beautiful  flowers available and wanted to buy everything, but kept to the flowers that I know will do well in my yard and that are easy to grow.  For me that means Stella D'Oros, Knockout Roses, Salvia, Petunias and Geraniums to name a few. 

Then there was an unexpected doctor visit and a follow-up visit.  And a regularly scheduled visit to my primary doc for blood work.  The unexpected visit came after seeing arcing lights in my left eye and, fearing a detached retina, made a trip to the Eye Institute in CoMo at the University Hosp.  They determined that it wasn't a tear but a usually age-related thing that happens when the vitreous gel shrinks and pulls away from the eye wall causing flashes of light and floaters.  It is getting better now but I still have floaters which can be annoying.  Had photos taken and, contrary to what I'd been told, that wasn't bad at all.  I'll go back in 6 months for a check-up. 

I wish I could report that the inside work is coming along, but we haven't started on the bathroom yet.  Hubby has agreed...after much persuading...to hire the work done, but it's hard to find someone who will do the job when you want them.  

I'm still waiting on my new sofa, but I can show you the style I've ordered and fabric choice.  The sofa is a Flexsteel which has been a good brand for us and served us well.  I had a hard time deciding on fabrics because of my wall color, Durham Beige.  It has a hint of a pink undertone and it seems most beige or light tan fabrics lean more toward gold undertones.   That's the reason behind ordering this sofa because I simply couldn't find a color that suited me...yes, I'm picky with colors.  I was told by a helpful store employee that I should have picked out a sofa and then painted.  Ya think?  Anyway, the deed was done and I wasn't about to repaint again.   Below are photos of the sofa style and color choice.  It really is close to the wall color, but I intend to add color in my throw pillows and other accessories. 

The wall color on the left is by Dutch Boy called Durham Beige.  I love it but it really doesn't photograph well.  It seems to always look grayish in my photos.  I chose the same fabric for the pillows.  I'll use other colors for extra pillows.  Now I must practice the art of patience while I await my new sofa.  It will be awhile yet before it arrives.  When it does come in and I've lived with it a while, I'll be looking for a new window treatment for the 9' long window.  It will be a little harder to decide on than the sofa, I'm afraid.  So, I'll worry about that later! 

I have a lot of catching up to do on reading blogs.  I've peeked in on a few from time to time, but didn't comment due to not being able to comment on all of them.   I look forward to seeing what everyone has been up to.

Until next time...

Spring break

Break time coming up.  I'm having a hard time keeping up with blogging with all the work to do around here, so I've decided to just let everyone know if I don't show up here or in comments on your blog that all is well.  Just busy!  We have sunshine for the second day in a row and it's cause for celebration!  I'm heading out the door in a few and going to enjoy the day.  We're doing to be planting a few things if the ground is not too wet later this afternoon.  Much work yet to be done...inside as well as outside.  I will see you in week or so if not sooner.  Have a good weekend! 

Until next time...

Just want to say...

Thank you dear blogging friends for your sweet comments on my last post.  I was really feeling a bit depressed and, as you know, didn't want to go to the visitation.  I'm not one to pretend everything is hunky-dory when it darn well isn't so I just let it all hang out.   Aunt was a beautiful lady and she'll be missed by all her family and friends.  And, yes, I did go and I'm glad I did. 

Hopefully, the weather will behave itself for a couple of days and we can return to our work outside.  Hubby brought the equipment home to locate our electric lines so we can begin planting.  Here are the pretty flags decorating part of the yard...I doubt we'll plant much close to the tree, but I'm glad to know where the lines are.   Just a reminder...if you don't know where your utility lines are buried, please find out before digging!

 

The next photo shows what we've been doing inside the house when we can't work outside.  Getting rid of 20 years accumulation of stuff!  I hate to admit it, but we had the dumpster unloaded once and we filled it again.  I really didn't need magazines dating back to 1988.  Ha!  Or the old resin table that graced our patio once upon a time.  Or the other hundred and one things that I wouldn't want to give away or put on a garage sale. 

We had the dumpster picked up a week or so ago and I really think I've found enough stuff to fill it again!  Just call me a pack rat.  Make that former pack rat as I'm determined to rid myself of stuff that I don't need, use or love.  I have quite a bit more to do.   It may take all spring and summer.  Wish me luck.

As soon as I get a photo taken, I'll show you some of the things I'd forgotten I had.   I guess it's as they say, out of sight and out of mind. 

I pray that all of our blogging friends in the states where the tornadoes hit are safe. 

Until next time...

Rain...go away

This is the scene looking out of my dirty window this morning.  Rain...go away.  We've had enough for a while.  It's been so very bad in Arkansas with the tornadoes that I shouldn't complain too much.  Hope all our blogging friends are okay.  There are some places in the state here that have had flooding.  Hope the flooding doesn't get out of hand like it did in 1993. 

-Today-

Comparing photos of today and 2 weeks ago, you can see a big difference in the trees that are rapidly leafing out.  The redbuds blooming stage is about over, too. 

-2 weeks ago-

I must get ready soon to go to a visitation with Hubby.  I dread these things.  Really, I almost feel physically sick before I go.  Maybe it's because I've lost too many of my loved ones and friends, I don't  know.  All I know is that I've been trying to think of an excuse not to go and I don't have one.  Just call me a big chicken.  That's what I probably am.  My hubby's aunt died after a battle with cancer.  She was only 5 years older than I am.  It's always sad but I have to get ready to go and pay my respects.  I don't want to.  But I know Aunt's immediate family wishes with all their hearts that they didn't have to, either.  

Until next time...

Easter greetings

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live.  John 11:25-26
  
May each of you have a wonderful weekend and a joyful and blessed Easter.   I'll return to blogging next week. 

Colors

According to a recent article I've read the top five colors for spring fashions are honeysuckle pink, orange, yellow, tropical blue and lavender.

In the decorating world, all of these colors with maybe the exception of tropical blue made the list as well.  I don't let lists like these influence me when I choose items for my wardrobe or paint color, etc, for my home.   For fashion, I like almost any color with the exception of gray.  You will not find any gray in my wardrobe as it just doesn't go with my coloring.

And for the house, I prefer a neutral background so I can accessorize with any color I choose.  The exception being my red kitchen.  I love it and will keep it a few more years, I'm sure.   I haven't decided yet what color to paint the upstairs bathroom walls.  The beadboard will probably be white.  Right now the main colors there are navy and white.   Here again, in decorating, I like most colors with the exception of gray.  I've always found gray to be a depressing color.   But that is just me. 

Remember when earth tones were really popular?  I once wallpapered our former kitchen in a chocolate brown with white dots in the design.  The cabinets and woodwork were white.  I got compliments on that kitchen.  I can't imagine a brown kitchen now.  But the truth is that one of the reasons I picked out that particular wall paper was that it was a really heavy vinyl and it covered a lot of flaws on the walls of that kitchen in the old farmhouse we used to live in.  And it turned out great and was "in style" at the time.

I'm not a real big fan of green although I like the soft sage green.   And I was quite fond of the navy, hunter green and burgundy color scheme several years ago.  I do love plants and feel that they add punch to a room.  There are several shades of green that I feel only belong outside unless it's a plant.  Take this green below. 

No, you will not find John Deere green in my house.  It really almost matches the green of the grass doesn't it?  Maybe that's why I don't do green in the house...we are surrounded by it outside in the spring and summer.  And remember the avocado green and harvest gold of long ago?  Oh my.

What are your favorite colors?  Is there a color that you wouldn't ever wear or have in your house?  Do you like neutrals or a lot of color? 

Until next time...

Lavender....a color of spring

It was a beautiful Sunday in my town.  We
got quite a bit of work done in the yard
since it was a mild and not so windy day.
First of all some of the Redbuds in the
yard got a bit of a trim.  You can't get the riding mower under the lower branches, so they had to go.  I love the lavender pink color of the Redbuds.  They're beginning to leaf out now and soon the pretty blooms will be gone until next spring. 

One of the trees has a cute little bird nest
in it so I watched to make sure Hubby didn't
cut the wrong branch since the nest wasn't very high.  The Robin wasn't too happy about her territory being invaded and flew away.  She was back later in the nest.

                                                                                     

                            












The lilacs are blooming and the scent in the yard was just heavenly.  The color of lilacs is pretty, too.  I remember when I was very young that my Easter outfit was all in lilac or I suppose we called it lavender.  Even my shoes were lavender as well as my bracelet.  I don't think I've worn much lavender since!                                                                               

 This pesky ground cover weed is trying to take over our yard.  I'm

not sure what it's called, but I call it a Pain!  Our yard is entirely

too big to redo and put in that lovely grass sod.  We have 3 lots

 so you can imagine that it would be quite an undertaking not

  to mention quite expensive.   The moles have also been 

       having way too much fun making runs and hills, too.   

I don't like the noise of lawn mowers or chain saws on Sundays.  I really wish they would ban such noises on one day of the week, but I know that will never happen.  I suppose that for a few people that could be the only day they might have to get such work done.  We don't normally work this hard or noisily on Sundays ourselves, but it was such a nice and non-windy and dry day that we felt we should get these things done.  How was your weekend?

Until next time...

Signs of spring

What a beautiful day we had in Mid-Missouri Wednesday.  This shot was taken out of my kitchen window and shows the maple tree leafing out.  And look at that gorgeous sky!  And, yes, I did get out of the kitchen and went outside. 

I zoomed in on some of the Redbud trees down by the creek on our back 40 6.  I have several in the yard, but some of them aren't quite as full as in other years.   Don't you just love the Redbuds and Dogwoods in the spring? 

The Goldfinches are enjoying their new feeder.  It has a few more perches and feeding spots than the old one.  There are usually a dozen or more fighting for a spot.  The little Goldfinches are a delight to watch and are a favorite of mine.   I love their color and the yellow has really popped the last few days on the males. 

 I liked this photo of the Goldfinch coming in for a landing.  And at the other feeder is, I believe, a Red-bellied Woodpecker.  Not sure what the bird on the opposite side is. 

The pair of geese that we had at the pond for a few weeks have disappeared.  I was really hoping they would raise some little ones this year, but something must have scared them off.  We have a Blue Heron that has returned for the summer.  He has been here the past few years.  I'm assuming it's the same one, but who knows?  I haven't gotten a good clear photo of him yet. 

It's a busy time of year.  I've been busy going through stuff and trying to make myself get rid of things I don't need or can't use.  Hubby has gotten in quite a bit of overtime with the wind and storms the past week or so.  His job always seems to put a wrench in some of our plans, but we're used to that happening.  We still haven't started on the bathroom project yet.  I'm still waiting on a sofa and we have some fruit trees and shrubs yet to buy and plant.  Also, I've ordered some more Knockout roses. 

Our garden is tilled and ready for some planting although it is still a little early for some things.  We will see who wins the garden war this year...the weather, the deer, or us.  We usually plant our tomatoes and green peppers by the house where the deer so far have left them alone.  

I have plans for the inside and outside.  We'll see how many get done or even started on.  But 'tis good to have plans, I think.  I love to have something to look forward to and if it doesn't all get done....well, there's always next year! 

Until next time...

Two of my favorite things

Hubby and I grabbed some fast food yesterday (Wednesday) evening and headed to the lake and ate while watching the sun go down.  It was a very nice day here in mid-Missouri.  The sun going down behind the clouds usually tells me that rain may be in the forecast and sure enough I see on the weather map on my sidebar that we have a possibility of strong storms tomorrow. 

After we got back home, and when no one was looking, I got into my secret little stash of chocolate.  I know, I'm shameless when it comes to my little craving.  Just gotta have a little bit every single day.  A tiny bit.  Okay, some days it's more than a tiny bit.  Here is my new little addiction craving.

This delicious chocolate can be found at Aldi's.  It comes in several flavors like dark chocolate, etc.  I found out about it in JCPenney's lingerie department of all places.  A lady I was standing behind at the checkout (she was buying a girdle) was talking about how she loved chocolate and was taking a lot of it with her on a trip and mentioned where she got it and how good it was.  Well, you can bet your bippy that as soon as I was out of the store, and into my car, you could see me hightailing it over to Aldi's to get some of this most delicious treat to try out.  Now I don't know whether to thank her or wish I had been in Dillard's that day instead of JCP! 

This wonderful chocolate is made in Austria.  You can see how many calories is in just a "tiny bit".  Maybe next time I'll buy the dark chocolate...isn't it supposed to be good for you?  Oh, but it's just 1.29 a bar...very reasonable. If you have an Aldi's in your area and love chocolate like I do, you must try it.  You'll thank me...I think.

Well, there you have it.  Two of my favorite things.  Sunsets and chocolate.   I'll probably be having to join a gym before long and it would be just my luck to get an instructor just like Christo!  (see post below)  I don't pick up anything heavier than a chocolate bar myself.   Or a hamburger.  Oh, okay...maybe my kitten.  

Until next time...