Winter Projects

So here is what kept the hubbie busy over the winter break this year.

New washer and dryer. Hubby had to re-vent for the new dryer and we had to redo some of the plumbing to make it fit which was actually to our benefit as it will be nicely finished now rather then pipes just sticking through drywall. Still have some drywall patching and painting to do but it looks way better and works wonderfully.

I labelled the storage containers as someone else

was always asking "where do I find....".

The new fridge and stove. I am loving the induction cook top. I have noticed that someone else is cooking hot breakfasts more often too which is an added bonus.

And lastly the gate which I am in love with. Not to be too boastful but I think I have the best gate in the valley now. So inviting and beautiful but keeps the wandering woof woofs and horned critters on the outside.

A close up of the sun and mountains.

I think they did an awesome job!

Greetings from snowland

Well they said it was coming but I'm not sure I actually believed it. Here however is the proof.

And the littlest PK helped out with some sidewalk clearing.

It started Friday evening and as I write this on Monday at 3pm it is still snowing!

Been busy in the garden

It's been awhile since we left a note on here.

 PK and I have been busy little bees in the garden installing a new berry patch and starting to plant veggies for this years crop.

PK weeding and thinning out the strawberry patch.

Anyone need some plants?

Taking a break to sniff the flowers.

Sunday morning and all is normal????

So we have croup yet again in our household. You wouldn't know that we were up most of the night judging from our rockin little guy this morning.

This is what he wanted to wear to help Daddy and Uncle Todd with the backyard project - cute eh!

So in order to clear my head and get a handle on my day I started Day 1 of my 14 week training session to run the TC10K. I haven't ran since before I was pregnant with little dude so it will be a good challenge for me. Today I did 5:1 x 3 and I just managed it so I figure so far so good.

And this is what the guys have been up to this weekend.

That would be the run of my chicken coop laying on top of my herb bed. The coop is now located behind the barn and the harb bed will be added to my vegetable garden to make on large garden - yeah!

Demolition Sunday

The boys were at it again this weekend. Sunday turned into a tear it apart day. They took out the fence that ran between the field and my vegetable garden. It is amazing the difference it makes to the backyard - the whole area looks 100 times better and as I don't have any plans to have animals in the near future it isn't like the removal of the fence is a big deal.

A Simple Life...a Fun Life

PK and I went for a backyard waunder...or rather PK took me for a backyard waunder as I doubt I would think to go for a walk between the hedge and the fence but when looked at from a different angle it is actully quite a beautiful stroll.

And then there was the study of the mushrooms....of which we have copious amounts all over our yard at the moment

(thankfully there have been no attempts to eat them).

We also had some music lessons at Strong Start.

Nothing quite like a toy that jingles.

Life update

A pictureless post but then I guess I have been too busy doing things that I keep forgetting to take pictures for others to see.

On the baby front I have completed the palm tree - looks pretty good for a non-painter. I have cleaned up the bassinet and washed the bedding - thinking I might paint the legs to freshen it up a little. The quilt is almost complete. I have sewn all the front pieces together and picked up some binding so now I just have to sew the binding on and it will be done. I am part way through sewing together burp cloths - although I keep finding more fabric to make more burp cloths - still haven't found a 'suggested' amount of cloths to have on hand which makes it difficult to know when to stop ;) I think this afternoon I am going to go choose some flannel fabric to make some receiving blankets and wipes. After them I will have to start on diapers.

Garden wise - I planted up the majority of the veggie garden - just the periodic addition of lettuce, carrots, radish, etc to keep season long supply going. Found holes throughout the garden beds for the 4 boxes of dahlias I was given - I'll have to keep them cut back or I'll have a huge mess in the garden...teehee.. I planted one hanging basket..just cause you have to have atleast one hanging basket. This year it is hanging next to the arbour leading to the veggie garden. I also planted some nice trailing annuals in all the planters on the back patio, garage door planters and front entrance planters. I did a big harvest of herbs this past weekend - hopefully they will dry well as they currently are spread all over the livingroom.

We went for a sail with the Porter's this past weekend. I do enjoy going out with them a couple times a year but I can say that I don't think I would ever become a big sailor. Much rather be in a speedboat with a destination in mind...luckily Andy is of the same mind.

Anything else.....oh yes, I made myself a pillowtop shirt..I was hoping it would make a great maternity top throughout the hot summer but I have a feeling it is only going to last another week or two. It will be a cute top for next summer though.

Well, I think that is all for now.

Front view

Some pictures of our newly installed front garden. We have never liked the shape of the front bed, not only did it suck for mowing but it just didn't look right. So a couple weekend's ago we decided enough was enough and reshaped, planted and bark mulched. It looks so much better.

Shaping the bed also known as turf tossing (Before)

After

Before

After

Before

After

Boy toys

I thought I'd show a couple of the recent projects worked on from the view of how handy some of the "boy toys" have been. Definately saved on time by having the big truck and tractor around.


Fencing materials - all in one load

Hedge trees - all 50 of them

Moving the trees the easy way

Bold or ???

So this little cheeky girl was sitting right in
front of our living room window on Sunday morning. Andy and I both walked right up to the window and took about two dozen pictures of her before she finally got up and walked away. Her male friend atleast had the decency to sit on the front lawn on the other side of the parking area. It truly is a love-hate relationship I have with these creatures. If only they could leave my plants alone. I do have an entire acre of grass that they can eat to their hearts content. I must admit I will miss them when I fence the yard but I will have vegetables and flowers so not too much.......

My little Tibo

I am so excited. This little plant was given to us last year when we moved to our new house. It survived neglect, lack of water and nibblings by deer. I brought it in the house over the winter and dutifully watered it and amazingly it actually grew over the winter.

I put it outside a couple of months ago and have tried to remember to water it. It has grown a little since being moved outside and strangely enough it decided to bloom the other day. Though this photo doesn't do it justice the flower is quite pretty - a beautiful purple.

It is a tibouchina ( sometimes referred to as princess flower or glory bush )

Garden of Eatin'

So I wanted to post something before heading out to the lake for the weekend. I didn't make anything that exciting for dinner last night but it was more about what we have been eating that is the exciting part.

This is a picture of salad greens, onions, radishes and basil all freshly picked from my veggie garden. I made a mixed green salad - even tossed in some greens from the nasturtiums. Paired with some smoked salmon, mushroom caps (thanks for the inspiration Patricia), foccacia bread and some fresh from the garden carrots (thank you Lisa). It was a light but filling meal and gave me time to get organized for the weekend.

Look out Honeymoon Bay - here we come!

Nature's Wonder

The first nasturtium's of this year's crop have opened up in all their glory. Such a simple plant with extraordinary colour and their pepper leaves and flowers go so well in a mixed green salad, isn't nature wonderful. These little guys
are planted in the herb bed,
right along side the chicken
coop. The chickens have
been having a grand ole time
picking at their leaves
through the fence. I am
hoping to weave them up the
fence to give the chickens a
little more shade and keep
the plants from taking over
the herb bed.

Soon-to-be mumma

No not I but my dear little girl in the backyard has chosen to devote her time to warming 15 eggs (not all hers I might add) for the next couple of weeks. Do you think she was thinking about how many little mouths that is to feed or little bodies that want to run, explore and see the world. Her ambition amazes me. To think I am still wavering on just having one or two to watch over. No selfishness on her part that's for sure. Truly amazing.