BLINK OF AN EYE

THE WEEK IS QUICKLY GETTING PAST ME.  Zoom.  She's gone.  Spending time each day to plan what needs to get accomplished.  I have to MASTER the DAY PLANNING knowing it can all change in a blink of an eye. 

Hubby's medical appointment went very well yesterday.  Thankful.  Afterwards we went to WAL-MART and MENARDS.  I thought my was Husband ill when he said, "I want to go to WAL-MART."  He greatly dislikes WAL-MART.  I was game to go as I like looking and go occasionally. He wanted to look at car covers for our small, non-operative OPEL GT that sits in a garage.

I look at most everything in the store as they are restocking and remodeling the store into having a better lay-out and floor plan.  I remember when the store was built and opened for business.  It seemed so huge that I would get lost. It doesn't seem so daunting these days.

I picked up a dying Gerbera Daisy for $3 believing I can help it thrive when placed in a larger container.  Colorful, pretty flowers were drooping, but that's alright.  I planted it into a larger container and placed it on our COTTAGE porch after we stopped by for the evening.  I needed to place my geraniums outside on the porch and water the plants.

SUPPER was early at a steakhouse as we decided to celebrate my Husband's good report from the doctor.  I had a large vegetable salad with grilled chicken.  Sipped water with lemon and over indulged with bread and butter.  I'm was not endorsing avoiding bread with this meal.  My throat hurt and the rough bread felt good on my throat.  I'll do better cutting back tomorrow.

We'll be working at the COTTAGE.  I'll need to move some boxes in the Dining room and rearrange a Kitchen cabinet today as some laundry is done.  Shall see how this goes as Hubby is installing bead board in the Bathroom.  I had a bad sore throat yesterday and wondered if I should be checked for strep throat if it continues to hurt like it is.  This morning I woke with the throat not as sore.  I'll wait another day.  It may be all better.  The Prescribed Burning on the Prairie continues and I think it's making me sick.  SPRING COLDS are not my cup of tea.  Not feeling the best cannot stop me from getting some chores completed.

PLANTS.  THURSDAY will come and go in a blink of an eye.  I hope to get some Day Lilies and Lily of the Valley plants put in the ground around the COTTAGE'S Garage out back.  

A heavenly scent is permeating into the yard from the Lilac bush that's in full bloom with lavender colored blossoms.   This bush will get trimmed after the blooms fade in a week or so. I'm not sure I will collect the petals for Lilac Jelly.  Not sure if I'll do this.  Ever had Lilac Jelly?  I haven't, but think it sounds delicious.

In the area beside the house, there is one Peony plant that has buds on her.  I will have to move some Siberian Irises that sit beside her and plant a couple of more Peony Plants in September.  The tall, slender Irises will be relocated in July to an area to make a Siberian Iris flowerbed.  Keeping an idea on what time of year is best to relocate and prune plants is a new thing for me as I never did this before as I was not interested in it, but NOW I am older and it does matter to me.  

IN THE HEAT OF THE SUMMER, I will be redoing the two flowerbeds out front of the COTTAGE.  Irises do well when planted in July.  I'll have to make the beds larger and move the brick border.  Doing this in July will hopefully be a time I can do this project after the main house is sold.  

SCHEDULE for plants:  Lilac bush pruned after buds fade.  Thinking this will be early June.
In July, I'll redo the two flowerbeds in front of the COTTAGE planting more Heirloom Irises in circles.  The Siberian Irises will be relocated to the side of the house forming a new flowerbed just for them.  I might try relocating a clump of Irises that are in the front bed now to the base of one of the tall trees out front.
In September, I'll purchase two peony plants and plant them in the side yard.  Maybe plant some mums as well for Fall.

I need to work as quickly as I can to make this HAPPEN as time gets away from me even faster.  Blink, she's gone.

HOME LIFE is for me,

~d🏡

  

MORPHING LOOKS MESSY

ANOTHER NIGHT OF BEING RESTLESS AND NOT BEING ABLE TO FALL ASLEEP.  I slept in as my dear HUBBY went to Manhattan Menards' for more supplies.  When I completely woke up, I was a little stunned that it was as late as it was.  Hoping TONIGHT I get drowsy and sleep comes.  For now I am bright eyed and bushy tailed.

I stayed HOME instead of going to the COTTAGE.  Doing some laundry.  The whirring of the small appliance makes a quiet HOME somewhat noisy.  Washing my peach colored housecoat.  When this load is done, I'll place another one in for a spin.

Hubby went to the COTTAGE to work as he is closing in the door area in the bathroom making a wall where the new vanity will sit.  We discussed a mirror for the vanity.  I have a large Eastlake mirror that came from a dresser that we've had for years and can't recall where I got it or when just know it's been a minute.

Suggested that we use it as our bathroom mirror, we can paint the wood trim to match the color of the vanity.  Think it will be gorgeous.  Hubby measured it and believes it will fit just right.  

I stayed HOME to work here for the time being.  Under the Kitchen cabinet, I will box up the goods to have it waiting for the moved.  Drinking glasses and plates will be boxed.  After I get the drawers cleared and washed, I will line them with liner paper.  Slowly the Kitchen will morph into an empty room.  Not quite ready for that though. 

 

BOXES ARE EVERYWHERE.  Just waiting for their trip to the COTTAGE.  This MOVING STUFF is serious business and takes a toll on knowing where things are.  MORPHING IS MESSY.  It will get messier before we move.  Even with having a system, it's messy.  Hard on one's nerves when not being realistic that this is the way it is when moving.    

Something funny happened as I was cleaning a corner out in the entryway.  I've had a large fish bowl on a wooden stand there for years.  As I lifted the bowl and stand out of the corner, there was a envelope lying on the floor.  Picked it up as it were a THANK YOU note from my MOM dated APRIL 2022.  grins.  We have a mail drop by the front door.  The mailman delivered the envelope, but it had fallen from the mail slot onto the floor sliding under the fish bowl stand.

This doesn't say much for my cleaning habits in the entryway under the fish bowl.  I opened the envelope and it was a THANK YOU card from my dear MOM thanking us for her last year 90th Birthday Party.  I smiled.  I'll have to ell her that I just received her note almost a year late.  grins.  She's so thoughtful and writes THANK you notes for everything.  Made me smile to have unexpected mail.  

I'd been thinking about repotting the Schefflera plant I have in the Garden Window into the fish bowl for some time.  Today was the day and I sure like it in this larger pot.  The pot it was in was cracked so off to the trash it has gone. 

Schefflera plants are also known as an umbrella plant and in the right conditions can grow into a tree.  This would be awesome.  I'd like to have it as a tree.  Could happen!

The leaves expectedly release oxygen, but they also absorb pollutants from the air. The combination of its attractive leaves and detoxifying powers makes the Schefflera plant a very popular indoor plant. 

A location with lots of bright, indirect light—and a temperature between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit—is the perfect spot for this tropical beauty.

I have been thinking about where this plant will go in the COTTAGE to where the lighting and temperature are just right.  Still not sure.  I wanted to repot the plant ahead of time of our move so it would be over the shock of being repotted before moving in the SPRING when the temps outside are nicer.  Right now it is too cold and the plant would go into SHOCK when exposing it to the cold. Today it's in the teens.  I think I'm in SHOCK.

I wonder if my Sweetheart will even notice.  

A Zsa Zsa plant and African violet on the left and a geranium on the right.  A few plants to add some cheer to my day.  Honestly, I will miss this large Garden Window.  I had wanted one for years and have had the pleasure of this one for nearly 6 years.  Trying to figure out where one can go in at the COTTAGE.  I'm thinking a small one could be placed in the utility room.  The window I have in the Kitchen will be left undisturbed as I like having it open for fresh air in the SPRING and AUTUMN so I don't want to have one there.  The utility room is a different story.  

I still have my CHRISTMAS MELODIES CLOCK out to where I can hear songs that play on the hour every hour.  Not sure when I will put it away as I LOVE hearing the tunes which brighten my day.  Such a simple pleasure that goes a very long way.

No breakfast for me today, but LUNCH was a Spring Salad with a handful of walnuts and cottage cheese.  Simple enough to make.  I was NOT deprived as I ate a left-over brownie.  Super moist and oh so good.  Hot Green Tea to sip on.  My afternoon snack was a small piece of bread with very little butter.  More brownie.  Supper will be a surprise that has veggies to enjoy.

When Hubby came HOME for the evening, he'd made great progress on sealing off the extra bathroom door that went to another room.  A vanity will sit in front of this new wall he created.    

Blessings,

~d

PAPER WHITES IN BLOOM

FIRST TIME FOR ME TO TRY TO GROW PAPER WHITES.  A few years back when I thought about having some, the places I looked for bulbs were sold out so this year when I saw these PAPER WHITE  kits in galvanized pails I bought one.

About a month back, I planted the 3 bulbs in the metal pail then placing it in the Kitchen Garden Window and waited for the green shoots to come forth.  When the first shoot started to grow, I smiled that this worked.  Something to this when the bulbs bloom.  When plants grow, it turns a crank inside of me.  Dear Lord, Your nature is amazing.  

If I do this again next year, hopefully I'll have a bunch of them!  I have a larger galvanized tub that I can use.  This would be neat to have for CHRISTMAS TIME.  

A red Poinsettia sits in front of a Dining room window.  I'm a FAN of faux greenery, but having live plants inside during cold weather warms my heart.  My Garden Window has live plants, but there's just something about blossoms that makes the HOME cheerier.   Making HOME a cheerier place when the world can be so dreary assist in the ministry of HOMEMAKING. 

The Geranium I rescued after our first freeze bloomed.  Makes me so HAPPY that one of my Geraniums survived the trauma of the freeze.  I broke a stem off of the mostly dead Geranium and stuck it in a jar with soil in HOPES it would take and survive.  When it did, I couldn't help but feel some kind of delight that the freeze didn't get all my outdoor plants.  I wasn't at HOME when the freeze hit. Disappointed knowing my pretty plants didn't get protected from NATURE's harsh cold, I wasn't HOME to cover them or bring them inside.  I knew when I reached HOME my Geraniums would be dead.  

THE CHRISTMAS TREE IS UP and decorated!  Garland hangs on the fireplace mantle and stair rail.  Small gifts are wrapped.  A tiny CHRISTMAS TREE came out of the basement to hang framed pictures of my GRANDCHILDREN on.  Greenery is being placed in various places throughout the house.  I have plans of hanging twinkle lights and garland about the front doors this week-end.

NOW TO CREATE A COUPLE OF CHRISTMAS WREATHS FOR THE FRONT DOORS.

AS I DECORATE ABOUT THE HOUSE, 

may I not forget the true meaning of the Season, 

the celebration and remembrance of the birth of JESUS.  

Our precious redeemer.  

~d

THURSDAY THOUGHTS: FLOWERS AND PLANTS ABOUT OUR HOME

A GOOD WORD...God loves you.  You have great value and purpose in this LIFE.  You are a somebody.  You matter!  There's no one else exactly like you.  An individual with talents and skills to develop and use.  ⚘    

HOPING TO MAKE IT TO KSU GARDENS THIS WEEK with the camera.  I LOVE IRISES and I'd like to see them in bloom at the KSU Gardens in Manhattan, Kansas before they disappear for the year.  Hoping to make this happen within the next 4 days.  Two weeks ago I walked about the Iris area.  

Time gets away from me.  Before they die out, I'd like to admire their beautiful blossoms. There's one in particular that I need to get a name for so I can purchase some more of this one. A new crush.

  ⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘

~OUR AT HOME IRISES HERE ON THE PRAIRIE~

Thank you, God.  Our own Irises are profusely blooming.  I can almost call them all by name.  If I can only remember.  

Hubby dug dandelions out of the yard and flowerbeds.  We had so many that if the yard had not been sprayed we could have ate dandelion salad until the cows came HOME.  Maybe next year we will be really adventurous and try some dandelions.  Not sure I can get over the fact that they are called a WEED.  

Planting pepper plants and tomatoes.  Geraniums in the front porch urns.  Geraniums and coleus on the patio.

My Baby...Purple Pepper

We wintered these Coleus in large cracked crock bowl.  Today they were placed outside in the screened-in porch.  I might cut these back and see about rooting out some more to plant in the urns with the geraniums.  I think they'd like the company.

I'll be planting Gerber Daisies in the galvanized tub that's on the back porch.  My Oklahoma kiddos sent these to me for Mother's Day.  So pretty and nice to be remembered.  ❤️  Later my Son phoned me.  Feeling loved.

  

Kansas kiddos blessed me with a very good smelling candle and sweet words.  Feeling loved.  ❤️

Missouri Kiddo telephoned me and we chatted. ❤️  Cards came in the mail.  I felt loved.

I had a super Mother's Day.  Hubby took me out for dinner AND fixed HOMEMADE MEALS.  We had a Grandchild spend the night.  It's been well over a year since we have had company due to social distancing.  In so many ways I did my best to social distance, wash my hands often and wear a mask when around others.  Many lost family and friends to Covid.  We are not immune to grief. 

Off to the grocery store for some organic fruit.  My future mornings will have oatmeal, milk and fruit sprinkled with cinnamon.  The goodness of oats will help fight high cholesterol and high blood sugars.  I will take an apple cider vinegar capsule and some garlic as part of my morning nutrition.  Lord, Please let it help.  

This week I will try harder to exercise with Jack Lalanne in the mornings before getting in the rut of working on paperwork right away.  It's mentally draining so I think I shouldn't be doing this so early.  Take morning meds, put away the dishes that dried in the kitchen rack, do a load of laundry, groom for the day, eat breakfast, exercise, laundry, then rest looking over day timer to see what's taking place for the day as well as the rest of the week.  What needs to get done for the time.  Read devotions.  Work on lunch.  Eat.  Run errands.  Afternoon break.  Read.  Blog. Household chore.  Supper prep.  Eat.  Cleanup kitchen.  Rest.  Spend time with my Hubby. Watch a movie.  Groom for bed.  Sleep.   

Physical Therapy twice a week diffenently gets me out of the house and I have to plan for it.  I may be at this for awhile.  I am able to stand 15 minutes before my back begins to ache and cramp.  At the present I am not standing very long each day.  Slowly chores get done.  Slow is better than no. 

I found a dress to wear for Grand's graduation next week.  I purchased it and tried it on at HOME.  Have to make sure my shoes still fit.  Will I wear hose?  It's been a really long time.  I haven't missed them at all.  

One Grand is graduating from college and we will attend a party for him in which I will probably wear bluejeans.  We will not be going to his actual graduation as only so many tickets were granted same with my Oklahoma Grandson graduating from middle school.  His graduation may be streamed on the computer.  If that's the case, I'll be watching from afar.  Zoom zoom zoom.

Time to zoom zoom zoom to town.

God bless you and yours,

👵d