tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91675498392142343122024-02-18T22:12:15.316-08:00Homesteading in the 'burbsChrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-58168398462563007962019-07-03T15:20:00.000-07:002019-07-03T15:20:45.200-07:00Summer is here<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br />The Vikings have landed!!! Summer is here, I am busy recovering
from surgery, and trying to keep up with the weeds. I am way behind, as
soon as I can get my poop in a pile, I will make more updates to my
page. Until then, here are a few photos to get you by. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8JReWKRzS81CI29NB4QjxD-T8RHfcm1hARfEoZqQTT4y_vEOWA0soSwnNuZ-if4yU3h6pPUQS4geRy6yQ5VlubPDHh4w5m57oHlzqzyiTf_NbEdmJHd-A4GuwTIMZSkkMUOkP90W2Ycw/s320/IMG_2835.JPG" width="320" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zVwSux_dZdXBmOEho-igkKTIDVO3NK2N_zsTLw8Ox7zU-a02_bo7_RYLn-2IwaRNDGViUyF-AhWCjjlmaNvXUxfBBXSvCFcgtolZyX9CWEfPO9X13Ks3mOxWNQKCJQZv8H0bmHSA351Z/s1600/IMG_2889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zVwSux_dZdXBmOEho-igkKTIDVO3NK2N_zsTLw8Ox7zU-a02_bo7_RYLn-2IwaRNDGViUyF-AhWCjjlmaNvXUxfBBXSvCFcgtolZyX9CWEfPO9X13Ks3mOxWNQKCJQZv8H0bmHSA351Z/s320/IMG_2889.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
My strawberries are making a comeback this year, any my belly is super happy about that. YAY! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMdFqRQAc_FQAj9bNSC1peSkxiWtY1rDeMYmzR3R2a77X6Z7BeJr5imNG3VoDTUOQj15hR8calc1IdgsMw8Zvw8BNlKn_Ny_5EZF98YoDJYd_d-D_q5mvPvaQ2_RSwaYSYOuF7Ox_Tl-4/s1600/IMG_2898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMdFqRQAc_FQAj9bNSC1peSkxiWtY1rDeMYmzR3R2a77X6Z7BeJr5imNG3VoDTUOQj15hR8calc1IdgsMw8Zvw8BNlKn_Ny_5EZF98YoDJYd_d-D_q5mvPvaQ2_RSwaYSYOuF7Ox_Tl-4/s1600/IMG_2898.JPG" /></a></div>
The sun was setting, and lighting up my battery powered rose light. It caught my eye, and I loved it, so naturally, I had to get a photo.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofZitnXgTsppNR9GrnP3uB5XxbM6Cds30HiQ13dhyphenhyphenof0_sbQCEIOeYo53QL_st9Vw3FFhvioT4TDNlfh9PTL8kCj4YvNcVjFixqftEqcjr9QRER49U9zUnH-eHcoIPqDC8OLC21b2g2JS/s1600/IMG_2975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgofZitnXgTsppNR9GrnP3uB5XxbM6Cds30HiQ13dhyphenhyphenof0_sbQCEIOeYo53QL_st9Vw3FFhvioT4TDNlfh9PTL8kCj4YvNcVjFixqftEqcjr9QRER49U9zUnH-eHcoIPqDC8OLC21b2g2JS/s1600/IMG_2975.JPG" /></a></div>
This is my marshmallow plant that I thought I killed last year, so excited to see it bloom soon for the first time ever, which you know will be when I am camping or something! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0VsC57JVuIbLmAYDaH_hSmC3IMm2y6mmpt0DiotegtDzrXO2Mk6Zh1H7U3VD75oUeuP7YPQmSozUP8xv8mes5AZkGZr0n45vV5NuemS4VMuyjDIDMXokzStbHLiajsdumIGe2SfrWY_x/s1600/IMG_3001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0VsC57JVuIbLmAYDaH_hSmC3IMm2y6mmpt0DiotegtDzrXO2Mk6Zh1H7U3VD75oUeuP7YPQmSozUP8xv8mes5AZkGZr0n45vV5NuemS4VMuyjDIDMXokzStbHLiajsdumIGe2SfrWY_x/s320/IMG_3001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Fairy lights are starting to come on at night now, make sure you dance with them and give them wine.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUM2YKpLZ8T_Duiiw-NrM0qcbJMPCMAyPeFiBiUfRIZMjtH2hq2M0exmjttlwmqMcOD_6EbpOyBP5FGfaF6pK4EEwtuEfrlSeJOJ9B_pLHT_HenemWRT5AOO97_2ri_Utq9G2wz41tfDH/s1600/IMG_3061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUM2YKpLZ8T_Duiiw-NrM0qcbJMPCMAyPeFiBiUfRIZMjtH2hq2M0exmjttlwmqMcOD_6EbpOyBP5FGfaF6pK4EEwtuEfrlSeJOJ9B_pLHT_HenemWRT5AOO97_2ri_Utq9G2wz41tfDH/s320/IMG_3061.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Just some pretty lilies and pinwheels blooming like crazy. I love my flowers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqM_sh4qjgd5oD2ZVIILqaMSTHv0Ry7SQH27Aun93M2PvUGu2XqNVBy_jkS7LZLbwb0lzR5CzEWqJiHo1ntOS1l9e5h0FwtIkuA23I18cFWTDZtANwmW594-b3rXQe6krIbyT-YfWUg5l1/s1600/IMG_3133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqM_sh4qjgd5oD2ZVIILqaMSTHv0Ry7SQH27Aun93M2PvUGu2XqNVBy_jkS7LZLbwb0lzR5CzEWqJiHo1ntOS1l9e5h0FwtIkuA23I18cFWTDZtANwmW594-b3rXQe6krIbyT-YfWUg5l1/s320/IMG_3133.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Kitty has a pretty fierce outdoor mean kitty face, she is not messing around in this photo! Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-14191307082978273432019-01-28T15:20:00.000-08:002019-01-28T15:20:18.309-08:00Winter is here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpNgGHQ7qngmt9svPDk0nGi4Ad-aZh1tHyv_f_uZH2ErH7qq5MMyE3rBaVf4QHSbFzExOhNuuNaHbpSl3GSjP1swlDFbjq3RZy0IL34-mHESDLqGV52XK-nDv3Aph0hjO9rnIZDr1z6g7/s1600/IMG_E9232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpNgGHQ7qngmt9svPDk0nGi4Ad-aZh1tHyv_f_uZH2ErH7qq5MMyE3rBaVf4QHSbFzExOhNuuNaHbpSl3GSjP1swlDFbjq3RZy0IL34-mHESDLqGV52XK-nDv3Aph0hjO9rnIZDr1z6g7/s320/IMG_E9232.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This weekend I got the last of my seeds, I ordered from <a href="https://www.seedsavers.org/">Seed Savers Exchange</a>, <a href="http://www.southernexposure.com/">Southern Seed Savers Exchange, </a>and my fav,<a href="https://www.rareseeds.com/"> Baker Street Seeds</a>. I saw a post on <a href="https://cosmopolitancornbread.com/how-to-store-seeds/">Cosmopolitan Corn bread</a>, (click the link to see the video, plus, once I realized her favorite seed companies are the same as mine, I knew I needed to pay attention to her, and this idea for seed storage is BRILLIANT!) explaining that she stores her seeds in plastic boxes that are originally designed for photo storage. I went out and got a couple, and let me tell you how awesome it is. I am so organized, I don't have to dig through bags and bags of seeds to find what I am looking for, it is so easy, and well, really, any chance I get to use the label maker is also a plus. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqSs_TXkCik1pVu6koCMRwYZUdkHDg4Zq6eDqUOeMMk6Miqr8Eees-kgdvDBQXdMUGuBfn7mMfm1HEZxE6eNtFirvWHf6bn2f2dqiJT_NaQbTwvPGZ_zttwDRl9bBLtB_MYYXOv87HNhW/s1600/IMG_E9236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGqSs_TXkCik1pVu6koCMRwYZUdkHDg4Zq6eDqUOeMMk6Miqr8Eees-kgdvDBQXdMUGuBfn7mMfm1HEZxE6eNtFirvWHf6bn2f2dqiJT_NaQbTwvPGZ_zttwDRl9bBLtB_MYYXOv87HNhW/s320/IMG_E9236.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaE-YRexToVzYhBtVGChDeX8l-M_lEgS5LdJF3UelDmoBzr21cWMdFxJK3JPhpAcQqeYLAKxekMV-lNTsDP4tmB1OoxY7UmBGsyXSBeSQYWx6rBzLcThi6axS1mjZaj39yYKcQE0zMDRrC/s1600/IMG_E9239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaE-YRexToVzYhBtVGChDeX8l-M_lEgS5LdJF3UelDmoBzr21cWMdFxJK3JPhpAcQqeYLAKxekMV-lNTsDP4tmB1OoxY7UmBGsyXSBeSQYWx6rBzLcThi6axS1mjZaj39yYKcQE0zMDRrC/s320/IMG_E9239.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I feel so organized and on the ball already, now all I have to do is plan, plot, and start the seeds, hehehehe. The last few years I have not had the time or the motivation to work on my garden. My father was sick for 3 years before cancer took him in 2016, since then, I have been trying to learn how to live with grief, how to get through the grief, and how to put my life back on. When you finally realize that your life doesn't fit anymore, and that you really can make the changes you need to help it fit a little better, its a mixed bag or good and bad. Your new normal is strange and uncomfortable, but moving forward without your loved one makes you feel your leaving them behind, when really, you are not. As you move forward you do bring them with you, just in spirit, heart and soul, rather then actual physical body.<br />
<br />
This year I am finally ready to begin moving forward and getting my life to look like the life I actually want to live. Gardening was something I shared with my Father, we both always longed to be farmers. Having my hands in the dirt, planning, planting, watching the slow everyday grow of my little beloved plants, are all things I would share with him. We spent a lot of time in each others gardens, learning, laughing, and just being. It will be hard not having him to call and chat with, but he is with me, especially in the garden.<br />
<br />
I am so exited to start my garden, I have been plotting new beds, and wanting to make so many changes that I need to make sure I do not go overboard this year. We are having a super dry winter here, but today we got a dumping of snow that snarled my way to work, a normal drive is about 20 minutes, today it took 1 hour 40 minutes to get to work, the whole way there I kept thinking how happy my garden would be with the at least 7" inches of snow that fell today. I was thinking of all my little plants getting the moisture they need, and hoping it will stop my roses from growing, (they are already showing new growth, hoping this slows it down) and how I can't wait to start all my seeds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVDXIi02T01A93GyNj1u0SkIfG7KEmzGGsiA6phFbRmP2ftZqmUNJgDjz_YPQggskrVja0rLMBNd3zHCQcsuoHiOmnX2Iqdki7WNugIjdLrFW7HLC2ik1qkh2gFVgL0O_M3DhQS1Q0JjM/s1600/IMG_9260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNVDXIi02T01A93GyNj1u0SkIfG7KEmzGGsiA6phFbRmP2ftZqmUNJgDjz_YPQggskrVja0rLMBNd3zHCQcsuoHiOmnX2Iqdki7WNugIjdLrFW7HLC2ik1qkh2gFVgL0O_M3DhQS1Q0JjM/s320/IMG_9260.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
As the gardener in my strives hard to use the winter to hibernate, reclaim my energy, and refresh the old soul inside me, the must go to work workerbee in me had to stomach the crazy drive to work today, and remember not to curse Mother Nature, but to say Thank You for slowing me down and forcing me to see the beauty, even in traffic, it was beautiful out. I will try to contain my spring fever, officially the earliest I have ever had it, and continue to replenish myself and prepare for the upcoming growing season, for the garden, and myself. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZ4xtAJ6CeOx3yzyB3oP0IpQdOqKSv3JXmU0-dWaJJ8t_z-kiyD11b9Sq_DETbNSSZR8rTknO02V1NmelXAcJCXy-Ly29rj9rmYJxOroH5zsHEyLT-TnloDRUskc46x9Ghn513iKo1_mI/s1600/IMG_9262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZ4xtAJ6CeOx3yzyB3oP0IpQdOqKSv3JXmU0-dWaJJ8t_z-kiyD11b9Sq_DETbNSSZR8rTknO02V1NmelXAcJCXy-Ly29rj9rmYJxOroH5zsHEyLT-TnloDRUskc46x9Ghn513iKo1_mI/s320/IMG_9262.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
So beautiful outside on the ride to work this morning, I was glad my car didn't get stuck, as I made it to work ever so slowly. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEH295_Ts8Q4rp8_3cA56GmZ4H_nb3KBfpxrAZFikv6ygwW7uu2TzM99nHo7anPJX5GP7U5wN-aWJdGHAyWZZyH30tO2sfl63jBHi0ho6Tr1Yp2SNnDzqMCyV50gAQLM45BvOoT7Xmla7/s1600/IMG_9266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEH295_Ts8Q4rp8_3cA56GmZ4H_nb3KBfpxrAZFikv6ygwW7uu2TzM99nHo7anPJX5GP7U5wN-aWJdGHAyWZZyH30tO2sfl63jBHi0ho6Tr1Yp2SNnDzqMCyV50gAQLM45BvOoT7Xmla7/s320/IMG_9266.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I was also very excited to see people out there helping each other in the snow, seems like the last few storms nobody would stop and help anyone. Today I saw tons of people helping, and it made my heart very happy. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh167NfXieF3CWXCDPP_6An8sq3SAy5vdk069RrOp-y-tsjAzfI_kHrlvJCC-sl5W6sxdKAn7Qg9dic-EOuumz80fm-emEVxiDLSUVrP4nOsLKAOLsCPJqgOInnO0rUIo47oTrqhDI2E_Sf/s1600/IMG_9267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh167NfXieF3CWXCDPP_6An8sq3SAy5vdk069RrOp-y-tsjAzfI_kHrlvJCC-sl5W6sxdKAn7Qg9dic-EOuumz80fm-emEVxiDLSUVrP4nOsLKAOLsCPJqgOInnO0rUIo47oTrqhDI2E_Sf/s320/IMG_9267.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWO3suTxSITzIhypPd4zY-AANA0EEhdR3kBCm0b6YrW5bdFVtK8LO02X641ZtIrDM_dk-5CrguuMq_DNY_EPTJ5nbS-6uFYfVc9X8B2GB6h8PJAZiYN5aL5aHLCROPbRKSJGbfyvE4Gt1k/s1600/IMG_9272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWO3suTxSITzIhypPd4zY-AANA0EEhdR3kBCm0b6YrW5bdFVtK8LO02X641ZtIrDM_dk-5CrguuMq_DNY_EPTJ5nbS-6uFYfVc9X8B2GB6h8PJAZiYN5aL5aHLCROPbRKSJGbfyvE4Gt1k/s320/IMG_9272.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
More beauty on the way to work, strung in with all the crazy road conditions. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBs24Naw_CTlZhg8mkAylaXnvK23dSYSoL3aQUQooWZJSEaX5xk6IrkNO8P3BWJrHWXJXzpZ3D_0yzaHzSQEi1QxW0hyphenhyphen2rPmAPQKGJsFrw8njJmaABal40hAUzEPLMixGysbQHenykpR6Q/s1600/IMG_9271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBs24Naw_CTlZhg8mkAylaXnvK23dSYSoL3aQUQooWZJSEaX5xk6IrkNO8P3BWJrHWXJXzpZ3D_0yzaHzSQEi1QxW0hyphenhyphen2rPmAPQKGJsFrw8njJmaABal40hAUzEPLMixGysbQHenykpR6Q/s320/IMG_9271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Traffic just stopped, but all I could think of was how much I miss my Father, how much we need this
moisture, and how much I need to just take a breath, relax and let the hibernation of winter rest my heart and soul. Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-73772940049151636922019-01-08T16:05:00.001-08:002019-01-08T16:06:48.076-08:00Can I start Planting yet? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Clearly, I have spring fever WAY too early again this year! More to come.....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0UZQH65c-EW-ho41XkpC4-3_KAm8yRZxqulTRmoFuGdkwil4XZXAlW9PtSpMsNQXMFKzdWXuWJf-0PWn4fZpaDtaZmuehTG6M-cgRIZxGabNgH0foFACKgkRkGWjqPr9euRDnFPzQ2Wl/s320/IMG_3657.JPG" width="320" /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLfqfd2T-HgSeAoYkeUwA1bcbES_AvZwBiZ7dYbOw768FvDwEJFJ5uMAObsuh0L-oNqO3ZH8_Wfp0uFUXv9x72lJUXYfeBd_yWbVWyg_sEZfoZXevdHkvMc-ysjzj9S41U3L9eV_fn9DI/s1600/IMG_4054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLfqfd2T-HgSeAoYkeUwA1bcbES_AvZwBiZ7dYbOw768FvDwEJFJ5uMAObsuh0L-oNqO3ZH8_Wfp0uFUXv9x72lJUXYfeBd_yWbVWyg_sEZfoZXevdHkvMc-ysjzj9S41U3L9eV_fn9DI/s320/IMG_4054.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DF1WdZlPexGrv7VY7GmZcFAAL-a8e5bFN-5VljMF9pI8EpyU-SiH3j2FzStTxRRWPO3pLoO5TELvp7uv3CbkgFIBz-2eZ0CbVfDBjvSawXPaD-aEQg-4p7OKahG34tgpeIq9S3YOHZ-v/s1600/IMG_4083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DF1WdZlPexGrv7VY7GmZcFAAL-a8e5bFN-5VljMF9pI8EpyU-SiH3j2FzStTxRRWPO3pLoO5TELvp7uv3CbkgFIBz-2eZ0CbVfDBjvSawXPaD-aEQg-4p7OKahG34tgpeIq9S3YOHZ-v/s320/IMG_4083.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeOJBBMrMbp03O5EzlfzeAg55TPwvwcDIU2GLtIVDz8oNNUasygC0uz5BribPjdHKaLiIDRKmJ1yIanshlr78_j9nPs638s5evqZLx_pgGObs3jn9sCmby-FWyoPsgtGk1PZhMiFRyxQm/s1600/IMG_4103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeOJBBMrMbp03O5EzlfzeAg55TPwvwcDIU2GLtIVDz8oNNUasygC0uz5BribPjdHKaLiIDRKmJ1yIanshlr78_j9nPs638s5evqZLx_pgGObs3jn9sCmby-FWyoPsgtGk1PZhMiFRyxQm/s320/IMG_4103.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-53745128892010847252018-02-10T20:35:00.003-08:002018-02-10T20:41:32.290-08:00Feb. 10th Already ?!?This year is already flying by. Trying to get all my accounting work done for my business has left me with no time to do the fun garden and crafty things I love to do this time of year. I did take the time to get my seeds ordered, I am super excited for those to get here so I can start getting my hands in some soil. (Even if it is just starter seed soil, its still dirt and I love it.) This is a shot of my frozen garden from a few years back, it was so cold
and snowy this morning, but I laid in bed to cuddle with the cat and my
man rather then get out and take photos, so this one will have to do for
now. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjik94-7QtivXzi_Xl2E-OJRexkrJ9lR6regVKQBtK5mPEwkVpYvxoHUTBxe57ltig8vQwo8wPbjv4IMxfKCFbf39MwODVbaGBl2FZOP4gNtRceKRBloilhdPWJTjcfeOi8uhti0sfJ4xWd/s1600/frozen.gif.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1" data-original-width="1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskBA8VxJlYFo2SF0m48vbALZpj_IbyT3S6EpDPFhbyngR5fUVG7TRERuPGDrg8IcSET1cL5fqQTk2HzjVd8xQVCtnst34quqUd7eFYeKgdZ_RM-y4yViXqCyPdi16-JrC7BHuxXuPjZ2T/s1600/frozen.gif" /><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="636" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjik94-7QtivXzi_Xl2E-OJRexkrJ9lR6regVKQBtK5mPEwkVpYvxoHUTBxe57ltig8vQwo8wPbjv4IMxfKCFbf39MwODVbaGBl2FZOP4gNtRceKRBloilhdPWJTjcfeOi8uhti0sfJ4xWd/s320/frozen.gif.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
I am starting to feel the pull of spring fever, and hoping that our recent cold blast and snow will help all my bulb flowers remember that it is still winter, and not come up early like they did last year. I can't wait to see all my bulbs again! Here's a few pictures of a few tulips and strawberry flowers from last year to help get me through it!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBJNa2h_iYpgzf3_IKlk6N3HB0iHEICMt7n83-GUJ-X6-tbcGiHt4e1IYHNc5L3dfU341K9Xu-1l1pQOr8mx1Jqjs3buL4gWcD2HcJrthU7fbwLNxfUTVaaprp8-PkjalKeQiM1qHok56/s1600/Tulip.php.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBJNa2h_iYpgzf3_IKlk6N3HB0iHEICMt7n83-GUJ-X6-tbcGiHt4e1IYHNc5L3dfU341K9Xu-1l1pQOr8mx1Jqjs3buL4gWcD2HcJrthU7fbwLNxfUTVaaprp8-PkjalKeQiM1qHok56/s320/Tulip.php.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2cllkLg289T88xLM0WN-LodEOjNT4yaB7Kx69T7uOIjavvh9QNXzA0EV1zZvYAIml6WRZoGCMuUFP1oANzBUoRTMnuqsmKNRSgHGK9eJVwDQfLlicndPtjqXYfEEhHrkKDVBan3EAmE6/s1600/strawberry.gif.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF2cllkLg289T88xLM0WN-LodEOjNT4yaB7Kx69T7uOIjavvh9QNXzA0EV1zZvYAIml6WRZoGCMuUFP1oANzBUoRTMnuqsmKNRSgHGK9eJVwDQfLlicndPtjqXYfEEhHrkKDVBan3EAmE6/s320/strawberry.gif.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I was also able to take a quick couple of nights and sew some mini aprons from my <a href="http://www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz/">Mary Jane's Farmgirl Swap</a> for the Valentines day, here is a picture of the cat helping me sew those up a few weeks ago. I forgot to take a photo of the finished product, when I get it back in the swap I will share a picture so you can see how it turned out, but you get the idea.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZN4pUsc0NyZnPfPSd-CEWTXAb-h2kZ5ix8-uOsKo__XCjsIcua7JBJaO6620_l3gDsrmAqK13AGUFza_Xu2RnI6BFGXoqVsHv_ebgKOB6RBgVPEu_BbN2_nvq3w5sjP8dPY42O-iGrsI/s1600/cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZN4pUsc0NyZnPfPSd-CEWTXAb-h2kZ5ix8-uOsKo__XCjsIcua7JBJaO6620_l3gDsrmAqK13AGUFza_Xu2RnI6BFGXoqVsHv_ebgKOB6RBgVPEu_BbN2_nvq3w5sjP8dPY42O-iGrsI/s320/cat.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I am also really missing my Dad right now, he passed away in Sept. 2016, but it feels like yesterday. I miss him everyday at work, as we have a small family business and he guided us along, especially right now during the end of the year book work and taxes. It's so hard to do without him, I have no idea how he did it on his own for 30 years. Today I found myself just crying, unable to get it together, sometimes, it just hits you like ton of bricks, today was one of those days. So, I rested, relaxed, had a good long cry, and will get back to putting one foot in front of the other tomorrow. Love you so much Pop, you are with me in all that I do.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEgc9XYfMvNITc-X61NI1ATF0peTqdKvZB-xyYxaz8fLTSGxRAKSXHJHZQzDLKSf8-y99yUuqdj0X_HFDWT9iq5kS_PVK1v-2aWwxwWS_gEklp_O26OxjSRYFzwvTDHDbzOELiRc_oMQj/s1600/Dad+car+show+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEgc9XYfMvNITc-X61NI1ATF0peTqdKvZB-xyYxaz8fLTSGxRAKSXHJHZQzDLKSf8-y99yUuqdj0X_HFDWT9iq5kS_PVK1v-2aWwxwWS_gEklp_O26OxjSRYFzwvTDHDbzOELiRc_oMQj/s320/Dad+car+show+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWsqsokrW9Nbr6Pj9Esq5GeacfNlCw2fk8MXJrPwyzSl17xOGJrqWvRRrN1mSVgJjmvjv3hPBTpaqe23GHA69Vkw1Yps1D2reeGOBoBWfn-LxDj_3VsepV9DG9ZhVQcxDKEqinbzh2l3e/s1600/Dad+Superman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuWsqsokrW9Nbr6Pj9Esq5GeacfNlCw2fk8MXJrPwyzSl17xOGJrqWvRRrN1mSVgJjmvjv3hPBTpaqe23GHA69Vkw1Yps1D2reeGOBoBWfn-LxDj_3VsepV9DG9ZhVQcxDKEqinbzh2l3e/s320/Dad+Superman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNIbyG7PSfIGPaHzqz0abPPxIzdc03xbBa8n-gefOckIqkDauO3hkpvUf_g4ILFRcpd0QgsrbQxKTTsw8v5ZHblT6AmUk9FzPkRGENBP_ap2w7w0U0L3gucMu8qNCtbTuxS8ANZFYuOer/s1600/Dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="640" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNIbyG7PSfIGPaHzqz0abPPxIzdc03xbBa8n-gefOckIqkDauO3hkpvUf_g4ILFRcpd0QgsrbQxKTTsw8v5ZHblT6AmUk9FzPkRGENBP_ap2w7w0U0L3gucMu8qNCtbTuxS8ANZFYuOer/s320/Dad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-70986906998886737032017-12-03T21:00:00.001-08:002017-12-03T21:02:58.866-08:00<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCr7uJSFfCHorL75lD3ZPVx_XszCpH24O1sNIhIZu7QX9LlLkDLgs4OwoxDYlsIoHAEBSnsywXLhAgs569RYacdnuP15VtYCs7cSuJpVwigUcAOR9-9rMw3858E8PmnrWmTItzKr-4GAr7/s1600/garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="960" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCr7uJSFfCHorL75lD3ZPVx_XszCpH24O1sNIhIZu7QX9LlLkDLgs4OwoxDYlsIoHAEBSnsywXLhAgs569RYacdnuP15VtYCs7cSuJpVwigUcAOR9-9rMw3858E8PmnrWmTItzKr-4GAr7/s320/garden.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Missing my garden. This is a photo from 2014, that was about the last time I really spent any effort on making it better, and really growing the things that I love. My Dads cancer diagnosis in 2013 really took a toll on my energy, and my desire to want to do anything other than hanging out with him. Between trying to run our business, and doing whatever I could with my Dad, the garden and my homestead life got completely shut off. I am finally in a place where I am feeling joy come back into my life, I am thinking more about the things I love, that I stopped doing, that I need to start doing again. Gardening is Definitely one of them. I am looking forward to this winter, and my usual gardener slumber, that really isn't a slumber at all, but more of a downtime to regroup, refresh, and plan like crazy all the things I want to accomplish in the next growing season. For the first time in years I am super excited to start my little seedlings, and create beautiful plants in my backyard canvas. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaedW_6MW7-xAe75ZSByC45AWO1KPWAOQvKm-VNEzU02kEVGG03SJHTRz57YshqFY-SniJIRMeMKSQJ1CGQsMG1-vNEOJ81ZotNtNVAI26k3uwjeIV2n9tWayqtMLATR_CIsawFkZKmnF/s1600/Xmas+Mini+.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaedW_6MW7-xAe75ZSByC45AWO1KPWAOQvKm-VNEzU02kEVGG03SJHTRz57YshqFY-SniJIRMeMKSQJ1CGQsMG1-vNEOJ81ZotNtNVAI26k3uwjeIV2n9tWayqtMLATR_CIsawFkZKmnF/s320/Xmas+Mini+.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
Something else I am ready to dive back into is sewing. I used to sew garb for the <a href="http://sca.org/">SCA</a> life, and tried my hand at quilting and other fun sewing things, I have really been missing it. A few months ago I decided to join a swap with my <a href="http://www.farmgirlsisterhood.org/">Maryjane Farmgirl Sistershood</a> sisters to create mini aprons based on different themes. I thought this would be a good way to slowly reconnect with sewing, since just like my gardening, it took a way way way back seat in my life. The mini apron in this picture is the one I made for the Christmas mini swap. I love with making these, and as hoped, it has sparked my creative sewing side to start thinking of all kinds things I want to create. I have connected with very creative and talented ladies through the Farmgirl Sisterhood, every swap you get your apron back along with all the others that the Sisters have made, it's a blast seeing all the different things they come up with, so much talent, seriously crazy good. I'll post a photo of them all strung together when I get them up later this week. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There is much going on as I re-establish things in my life that have been missing for too long, I am taking it slow, but will share things that are happening as I can. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Happy Sunday! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-85310936929616507532017-07-06T09:08:00.001-07:002017-07-06T09:31:51.203-07:00Missing my Dad <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMA_EXWvuNOaDZaAnrLsD34eTh70vi7_ZzpPavSONPM6GEATi2h08eGVVqRd3n9so-kb1D11nRk2rcCo2tr7DYX6zF2HunALfubaHfqGOnDEJzt5eB8eRM_8i0f-yWkXr-iBdJxzZOL63/s1600/DSC_6405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMA_EXWvuNOaDZaAnrLsD34eTh70vi7_ZzpPavSONPM6GEATi2h08eGVVqRd3n9so-kb1D11nRk2rcCo2tr7DYX6zF2HunALfubaHfqGOnDEJzt5eB8eRM_8i0f-yWkXr-iBdJxzZOL63/s320/DSC_6405.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Sept. 7, 2016 I lost my Dad to cancer. He was diagnosed in the fall of 2013 with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and was given 7-12 months to live. He lived for another 3 years. He told me when he got diagnosed, he was not ready to go yet, he had things to do, he wanted 3 more birthdays, and at least 2 more Christimas', and he got them. He fought hard, I forget how many rounds of chemo he had, 6 maybe, seemed like he was doing chemo rounds 2 times a year that lasted at least 4 months, with a few months off in between. He was a strong man, his body shutting down on him was very hard for him to deal with. He kept exercising, eating right, getting rest, anything he could do for one more day. He woke up everyday and thanked the Lord for another day on this earth, he reminded me that I needed to be doing the same, as none of us are getting out of this alive. He used to say he just happened to know his time was coming sooner then most knew. One day I was trying to get him to slow down, to stop doing so much, clearly it was getting hard for him to walk, or do minor tasks, he got upset with me and told me, "I can't just sit around and wait to die, I have to be doing something, ANYTHING."<br />
<br />
About a week before he died he said he wanted to talk to me, funny, since all we'd been doing was talking all the time, but he said he wanted to have a serious talk. He told me how worried about me he was, he was worried him being sick and dying was something he thought I might not never recover from. He told me, I had to let him go, I had to be ready to move on, to remember him always in my heart, but that I needed to let him go. He told me, the first few months, the first year, are going to be very hard, but its okay, it will get better he said. You'll think of me a little less as time goes by, and at first you might feel guilty about that, but try not to, that's whats supposed to happen, your supposed to miss me, but keep then keep moving forward. Even in his last days, he was trying to teach me, to guide me, to help me. He was amazing, he was not thinking of himself, or his pain, he was trying to comfort me, he was worried for us. We had a long cry, we held hands and told each other some of our favorite memories, he made me promise I would not be mad at God for him being sick and dying. I realized that my selfish attempts to hold onto him, were holding him up from what he needed to do. I told him I was ready to let him go, and tried to express how much my heart was breaking, and how much I would miss him. He told me he was going to miss me too, but he would check in on me when he could. We laughed at that, I told him he better find a way to let me know from the other side how it was over there. He died about 4 days after that conversation. We watched him as he had one foot in this world, and one in the other, and did our best to let him go. Towards the end he couldn't say my name, he couldn't say Christy, he kept calling me Christmas, it was bittersweet.<br />
<br />
So here I am almost 10 months later, while it's not getting easier, it is more manageable, I am finally able to understand what he was trying to tell me. My Dad did not want me to get stuck in that place of grief and sadness, he wants me to live, to be happy, to not waste anymore time on fear, grief, doubt, or any of that kind of bullshit. I know he would be proud of me today, tackling the big things I need to, and taking steps to learn how to relax, to take better care of myself. I finally was able to talk to God, tell him I am still mad, but I am ready to start talking to him again, I told God, I just need help, I don't know how sometimes to process all this. Hopefully I start hearing the messages he is sending me soon, as it will take more time to really be open and still and find the way he is showing me.<br />
<br />
For the first time in a long time, I have hope, and that hope is starting to beat out the fear. I am learning to let go, to do what I like again, I am being kind to myself and taking the steps I need to move forward. Moving forward felt very hard at first, it felt like I was moving further away from my Dad, until I realized, he is coming with me, he will never be far from me, he is with me always. Like my friend Marsha said, "When I watch the sunset, I am seeing it through my Moms eyes, for her, sharing it with her." One smart cookie my friend Marsha.<br />
<br />
My Dad was an amazing, wonderful man, I miss dearly, as I move forward and put that part of my life behind me, he is coming with me on all the great adventures yet to be. Thank you for all the love, and such a beautiful life Dad, I promise not to waste another minute.<br />
All my love to you Pop,<br />
Christina <br />
<br />
<br />Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-11103090519620691872016-03-17T21:07:00.001-07:002016-03-17T21:07:59.048-07:00Winters last breathWinter is holding on, but Spring is just around the corner.....Thank goodness, feels like the longest winter of my life. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cQG-yyj2xurS7j7phIE1Cwd5FVT3dZAL8M6XCN8Xu5uWZDqKgG59DT433S9ZmpM242rTyuQTmW5i0mc4djS2RYThCv9YGILa-pKbO-nN31Z-AhAMgKctVLH7oH7OoF_GMcdAiLzLCbZc/s1600/DSC_9658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cQG-yyj2xurS7j7phIE1Cwd5FVT3dZAL8M6XCN8Xu5uWZDqKgG59DT433S9ZmpM242rTyuQTmW5i0mc4djS2RYThCv9YGILa-pKbO-nN31Z-AhAMgKctVLH7oH7OoF_GMcdAiLzLCbZc/s320/DSC_9658.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-38487863274755560412015-11-23T19:07:00.001-08:002015-11-23T19:20:20.475-08:0022 months later <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Putting another year of gardening to bed. Not one post in almost 2 years, hard to believe how quickly time passes. Slowly finding my way back, with the help of family and friends. Things look brighter now, even though we are heading into the darkness of the winter months, traditionally the time for all gardeners to tuck ourselves away, I look forward for the first time in years to this time of reflection, renewal, rebuilding, and preparation of the dreams of the rebirth of spring.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8H1JFkdd02ziLHCtscF-euodROiKJPYL1dhtbkIZutyeAAl6tEeXHxicVdOqZOjHCsvyNBvF42bPO2H-9ocMFkxO1RztIWYovS2v5ItERoJX2Nhejtf7roFO_LCcIDuZokTlCl41c70ei/s1600/DSC_5431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8H1JFkdd02ziLHCtscF-euodROiKJPYL1dhtbkIZutyeAAl6tEeXHxicVdOqZOjHCsvyNBvF42bPO2H-9ocMFkxO1RztIWYovS2v5ItERoJX2Nhejtf7roFO_LCcIDuZokTlCl41c70ei/s320/DSC_5431.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For 22 months, or longer, the darkness has taken me over. I have finally began to undo it, and have started to shine again. The garden has changed much in the last 2 growing seasons, I have learned a lot, lost hope a lot, but such is the life of a gardener. From seedling to harvest anything can happen, and indeed these last 2 growing seasons have taught me so much. As the winter begins to take hold and settle in, I put this year behind me and let the future shine through the winter darkness.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgs-5GOId4J18MicL0hPdzF3cK_9m6k1GRvmFGJsy7i6QJWYlwOKroWs-K8FmJhoM5Gpex_f-YTdv2lY0i8CGiPMwC0GfvgUBTTdzyWY3xk42tCTrBWIrs2PPj_CrSlSz1nrfTsUfpfdHO/s1600/DSC_8863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgs-5GOId4J18MicL0hPdzF3cK_9m6k1GRvmFGJsy7i6QJWYlwOKroWs-K8FmJhoM5Gpex_f-YTdv2lY0i8CGiPMwC0GfvgUBTTdzyWY3xk42tCTrBWIrs2PPj_CrSlSz1nrfTsUfpfdHO/s320/DSC_8863.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Until then, good night sweet garden, fairies, gnomes, and all magical creatures. May you find warmth in the shelter of red shed, and slumber well with dreams spring. I look forward to our awakening in a few short months.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvO8mYiP2ThIAqBqiqDH5TkrpED7d5KbPciXmYB1Fe1eEOPF6RzZpjSy1_xpUMZKKntFrTjiOrnjdLW4nGU9ajxnfUKPvlWp-34DR40956bfiK8L9w23ZaEmRPfeV_fkJWLx1y6tA1EuF/s1600/DSC_8874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvO8mYiP2ThIAqBqiqDH5TkrpED7d5KbPciXmYB1Fe1eEOPF6RzZpjSy1_xpUMZKKntFrTjiOrnjdLW4nGU9ajxnfUKPvlWp-34DR40956bfiK8L9w23ZaEmRPfeV_fkJWLx1y6tA1EuF/s320/DSC_8874.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFnGEG5IO9SYVtocmSACnMQe4QNpyQaiF0_y_ax5n9ppQZkuAkag3JKJPO9zzQu5q46lL7hPW79rAAvnoOAWah5j2M64hcd8fr5sTrJAErEuE5KVySwXHMF6SyCTSKPg6fBtqI_W-kW23/s1600/DSC_8887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFnGEG5IO9SYVtocmSACnMQe4QNpyQaiF0_y_ax5n9ppQZkuAkag3JKJPO9zzQu5q46lL7hPW79rAAvnoOAWah5j2M64hcd8fr5sTrJAErEuE5KVySwXHMF6SyCTSKPg6fBtqI_W-kW23/s320/DSC_8887.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-13676688572165234582014-01-04T19:22:00.001-08:002014-01-04T19:24:40.335-08:002013 review in photos After thinking about how I wanted to start blogging again, I figured the first of the year is a perfect time to start. I thought of many ways to sort of end the old and start the new. I could answer questions geared towards things I did, and didn't do, things I hope to do, personal things about me, but it all sounded like to much work after a year that kicked my ass. 2013 was a bitch of year for me, the loss of my 18 year companion kitty, HRH Aretmis, and the diagnosis of my Fathers terminal liver cancer bookended my year in suckville.<br />
<br />
I decided that a photo journey of the few things this year that had great impact on me would be best. I will add a little bit about each photo, but will leave it up to you to surmise 2013 with your own eyes.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Happy 2014 </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WnExBWe7xfVcXd68UwNlTkJjUQnEJUsZduD8Bj0EbV1vEyLTK3Ru63ruXlzKlPubVt55mePh86eTpWkkBvdc9ETRCZ2FQ68QY593jZErL8jg8PHaZR9a0j4gv0hI8lZ7ly1GoFOEEFlo/s1600/DSC_9768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WnExBWe7xfVcXd68UwNlTkJjUQnEJUsZduD8Bj0EbV1vEyLTK3Ru63ruXlzKlPubVt55mePh86eTpWkkBvdc9ETRCZ2FQ68QY593jZErL8jg8PHaZR9a0j4gv0hI8lZ7ly1GoFOEEFlo/s320/DSC_9768.jpg" width="172" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
HRH Sir Artemis RIP kitty </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTauHXTBOTTr5JVbPH6_T5u-EP8H_6UErmEY7BW9qRDEO7O9_Gae8DV-4alCnhhRa9TP6Aj8UjoNiMiOKtbvaofut8qd-5urUBRERKAm5LcVgl11Pr4BRgVLW2TMP2hCbG7eF0jUs7pk3U/s1600/DSC_1679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTauHXTBOTTr5JVbPH6_T5u-EP8H_6UErmEY7BW9qRDEO7O9_Gae8DV-4alCnhhRa9TP6Aj8UjoNiMiOKtbvaofut8qd-5urUBRERKAm5LcVgl11Pr4BRgVLW2TMP2hCbG7eF0jUs7pk3U/s320/DSC_1679.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
Crafting adventure with <a href="http://themakerie.com/">The Makerie</a> in Boulder <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXwQDHUoLeUNlmLszW7P229h34_NDL293GqtiKpE0Nd1icYpGkw3TZVmsZ0ERIEhD8L4NYP1NNX1MaWyeUk9nULh0fzdnMTISTtAbUr27PY7sC2eusEz5qe-CAtxGTslIJ2uOpA3Jk0sS/s1600/IMG_2749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXwQDHUoLeUNlmLszW7P229h34_NDL293GqtiKpE0Nd1icYpGkw3TZVmsZ0ERIEhD8L4NYP1NNX1MaWyeUk9nULh0fzdnMTISTtAbUr27PY7sC2eusEz5qe-CAtxGTslIJ2uOpA3Jk0sS/s320/IMG_2749.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMDLfkF6Ks9RtVoRDxnQED6Ufm2bY-IfRgCzWJg6UCYhyphenhyphenWiW2lIw7wUOvY1mFX6CNehb9yGKw9X5rfH-4MMRP1cs7eTVOsn5_oluLkoyEVpxAWCOAPgzd1bp7pYQUjc_GNtAj47R4Cd8X/s1600/DSC_4043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMDLfkF6Ks9RtVoRDxnQED6Ufm2bY-IfRgCzWJg6UCYhyphenhyphenWiW2lIw7wUOvY1mFX6CNehb9yGKw9X5rfH-4MMRP1cs7eTVOsn5_oluLkoyEVpxAWCOAPgzd1bp7pYQUjc_GNtAj47R4Cd8X/s320/DSC_4043.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxMl0U9vfZyBP81oz8umBq0AbFbx5s6-aRAy7PXW6ll7CGm_g_7_S7EIzJUt9p4UV0LA4dUikHtwXntDVjz7FXkOx9G4V20QQXzQ7oWOErWdBMW5W93psj0fCELMPXD_M_2kXxSVR4pmm/s1600/DSC_4059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxMl0U9vfZyBP81oz8umBq0AbFbx5s6-aRAy7PXW6ll7CGm_g_7_S7EIzJUt9p4UV0LA4dUikHtwXntDVjz7FXkOx9G4V20QQXzQ7oWOErWdBMW5W93psj0fCELMPXD_M_2kXxSVR4pmm/s320/DSC_4059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJuegTXx8BWtjqQKiBD50ndle9hg6PcmSsJwuxFJ2FceA8LuR6_dQ51G32eBxxYbj4w5C-xG-PzC5l6WrLtR-hGD4tyt9uOVyV0wBlkM0mcC2Wgn_Uv3sx7g9fF6XQt3BTIIBCnlKmDQS/s1600/DSC_4096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJuegTXx8BWtjqQKiBD50ndle9hg6PcmSsJwuxFJ2FceA8LuR6_dQ51G32eBxxYbj4w5C-xG-PzC5l6WrLtR-hGD4tyt9uOVyV0wBlkM0mcC2Wgn_Uv3sx7g9fF6XQt3BTIIBCnlKmDQS/s320/DSC_4096.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMZJFGIQYQ8Xcb9hKubv63sBrOSL7DMbZq11FAe4Yb_GTo3tqbXZRB06yQJ7HRTrQyM7H4fN0BkWfXQy1TmgACXG_kDJDThFUTcadS91Gq1eokbfJZnM5jrkalqv-7bY52ltAT9BIXw37/s1600/DSC_4262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMZJFGIQYQ8Xcb9hKubv63sBrOSL7DMbZq11FAe4Yb_GTo3tqbXZRB06yQJ7HRTrQyM7H4fN0BkWfXQy1TmgACXG_kDJDThFUTcadS91Gq1eokbfJZnM5jrkalqv-7bY52ltAT9BIXw37/s320/DSC_4262.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
San Fran for wine and tours <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg920JDL8O4QVnVs93cNxz0XN3mXF_-rQECNcl5XboGtMSnDaNbYRLdmb7np7XTqDeNIdbTcXdCBfPBCAE5_DRnca-qtr9e7WEQOK7APSqMHmInGhrScUD2YWsISBWYxTyRka8rEisccJdU/s1600/DSC_4276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg920JDL8O4QVnVs93cNxz0XN3mXF_-rQECNcl5XboGtMSnDaNbYRLdmb7np7XTqDeNIdbTcXdCBfPBCAE5_DRnca-qtr9e7WEQOK7APSqMHmInGhrScUD2YWsISBWYxTyRka8rEisccJdU/s320/DSC_4276.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.alcatrazgardens.org/">The gardens at Alcatraz </a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Oof_bh21Jhio7TBwFZkDTU-043-lVSM6IVcPLmaTjk3vBfLcAOWQvM-C5aFqweEw57QS42b7Ffwb3gACI-IIueF52f8Jur0CCHuoAoPnPaXQZ7i0dbSxjnKePqgSnDRnAlyo-H1h3DRs/s1600/DSC_5746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Oof_bh21Jhio7TBwFZkDTU-043-lVSM6IVcPLmaTjk3vBfLcAOWQvM-C5aFqweEw57QS42b7Ffwb3gACI-IIueF52f8Jur0CCHuoAoPnPaXQZ7i0dbSxjnKePqgSnDRnAlyo-H1h3DRs/s320/DSC_5746.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZTEOm_2bgfesgozgwV4SD9N9ZIvxrJR7NprD7FVln_zPMedhOv21UfsDHoNhRPgJT47-F_atzjCkrN_CUxxFRV6sI7N22PZF2OwOiyFYNQ6RsgIDWk224NDL0Mr4i_W0l5VOhVWdCHCb/s1600/DSC_5951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZTEOm_2bgfesgozgwV4SD9N9ZIvxrJR7NprD7FVln_zPMedhOv21UfsDHoNhRPgJT47-F_atzjCkrN_CUxxFRV6sI7N22PZF2OwOiyFYNQ6RsgIDWk224NDL0Mr4i_W0l5VOhVWdCHCb/s320/DSC_5951.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5t6xNeuWmtplWkdZQgh2lcWJ9GTC9IEFgtA30bj6xMr8YRLOO-YaoYp59YNyrwqtgaR0bzAFbHVq-E2SfpZHKEZ7xvuOTvskq133esPq-3PduMwHIpObon5cx86VcEALSYM_40_f3Cp3b/s1600/IMG_2532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5t6xNeuWmtplWkdZQgh2lcWJ9GTC9IEFgtA30bj6xMr8YRLOO-YaoYp59YNyrwqtgaR0bzAFbHVq-E2SfpZHKEZ7xvuOTvskq133esPq-3PduMwHIpObon5cx86VcEALSYM_40_f3Cp3b/s320/IMG_2532.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Birthday high tea at <a href="http://www.brownpalace.com/">The Brown Palace </a>& Blanket Lisa and I made for Jenn, Well, Lisa did most of the work, especially fixing my lame ass squares. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgii8RnUEIZjuJFd180u72jQX-5UdK9ivgKKIp3lDEleyjUQjRM0fKjFJh5LcGBHDO-ah5UGpGIHloNNv_NszXA-ysx7qHGyf-mJUPnfhGlO6FbBBoW5GI6EuHu0k9-Uibq73-8xyKTNAJ/s1600/DSC_9980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgii8RnUEIZjuJFd180u72jQX-5UdK9ivgKKIp3lDEleyjUQjRM0fKjFJh5LcGBHDO-ah5UGpGIHloNNv_NszXA-ysx7qHGyf-mJUPnfhGlO6FbBBoW5GI6EuHu0k9-Uibq73-8xyKTNAJ/s320/DSC_9980.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5mjdnqw3KLs6APZGvFDtrnKbtT0IxVuozslwm3R5K4KR4E8PXmkCxMuK4HeZfjGWrbInLSGSgpviPEZmg7Q4Qcg_Ci2e6idRD3PeR3NvRVS_xX9Q-5LIRWiwrAmS_-Rjmx7nb8ZW5K0d/s1600/IMG_2577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5mjdnqw3KLs6APZGvFDtrnKbtT0IxVuozslwm3R5K4KR4E8PXmkCxMuK4HeZfjGWrbInLSGSgpviPEZmg7Q4Qcg_Ci2e6idRD3PeR3NvRVS_xX9Q-5LIRWiwrAmS_-Rjmx7nb8ZW5K0d/s320/IMG_2577.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6q99z3RuV-LSnaMIgrOGDDBjPJwmImM31CUNP8HgJruFhbm_53qG7MxWinknoPCSGtCcLiocDTnsN7zUm6dsJYhyphenhyphen65bC2v1Dx2sFf8eacV5QY4KzOmtyXWCBb-nUjSFouqmP5A7N5j-8A/s1600/DSC_9512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6q99z3RuV-LSnaMIgrOGDDBjPJwmImM31CUNP8HgJruFhbm_53qG7MxWinknoPCSGtCcLiocDTnsN7zUm6dsJYhyphenhyphen65bC2v1Dx2sFf8eacV5QY4KzOmtyXWCBb-nUjSFouqmP5A7N5j-8A/s320/DSC_9512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZpqbG9k9K0k58E5heNzjR5R1IveQy-4eSPrgLLrqgW3Ysm8P0ZqdJ1bMv8Fv5Ub_k-dTCVV1iNO6Kg_yr8zSVHZE6tsIV0lf34IaiN7zt5l5BDQG40S_77rkr_EiQLqdees8yCK4WSgY/s1600/IMG_3515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZpqbG9k9K0k58E5heNzjR5R1IveQy-4eSPrgLLrqgW3Ysm8P0ZqdJ1bMv8Fv5Ub_k-dTCVV1iNO6Kg_yr8zSVHZE6tsIV0lf34IaiN7zt5l5BDQG40S_77rkr_EiQLqdees8yCK4WSgY/s320/IMG_3515.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
1st Rockies game in years with my Cousin Lisa and God Daughter Jordyn<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7oRfcO0KrwdBhDynrhGCHHa81yB5cayXmWxcoSzmDSQ8GraS1YcrZ8RUe3L0C5BqJoIT7vn0r2UV_PRtcl0NNTV9mq9Wwv3St4Xbx8cRJaoJ_KfXzkr-21vGZ4z6zaR_Vqf_qXpwalYA/s1600/IMG_3886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7oRfcO0KrwdBhDynrhGCHHa81yB5cayXmWxcoSzmDSQ8GraS1YcrZ8RUe3L0C5BqJoIT7vn0r2UV_PRtcl0NNTV9mq9Wwv3St4Xbx8cRJaoJ_KfXzkr-21vGZ4z6zaR_Vqf_qXpwalYA/s320/IMG_3886.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit18VtjACdXnUIWFmEy85QH8kC0YUQYZ33FLI4MG8chiGXLqumU1hNkFD67uPkFzqVd2cALlw4LRSrNFuwgsHmKDiW2YWhKc1H1p84bU6GtE3fsxbZ6J6sQlnUFnshMn3tgzeo2DaVl3hK/s1600/IMG_4806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit18VtjACdXnUIWFmEy85QH8kC0YUQYZ33FLI4MG8chiGXLqumU1hNkFD67uPkFzqVd2cALlw4LRSrNFuwgsHmKDiW2YWhKc1H1p84bU6GtE3fsxbZ6J6sQlnUFnshMn3tgzeo2DaVl3hK/s320/IMG_4806.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
End of the season Rockie game with my Dad, just about a week before he got sick<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4JuXUZx_wnIlGdV8hRrY6jssINXzaUPboqnXtg5NxReL0rfm7986KZvAnMjgUChHNgo9ERAYsjPrlruT5DeQJk9MmnrS1B_QHqX64CO0o8l_NoSyrjjCJ2y4mNDoCOw0wqnmfCTpGtYJ/s1600/IMG_4945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4JuXUZx_wnIlGdV8hRrY6jssINXzaUPboqnXtg5NxReL0rfm7986KZvAnMjgUChHNgo9ERAYsjPrlruT5DeQJk9MmnrS1B_QHqX64CO0o8l_NoSyrjjCJ2y4mNDoCOw0wqnmfCTpGtYJ/s320/IMG_4945.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7F_NSnUhbekudItN4wKM0ekLJsubww9r3LT4GuMXrK4R_ye1HYzmnHlMmKuVSZoOKuNi-wRvPKLRc80M5A9RqWMiMufC6k8CMmbtn16k_ABE-Pl2371PTizcqU2OZaz3w9rl_4vVxKUF/s1600/IMG_5040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7F_NSnUhbekudItN4wKM0ekLJsubww9r3LT4GuMXrK4R_ye1HYzmnHlMmKuVSZoOKuNi-wRvPKLRc80M5A9RqWMiMufC6k8CMmbtn16k_ABE-Pl2371PTizcqU2OZaz3w9rl_4vVxKUF/s320/IMG_5040.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Sunrise in the hospital lobby while getting a moments peace after sitting with my Dad<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPfmMZ2eImkr5rtjnLHGm8UjbEp0xnYegOgjCw49Q3aFi8O4db_Qmm2X2C0LS1Mavt5OUjxBKJtwUenH7A7wa1JV5MzRXLqbCbW8Fk2Qd4BJvTgo1OLsnwF1bb3zbnfxgoA2WCCKsIldZ/s1600/IMG_5042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPfmMZ2eImkr5rtjnLHGm8UjbEp0xnYegOgjCw49Q3aFi8O4db_Qmm2X2C0LS1Mavt5OUjxBKJtwUenH7A7wa1JV5MzRXLqbCbW8Fk2Qd4BJvTgo1OLsnwF1bb3zbnfxgoA2WCCKsIldZ/s320/IMG_5042.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
A beautiful fall day completely lost on me as I am consumed with sadness and anger<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPwTCW7oRwjKeQ62aWPFGiE55vxBAyAoCi9q9UsaYFHopEhYBogQDPJa3ZgnSoHNtbuZ9-E_RooRNptOPemUWQ3HzfeKLc7JJik2wlc5OCZmf3eHTzuEWfr3TZHMWapnVRXeX2qxQSeDM/s1600/IMG_5602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPwTCW7oRwjKeQ62aWPFGiE55vxBAyAoCi9q9UsaYFHopEhYBogQDPJa3ZgnSoHNtbuZ9-E_RooRNptOPemUWQ3HzfeKLc7JJik2wlc5OCZmf3eHTzuEWfr3TZHMWapnVRXeX2qxQSeDM/s320/IMG_5602.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0FGzKreHkmXP0SUEUfEa7J1ORch6Z4NJ_GDeZi9IFwTyDXlizpJAqvF9hD2UXfewGt-GyCZ5C3nMMo_bAbdJYtl3ptc1gtQceYKzUQJtD87InAABvROx7qrsQ1VjO_dI72cRcZJPz4Ec/s1600/IMG_5375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0FGzKreHkmXP0SUEUfEa7J1ORch6Z4NJ_GDeZi9IFwTyDXlizpJAqvF9hD2UXfewGt-GyCZ5C3nMMo_bAbdJYtl3ptc1gtQceYKzUQJtD87InAABvROx7qrsQ1VjO_dI72cRcZJPz4Ec/s320/IMG_5375.jpg" width="240" /> </a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.inertia2.com/">Punkin Chunkin</a> with my brothers team, all I wanted was a cold beer and some peace and quiet </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYAUPGV-l2aDdLXIudcBd8iwvIXILbIrMCNcOnU3qkK5deheIG2z3wj2rMNUSG11vXqhrRdtr60nJWS7bcZg4rrhfD78nIszLGj_w25CvdkC5R-KLX2Ka9QlQVqiCoqDVT5fPQgbZisn6/s1600/DSC_0416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYAUPGV-l2aDdLXIudcBd8iwvIXILbIrMCNcOnU3qkK5deheIG2z3wj2rMNUSG11vXqhrRdtr60nJWS7bcZg4rrhfD78nIszLGj_w25CvdkC5R-KLX2Ka9QlQVqiCoqDVT5fPQgbZisn6/s320/DSC_0416.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<br />
Dad and the men in the family making traditional popcorn balls<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9y9N9asIuTlwapv8QNCwwt5kRiecpD6iP7QXrjckqgEcmgOHQGFV_EVAy5JIiU7ud4tz7z_nWOTQIF09wfa0gilDtbul0Ad3bfS8oAXgQCQL0bjthptaKkMPQsc2S1HPyri7znNEhUcG5/s1600/DSC_0728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9y9N9asIuTlwapv8QNCwwt5kRiecpD6iP7QXrjckqgEcmgOHQGFV_EVAy5JIiU7ud4tz7z_nWOTQIF09wfa0gilDtbul0Ad3bfS8oAXgQCQL0bjthptaKkMPQsc2S1HPyri7znNEhUcG5/s320/DSC_0728.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9aMxt-wQWEFz3mu1qrQWdQXQAHHnzpMFVh_c-0Obl5_XWYyjOIifyJLDKGO3yp2f1lLWsp1Y98xCQ8qVto4NxTOZDuOYVOyVaQLmylrWyQgRhVdkzQyPm7ypiZQgTw09hAUNXVmpqNeU/s1600/IMG_5951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9aMxt-wQWEFz3mu1qrQWdQXQAHHnzpMFVh_c-0Obl5_XWYyjOIifyJLDKGO3yp2f1lLWsp1Y98xCQ8qVto4NxTOZDuOYVOyVaQLmylrWyQgRhVdkzQyPm7ypiZQgTw09hAUNXVmpqNeU/s320/IMG_5951.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Sitting with my Dad while he gets a chemo infusion<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_OGprZ6SNzuKkGvjRABW18DojC3Qo-ll52DJq6fkbIyDhhKf-GVUL1n-OIRA6F3mZaomh8EBbKAuFnqIisDtBbjR3rZcXq0E8-Zu1uiqWRx_ibwyLjykx9Whdqab6idY6wTooICSdItH/s1600/IMG_6016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_OGprZ6SNzuKkGvjRABW18DojC3Qo-ll52DJq6fkbIyDhhKf-GVUL1n-OIRA6F3mZaomh8EBbKAuFnqIisDtBbjR3rZcXq0E8-Zu1uiqWRx_ibwyLjykx9Whdqab6idY6wTooICSdItH/s320/IMG_6016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Ending the year on a good note, Christmas tea with my Mom at the <a href="http://www.brownpalace.com/">Brown Palace </a><br />
<br />Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-79380899613016814892014-01-01T21:01:00.003-08:002014-01-03T04:22:38.219-08:00Happy New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-cJqwRCt3Rh0Ivq1zktiUC5wORlMYVs8Kur0J3wT2JvNMEeg6nNviB0Tzjbcz_l1JemaVs0Pd4bWTLxC86rhxjR7bohg9K1F6s6HB7RuMOzqcCY8_JjXwRBra3thDTalv_FiqHkZtXvD/s1600/DSC_1087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-cJqwRCt3Rh0Ivq1zktiUC5wORlMYVs8Kur0J3wT2JvNMEeg6nNviB0Tzjbcz_l1JemaVs0Pd4bWTLxC86rhxjR7bohg9K1F6s6HB7RuMOzqcCY8_JjXwRBra3thDTalv_FiqHkZtXvD/s1600/DSC_1087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-49858750680975670032013-07-27T18:43:00.002-07:002013-07-27T18:48:10.659-07:00July 27, 2013 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZitzUOaDN6l_qGRm4WPVU46EmRUfcLbdNLtLaCvSkZbg61QFKGgLVmV9tcvyHGbFb_SxWX4DZNQamoMESCh3p-3Apo3b3BGB818hzUfC65T7c_Dsl0dM2uhMXSbhvaPeh6Tj_FnVXcPp/s1600/DSC_5746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZitzUOaDN6l_qGRm4WPVU46EmRUfcLbdNLtLaCvSkZbg61QFKGgLVmV9tcvyHGbFb_SxWX4DZNQamoMESCh3p-3Apo3b3BGB818hzUfC65T7c_Dsl0dM2uhMXSbhvaPeh6Tj_FnVXcPp/s320/DSC_5746.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Much has been going on in the garden, so much to catch you up on, but for now, a quick summary of today's harvest, there was okra, tomatoes, basil, Thai chili's, and zucchini. More to come soon, just a quick hello and current image of the garden this year. Happy gardening, if your hands are clean, your doing it wrong! Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-51037788922738160532012-12-25T07:48:00.001-08:002012-12-25T07:48:47.961-08:00Merry Christmas <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKC3y_cgeJIkHlXxdApkAM9d7SZpg_nJWf-p92TSQfxdCERJR0MGSozjrKpYtNDv53IQm0D7ZgvxclKoOJnm8ILvgP9RiCfoZtqatmq3tZCJ_CwVHAyLFlX3TAnCVLQ4sRKRkrGME036wB/s1600/DSC_9411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKC3y_cgeJIkHlXxdApkAM9d7SZpg_nJWf-p92TSQfxdCERJR0MGSozjrKpYtNDv53IQm0D7ZgvxclKoOJnm8ILvgP9RiCfoZtqatmq3tZCJ_CwVHAyLFlX3TAnCVLQ4sRKRkrGME036wB/s320/DSC_9411.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-27031655731698531472012-10-07T08:00:00.004-07:002012-10-07T08:01:29.478-07:00Frosty Morning <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Its been awhile since I posted, all summer has gone by without one post from me updating the garden. The reason for that, is I was not able to post photos all that time, I was posting photos in their raw form, (opps :)) and kinda got locked out of the account for a bit. I think I have it all figured out now, just in time to post a picture of the frost from this morning, and few others from this week that I like. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oUwp7GHALPNb4fEN9KjjYtgJvKoduzqTdRQJZyuy4n2YRpQt1jyhKgPYvJNLV7JqLdUVOzptXPtZ_yjUf8mNDlkVjgVJ56pvLbQrpffcPLSNkWtV1ZOD_aVDnREKkwgZGzTNvebMQFO7/s1600/DSC_6524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oUwp7GHALPNb4fEN9KjjYtgJvKoduzqTdRQJZyuy4n2YRpQt1jyhKgPYvJNLV7JqLdUVOzptXPtZ_yjUf8mNDlkVjgVJ56pvLbQrpffcPLSNkWtV1ZOD_aVDnREKkwgZGzTNvebMQFO7/s320/DSC_6524.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Naturally since its been so long I have to include a photo of Arty. He was watching his reflection in the water, and then just stared at me while I was taking pictures, it was kinda goofy and I love the pic with the garden in the background. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTdIy31TLw_zERYnrmCAOzSQABl1DxS0Gj5qysZKavmubfE2pfhWkCo_3K3b8zzErsTOmyyXJykSSw0SnS-62X6VBEw6KxJQQxQP9FSsowlKAglO4nBn-aRiu6XZHJ_b-UQaxxwnaH8iK/s1600/DSC_6357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTdIy31TLw_zERYnrmCAOzSQABl1DxS0Gj5qysZKavmubfE2pfhWkCo_3K3b8zzErsTOmyyXJykSSw0SnS-62X6VBEw6KxJQQxQP9FSsowlKAglO4nBn-aRiu6XZHJ_b-UQaxxwnaH8iK/s320/DSC_6357.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a shot of the Ghost peppers, aka <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naga_Bhut_Jolokia">Bhut Jolokia</a> I grew this summer, finally got them to flower, and produce fruit. I think mother nature giving us over 71 days of 90+ degree really did the trick this year! My family was brave and tried them, brought 4 men to tears and made them drool in pain :). </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqiJRtDpB1nsvmUytzRfSJGghyV0OiknA-Md2lX9EwUEXkMvr3fxs0WEOwcMcgAyorvM1nosF67euEmjRj0__9fHmHc3rvj3RBOmrkvewgL2xtohr84DMFcsiEzCrkLT0Jj2iUyvnLRh8/s1600/DSC_6347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqiJRtDpB1nsvmUytzRfSJGghyV0OiknA-Md2lX9EwUEXkMvr3fxs0WEOwcMcgAyorvM1nosF67euEmjRj0__9fHmHc3rvj3RBOmrkvewgL2xtohr84DMFcsiEzCrkLT0Jj2iUyvnLRh8/s320/DSC_6347.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now that I have the photo problem figured out, hopefully, I will be updating with more photos from the summer and with plans for winter work to make the garden easier for next year. Thanks for stopping by, sorry for the long delay in posting, I'll get caught up! </span>Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-53925944582502729952012-07-04T10:34:00.002-07:002012-07-04T10:34:59.315-07:00July 4th already....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyvLao7rSJBsK0PXxs8D4uhJX3UjiSEAXsyZpipvzje7O0rC9V14OxrYs8xMRLe_xRYgibdsrE3lgpws8JPwEjIFwHYYeRMes786zxd-RJ-N1EZ3ZaXl25pCPWIAlAiBNVJk6C1luZS1m/s1600/DSC_3266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyvLao7rSJBsK0PXxs8D4uhJX3UjiSEAXsyZpipvzje7O0rC9V14OxrYs8xMRLe_xRYgibdsrE3lgpws8JPwEjIFwHYYeRMes786zxd-RJ-N1EZ3ZaXl25pCPWIAlAiBNVJk6C1luZS1m/s320/DSC_3266.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I can't believe it's July 4th already, man, time is flying by. Spending all my time trying to figure out how to keep the garden from burning up, and keeping me and the cat cool have just made time fly. Having the hottest temps on record for June kept me scrambling to keep things calm in the garden. I did lose most of my peas to the heat, they just can't take it. The potatoes look like they will be next, but the peppers, pumpkins and squashes seem happy. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAlGT7fYbAYTWhparoUlZARhNmOWSTJNLlMHBIRZU37OCD6uu-ME_SOEU2cmnM0v8j_3DPLCGCdHN0HR9dWXRP7pGL6NXIeZ6F4uPkIftqADL-FKgDwt5RTSKYoW6aBZLozvTVE9XWwuc/s1600/DSC_3269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAlGT7fYbAYTWhparoUlZARhNmOWSTJNLlMHBIRZU37OCD6uu-ME_SOEU2cmnM0v8j_3DPLCGCdHN0HR9dWXRP7pGL6NXIeZ6F4uPkIftqADL-FKgDwt5RTSKYoW6aBZLozvTVE9XWwuc/s320/DSC_3269.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I have a few little pumpkins on the vines, they are getting curly and doing my favorite thing running their little green viney fingers all over the garden. I love those plants. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aNvieDstiJ3m2oOaVB5zp5vsXInZ1BBYtxoKXylqml4Cjbo53ouAGy4wgCZD8AoVY7ZCoNO0anjI15UoL1OhcjLyB0X_ovZJnwLVrzF4YDlQkzMFXlckm2hjVR8STQLOeP6RxmDTsfLC/s1600/DSC_3272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0aNvieDstiJ3m2oOaVB5zp5vsXInZ1BBYtxoKXylqml4Cjbo53ouAGy4wgCZD8AoVY7ZCoNO0anjI15UoL1OhcjLyB0X_ovZJnwLVrzF4YDlQkzMFXlckm2hjVR8STQLOeP6RxmDTsfLC/s320/DSC_3272.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The okra is doing well, its happy it also seems to be happy in the heat. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCkZufG_uXIdCdguixoBHySs-iyUNtITdKjMc1BxkdfXlmYH9VRCQJVM94Y0Ofw1Ip-MxKyZ2fyYSnupcKLhIu4qSHc0ldLCAMFUf6OqTeYzoRzksB55eXRh14EZvb1DvRW-Qnt5Qxgl-/s1600/DSC_3273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCkZufG_uXIdCdguixoBHySs-iyUNtITdKjMc1BxkdfXlmYH9VRCQJVM94Y0Ofw1Ip-MxKyZ2fyYSnupcKLhIu4qSHc0ldLCAMFUf6OqTeYzoRzksB55eXRh14EZvb1DvRW-Qnt5Qxgl-/s320/DSC_3273.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6hKC68mwBKjRd9R5p0RldLZeIUnor7isfCEy1M1H8rYKakOiMGkFJnzo2QjXmLNIk_Ee1wxeX2piedSYNAs80O0jLHPqx2IXpebP-mRjXb-2KH59HKtGwfY_eA8jUGYj2QKVkwQjv8Cu/s1600/DSC_3283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6hKC68mwBKjRd9R5p0RldLZeIUnor7isfCEy1M1H8rYKakOiMGkFJnzo2QjXmLNIk_Ee1wxeX2piedSYNAs80O0jLHPqx2IXpebP-mRjXb-2KH59HKtGwfY_eA8jUGYj2QKVkwQjv8Cu/s320/DSC_3283.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
I love this small okra budding out and doing its thing, it kinda looks like a little green fist, GREEN POWER! hehehe<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1e4M6S0wTBDVskiljwYHRjb9RslPQ_qPgnCcfeKhScG_GNmDKEoU-vK8BexUVkTQ7TtEhqOAovTrQe49tGYbxTbUDVw9lCGTflQNM5x2SRdS6cIhvVJ4Y2JTes9aU_X5LMzcFxwqq7kCt/s1600/DSC_3285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1e4M6S0wTBDVskiljwYHRjb9RslPQ_qPgnCcfeKhScG_GNmDKEoU-vK8BexUVkTQ7TtEhqOAovTrQe49tGYbxTbUDVw9lCGTflQNM5x2SRdS6cIhvVJ4Y2JTes9aU_X5LMzcFxwqq7kCt/s320/DSC_3285.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The new strawberry bed is doing really really well, I am so excited about that. Can't wait! I'm hoping that it just makes itself a nice little home so that next year it can really do some magic! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoQWqV6Xa2xQyHWo0Qs9lhRYe8lnE1K4vrxqzFqOOoX7-bnN_LcUNwsU7hx0ia4qb1DOU701LGbqswobKz742eGBFP_PvxDA4076ZzzhyphenhyphenqB7XYT60-NgdCNEBo6MBeix5ikt0rjH5MyWL/s1600/DSC_3288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoQWqV6Xa2xQyHWo0Qs9lhRYe8lnE1K4vrxqzFqOOoX7-bnN_LcUNwsU7hx0ia4qb1DOU701LGbqswobKz742eGBFP_PvxDA4076ZzzhyphenhyphenqB7XYT60-NgdCNEBo6MBeix5ikt0rjH5MyWL/s320/DSC_3288.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The corn is also feeling the heat, but mostly I think I need to add a few more watering spouts, the sides are doing good, but the middle is pretty weak. Not sure what will come of this, but as long as I have some cool tried corn stalks for decorating in the fall it will all be good. Gotta find the good side to things for sure :) More updates coming soon as well as a few other projects I am working on. Happy 4th everyone, stay cool and safe.Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-14606942554394288682012-06-17T18:10:00.001-07:002012-06-17T18:23:36.775-07:00Heating up outside<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MUmQYUgMNJu66EtGk26Dbl-7RdV57an4tBHNdL6_GwtFv4gfgxCCnbyfN379wpVtNH5egmr48y-fDDVP0reoNk4lXamtSyJdhNhjcXbEaChxlvtn6sLGSxBbtZdOhdlxMHLeAqoeJGbB/s1600/DSC_3195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MUmQYUgMNJu66EtGk26Dbl-7RdV57an4tBHNdL6_GwtFv4gfgxCCnbyfN379wpVtNH5egmr48y-fDDVP0reoNk4lXamtSyJdhNhjcXbEaChxlvtn6sLGSxBbtZdOhdlxMHLeAqoeJGbB/s320/DSC_3195.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
Things are cranking away in the garden right now, its absolutely wonderful! The first blossoms popped up this weekend on the okra and squash, and the potatoes are flowering already! This blanket flower has mutated into kinda a triple head, its very very cool to watch it do its thing. The stem on that one is about 3 times the size as the others as well. Nature is amazing.The temps of 95+ the next few days should help the peppers, but my poor lettuces may get wilty, I need to find a covering for them. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3u0KTENq5J_mD6Nn6NfNUvTkv52NFvDu5G5PvYhcFqExlFdat90UXs2ilFXYnegpRosqayrEmhM4wW9fw2oHFM-PVnmEXvfzRq32ODvOCRNRb-QCmFf5QbPvpGjWkCyKxOJUJVW9iykVG/s1600/DSC_3227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3u0KTENq5J_mD6Nn6NfNUvTkv52NFvDu5G5PvYhcFqExlFdat90UXs2ilFXYnegpRosqayrEmhM4wW9fw2oHFM-PVnmEXvfzRq32ODvOCRNRb-QCmFf5QbPvpGjWkCyKxOJUJVW9iykVG/s320/DSC_3227.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
All the garden beds are full now, when I am starting my seeds it always seems like I will have way to much, then as I plant, I think, hmmm, I can make more room over here. Thats how I have now ended up with 14 beds...and plans of course for more. I have decided that all squashes need their own round beds, and that some of the existing beds with the fences need to be perennial things. I had hoped to have all the beds nailed down by this summer so I could start putting in permanent stone semi-raised walls for them, but I just seem to keep finding room to add more beds, :) which is okay, I just need to take a summer and make them all permanent. I also learned this week that you can hand pollinate squash, (and other plants I am sure) I have never tried that, but it might interesting to see if I can do it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCT0MTHKT3EZMXfRqVT5AlaqOHTWP_mOrgqSOBPyKujRF8zooLEB_bCzWuzCmcDOQskZER0psNnrV6xxIC65taNyoGNfT7X8aQGzW8YWU653Io9uu4W4bMPacc9s3cJGlccFAl1U8CjiRM/s1600/DSC_3220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCT0MTHKT3EZMXfRqVT5AlaqOHTWP_mOrgqSOBPyKujRF8zooLEB_bCzWuzCmcDOQskZER0psNnrV6xxIC65taNyoGNfT7X8aQGzW8YWU653Io9uu4W4bMPacc9s3cJGlccFAl1U8CjiRM/s320/DSC_3220.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The peas are coming in nicely they are at least 3 feet tall now and producing many many delicious little pods. I have tons of tomato plants, including a few donor plants from my friend Marsha that are climbers. I have never tried that with Tomatoes, so it should be a learning experience for me, but I am excited for it. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMPb6LIrVHKc7Tt-OV8oVQYF2zycjo8-MdI_uhKLVxNigiyFDFDCxCQ7leA8cOLY611IJyjteOU2aQtPCFfijj0IHPN-ZNjV7dAhWWT50ZFtIYeEZpsnrC4uZXX-ydFMwcHQiCkM1EfHr/s1600/DSC_3221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMPb6LIrVHKc7Tt-OV8oVQYF2zycjo8-MdI_uhKLVxNigiyFDFDCxCQ7leA8cOLY611IJyjteOU2aQtPCFfijj0IHPN-ZNjV7dAhWWT50ZFtIYeEZpsnrC4uZXX-ydFMwcHQiCkM1EfHr/s320/DSC_3221.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
The potatoes have grown completely out of the trash can. I neighbor told me he tried it last year and it did not work so well, that they were to crowded and ended up small. he suggested that I just rip them out now and plant them in the dirt, but I think I am going to stick with this and see how they turn out. On another horseradish note, it has now taken over the garlic, which is not cool, but since I can move the garlic at the end of the season I think that horseradish will be declared the winner yet again. I have such a love/hate relationship with that plant! mmmmm wish it wasn't so tasty! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRu_iR6z-3FaurP57kXsjTztCzPvJ3q5eEARB6NkHUtEVOLY20PQhNSoG4Sk15EhvujTG9LttTtZ6AXLjC6wqaVeFqL1Q-XwueCSGSmHAWyAY6sCAD-mFJGBbnRbxNesU84SZ2Vrf9OzYN/s1600/DSC_3218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRu_iR6z-3FaurP57kXsjTztCzPvJ3q5eEARB6NkHUtEVOLY20PQhNSoG4Sk15EhvujTG9LttTtZ6AXLjC6wqaVeFqL1Q-XwueCSGSmHAWyAY6sCAD-mFJGBbnRbxNesU84SZ2Vrf9OzYN/s320/DSC_3218.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
As always, HRH Arty hung out in the shade while I worked this weekend in the yard. He is such a goof. Also want to send a shout out for prayers and happy vibes to my Cousin and best friend Lisa who lives in the Poudre Canyon here in Colorado. The canyon is on fire right now, and we are hoping for the best. I was able to make a run up and bring home some her things just in case, but keep them, and all the residents up there in your hearts. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghADdPWR48JLGtCKDDzTof9aDaW-7BMz3TUwbXM3Pc_qOoizPnnXj5E79f7SnViu_hwRk0WZIDzjjcKugCtzKRB0kMN1e5w2LOjdDqmYZ6lCgiAM47GVEcsB_pHQcVvChy03Kdc2g5WsuB/s1600/DSC_3042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghADdPWR48JLGtCKDDzTof9aDaW-7BMz3TUwbXM3Pc_qOoizPnnXj5E79f7SnViu_hwRk0WZIDzjjcKugCtzKRB0kMN1e5w2LOjdDqmYZ6lCgiAM47GVEcsB_pHQcVvChy03Kdc2g5WsuB/s320/DSC_3042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This is a shot of the fire as I drove up on Thursday to get a truckload of stuff off the mountain for my Cousin and her family. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgi3SHo3IAMLxurx3LHwY9qE3QHNXK3EAxZ84sEJKyp7_IbzcJYa2nEB-v-9Pz_0w5TAyNpWb9-W4K2Ctl64fpQ0Eh4nBeAzwDa21T-h9UjGkXqNnFXihZvL8n2XlKfyIz2pbxVN4JuDy/s1600/DSC_3058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgi3SHo3IAMLxurx3LHwY9qE3QHNXK3EAxZ84sEJKyp7_IbzcJYa2nEB-v-9Pz_0w5TAyNpWb9-W4K2Ctl64fpQ0Eh4nBeAzwDa21T-h9UjGkXqNnFXihZvL8n2XlKfyIz2pbxVN4JuDy/s320/DSC_3058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This is my Cousin Lisa, Justin, and Jordyn over there on the John Deere. They have a lovely 100+ year old cabin right on the river, my thoughts are with them and all the other family and friends in the Canyon, hang in there guys!! Much love, have a beautiful day!Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-22309829720338063092012-06-02T08:33:00.003-07:002012-06-02T08:58:03.777-07:00Quick catch up<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimz-4EpRzY8U_Wr1Xe1Pox3Ee3DAjYtbRv8eC8Z3eN0PbJIl6GY1eMf6DeXX2et8POMdHOMsFXAqZNIg99lgYCSvjva4-hXi7RS6nERCk4XOoK6Qb7NdM9STFX9pwv95fOINqkScfYWKa0/s1600/DSC_2818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimz-4EpRzY8U_Wr1Xe1Pox3Ee3DAjYtbRv8eC8Z3eN0PbJIl6GY1eMf6DeXX2et8POMdHOMsFXAqZNIg99lgYCSvjva4-hXi7RS6nERCk4XOoK6Qb7NdM9STFX9pwv95fOINqkScfYWKa0/s320/DSC_2818.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I can't believe I went over a month without posting, so much has been going on that I just did not have time. Things in the yard are progressing very nicely, but I did have a few bummer things happen. The cotton I was growing died and I was not able to plant it outside this spring. I am really bummed about that. I created 5 new beds, which felt like a lot, but as I started planted all my seeds and seedlings, I realized I actually need more beds. ;) luckily there is lots of space for me to get a few little sneak attack planting spaces in. The squash and zucchini will have to be moved, so I am going to make new beds for them. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdOHrelp3jXMRbheSL87Cy47lUxpwa4Bet5x8P4WAgFelPFQB9fax4bFGjct9z2aRyH4E-AHEs_DvAQfzYqaadgXR7FvnApfE8e8UxDOIkUTctZEAzwNxhtJRRkccw6BMhmEJ8ajTLYlo/s1600/DSC_2836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdOHrelp3jXMRbheSL87Cy47lUxpwa4Bet5x8P4WAgFelPFQB9fax4bFGjct9z2aRyH4E-AHEs_DvAQfzYqaadgXR7FvnApfE8e8UxDOIkUTctZEAzwNxhtJRRkccw6BMhmEJ8ajTLYlo/s320/DSC_2836.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There are many things I need to get done in the yard this summer, one is a shed for sure, and greenhouse. The greenhouse may be put on the back burner for awhile, but the shed is a must. I have to many yard tools taking over the garage. My Dad is helping me figure and put in a water and drip system, which is amazing. It is such a nice relief to not have to hand water everything every morning, I've been doing that for three years, now all of a sudden with a watering system in I feel completely spoiled, and I have to admit, I love it! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWItm0-eTMNZvuDphemdTBn5FCaj7r0dxcJu51yk0byx4Xj4iBQu-JZ0bWW3lo-tWvjx5GmpYF1-iNwDbl0Agelju6oYFf_rtxV1MuvGai9zVV2fv5tzrDoegQQg881tdPnc8JOTGz2hjG/s1600/DSC_2790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWItm0-eTMNZvuDphemdTBn5FCaj7r0dxcJu51yk0byx4Xj4iBQu-JZ0bWW3lo-tWvjx5GmpYF1-iNwDbl0Agelju6oYFf_rtxV1MuvGai9zVV2fv5tzrDoegQQg881tdPnc8JOTGz2hjG/s320/DSC_2790.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
There are many things to update on this blog, but I am going to start small, and just cover a few things for now. The potatoes that I started in march are absolutely going crazy and already have grown to the top of the trash can. I am so excited I can't stand it! Aslo on the potato front, the ones I left in the ground started popping up through the dirt last week, I am super excited about those! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZpJLmOG1NzFBYwQhq2FXTHjpSRqLMVwxqCbjDk0iJx-e3LpRp75se0WY4SlvSE6JBne9J6JlE74kuFoKhttM7FCLllpZBlv2ehAKXyA8S-kWwIJ8CDAhenHN4l0ZOrI-txduxidEmuKN/s1600/DSC_2846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZpJLmOG1NzFBYwQhq2FXTHjpSRqLMVwxqCbjDk0iJx-e3LpRp75se0WY4SlvSE6JBne9J6JlE74kuFoKhttM7FCLllpZBlv2ehAKXyA8S-kWwIJ8CDAhenHN4l0ZOrI-txduxidEmuKN/s320/DSC_2846.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I got some new blanket flowers for the new flower beds I created in the front yard, and this one seems to have a mind of its own. The flowers are blooming solid yellow with a tiny bit of red near the center of the flower. They are beautiful, I hope they keep this coloring. This plant is one of my favorites and I now have 3 in my yard. They are so bushy and flower all summer, they are awesome. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigToLMYTwuYWIu-RcsaG6nVAVDwyAda0gKta_5RkHiNqoFupmRpTTCsNye9BoQM7Pv9xiL0wwqvUD3FPQUfHvS1wEYrVBKpAXyprhXzQQcFMGeAMphrP5rqXPksOctYILU-a2NCAQc2mC5/s1600/DSC_2867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigToLMYTwuYWIu-RcsaG6nVAVDwyAda0gKta_5RkHiNqoFupmRpTTCsNye9BoQM7Pv9xiL0wwqvUD3FPQUfHvS1wEYrVBKpAXyprhXzQQcFMGeAMphrP5rqXPksOctYILU-a2NCAQc2mC5/s320/DSC_2867.jpg" width="212" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I planted 3 new rose bushes, so now I have total of 9 in the back and the one in the front yard. This photo is of last years roses blooming like crazy with this early spring we had. They are so pretty, I have pink, red, yellow, orange, white, and lavender roses growing back there. More to come on the new bushes soon! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcIhcVWdXRZFMcEAz58vT53hS44vHL4O6cPOsbFrOcgl0FZrLh_kFEPR9MKjC1qcZPc4-2HCrsSnrAVIINU2-UiVV6LkwhFw1yQmqV4zPFrjZMd2xBXjfz4Eu-fJ5g4gYlR7uDcUyMomR/s1600/IMG_5485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcIhcVWdXRZFMcEAz58vT53hS44vHL4O6cPOsbFrOcgl0FZrLh_kFEPR9MKjC1qcZPc4-2HCrsSnrAVIINU2-UiVV6LkwhFw1yQmqV4zPFrjZMd2xBXjfz4Eu-fJ5g4gYlR7uDcUyMomR/s320/IMG_5485.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
I took a break from work and went to the <a href="http://www.denverartmuseum.org/">Denver Art Museum </a>with my friend Marsha last week, what a breath of fresh air for my heart and soul that was! I love it, not only did I get to spend time with a great friend, but the art just woke me all up inside, stirred things that have been kinda frozen inside for a very long time. This piece by <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><a href="http://www.sandyskoglund.com/">Sandy Skoglund,</a> called Fox games</span>, was so strange that even now, weeks later, I am trying to figure out if I liked it or if it was to creepy for me. At first, when you are in the new <a href="http://www.denverartmuseum.org/">DAM</a>, its very overwhelming in the new space, that building has not one straight wall in it. Its like walking through an MC Escher painting. It got me kinda dizzy, and actually made me feel sick to my stomach. We nick named it the <a href="http://www.mcescher.com/">MC Escher</a> vomit vertigo room, it was unsettling. All the walls are white, with art kinda tucked all over the place, and at one point you can look over the railings and down at this piece by <span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><a href="http://www.sandyskoglund.com/">Sandy Skoglund,</a> </span> it just jumps right out at you. The bright red with the grey foxes against it is just so stark. You can walk through this piece, as you do, you actually cannot see some of the details, you only notice them once you are kinda out of the piece, the red almost made eyes throb. All in all, it was a fantastic field trip, just what I needed, wonderful time spent with a creative fun friend to get the sparks going again for my creativity, aaahhhhhh art is so awesome, love it when it moves things deep inside! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaazfA2kSa6UAlSuSgnRq2CB-59oayyRCtH_ykGkLWDz_-dGGLxAj-fHFCEg277UWNNT4ycI4g64RkkThNyoxUda9MyIrfS0yndqYIkdqJ04dYFxDG7JgYl9qbKpAU7oD36ayxESVcLgW/s1600/DSC_2134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitaazfA2kSa6UAlSuSgnRq2CB-59oayyRCtH_ykGkLWDz_-dGGLxAj-fHFCEg277UWNNT4ycI4g64RkkThNyoxUda9MyIrfS0yndqYIkdqJ04dYFxDG7JgYl9qbKpAU7oD36ayxESVcLgW/s320/DSC_2134.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
And of course, HRH Sir Artemis loves being outside laying around in the spring sun. Have a beautiful day!Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-85788923734529396012012-04-28T07:45:00.001-07:002012-04-28T08:02:02.989-07:00Todays Beauty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Things go frosty last week, here's a few photos of that chilly morning! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHAjJlIaLLpcjUtaFNllBDP1soj28CVzdo0Fgp1Gyw_-fUGGfOUCv6j1wW_RN7XFDEknPI_xfamejPO6xV0dP614UKLKr1nBTkJ9T9T0Uj4t3z0XU2OX-ePx8rYzw2DC4e7ZHMljxm5QN/s1600/DSC_1263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHAjJlIaLLpcjUtaFNllBDP1soj28CVzdo0Fgp1Gyw_-fUGGfOUCv6j1wW_RN7XFDEknPI_xfamejPO6xV0dP614UKLKr1nBTkJ9T9T0Uj4t3z0XU2OX-ePx8rYzw2DC4e7ZHMljxm5QN/s320/DSC_1263.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTxkBBETNNSx035zYzQt0BcMfA5m3CfOJgYXZq0ZGndz6sksvW89UXnBJL1tY3QxOAfbzEUukg6mzxGUpfeQMwK0qO6wDUrhh6b6zLeZBG-6XMAqvfbzeZwygLd__nzJuk-zyHeShcjEZ/s1600/DSC_1248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTxkBBETNNSx035zYzQt0BcMfA5m3CfOJgYXZq0ZGndz6sksvW89UXnBJL1tY3QxOAfbzEUukg6mzxGUpfeQMwK0qO6wDUrhh6b6zLeZBG-6XMAqvfbzeZwygLd__nzJuk-zyHeShcjEZ/s320/DSC_1248.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0U7RFgIijG-DaHVLSwLhKw3Fgbm_O6swzppwlPbAVRSO-t7zsWaOlzrvWQfE4zL4MboTpD_E_fwUvCiQvKjFrVhwXdhLQEJ3o-F7jMrfXDboHuRDnLXUVo40JOz9yO6gZkf4ilphKKq76/s1600/DSC_1247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0U7RFgIijG-DaHVLSwLhKw3Fgbm_O6swzppwlPbAVRSO-t7zsWaOlzrvWQfE4zL4MboTpD_E_fwUvCiQvKjFrVhwXdhLQEJ3o-F7jMrfXDboHuRDnLXUVo40JOz9yO6gZkf4ilphKKq76/s320/DSC_1247.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I have a few weeks to catch up on, but here are some shots from the last few weeks,There was a night of chilly temps last week, luckily the soda bottle tops (in that top picture you can see them) covered my seedlings wonderfully and I did not lose any of them. It was a frosty morning, even the tulips were chilled, but it was beautiful! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjPAYuMh-phu5tu2giahwph5whZAtFFlvtc-DGklvnDpc6s2yQoiCWjCiir0hyCZNirSVIQ34WV2_2_r4u4F7Icona8o2z87e17xWh1yxBG1gJU1P6wp0YYqqIUc1kQYzVysbzHbt4jo2/s1600/DSC_1309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimjPAYuMh-phu5tu2giahwph5whZAtFFlvtc-DGklvnDpc6s2yQoiCWjCiir0hyCZNirSVIQ34WV2_2_r4u4F7Icona8o2z87e17xWh1yxBG1gJU1P6wp0YYqqIUc1kQYzVysbzHbt4jo2/s320/DSC_1309.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
I have some new lanterns to put outside of my new tent once I get it all set up in the yard, I love purple and since the tent is purple and yellow, these will do beautifully! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEWIs2vJg_AY4WlejGqzzbuP62KtdOP5cVb30Y1YrarMt03asQa63XR07fCkZTTLdE6VJAyTAeq1JT5Je4j1gG3SgaW5GZYW-bUSAaJILGdM3yS9XkzncB81getoUR13I2QEv7p73apT0/s1600/DSC_1331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEWIs2vJg_AY4WlejGqzzbuP62KtdOP5cVb30Y1YrarMt03asQa63XR07fCkZTTLdE6VJAyTAeq1JT5Je4j1gG3SgaW5GZYW-bUSAaJILGdM3yS9XkzncB81getoUR13I2QEv7p73apT0/s320/DSC_1331.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Here is a shot of the potatoes growing in the trash can, it is working beautifully! They are growing so fast, I can't wait till the end of the season to flip this sucker over and see whats growing! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_51VR1DybJY5vJnBgDEy2LGFZq37tYiLcmyIVHJh-mTVnfQf5w2jPbY5e2l72RLfv-uM7St0zqpTICD0odD_9koVq2YJwdCuIhL3Upke-Qa7SsVfq56wgZTdjM3Z_LPRqYtuEqw85FeyD/s320/DSC_1455.jpg" width="212" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
These are the peas that are coming up outside, they are super happy! Its
my first time growing an early spring garden, but I have many things
coming up out there, radish, romaine lettuce, spinach, peas, and onion!
Yay for a beautiful growing spring!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJjLlnQFRGk4i6XBc0l-mRYombmqSmrMwePyDieuqwhEPvowU_7rXjsdMvg15hEFZSdMpkX-4tSEYn-IEbH58nKfTxfHh0XQoGd5ZKI25ej44eBSrSnPt9AdbkSV2IWjsAJPqTc90bk9x/s320/DSC_1329.JPG" width="320" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The above photo is horseradish that made after digging it up in my yard last weekend. I have attempted to move the horseradish twice now and it keeps coming back, which I love, but its taking over the asparagus, so I had to dig again to try to get it all. Well, after digging a 14" deep hole, its clear to me that the horseradish is like a weed, and it will take me a very long time to get rid of it all. I moved the bigger plant to another spot in the garden, and that one will now be there forever, never again will I try to move it, and if you are thinking of planting it, make sure you put it where you want it on the first planting! Not so fun during the 3 hour dig process, but totally worth it to have fresh homemade horseradish, beautiful I tell ya! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvtBMrRFIkBsOXiu9NPFtAr_WH8TxbQZT7KOyC24G7jnAJaIZIuH1ENn_certRn5jjMI76SCY7r6yyP43-0BhcEoQKOvwr_2KYEEbjk8601zHKr76tS7F5Y6OYRif9AphOlM0IPswm2Eb/s1600/DSC_1506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvtBMrRFIkBsOXiu9NPFtAr_WH8TxbQZT7KOyC24G7jnAJaIZIuH1ENn_certRn5jjMI76SCY7r6yyP43-0BhcEoQKOvwr_2KYEEbjk8601zHKr76tS7F5Y6OYRif9AphOlM0IPswm2Eb/s320/DSC_1506.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
As always, the cat follows me all around the yard, and I love that!! Have a beautiful day!<br />
<br />Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-16392948339526401012012-04-11T06:01:00.002-07:002012-04-11T06:02:59.052-07:00New beds and smoothy goodness!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ed0TLzXoNJINbX5mHb30zxG27W126qGoLG0_O1N2LRh3lrcBsQCmS_NGOkGn1gNCrRMhyNKsdjZITwi01nq18Ia4iXiGk5rl0mmPljhyNa0HObgetmfg8k7s60N9VByu2hH8svQTy0Br/s1600/DSC_1183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ed0TLzXoNJINbX5mHb30zxG27W126qGoLG0_O1N2LRh3lrcBsQCmS_NGOkGn1gNCrRMhyNKsdjZITwi01nq18Ia4iXiGk5rl0mmPljhyNa0HObgetmfg8k7s60N9VByu2hH8svQTy0Br/s320/DSC_1183.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I dug a few new garden beds over the weekend, you can see the biggest one in the above photo, the smaller one off to the left near the pumpkin patch is harder to see. I created the big bed in the center rather then two smaller ones simply because I love the idea of creating a path through it. I am still not sure how much I like it, so I have not set any of the wood or steps in yet, once I am sure I will level it out much better and create better bounderies. These two beds almost completes the vision for this part of the yard, after adding these I am not sure that I have many larger beds to add, perhaps a few smaller ones here and there, but this is more then enough space for one person to plant. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5fxl4-1_mQ5LVWJX-FMwQEXnF84McXxBCelyrudhUjKILls9LeXhThoq9RnbR6YgY46bN19s2dvelffCqMJPNcWHyyt4tJrzeGeAWFO0wkiK6_F3VmhGC5Opfv8IOIzTOJqtMf9-fOGs/s1600/DSC_1187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5fxl4-1_mQ5LVWJX-FMwQEXnF84McXxBCelyrudhUjKILls9LeXhThoq9RnbR6YgY46bN19s2dvelffCqMJPNcWHyyt4tJrzeGeAWFO0wkiK6_F3VmhGC5Opfv8IOIzTOJqtMf9-fOGs/s320/DSC_1187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I also dug up the corner of my front yard that has always bugged me. It was not very full with grass and would mostly gets weeds all summer long, and just be an eye soar. I tilled it up and added some mushroom compost, all I need to do is finish setting the stones in and plant! I also added some stones near the house if look at the right of the photo, I covered the dirt that was close to house with large stepping stones and moved the planters there. I did not like watering this close to the house, and the all the cats in the area have been marking that area, so I decided to just cover it. I do plan on planting mint and marigolds in the new area to help keep the cats away from what I will be planting, that and sitting there with the hose for awhile to spray the cats, :). <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-F2lOm8qQAgla1F669a4bN2NhvqIhTlTzyUnqqfdm_er3g4mOsC56xNgWxehJWQBeGQHDl_Ny09j0gTbe_T3TTRXJVBgyYKnnDU3hppg-nkAD6Qfm1KsLuL2_j7GWmOasV2AP5Phyphenhyphen9x7/s1600/DSC_1190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS-F2lOm8qQAgla1F669a4bN2NhvqIhTlTzyUnqqfdm_er3g4mOsC56xNgWxehJWQBeGQHDl_Ny09j0gTbe_T3TTRXJVBgyYKnnDU3hppg-nkAD6Qfm1KsLuL2_j7GWmOasV2AP5Phyphenhyphen9x7/s320/DSC_1190.jpg" width="212" /></a></div> I also got 8 new solar lights for the backyard, these are very cool, they have a star pattern that is really large and lights up a big area. I enjoyed these last night, they were only up for about an hour before sunset, and they were pretty bright, I am looking forward to seeing how bright they are after a full day of sunshine tonight. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5UB4ZL2xd48X_k4vOKmZjmjE6JmiZwjP4Ohj-arxPe8QLe9bL5lIEpfgQ_TKyis9Emc_whD6I_LzAg2JLK_NwJMvJth-kEwCfNlPUcXNQUoHifM2S54kkNyg8bZoOQ9ON6eAQpLOnz06/s1600/DSC_1202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5UB4ZL2xd48X_k4vOKmZjmjE6JmiZwjP4Ohj-arxPe8QLe9bL5lIEpfgQ_TKyis9Emc_whD6I_LzAg2JLK_NwJMvJth-kEwCfNlPUcXNQUoHifM2S54kkNyg8bZoOQ9ON6eAQpLOnz06/s320/DSC_1202.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZuW34n33YQkiPmAm_u-lmsJCnyByrPNl0WW78ud1CQyWJurdKlkYHEoaIy4sRCfwBbxNV3Vk74kO6yoFhCa7FoJdeP_AlksH0RgDPLxiDdVEqIFilh4WEl0DdZ-9sQKjTlcxZXT9_fsY/s1600/IMG_5166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZuW34n33YQkiPmAm_u-lmsJCnyByrPNl0WW78ud1CQyWJurdKlkYHEoaIy4sRCfwBbxNV3Vk74kO6yoFhCa7FoJdeP_AlksH0RgDPLxiDdVEqIFilh4WEl0DdZ-9sQKjTlcxZXT9_fsY/s320/IMG_5166.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> My lilac bush is crazy with blooms right now, so I brought a bunch in and have them in the kitchen window. They smell so good, the smell is carried through the south side of the house since they are planted right outside a window, but having some in the kitchen is always a good idea. Plus, I love looking out my window with the lilacs and the yard in the background, makes me smile. In the beds you can see in this shot, the ones with the cinder blocks, and the one to the right of that, I have all my outdoor seeds planted now. I planted leeks, onion, spinach, peas, and a few others that are just starting to pop through the dirt, it's been so warm I have not even had to cover them at night, so its a lucky spring for sure! I still have much more to plant inside this week, so things are moving right along, Yay! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjPzWo7rswqFJusMiEPEjNZ3pcyu-wS_ISVpy65NxraJEl7_b1lIyyASI1-3Nc1Jmp29CDjpS3xE51aI-CA1kioENOpzYzkzWWdT1RrX9lqoJrIPO90mf0CuSl_5jioF15zBJ_Mj_GuJV/s1600/IMG_5173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjPzWo7rswqFJusMiEPEjNZ3pcyu-wS_ISVpy65NxraJEl7_b1lIyyASI1-3Nc1Jmp29CDjpS3xE51aI-CA1kioENOpzYzkzWWdT1RrX9lqoJrIPO90mf0CuSl_5jioF15zBJ_Mj_GuJV/s320/IMG_5173.jpg" width="240" /></a></div> Something new I am trying is Green Smoothies, I did not have a blender, so after doing my research I decided on the Breville Hemisphere, I spend a lot of money on it, but it was totally worth it! This thing is amazing, with a friend giving me a recipe to try, I made my first batch yesterday and it was awesome! Green smoothies have greens in them obviously, the one I made had spinach, flaxseed oil, lemon (the rind and all) bee pollen, and frozen tropical fruit. It is so good, so refreshing, you feel great after drinking one of these guys!(pardon the photo quality on these last two, took them with my iphone)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHR-rUE-DNJIT5IEaUVwkvWNxq3E26cZ0KaWVWm9oFR9TXbomehB4CS-eK6J27aq9Fmnt0kNbAB3tXnOMf5j9e95AKoAIHvqDxJG4XjSeqzy92N-O74cXlKURQGJpdNeg694rTUYnj0Yhb/s1600/IMG_5175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHR-rUE-DNJIT5IEaUVwkvWNxq3E26cZ0KaWVWm9oFR9TXbomehB4CS-eK6J27aq9Fmnt0kNbAB3tXnOMf5j9e95AKoAIHvqDxJG4XjSeqzy92N-O74cXlKURQGJpdNeg694rTUYnj0Yhb/s320/IMG_5175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This blender is awesome, I can make lots of homemade goodies with it, can't wait to share more with you as I learn. There is a lot going on here right now, in the swing of spring, trying to get things planted and growing inside and out, its a fun time. I hope your spring is popping up nicely as well!Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-13637637001213861282012-04-07T06:47:00.000-07:002012-04-07T06:47:31.304-07:00Happy Easter!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkda0_FT3trQHPz4eGzqx4FnSYylgE-vJr-Vn-Xc2svU889bWMjn4ff-kBj-NdNgdylOLvAcit8R2gQrAf4kdMZ3sa-osoV4jz6ghffUJRQQqSEEFJUv1aqAem7jcI_9nwndov_31d_a3/s1600/DSC_0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkda0_FT3trQHPz4eGzqx4FnSYylgE-vJr-Vn-Xc2svU889bWMjn4ff-kBj-NdNgdylOLvAcit8R2gQrAf4kdMZ3sa-osoV4jz6ghffUJRQQqSEEFJUv1aqAem7jcI_9nwndov_31d_a3/s320/DSC_0815.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The last two weeks were rather slow for me in the yard, a cold combined with colder weather, and a little snow kept me in the house for to long. The seedlings that I planted inside are sprouting up nicely, and always makes the day easier when spring fever hits! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1ghyphenhyphenwoVJUZG1I1QWF8rK6boBtr95IegftQufJIsxVqP_yM5OkdHQOnpnaufQlxQal-WJyq9jB8cFX333MFb57zBWWichlKO_iWzpk0jsPZWqADKEfAOUT3C3wvfjAIPdQ8094tyxJja5/s1600/DSC_0885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1ghyphenhyphenwoVJUZG1I1QWF8rK6boBtr95IegftQufJIsxVqP_yM5OkdHQOnpnaufQlxQal-WJyq9jB8cFX333MFb57zBWWichlKO_iWzpk0jsPZWqADKEfAOUT3C3wvfjAIPdQ8094tyxJja5/s320/DSC_0885.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> It got down to 28 degrees the other night, so I was worried that my outdoor seedlings and flowering trees would be damaged, but they were okay, thank goodness! I am hoping they make it through this early spring. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSVIH2HmIRPnhJu6Ot89WsmMtksT9XOWyTxNsyb1aMviNVFgiFW0IsUNka2y4RHVV630Nv3SD9pUk5-nCQnZfzoomqXMP6e71-UrWprOpOtMmt5gWkGS_B_OVB1Ukdr2WNSOFP0TLhqlC/s1600/DSC_0866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSVIH2HmIRPnhJu6Ot89WsmMtksT9XOWyTxNsyb1aMviNVFgiFW0IsUNka2y4RHVV630Nv3SD9pUk5-nCQnZfzoomqXMP6e71-UrWprOpOtMmt5gWkGS_B_OVB1Ukdr2WNSOFP0TLhqlC/s320/DSC_0866.jpg" width="212" /></a></div> I used 2 liter soda bottles cut in half to protect my outdoor seedlings, it worked so great! I read about trying this, and since I don't drink soda I had my Mom save me a bunch of them, it was great, I had them cut and ready to go, so when the the temperature dipped I just plopped these little suckers out in the garden, worked like a charm! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAD3yqIBV-ClDOxPdIeR9FqQN1K4dVEcXnvNallhhb8Rc9DUKWDcNpY1IZaF3hwDdR1SQiKskvkpuuVN-00BO_rtmhyphenhyphenxh1YH1fSmeImE_OQqeZ8AfMaI04hT4zK0eOHILOg93VRfyH20x/s1600/DSC_0897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAD3yqIBV-ClDOxPdIeR9FqQN1K4dVEcXnvNallhhb8Rc9DUKWDcNpY1IZaF3hwDdR1SQiKskvkpuuVN-00BO_rtmhyphenhyphenxh1YH1fSmeImE_OQqeZ8AfMaI04hT4zK0eOHILOg93VRfyH20x/s320/DSC_0897.jpg" width="212" /></a></div> Before the snow hit I decided to move some flagstone and extend the path out into the garden. It previously stopped right after those 4 football shaped stones, which are reclaimed weights for my Cousin Seans Pumpkin launcher, they work great as stepping stones, but at 80 pounds each they were a bear to bury, the flag stone was much easier to move and will be much easier to bury once I decide that is where I want them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_gXb3z-Pu4ve36hLHcSRSQHH_qME_4BSrFzNKjMEfmAUfiEum5T-XJZNNDoh2N04I9M-S9BdoeQyD4JoyOv43uJvVUsrfVpEoMNtBstvna269xALvubiw25H3ymPDBpRfPUHbcf6sQGr/s1600/DSC_0825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_gXb3z-Pu4ve36hLHcSRSQHH_qME_4BSrFzNKjMEfmAUfiEum5T-XJZNNDoh2N04I9M-S9BdoeQyD4JoyOv43uJvVUsrfVpEoMNtBstvna269xALvubiw25H3ymPDBpRfPUHbcf6sQGr/s320/DSC_0825.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also added more rocks the little divider I am making between the grass and the garden beds, I can't believe how many rocks I have dug up in this yard. Every time I dig I find more, I swear the people who lived her before me must have been geologists or something! There is so much to do in the yard again this spring, I love having work to do, it's slowly coming together and looking more and more like the vision in my head. I still have many projects to do, the greenhouse is going up this spring, the shed is going up by the end of summer, and much more planting of course! </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOroE-qKQ71cSBiLPSsPn6Rdf_vi46XymMlfh5IpZM9KZr6KRZv9Bg7UgrM76c5KdmJ417rjf4Ph9vB_m1zEXlRW3kWfzKmnGr5hX7gL-G9zCRaZrdfrWN1PUCZcAV_1t2xts2nZcc1hnX/s1600/DSC_0881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOroE-qKQ71cSBiLPSsPn6Rdf_vi46XymMlfh5IpZM9KZr6KRZv9Bg7UgrM76c5KdmJ417rjf4Ph9vB_m1zEXlRW3kWfzKmnGr5hX7gL-G9zCRaZrdfrWN1PUCZcAV_1t2xts2nZcc1hnX/s320/DSC_0881.jpg" width="320" /> </a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All of my bulbs are coming up nicely, tulips, crocus, hyacinth (smells like gardenia's so awesome), the allium are coming up, iris, and the roses are growing like crazy as well. There is so much to see in the yard, but much more to do, this weekend is all about the yard. I am turning over 2 new beds, laying out watering lines, measuring for placement of the greenhouse, digging up grass in the front yard so I can start laying stones where the plumbers dug up the yard to lay the new pipes in January, that will make for a nice path to the house. :) I have tons of seeds to plant this weekend indoors as well as outdoors, and of course I have to somehow figure out how to get to both parents Easter celebrations, one Saturday and one Sunday, the only part of the weekend that sucks, is I will be missing my God Daughters first soccer game, :( boo! Other then that, the weekend should be very uplifting and full of good dirt digging! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eYIuBhsC9jMEmYNEkB4Cm6MpaiNi_Dfuydu6HRCUwEvM-JnnEnbY1udrwjUZAWJv-v0vEsSgqSBZBbHUSvQqnqtNqapW_6cNexbHP4fh-BWXsPKcn75EvSMkVx1AFZW67BWOO0hJp2Se/s1600/DSC_0911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1eYIuBhsC9jMEmYNEkB4Cm6MpaiNi_Dfuydu6HRCUwEvM-JnnEnbY1udrwjUZAWJv-v0vEsSgqSBZBbHUSvQqnqtNqapW_6cNexbHP4fh-BWXsPKcn75EvSMkVx1AFZW67BWOO0hJp2Se/s320/DSC_0911.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Of course being stuck inside didn't slow me down, even with a cold :), I painted my guestroom white, it was a tan color before, I really did not like it. Now its shiny fresh "moon rise" white, the accent colors are going to monochromatic purples, and whites. I am still looking for bookshelves in white, but they are hard to find, so I may have to paint some, I need to find a desk, but once I get more of it put together I will share photos, but so far I love it. The cat and I had a little mini getaway this week by sleeping in the room a few nights, I am such a dork!Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-56849676436185945282012-03-24T07:54:00.003-07:002012-03-24T08:02:39.915-07:00Vintage Trailers & Yard Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3slFgVnoplKnnkjIWUGGPzKzq-EoPNcLTqrvhdPbwlrV2_xJ-RReVEkmLInAJLCUBPElxp-OwiQBYwWBi8SdQoNjNsUpnqm5-zicFLpgoMIl9Ln8QLh4S_LqdPYwe7-UcoLz_7AirJ_I/s1600/DSC_9432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3slFgVnoplKnnkjIWUGGPzKzq-EoPNcLTqrvhdPbwlrV2_xJ-RReVEkmLInAJLCUBPElxp-OwiQBYwWBi8SdQoNjNsUpnqm5-zicFLpgoMIl9Ln8QLh4S_LqdPYwe7-UcoLz_7AirJ_I/s320/DSC_9432.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Being spring here, I have tons of work to do inside and outside the house. I have planted some seeds already, and from here on out have a heavy seed planting schedule plan every week. This week its peppers. So far, the new cotton plants, artichoke, onions, and peas have all sprouted up, so exciting!<br />
<br />
Every year I try to plant something new and different in my garden to challenge myself and grow as gardener. I've been in this house for about 3 years now, but didn't plant the first year, so for the last two years some of my funky plants were, horseradish, which I love, asparagus which is tough because it will be 2 more season before I can harvest it, and last year it was cotton. The cotton was my favorite because it is such an amazing and beautiful plant. So, what did I decide for my new funky plant this season? Well, me being me, I couldn't decide on just one, so I picked two. I decided on Purple Hull Bean, and Stevia. The <a href="http://wolfecastle.blogspot.com/2011/08/great-conversation.html">Purple Hull Bean </a>is a special one due to someone I met last year, click on the name of the plant to see my blog about that.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSsv4PDIyQe6H09GeUinleGU2HOJGJuD8ws5HnyRVhczNb0n0BDtFTlp5f3q_1LTYFwvKZHPLGm7m_w3sLuBqfRVTtbrqo-6Quv4KBMkT7Q2LlU7sIRkJshnlCtK3WeRX4y2bC9tD6QOv/s1600/IMG_4827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtSsv4PDIyQe6H09GeUinleGU2HOJGJuD8ws5HnyRVhczNb0n0BDtFTlp5f3q_1LTYFwvKZHPLGm7m_w3sLuBqfRVTtbrqo-6Quv4KBMkT7Q2LlU7sIRkJshnlCtK3WeRX4y2bC9tD6QOv/s320/IMG_4827.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
The other plant I wanted to try was linen, but I could not find the seeds, so instead I picked Stevia. I liked it for a few reasons, mainly though I just like beautiful plants, seeing this all over as a natural sweetener, I kinda wanted to see how it starts its life out. As soon as those start sprouting I will share pictures and keep you updated on their progress. Also, I did plant more cotton this year, its such a cool plant, also I will try again for Marshmallow, I couldn't get that one to grow last year so I am going to try again!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAR7OQ6cTulsL-GVBwNCOyniNBu7wG_bsMKdrM_0NsZSJZtzYOTrfrdLfxTHmME68LQ792jr3gbcCXlQyJzNYMVjzKQM1wtQudw7pHnt_5IIOiPxmLCzGE_lZer0SfgDhQdI_b7PNHM6n/s1600/DSC_9364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAR7OQ6cTulsL-GVBwNCOyniNBu7wG_bsMKdrM_0NsZSJZtzYOTrfrdLfxTHmME68LQ792jr3gbcCXlQyJzNYMVjzKQM1wtQudw7pHnt_5IIOiPxmLCzGE_lZer0SfgDhQdI_b7PNHM6n/s320/DSC_9364.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>A few weeks ago I went to a gardening class, they talked about an easy way to grow potatoes, so I decided to try it. Get an old trash can, cut some drainage holes in the bottom.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI372lM2ydzdfnB9xxIBe3DyDB-xYwJOdCC7XcjEuhEdYpDi2g-uJqCySHSnfRqxRcXRnx5p84YyBVOUplWmqh3HiC_oYIKelqiKYTfMBJCuXj4D40wqR1fGjjWVl2UG4ZtNBgHJVKKuXq/s1600/DSC_9366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI372lM2ydzdfnB9xxIBe3DyDB-xYwJOdCC7XcjEuhEdYpDi2g-uJqCySHSnfRqxRcXRnx5p84YyBVOUplWmqh3HiC_oYIKelqiKYTfMBJCuXj4D40wqR1fGjjWVl2UG4ZtNBgHJVKKuXq/s320/DSC_9366.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Fill with 6-10"inches of dirt, officially container dirt since technically that's what your doing, so get the good stuff!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-2TcGFiuCtV3uzPm9BEq8O_K6cGjl3bAkQoGDGabtSL6g3rA8TrFSErB4vtiPoYCouWtKwfUxnLdJSLKrMXoQdNoFqX-O-EmNyv8F0S3MogzHK5uojxKdzRiHr6Zc-TjMyfxjofvBkX0/s1600/DSC_9367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-2TcGFiuCtV3uzPm9BEq8O_K6cGjl3bAkQoGDGabtSL6g3rA8TrFSErB4vtiPoYCouWtKwfUxnLdJSLKrMXoQdNoFqX-O-EmNyv8F0S3MogzHK5uojxKdzRiHr6Zc-TjMyfxjofvBkX0/s320/DSC_9367.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Then, add growing potatoes, cover with dirt, as they grow cover the greens with more dirt, and by the time the season is ended the can will be full, and potatoes will have grown all up the trash can. Then hopefully all you have to do is turn the can over and dig out the goodies! I grew potatoes last year, and the hardest part was digging them up, mainly because they kinda grow all over, you have to be really careful not to spear them as your digging. It was fun, but this sounded fun too so I thought I would give it a shot. I will keep you posted on how it goes!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZ6In4w_f1e2K4WlQ3tFPcNNldiNkHkjpPj3wi9tKvBEZwnvRz6XvByhmnRG-2eNGCTRoFDkUYUB42bhxpeN9u4MmPNMVyh6fVDai2JoaMlQTByx7NiUCb9Z_fcdIU4-eero3oqxm4FRD/s1600/IMG_4652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZ6In4w_f1e2K4WlQ3tFPcNNldiNkHkjpPj3wi9tKvBEZwnvRz6XvByhmnRG-2eNGCTRoFDkUYUB42bhxpeN9u4MmPNMVyh6fVDai2JoaMlQTByx7NiUCb9Z_fcdIU4-eero3oqxm4FRD/s320/IMG_4652.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I started working on my vintage 1960 Forester trailer last weekend, my Dad and my brother helped me hook up the propane lines and test all the appliances to make sure they work, and every one of them did!! Its so crazy, I am not sure how long its been since they were all fired up, but the heater, stove, and propane lamps all worked! I wanted to check before I tear it all out and rebuild it, I want to keep it as original as I can, I am super excited they all work and get to stay! I have a cassette toilet to retro fit it with a bathroom, and am ready to start tearing it all down!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggDBiz0CBXfJ-NNVbNsfnjJIE-CnMb4WD1k1fdIaWhaA7Z9swI04kvujooK9GtTNNesqEEBMLu_ZC50_gjqnjQ0O4NbdfyFE_z8cUHWBjIwoAGCFWLsXx6FCX7Bw8a8sCRRDGXGq3Lnqy/s1600/IMG_4655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggDBiz0CBXfJ-NNVbNsfnjJIE-CnMb4WD1k1fdIaWhaA7Z9swI04kvujooK9GtTNNesqEEBMLu_ZC50_gjqnjQ0O4NbdfyFE_z8cUHWBjIwoAGCFWLsXx6FCX7Bw8a8sCRRDGXGq3Lnqy/s320/IMG_4655.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Last but not least, I love it when something I planted in the yard begins to pop up, even when I have no idea what it is, hahaha, I can't remember what I planted. I keep a little file of all the stuff I plant, but can't find the one for this spot in the garden, so kinda excited to see what they turn out to be :).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsrDPxcAsNq9cDcWpLshyphenhyphennwgFKUv5JMKz-2LfCCeN6YL0NkUB-o2urQhpQHs8RBcTXer467WviHfKqgeYeFUhcfcYwBDAJmCl_PukvLEL0IKtJZoNClY1hklNBAwdQTRTIVc0V7AQn3Cr/s1600/DSC_9419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsrDPxcAsNq9cDcWpLshyphenhyphennwgFKUv5JMKz-2LfCCeN6YL0NkUB-o2urQhpQHs8RBcTXer467WviHfKqgeYeFUhcfcYwBDAJmCl_PukvLEL0IKtJZoNClY1hklNBAwdQTRTIVc0V7AQn3Cr/s320/DSC_9419.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Things are blooming like crazy, flowers are coming up all over, mint is already going a bit crazy, all the trees are budding out, asparagus is coming up, and the horseradish is insane already. its so awesome, I love spring time! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9kXCy2-MKpFkVoHd-4Joa0jv-JqFcIxa_Yepj11eNMruqoLNM9TtoIvrU8yAeKCmi8hPUllxnEoNPHvC0FqJSvo_oQsTGqtd-Trm-jjqOhu7J-_J_Cur0PXR_1kUhRnW38wpVbY_8txv/s1600/DSC_9415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9kXCy2-MKpFkVoHd-4Joa0jv-JqFcIxa_Yepj11eNMruqoLNM9TtoIvrU8yAeKCmi8hPUllxnEoNPHvC0FqJSvo_oQsTGqtd-Trm-jjqOhu7J-_J_Cur0PXR_1kUhRnW38wpVbY_8txv/s320/DSC_9415.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>I am also very happy that all of my rose bushes made it, I planted 3 new ones last year and was a little concerned, but they all pulled through and are greening up very nice!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsVEXrpHKiMtHk3S9ebQGnvFgQhFJFxN0-RiQbUfFX2ek2LtOtj4V1QFuOrlMzVXB9-NJ9s4OHKGhAVSVjsbRPuqsqjrrpGz69LP6lt6rAlm5-hSNMPzbUwsXOItVPsQcZIOFojx1K504/s1600/DSC_9424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsVEXrpHKiMtHk3S9ebQGnvFgQhFJFxN0-RiQbUfFX2ek2LtOtj4V1QFuOrlMzVXB9-NJ9s4OHKGhAVSVjsbRPuqsqjrrpGz69LP6lt6rAlm5-hSNMPzbUwsXOItVPsQcZIOFojx1K504/s320/DSC_9424.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>I am really behind on the blogging, but will be getting things caught up in the next week or two, so many things going on with the garden, trailer, and house, its a nice break to sit down and blog it out, I hope you come back to see what else I am up to, its going to be a crazy summer. Oh, and just one more teaser for you.....I have something new this week, and it will be going up in my yard soon......Nostrovias are coming home! Have a great weekend! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVNrkClycWuwoTt8VWiyAhtNYW40Clh8uH86_IDIG-H6bJzLh31hiK_knzkCgQn83h4bi1KmgT0s7BFlBbGoUUxzGkkQJR6ANkcoHCJQelkD2wGv9xHYPxwQCydfzO9o2C5wX9CxHskXj/s1600/IMG_4564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVNrkClycWuwoTt8VWiyAhtNYW40Clh8uH86_IDIG-H6bJzLh31hiK_knzkCgQn83h4bi1KmgT0s7BFlBbGoUUxzGkkQJR6ANkcoHCJQelkD2wGv9xHYPxwQCydfzO9o2C5wX9CxHskXj/s320/IMG_4564.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-49107386573318171352012-03-19T05:38:00.002-07:002012-03-19T05:39:31.636-07:00A little winter trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><style type="text/css">
<!--
@page { margin: 0.79in }
P { m
</style>When you go out to play in
the light and joy in your life, you have to watch out for winter
ruts! I managed to trip up and fall right into one, luckily for me it
wasn't to deep, and didn't take to long to dig my way out of. I also
found some inspiration, and lessons in the rut, so it wasn't a total
loss. Just how does one get out of a winter rut? The 70 degree days
have been helping, but also spending an entire weekend cleaning,
organizing, and a little up keep on the house is the first step.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhOQIuFxG4B6wgfyJyi9d4D1aK7TObxhQqKB0kCtnWZZmKYsXpLLPgSDMyaFxzzZoo-ozdINmpa3qtMWi1YkT3fsv5WMmvVx73Q0gVwvy7q4um8i-Pk_CLgHIJPkOpUsIE3EfLPw-xdiY/s1600/IMG_4467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhOQIuFxG4B6wgfyJyi9d4D1aK7TObxhQqKB0kCtnWZZmKYsXpLLPgSDMyaFxzzZoo-ozdINmpa3qtMWi1YkT3fsv5WMmvVx73Q0gVwvy7q4um8i-Pk_CLgHIJPkOpUsIE3EfLPw-xdiY/s320/IMG_4467.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The
second is getting out and about! I am grateful to have family and friends
that listen and help when needed. My friend Marsha got me out of the
house for some Bulgarian line dancing, we did one workshop, then went
out on a Saturday night to listen to live music and dance, it was so
great! Third of course, for me, is to get my hands in the dirt!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio360Bl0V5rGcNl0IQFnfr1rjXWepBLChnwr14HTinVSHXtTQp6mw-N7mxqRCJMXX9Ccn7RsUuZLhB57b81oXNqFHZ-pDHHT9uUNTi1pON3YPdmmebL1k3NeSFtCiABUFxmYOKyjj-ZPhF/s1600/DSC_9235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio360Bl0V5rGcNl0IQFnfr1rjXWepBLChnwr14HTinVSHXtTQp6mw-N7mxqRCJMXX9Ccn7RsUuZLhB57b81oXNqFHZ-pDHHT9uUNTi1pON3YPdmmebL1k3NeSFtCiABUFxmYOKyjj-ZPhF/s320/DSC_9235.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When the snow melts I always find strange things in the yard. This ping pong ball with a skeleton face showed up last weekend, so weird. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomWHepdGwQp5Ei9t_ihQiDyWGG0M1p3iqfrhFFss_rKRzEjGlKEd78UVLV6YrUKLaifw0yfzq-kgiMDNOzx2qoHsQQzQuHpndbY-kg3Ydg-sliF-UA2y6NoeijSF0PEVNKx035-WkT8mA/s1600/DSC_9259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomWHepdGwQp5Ei9t_ihQiDyWGG0M1p3iqfrhFFss_rKRzEjGlKEd78UVLV6YrUKLaifw0yfzq-kgiMDNOzx2qoHsQQzQuHpndbY-kg3Ydg-sliF-UA2y6NoeijSF0PEVNKx035-WkT8mA/s320/DSC_9259.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This time of year also brings the sunrise to the front of my house, as the sun shines through the cut beveled glass in my front door, it leaves rainbows and shiny bits all over the wall, once in a while it leaves this big reflection on the wall. I love it when it does, its so pretty, great way to start the day. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpxZEABP_EaZ8WsTCtF7vuQzKx7mUO1lQRH1z4plCnxpXjgxSISHwSFedzV2J2whOCgYUaBdqx0QFp04rOpHvg-JCR2ekG8_lNMzNM90py80DuYxX2b23GO035P1rA7SboxCen90iRC7j/s1600/DSC_9275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtpxZEABP_EaZ8WsTCtF7vuQzKx7mUO1lQRH1z4plCnxpXjgxSISHwSFedzV2J2whOCgYUaBdqx0QFp04rOpHvg-JCR2ekG8_lNMzNM90py80DuYxX2b23GO035P1rA7SboxCen90iRC7j/s320/DSC_9275.JPG" width="320" /> </a> </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I walked around the yard to see what all is coming up, found all the bulbs are up, bell flowers, horseradish, all the trees are budding, and I am not sure, but I think the cotton plant is trying to make a comeback as well! Garlic is trying somethings, asparagus is popping through the dirt, daisies are coming back as well as the Indian blankets!!! </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwJ6BboQt6LEyhEv38aHV0CvfMuvIxT83lfFP29M9dYMAot2KcT0QQDZdhA4DoV7XLFAIppYLxKluuDSDLH6JLhcy2INmnzWhJxeEmg1VcVu1kWRP5eGyEyLwZEpvtcinm-2PfxBP6GW8/s1600/DSC_9291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwJ6BboQt6LEyhEv38aHV0CvfMuvIxT83lfFP29M9dYMAot2KcT0QQDZdhA4DoV7XLFAIppYLxKluuDSDLH6JLhcy2INmnzWhJxeEmg1VcVu1kWRP5eGyEyLwZEpvtcinm-2PfxBP6GW8/s320/DSC_9291.JPG" width="320" /> </a> </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I decided this year to plant my first outdoor spring garden. I planted lettuce, spinach, and green onions. so far nothing has come up, I am a little worried as I do not have the plastic I want to cover it, I have been using a blue tarp instead, but not sure that is getting it warm enough in the evenings. Wait see I guess! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAogItOmsaubEm64JfDAzNInwvctTdfwrx38q4jm5KZG4M6muj3macEGnE8zXG_Saoa4FLA01chAu0Bdcw03F0CWL0Rdkd7tQ5K0Vyw5ofnBAnTPKPLcAr8IcNBeWNc3x8FVJ7IUdc2xi/s1600/DSC_9305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAogItOmsaubEm64JfDAzNInwvctTdfwrx38q4jm5KZG4M6muj3macEGnE8zXG_Saoa4FLA01chAu0Bdcw03F0CWL0Rdkd7tQ5K0Vyw5ofnBAnTPKPLcAr8IcNBeWNc3x8FVJ7IUdc2xi/s320/DSC_9305.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTDPGQ_DRO0J0oLGtBycIf7636jvsDrwWLASSbv1qzqpJff2_Z0xcOaGzS3CNV3eP_Nl_xWz7I6_Lbl-QS4A4Gp0CPMqIzlr3lC7dOQTKkkcswgfOnM8kloZMralUngh-MBN0HJGwoA8r/s1600/DSC_9247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTDPGQ_DRO0J0oLGtBycIf7636jvsDrwWLASSbv1qzqpJff2_Z0xcOaGzS3CNV3eP_Nl_xWz7I6_Lbl-QS4A4Gp0CPMqIzlr3lC7dOQTKkkcswgfOnM8kloZMralUngh-MBN0HJGwoA8r/s320/DSC_9247.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I did plant some things inside in a grow tent that was lent to me by a friend, naturally the cat had to get in on the action! Things are already coming up, the new cotton plants, artichoke, onions are all up, so exciting! Each weekend I have more to plant, so I'll show a shot soon of everything that is coming up. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguc7kFhfi30nJ-m9LKH79aui1XHzSYVvw-eINFbB1GNTH7sRCZselnFljpugqNDW6wXX70MgvKCdvpG3QiWWl2h7Jv2aoV9n3lg0D51T7Cw2XkQYyQ7HvLvB_GM8_eQpbSgaWgZNHoY19/s1600/DSC_9294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguc7kFhfi30nJ-m9LKH79aui1XHzSYVvw-eINFbB1GNTH7sRCZselnFljpugqNDW6wXX70MgvKCdvpG3QiWWl2h7Jv2aoV9n3lg0D51T7Cw2XkQYyQ7HvLvB_GM8_eQpbSgaWgZNHoY19/s320/DSC_9294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All of that was last weekend, which helped me to take more steps out of the winter funk! This weekend I got so much done at home, planned out and mapped where I want my green house & shed to go, got some potatoes planted via a new method, and working in my 1960's vintage trailer....photos and details of all that coming up next week, also next week, I will reveal my funky new plant I am trying this season! ! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-31940438191728708132012-02-04T11:57:00.000-08:002012-02-04T12:16:31.287-08:00A much needed snow day....well snow weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QPHulBt1tYnBoZi6xBaP9X9bStMzd3351qXMs2dRwaY_vpHRpsRxv3wexImBDzF3VlBKIMLecjuiFoF8l9yQHhdfAKzBFKb-aXhl0RsS3AwkiXWypFs-I3OjYts8kak651uKbAYf0UFA/s1600/DSC_9069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QPHulBt1tYnBoZi6xBaP9X9bStMzd3351qXMs2dRwaY_vpHRpsRxv3wexImBDzF3VlBKIMLecjuiFoF8l9yQHhdfAKzBFKb-aXhl0RsS3AwkiXWypFs-I3OjYts8kak651uKbAYf0UFA/s320/DSC_9069.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Well, that's me. Something I decided to work on is getting more shots of myself. Seems I am always on the other side of the camera, I don't like to take pics of myself, so I am working on it. :) We got over 20" of snow here in the last few days, and I have literally only been outside to shovel since Thursday night. So much has been going on in the last 3 weeks, its a little bit crazy, but Mother Nature sure knew what I needed, and that was time alone, at home. Thanks to the snow storm, I got snowed in and was forced to slow the hell down, relax, and evaluate the way I have been living my life. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgRTeh9-9fAydqvx02EW4ycpuIEKwR0SCAAwUyGDbYT5lhV6oKyjjVDVDrdeSu-EnRZ1O3-avlPqWiLhqhCyhRK-bh3IOOvTbm_ievdLNbo3KYnuEwby7pce8Jjrl685cGay6HaR566Fw/s1600/DSC_9080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgRTeh9-9fAydqvx02EW4ycpuIEKwR0SCAAwUyGDbYT5lhV6oKyjjVDVDrdeSu-EnRZ1O3-avlPqWiLhqhCyhRK-bh3IOOvTbm_ievdLNbo3KYnuEwby7pce8Jjrl685cGay6HaR566Fw/s320/DSC_9080.jpg" width="212" /></a></div> I shoveled 3 times since Thursday, my back hurting, I was cold, wet, yet grateful for every move I could make. Even if I slipped, or didn't get that perfect shovel full of snow, and it took me twice as long to clear it all away. Who cares! I realize I have been complacent in my life for to long, events of the last two weeks brought that to light, thank goodness, because now I start everyday with gratitude. I have a saying posted above my kitchen doorway it says, "Breath, when you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive, to breath, to think, to enjoy, to love." ~Marcus Aurelius. Amen to that!! It was something so simple that I have been taking for granted. Our lives are so precious, my life, my family, how did I lose sight of that?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdwx82doS2z97863mrWUfSOeqGZbhQRi6ISReRz4GZG8HgAOiSK2gP77M8VGhB7m869AOUJC1_LIUehP06HCXA17_cFczCXwNAOjvckRpGf4GyIO9a1GRqXEmstT2jLdtz2EzU2P2QrYq/s1600/DSC_9110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdwx82doS2z97863mrWUfSOeqGZbhQRi6ISReRz4GZG8HgAOiSK2gP77M8VGhB7m869AOUJC1_LIUehP06HCXA17_cFczCXwNAOjvckRpGf4GyIO9a1GRqXEmstT2jLdtz2EzU2P2QrYq/s320/DSC_9110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Since the Year of the Dragon began, I have lost a friend, an Uncle, and my Sister in law is still in the hospital struggling to pull through a severe brain injury. She is alive, breathing, thinking, but she is fighting everyday to come back to the fullness of her life. She was in a medically induced coma for 9 days, since then her progress has been amazing. She is talking, moving all her limbs, working on walking again, but she has a long way to go. She is with us, but childlike, she is learning life all over again. For her, her husband, her kids, their life is forever changed. Our families lives are forever changed as we figure out how to adjust, how to plan to take care of our family, accepting that life is now different. Yesterday I was enjoying the quiet of my home, the ease of making dinner, and trying to decided what movie to watch and my thoughts turned to Jennifer and Chad, all I could do was cry. I think as a family we are all feeling guilty that we are starting to feel bits and pieces of happiness again while our Jen struggles to eat, sit up, and grasp at fleeting memories of her life. We all want to just wake up from this horrible nightmare, and it's hard to know where to go from here. I believe she will comeback to us fully, but it will take a very long time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxe-iCyaMtSmEhMoDJqjmmAYzOR5aJHKbWXrileBWOkBSa16MKjUl0MXRJP3ZsOfZoTsdoP_AdG0Lz_MPw9Siw_mP4qNNHswMh_qtx36iRq-BwHmp9Vd2GJ8zXyK61COP5y4CWgHVl6ytN/s1600/DSC_9114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxe-iCyaMtSmEhMoDJqjmmAYzOR5aJHKbWXrileBWOkBSa16MKjUl0MXRJP3ZsOfZoTsdoP_AdG0Lz_MPw9Siw_mP4qNNHswMh_qtx36iRq-BwHmp9Vd2GJ8zXyK61COP5y4CWgHVl6ytN/s320/DSC_9114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> So many things have shattered me, yet made me humble recently that every turn feels like a new life lesson, its a little exhausting. I wake up thinking man, what a beautiful day, I have so much to do, then I think of Jen again, and think, all I need to do is make the phone call and see what Chad and the girls need today, everything else is secondary. We worry about over stepping our bounds, about Chad, the girls and about each other. We get snippy, cranky, and irritated, we fight about who can do what, and who should do what, it makes me feel sad sometimes. Then as I think about it and try to put all this into some kind of perspective, I think, the bottom line is, we all want to help our family. We all want to be there for them, we are literally fighting over who gets to love them the most. As crazy as that is, it is beautiful. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Z0b7j3V9mx_y783YyYrLV7cEbsRswC3HcDPFWgozte5w06IA7nEntJN5dwXH-Dr73H8UXXyGxntIJvpamG4PW7FOC5dI3PkM1WGb9WkqJuSNNvdzU12frSJ5uRC1eXXwpmn64W7KkGGt/s1600/DSC_9130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Z0b7j3V9mx_y783YyYrLV7cEbsRswC3HcDPFWgozte5w06IA7nEntJN5dwXH-Dr73H8UXXyGxntIJvpamG4PW7FOC5dI3PkM1WGb9WkqJuSNNvdzU12frSJ5uRC1eXXwpmn64W7KkGGt/s320/DSC_9130.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>For the last 2ish years I have struggled with my life, thinking what did I do wrong to make my marriage fail, how am I going to deal with not having children, how am I going to heal after the love of my life crushed heart into so many pieces? whine whine whine. How am I ever going to be able to afford a nicer house some day, a new car, how will I ever lose the weight, and what if I never find another love again, how do I get a different life that is full of the things I wanted instead of what I ended up, which is a life that is full of failures? Where the hell do I go from there? Then, life takes over, and floors me. Over the last few years, I have held the hand of two people I love as they passed from this world to the next, and now I watch someone I love begin the fight to come back to us. 3 years worth of lessons slamming me all at once, and I realize now how foolish, small minded, and ridiculous I have been. Wasting my time on all that insignificant selfish stuff. It's not about me, I've had it wrong all this time. Thank goodness my family and friends have always stuck by me, so that now that I get it, I can lather them with love, and I have so much love to share! I am thankful! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5D3hjmeYohZmI1MYCvYOyO7Vfp2X-sIYcGzcxO2uLfm_8tpQFtCKwBY5x89g24T-P5xHnDqq0LDy9a1fHPBBal6AqoMLxcZHSsom2PZuPrSGGRRYzoUkxGX8hgNxZ7hRkoL8oMXLjuue_/s1600/DSC_9186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5D3hjmeYohZmI1MYCvYOyO7Vfp2X-sIYcGzcxO2uLfm_8tpQFtCKwBY5x89g24T-P5xHnDqq0LDy9a1fHPBBal6AqoMLxcZHSsom2PZuPrSGGRRYzoUkxGX8hgNxZ7hRkoL8oMXLjuue_/s320/DSC_9186.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>Struggling with how to get through this rough time, I finally get it, Its not what I have or don't have, it's all in the eyes I use to view the world around me. I was seeing only what I wanted to see. Seeing things a certain way enables us to continue the way we are living without taking responsibility for ourselves, or having to make the hard changes we need to, to make our lives what we want them to be. Using all those complaints, I can justify all the crap in my life if I want to, because my heart was stomped, my marriage ended, my life is not what I want so I'm gonna pout and be sad...or I can say, hey, I made some bad choices, but my life is truly full of love and joy, and all that crap brought me here, to today, giving me the ability to be grateful for another day to get it right, another day to face the light and shine! My Cousin Lisa said to me after my divorce that I was responsible for my own happiness now, she was right, but the truth is, I should have been responsible for it all along. My Dad has always said, "you can control your own destiny", he was right, and man have I been wasting time. A few summers ago I thought I had the clarity I needed, but I only glimpsed it, I was not able to hang onto it. Now, there is no doubt that I have gotten the message. Thank you Mother Nature for slowing me down and making me face it, and put it all together. There are blessings all around me, now that I have my eyes wide open to see them I am flooded with happiness, joy, and love. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKHdqkD8WYyO-JbH-ceXIZVkNWT6in5ifCZxOqoKNCe745lMQf02KOzaItfIfUuW1AKAoTIs7voz8lm0FWY0WqM7oFaucEBS24z5KyspPmkp9-RYAsi8-dmttbsCnKji6VftoJQ7O2ZqT/s1600/DSC_1335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKHdqkD8WYyO-JbH-ceXIZVkNWT6in5ifCZxOqoKNCe745lMQf02KOzaItfIfUuW1AKAoTIs7voz8lm0FWY0WqM7oFaucEBS24z5KyspPmkp9-RYAsi8-dmttbsCnKji6VftoJQ7O2ZqT/s320/DSC_1335.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This is Jen and Mckenna, if you would like to help the family please go to <a href="http://www.giveforward.com/jenniferstoddard">www.giveforward.com/jenniferstoddard</a> to make a donation. If you are unable to do that, any prayers, positive energy, love, and compassion you send her way would be welcome and appreciated.<br />
<br />
As for me, today is the day I say this to the world:<br />
Dear sorrows and demons,<br />
This is goodbye! I will no longer be dancing or wrestling with you, life is to short to waste my time on you. I will be out playing in the light and love that is my life. I don't want to miss this second chance at making my life as beautiful as I can dream it to be. If you try to make a comeback in my life, I will be forced to hug & love you to death. <br />
Sincerely,<br />
Christy<br />
<br />
ps-as I finish writing this post, MJ's song, Man in the Mirror is playing, how completely appropriate, and totally uplifting, how does the universe know what I need right when I need it. :) I've heard that song a million times, but never really listened to it until today. Beautiful. <br />
<br />
pps- I also got my garden planting schedule worked out this weekend, something I know Jen will love, she called my yard her garden, and helped whenever she could......see...playing in the light is more fun. I'll post that stuff soon :)Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-15420971600616443712012-01-18T09:41:00.000-08:002012-01-18T09:41:36.711-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yHjSuf5Nb8Zd2MQisJAcxkuJPT4swA_RxmvPzQE3wAsDsvKGr4uUbHoBC88nr6CPAKVvRejpXSecp36vK6yKDPGIbJgrI9jAuvdu34kDCE4md0QsHkELiyKYog9ZjgxGKlborvWTjne-/s1600/IMG_1938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yHjSuf5Nb8Zd2MQisJAcxkuJPT4swA_RxmvPzQE3wAsDsvKGr4uUbHoBC88nr6CPAKVvRejpXSecp36vK6yKDPGIbJgrI9jAuvdu34kDCE4md0QsHkELiyKYog9ZjgxGKlborvWTjne-/s320/IMG_1938.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I can't believe I have spring fever already, it's way to early for that! I bought some seeds already from my local greenhouse, I just couldn't resist. I swear I have never had the fever this early! Come on spring time!! Planning my greenhouse and shed are also causing me to want to get out and start working in the yard, this weekends temps are looking like upper 50's, man, it's going to be hard to stay inside this weekend! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsOhyZ1t5h3Esg8piS9WlPZgit-ngc5GJiu0y-9VqyZvmc5kg3LMnOYqfyvcGbcuKpHJFnTl3OudAvxvAT-AKXLBmNNoIxGmySDWF4KQ-M3_VI1XlvEYn26OtYvSxXIJBhBB1JGmIgfNe/s1600/DSC_6298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsOhyZ1t5h3Esg8piS9WlPZgit-ngc5GJiu0y-9VqyZvmc5kg3LMnOYqfyvcGbcuKpHJFnTl3OudAvxvAT-AKXLBmNNoIxGmySDWF4KQ-M3_VI1XlvEYn26OtYvSxXIJBhBB1JGmIgfNe/s320/DSC_6298.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While trying to curb my spring fever I have been reading tons, mainly garden books, which was not much help, but thank goodness I found "Final approach" last month, it helped me focus on something other then the garden for right now. <a href="http://wolfecastle.blogspot.com/2011/12/book-crossing-goodness.html"> I found it last month in my favorite little bagel shop</a>, it was released into the wild by another reader, (check out <a href="http://www.bookcrossing.com/">http://www.bookcrossing.com/</a> for information on this group<a href="http://wolfecastle.blogspot.com/2011/12/book-crossing-goodness.html">)</a> I am glad I found this book, it was not a book I normally would have picked for myself, but I really enjoyed it. Finding this book brought me into the world of<a href="http://www.bookcrossing.com/"> bookcrossing.com</a> which I am already addicted to, I am hunting out places to find more released goodies! I can't wait to release this book back into the wild, as well as a few of my favorites I want to share. Have a super day, enjoy the sunshine, and do something you love!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSe5Tls1ZB0QB6_F0jJD9Jo62XISDfbUSmpLmcY3LM2eM0v7utRjlwJynHUlV6QFVdkFEC7KY7VgbasSp4ZQpjVfOX1wpIY1NdTIh8QV60C0gAAakX39Wgkkup4dpCxd-BGuQj_Xy2DHFP/s1600/IMG_3886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSe5Tls1ZB0QB6_F0jJD9Jo62XISDfbUSmpLmcY3LM2eM0v7utRjlwJynHUlV6QFVdkFEC7KY7VgbasSp4ZQpjVfOX1wpIY1NdTIh8QV60C0gAAakX39Wgkkup4dpCxd-BGuQj_Xy2DHFP/s320/IMG_3886.jpg" width="240" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-32688377113549481452012-01-02T17:24:00.000-08:002012-01-03T05:30:18.002-08:00Happy 2012!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejiwPNTicmHHIjsLTiLqTwrgxgSHfNcfokgS0r-m3GFLqySaReTqYI4iwCOY4WIJmKP_g2RKXbMlGPPk2lnYb8DCoRHYtRcjpGXnE46X7dLTJTb8cMPQKT2hDkKvBP_GI7IQeactdIFlQ/s1600/DSC_8779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
<style type="text/css">
<!--
@page { margin: 0.79in }
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in }
--
</style></a>Guess what I am doing today ;). Nothing starts the new year for me
like looking through seed catalogs and starting the planning phase of
what I will be doing in the garden this spring. I also want
to sum up how last seasons garden was. There was so
much I wanted to blog about, I cannot fit it all in, even with 3 or 4
blogs, so I decided to hit the highs and lows, and this year, if I
blog more often, I should not run into this problem at the end of the
season.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejiwPNTicmHHIjsLTiLqTwrgxgSHfNcfokgS0r-m3GFLqySaReTqYI4iwCOY4WIJmKP_g2RKXbMlGPPk2lnYb8DCoRHYtRcjpGXnE46X7dLTJTb8cMPQKT2hDkKvBP_GI7IQeactdIFlQ/s1600/DSC_8779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejiwPNTicmHHIjsLTiLqTwrgxgSHfNcfokgS0r-m3GFLqySaReTqYI4iwCOY4WIJmKP_g2RKXbMlGPPk2lnYb8DCoRHYtRcjpGXnE46X7dLTJTb8cMPQKT2hDkKvBP_GI7IQeactdIFlQ/s320/DSC_8779.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><style type="text/css">
<!--
@page { margin: 0.79in }
P { ma
</style><span style="color: maroon;">With winter
settling in, it takes me to thoughts
about my last season of gardening. I love to have my hands in the dirt, this season was the first one in quite sometime that many of my
dreams for my garden came to life. I have never had this
much room to plant, and the time to take care of it like I do now, I love it! I still have so much to learn, I love every busy and slow moment in the
garden, discovering new things and reconnecting with mother nature. </span>
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvbt5faPL8o4Ql6ozQ9-CiS04SStGASD4WwGuDG1SJx6yudFbOnJkzF2ozSaaH5mDTesUU-qkoUi3sEca7y7SnjThsYew5tkdPYwrrfUJcc5nNoLRfQnIH8bCB5kPjAIpO5u21quPRrwX/s1600/DSC_9091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvbt5faPL8o4Ql6ozQ9-CiS04SStGASD4WwGuDG1SJx6yudFbOnJkzF2ozSaaH5mDTesUU-qkoUi3sEca7y7SnjThsYew5tkdPYwrrfUJcc5nNoLRfQnIH8bCB5kPjAIpO5u21quPRrwX/s320/DSC_9091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: maroon;">Thinking about my
garden this year, all the good and bad things make me happy. I
decided at the beginning of the season that this year would be an
experimental year for growing and design. I spent the summer
watching the sun, finding hot spots and shady delights, while
figuring out a watering plan, as well as, shed and greenhouse
placement. Which of course led me to have many new projects for next
season, along with a much better idea of how I want things laid out.
</span>
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBYwB7fnMsG3UoI06RU02Qaf5jQWG67LZtOPNG3_szc3g6Ca6cEJCf9P_P72v1q4TTeYACMNGWrMtKlfvqDDBPtjNdIE8gxKEbWqSks_KnKK7D8up-3-eoEcncDWRyNo_r6fTvPdJPrVa/s1600/DSC_3668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBYwB7fnMsG3UoI06RU02Qaf5jQWG67LZtOPNG3_szc3g6Ca6cEJCf9P_P72v1q4TTeYACMNGWrMtKlfvqDDBPtjNdIE8gxKEbWqSks_KnKK7D8up-3-eoEcncDWRyNo_r6fTvPdJPrVa/s320/DSC_3668.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: maroon;">Each year I
plant something new that I have never grown before, this year I went
a little out of control. I planted so many new things, potatoes,
asparagus, eggplant, limelight zuchinni, ghost peppers, chili
peppers, Serrano peppers, eggplant, tobacco, and cotton. All of those
were planted along with the old standards okra, beans, cucumbers,
tomatoes, tomatillo, cherry tomatoes, pumpkin, squash, garlic,
rosemary, lavender, horseradish, jalapenos, 2 new mints, 2 new sage,
cilantro, and of course basil. </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lwX1WtEHnTMXyMeTUVbKrA63Z0MLQjV0yYoWOvBRX47N5iVAPgXwFKHpZF2Fz-X2piUrUIaNjhAmAs-fYJVJYSlrZxN720uTzya1iO5cwPvw8iOluvnKKF7yXsCDq0TBzaBdmz3EryUp/s1600/DSC_9187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lwX1WtEHnTMXyMeTUVbKrA63Z0MLQjV0yYoWOvBRX47N5iVAPgXwFKHpZF2Fz-X2piUrUIaNjhAmAs-fYJVJYSlrZxN720uTzya1iO5cwPvw8iOluvnKKF7yXsCDq0TBzaBdmz3EryUp/s320/DSC_9187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: maroon;">I had many
successes in the garden, the biggest one was the cotton, I am so
excited about this plant. It exceeded all my expectations, and made
for great conversation! The cotton blooms pink, then turns white,
almost as if its blooming twice. Extraordinary plant to watch grow,
they are so beautiful and delicate. The interesting thing about this
plant, is that when the plant is dying and drying out, is when the
cotton begins to just push itself out of the pod, expanding out its
dense insides, and turning into a fluffy cloud reaching out to the
sunshine, a bit of death with a touch of rebirth. Amazing! I learned
a lot about the plant as it was growing, since it was a last minute
choice, I kinda researched as it grew to find the next steps, along
that path I learned many things I will do different when planting
that one again! Also in that research process I have spent hours and
hours learning how to harvest cotton. I learned more about what
it takes to bring cotton from the plant all the way to the end when it
actually becomes fabric, it fascinated it me. I originally
wanted tobacco to be my new plant this year so adding cotton just
seemed a natural fit. I started both from seed, the tobacco was a
bit difficult and did not make it. Luckily, the cotton did, and what
a joy it was! Next year I will try again with the tobacco, but,
ssshhh, don't tell the ATF :). </span><span style="color: maroon;"> </span>
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcihP73_YdfBOhIAA7AnhyzcesUcd-q9QhKo0ZTNlg4fQWWETWiGM_21K7IHQWreS9Dt3SvaXfJ4tnyEvglXEFZ4jp8gMRjPdAWvM5w09BTvrKUs3p8hORV7YafNNkE15shjLMTPChTcX/s1600/DSC_4916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcihP73_YdfBOhIAA7AnhyzcesUcd-q9QhKo0ZTNlg4fQWWETWiGM_21K7IHQWreS9Dt3SvaXfJ4tnyEvglXEFZ4jp8gMRjPdAWvM5w09BTvrKUs3p8hORV7YafNNkE15shjLMTPChTcX/s320/DSC_4916.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: maroon;">Another new thing
in the garden this year was asparagus, which was a hard choice,
because you have to wait 3 growing seasons before you can
harvest it. Over the summer I thought about making a move and buying
a new home, but my perennial plants like asparagus helped in the
decision to stay here. I also have horseradish, 5 kinds of mint, 3
kinds of sage, rosemary, lavender, garlic bulbs, 5 new roses bushes
in the last 3 years, tons of iris, tulip, crocus, and hyacinth, I
can't wait to see them all bloom again. I decided that holding out,
saving my money, working towards my dream of owning and farming
my own acreage is worth the wait, besides, I love my home, the
garden feels like a continuing art project, I really enjoy it. </span>
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: maroon;">A surprise this
year was the horseradish, it was last seasons new plant, I dug it up
to move it, I thought I got it all the roots last year, however, I
missed a few, and what was left blossomed into a huge plant, giving
me 2 giant plants that almost took over the freshly planted
asparagus! When I harvested the 2 year old horseradish, the roots
were wonderful and very large. I made sure to get it ALL moved this
time, they are not kidding when they tell you that the smallest bit
of root will grow, <b>whew</b>! </span>
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTawuv8vT2kpGTwot3HuqPTmFIZNmDz5YKewjPImONuCKWBETHsCu4tksXzBYejwfa1W0-GjKlV6YDxhoH7GvXIP7Ag9EB2GrNqCprqJxQK9sITvEyKU6AMkb8nUNAN5uSYxKPPHl_R6Py/s1600/DSC_5711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTawuv8vT2kpGTwot3HuqPTmFIZNmDz5YKewjPImONuCKWBETHsCu4tksXzBYejwfa1W0-GjKlV6YDxhoH7GvXIP7Ag9EB2GrNqCprqJxQK9sITvEyKU6AMkb8nUNAN5uSYxKPPHl_R6Py/s320/DSC_5711.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: maroon;">That leads me to
failures, there were plenty, I already talked about my tobacco, but I
also lost many of my started seeds. I lost pumpkin, jalapeno, bell
pepper, and squash seeds. I was totally bummed until my friend Marsha gave me 2 Jalapeno plants, a bell pepper, limelight zucchini, and
eggplant. I scored with those and grew them all. The only thing from
the gift plants that did not make it very well was the eggplant, they
just did not flower early enough for me to harvest anything. (but the
flowers on the eggplant were so pretty, I love to see things bloom) I
consider the corn a loss thanks the either the squirrels or other
animals that got in the yard and ate it all! I have to figure out a
way to manage those little suckers next season, my yard and the yard
behind me are the only two yards in the neighborhood with no dogs, so
its like a wild animal super highway with everything from foxes,
skunks, coyotes, and ALL the cats in the area coming threw there.
The squirrels just don't care, the go anywhere and are a complete
menace! Gotta do some serious pest control. I seemed to be over run
with grasshoppers this year. They were not only out of control, they
were huge, I did notice many gardeners mentioned the same, so perhaps
next year will be better. I had lots of bees and spiders, a few
snakes, basically the ecosystem seems to be really strong, I just
need to do a little more spraying. I don't like to spray pesticides,
I like to use a little dish soap diluted in water, that seems to work
really well on most everything except the pumpkins, they do not like
it. The last but most important failure was my watering plan, or lack of one. For the spring I must put in a watering system of some kind. I discovered that lack of water held back many of the plants in the garden, I tend to only water every 2nd or 3rd day, but in the heat of summer it needs to be more, and there are some plants that need it daily for sure. </span>
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: maroon;">Other things that
worked, were the brandywine tomatoes that did fabulous, if you have
never planted those, they are worth it. brandywine's are big, juicy,
and almost sweet. Cherry tomatoes were out of control, my own
personal natural vending machine in the yard. I picked off that thing
all summer while I was working in the yard, my God daughter and I
decided they were so good it was like eating sunshine. Considering
she doesn't like tomatoes, (or didn't at the time) I take it as quite
a compliment. Okra was a huge success, zucchini , 3 different kinds
of pumpkins, all the herbs came back as well. The new roses did
pretty well for their first season, the colors are now white, purple,
yellow, orange, and red. </span>
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCUt4PY7V76bP3A2t5ZPzJrmqi1NkVJsN90pAl_Obcb7BbpbHZzEL-whlTsRYmndcQueqrvV5tnFpQoCPojxIqNT1iCUp7vMMKN9b7f_o-RquF2ED5kGAcWNIMmmtbdwdxHBNILjEK7Ev/s1600/DSC_3678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCUt4PY7V76bP3A2t5ZPzJrmqi1NkVJsN90pAl_Obcb7BbpbHZzEL-whlTsRYmndcQueqrvV5tnFpQoCPojxIqNT1iCUp7vMMKN9b7f_o-RquF2ED5kGAcWNIMmmtbdwdxHBNILjEK7Ev/s320/DSC_3678.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: maroon;">I am not sure who
says that the winter months are a slow time for gardeners, but for
me, winter is going to full of research for next season. I have so
much more to learn and prepare for next season, this coming spring
there will not be a weekend without work for me. New shed,
greenhouse, watering system, pest control system, yard design, and
yard art will keep me happily working away the hours in my yard. </span>
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: maroon;">Along with all
the new things for the garden next year, I plan on doing <a href="http://gardenwriters.org/gwa.php?p=par/index.html">Plant a row For The Hungry</a>. I'm always giving a lot of food away from my garden,
planting a row of things specifically for the hungry would mean a
lot for my heart. Check it out and see if they have something in your
area that is similar, if not, consider starting your own group. </span>
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBP_rzKfMhMeDwpPMMHCWJ31HRgDiBsZhJZzXzCnZG-GIE0Ag19EKSu0YmKjS7T9R_oXUWbVZZ2YaM_LzCmmrpD8pBVG0R-eZaJLEcQPS9uReETk63237Iu2iltIOh0XQnC0s-EydMQnS/s1600/DSC_5303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBP_rzKfMhMeDwpPMMHCWJ31HRgDiBsZhJZzXzCnZG-GIE0Ag19EKSu0YmKjS7T9R_oXUWbVZZ2YaM_LzCmmrpD8pBVG0R-eZaJLEcQPS9uReETk63237Iu2iltIOh0XQnC0s-EydMQnS/s320/DSC_5303.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: maroon;">Happy New year,
and happy dreams of all that is to come. For more images from my garden check out my <a href="http://wolfecastle.smugmug.com/Other/My-yard">smugmug</a> page</span>
</div>Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167549839214234312.post-51569978007889563462011-12-20T21:06:00.000-08:002011-12-20T21:34:50.644-08:00Book Crossing goodness!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSe5Tls1ZB0QB6_F0jJD9Jo62XISDfbUSmpLmcY3LM2eM0v7utRjlwJynHUlV6QFVdkFEC7KY7VgbasSp4ZQpjVfOX1wpIY1NdTIh8QV60C0gAAakX39Wgkkup4dpCxd-BGuQj_Xy2DHFP/s1600/IMG_3886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSe5Tls1ZB0QB6_F0jJD9Jo62XISDfbUSmpLmcY3LM2eM0v7utRjlwJynHUlV6QFVdkFEC7KY7VgbasSp4ZQpjVfOX1wpIY1NdTIh8QV60C0gAAakX39Wgkkup4dpCxd-BGuQj_Xy2DHFP/s320/IMG_3886.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>In an attempt to escape work during the week, I tend to get up really early one day a week, go to my favorite bagel shop, have some breakfast and coffee, and read for as long as I can before I have to lumber myself into the dark cold winter world of sheet metal fabrication. It helps me feel like I have more freedom in my life, kind of a way to pretend I don't really have a job I have to go to, for that brief time each week I get to be the avid reader/writer I am in my heart. I get lost in the story, or what I am writing, and forget about my problems for a brief time. I just started committing to this weekly form of escape a few months ago, before this I would read as much as I could here and there, but as I began to make more time for reading and writing, I rediscovered a true love, so now I do this as much as I can. I love to read anything I can get my hands on, fiction, poetry, history, autobiography, anything. Where is this all leading you wonder, well, read on.....<br />
<br />
There I was, reading, enjoying the dark before the sunrise, a moment of calm before I had to get my butt to work. Looking at my phone, seeing the time, I had only minutes to clean up my breakfast mess, refresh my coffee and head to the shop. I had been sitting in the bagel shop for over and hour and a half, reading. I got all my trash collected, headed for the trash bin, and there, next to the sign, "please do not toss our plastic trays" was a book. Naturally I picked it up, glanced around for someone who might have lost it, nobody seemed to be looking for it, so I went to put it down thinking they would come back for it, when I noticed the sticker on the front that read, "I'm not lost! I'm Free!" What? a free book, just sitting here, "how strange is that?" I thought. I continued to read the sticker on the front of the book and found out this book had been "released into the wild" at another bakery near my town. I discovered that this book was left for the purpose of someone finding it, reading it, blogging about it, and re-releasing it back into the wild for others to enjoy through a site called <a href="http://bookcrossing.com/">bookcrossing.com</a>. How cool is that! I thought, "Wow, that is really neat, someone is going to find this book and be able to follow it's journey, what a great idea!" Then, I set the book back down, thinking about how lucky that person was going to be to find the book. Yes, it took that long to hit me, um, hellllloooo, I found the book, why am I setting it down for someone else to pick up!! I reached back over, picked up the book, tucked it in my pocket, and went to refill my coffee. I was darn near giddy about this silly book, I kept looking around wondering if the person who had left it was still in the bagel shop. I mean, I had been sitting there reading for over and hour and a half, (and it was early in the morning, not a lot of traffic at 5am) how did I not see this person leave the book? This was all so clever, fun, and exciting. I was giggling to myself as I poured fresh coffee, gave it a stir while looking over my shoulder wondering if the mystery book release God was watching me, laughing at my complete and udder geek joy of finding a free book. With my freshened coffee in hand, and freshly caught book tucked in my pocket, I walked out of the store, almost skipping with happiness. I got to my truck, opened the book, to discover all about what <a href="http://bookcrossing.com/">bookcrossing.com</a> is, and instantly fell in love with the idea. I was laughing and actually singing "I found a golden ticket", I was that stinking goofy about it! Then, it occurred to me, I need to get a life.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGLVxDz3C_HVLjNLHvLo76ecHcdI1t0iArqCDRhlrE_f0KGkN_4_wOYRGdT4CrAhrnvM7AXyod3u2zSdCBk4imbbTYzcIdA9_om5kL_nrjt5nzO2H8hljiekzgoUCTfy6aw-vsdkD5IWG/s1600/IMG_3922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGLVxDz3C_HVLjNLHvLo76ecHcdI1t0iArqCDRhlrE_f0KGkN_4_wOYRGdT4CrAhrnvM7AXyod3u2zSdCBk4imbbTYzcIdA9_om5kL_nrjt5nzO2H8hljiekzgoUCTfy6aw-vsdkD5IWG/s320/IMG_3922.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Instead, I will read the book, release it for someone else to find, and begin my own process of releasing books I love into the wild. Won't you join me. Check out the website and get involved! Knowledge is power, and reading is the way to get there. <br />
<br />
:)Chrisitinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122758409622475041noreply@blogger.com0