Nature's gifts and garden preparation

We found a gift.  A dove's nest in the honeysuckle by the back of the garage.  Ross went around the corner to work on something and a bird came swooping out.  He did not pay any attention but I knew that there had to be a nest in that scraggly, barely green vegetation.  Sure enough I went over and there it was!  I thought at first it was a robin's egg. Duhhhhh!!  It is not blue and I know robins eggs are blue. Later I took my camera to catch a photo of that lone egg and found a dove sitting on the nest. 

I think there was another egg on the ground the other day after our winds.  We do find eggs from time to time and even nests on the ground after a storm.

Isn't that pretty?  Should have put something near it so you could tell the size.  Not big at all - maybe an inch and a half long.

Isn't nature fascinating!?

We did get the garden tilled.  Well, we is really Ross and Zane.  I worked on other things and then we worked on seepage lines and the area around the faucet on the side of the house.  The dirt has collected until the faucet is nearly buried.  I think I want a taller faucet.  Another day.

Can you tell he is having a good time?

The fun part is playing in the fresh soil.  We found a baby frog near the faucet and an earthworm near the seepage line.  Wow!

Later Ross and I went out and bought a new table and chairs for the backyard.  The sale was too good to pass.  Can't wait to be able to enjoy it this spring.  Even if spring feels more like summer right now. 

More later!

Soccer season and all things spring

Get prepared - this is going to be a long post.  I need to try to stay up on at least a weekly basis.  Remember - check my Webshots for LOTS more photos! I am just going to share a few on this post.  And believe me, I have plenty already from April!

Easter

First we went to the nursing home Dad is in to enjoy a little candy hunting with the boys.  Zane was SOOOOO excited.  They had fun and the residents I know enjoy seeing the little kids. This was on Friday before Easter.

I think I have mentioned Pioneer Woman just a few times.  She and Bakerella inspired me to try something new with cupcakes and fondant.  Now, I have never used fondant.  IT WAS FUN!!  And it tastes good.  And next time I will put some flavoring in it.  Soon I will try the cake pops.  Here are a couple of picture of the cupcakes - in progress and done. 

And I just have to share some photos of Easter.  It was a good Easter but started out wet and we thought it would be too cold to hunt but it all worked out and was great.  Again, be sure you visit my Webshots to see lots more.  It was so much fun to be together.  And this year after the kids hunted eggs, the two older ones, Zachary and Ricky, hid them again for the little ones.  They really put some in some good places too!  Good food, family and fun!

Soccer

I did mention soccer, right?  Well, yes, we are in the middle now of spring soccer and every game so far has been windy and/or cold.  Yesterday was not as bad really.  Spring soccer always starts this way and fall soccer ends this way.  A few pictures of Zachary playing soccer and Zane playing at soccer.

 

Other spring stuff

Time for us to get the tiller out, change the oil in it and the riding lawnmower and get started on the garden and yard.  I am debating how much I want to plant this year.  When I start thinking about not doing a big one it goes something like this:  "I am just going to plant tomatoes and of course I want cantaloupe.  Well, yes, must have blackeyes.   Have to count the jars of green beans and see but I think I need those too.  Oh, and jalapeno.  Gosh, do I want some pumpkins or watermelon?  Hmmmm."  See.  The garden just grows and grows.  So I am sure it will end up the same 40x50 garden.  But I can tell from all the jack rabbits out there now, we will have to fence and fight the critters.  I have also seen a few ground squirrels.  First started seeing those last year.  Now I need to find out how to control those!  Is it worth it?  Yep!!!

Here are a couple of pictures from last year.  My biggest concern is that we will be gone for two weeks in July on vacation.  But my neighbor is great to water for us.  I set up soaker hoses and all she has to do is turn them on.  Bet she would pick too. Or I will get my sister, Molly, to do it.  She would love it too if she has time.

And more photos of spring skies and kids and , hmm, cows!   Please visit Webshots.  I don't know how much my poor blog can handle! 

                         

 

Travis and Stephanie came over and we celebrated Travis' birthday with steak and all the trimmings.  Fun!

I have got to promise to blog more often.  Somebody push me, please! 

Scrapping friends, sharing soon.  Be watching!

I have a freebie for my scrapping friends

I know I have not shared in a bit nor have I done any scrapping in a long while.  I have to get back to that.  Soon.  But in the meantime I have a freebie to share.  It is called Pajama Bottoms.  Yes, I got the idea from a pair of pajama bottoms.  Too funny!  I have another I am working on that I got the idea from a blanket of Zane's.  Out soon.  Pick it up here (or click on the preview) if you want it.  And please leave a comment if you like it and download it.

Death of a friend

I had a friend die yesterday.  We were close at one time then had a brief time when we lost touch due to some "issues" I do not want to pour over.  We did eventually get back to talking and laughing and beating each other at Wordscraper on Facebook.  She was good at that game, let me tell you!  Had some words I never knew.  And we would laugh over the grammar people used at times.  Pam was very outspoken and had such a wit and dry humor.  I will miss that about her.  And organized.  My, she was organized and her house was always immaculate.  (Mine is NOT!) 

We met over the Internet on a cross stitch site many years ago.  We were never buddy buddy go with each other to do stuff friends.  Just phone calls from time to time and trading emails and comments on Facebook.  But I will miss her. 

Pam was 62 years old and planning on retiring in one month.  She was laughing about turning her two week notice in within a couple of weeks.  And looking so forward to not working and spending more time with her grandkids.  Life can jump up and bite you in the butt.  So make every day count.  Goodbye, Pam.