Yellow Bells

Forsythia is blooming. I remember Sonny's mother calling it "Yellow Bells". To this day, Sonny still calls it that. I just love the cheery yellow.

Our daffodils and hyacinths have finished their bloom. My friends came out and dug up all the tulips that had been in our iris bed. They still have a few iris to dig. 

Our bush cherries have also finished their bloom.

I believe the world has gone crazy. Sonny and I have decided to go ahead and stay home for a few weeks. Even our church has shut their doors for 2 weeks and maybe longer. The schools here in Arkansas are closed until April 17 and probably longer. States are closing down, the economy is dropping and there doesn't seem to be an end to it. We already were kind of prepared. We freeze our garden veggies and I can some things. Sonny is an avid hunter. And the Good Lord was looking out for us a couple of weeks ago. I had doctor appointment in Hot Springs and we decided to stop by Sam's. We were almost out of bleach and rubbing alcohol but Sam's was out. We did pick up another large package of toilet paper. We probably had enough at home to last a month but thinking we may not make it back over to Hot Springs for over a month, we purchased it. Then we went to Atwoods and they had bleach $1.19 per gallon. Much cheaper than Sam's. We found alcohol at the Dollar store much cheaper as well. So we got 3 jugs of each. It has made me rethink why we have a Sam's card. Now that we are staying home, we feel we are more prepared than most folks. I told my friends not to come visit. Sonny and I are both over 65 so don't want to take chances. I will miss my family and friends but this is life sometimes. I hope everyone I know is staying safe, warm, dry and has enough food and goods to last them. I feel like this isn't the end of this and it is just getting started. We are not preppers but so glad we do stock up. That is the beauty of having lived a long life in the country and not being able to just jump in our vehicle and go get what we need for the day. We have always prepared to not going to shop for a month at least at a time. It has paid to prepare. I do have mixed feelings about the churches shutting their doors. I feel this is the time we need to pray more and open up for those who are stressing over this. 

Please all take this serious and I'll be praying for each and everyone of you. 

gardening and spring

It has been a very busy week. First had an appointment with orthopedic doctor on Monday. Shopped at Sams...People are stupid. I really needed toilet paper, bleach and rubbing alcohol....not for a virus outbreak but because I was almost out...we did manage to get toilet paper but no bleach or alcohol...we found bleach for $1.19 gallon at Atwoods later and alcohol at the Dollar store for $1.20. Makes me rethink my membership at Sam's. Do I really need it if I can buy the same things cheaper somewhere else. Anyway we then met the youngest son and wife at Sqzbx pizza pub. Ate the most wonderful pizza and had a great visit. They gave me a couple of things for a birthday gift. Their daughter Miss Molly sent me a set of hedgehog salt & pepper shakers and a dance photo of her. I'll share those photos on another post. But here is Carmen and Sean.

The cafe is owned by a former German accordion player. He had accordion lights and piano parts hanging on the walls. The building was built right up next to a mountain side. Old old building. Such wonderful atmosphere. O and they make their own beer. 

The rest of the week was spent in the yard while the rains allowed. We cleaned the herb bed and transplanted oregano that was being smothered out by the rosemary. I had bought Sage at Atwoods so got it planted there also. Later will plant basil and parsley between those rows. 

You can't tell much from the photo but that big clump is the rosemary. 

We also planted lettuce and spinach which was useless as we got a 2.5inch rain in 2 hours which washed the seed and soil to the bottom of the garden. In the meantime the mini-hyacinths have been in full bloom. 

And the ground is covered in starflowers.

A note on Kinzey...she got a good brush and bath. She is losing her winter undercoat so it is a daily chore to brush her. We also got her first flea and tick pills. 

My birthday was yesterday....turned 69. Had a couple of friends come out and we spent all afternoon digging up iris bulbs. I had asked them if they wanted them as Sonny had planned to mow them down. We removed the iris beds and the commode planters we had out front. As we age, we are trying to simplify our lives more. 

That's all...but as usual...

2 months and counting

Well it has been 2 months since my hip replacement surgery and I'm doing fabulous. I'm walking great now and even up and down steps using alternate legs. I have even been getting down and then out of my bathtub without help. I still have some pain but not enough to hamper me or need pain meds. 

Well enough of that...

We have been working on our garden and have it all ready to plant. We limed and then tilled under and removes some of the old soil from our tomato and pepper pots and put in new. We are headed to Hot Springs Monday and I hope to find some more herb plants to work on my herb garden. The rosemary has taken over and I plan to move my oregano to keep them from being smothered out. 

We have some minor work needed on the electric fence. I really wish we could transfer it to solar and may look into it later. 

The fruit trees are beginning to bloom....especially the red peach

The daffodils have about finished their bloom, but did manage to pick a few. 

My mini hyacinths are blooming

I've been baking some and made monkey bread..

You put a layer of brown sugar and butter and pecans in bottom of bunt pan and then layer in frozen bread dough rolls and then sprinkle butterscotch pudding mix...the cook kind...and add more melted butter. Let rise and then bake. Easy Peasy.

At Christmas we had our photo taken at our middle son's house with the 3 granddaughters...they have all grown up. The 2 older ones are getting married this year. One in June and other in October. The younger one is still in high school. 

Monday is my last orthopedic appointment. We have a busy day planned...after my appointment, we plan to shop at Sam's and then meet the youngest son and daughter-in-love for a pizza lunch for an early birthday celebration. I hope to remember to take photos. Stay tuned. 

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And as always...

  

3days and counting

I am counting down now until hip replacement. 3 more days to go. I've completed all my pre-op except blood test and they will do that the day of surgery. I'm scheduled for the 2nd one for the surgeon. I wanted first slot but apparently someone else go on his list before me. 

Just wanted to share a few photos of things lately...First Sonny bought me a nice vintage looking step stool. It is brand new and he had to put it together but I'm in love with it. 

I have a great recipe for Amish caramel corn. I made some and some run fruit cakes for Christmas. I ate only one slice of the cake and gave the rest away. 

Sonny ate most of the caramel corn. I've really been watching my sweets and have lost 12lbs now. I will continue to keep this up for 2020.

Weather here has been really balmy...not cold but not warm either. Just about right. I did get this shot of red skys in morning.

And we did have rain that day.

Then the robins flew in and there were hundreds in our yard. I got a few close-ups.

I couldn't get a wide shot as they were colored pretty much the same as the ground with the leaves and all. Speaking of leaves, there are very few left on the trees now. Winter is certainly here. 

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Well I will catch you all after my surgery. And as always.....

Christmas upon us and good news!!!

Christmas is a little more than a week away and this year I'm trying to finish up as many things as possible before my surgery. Got all the Christmas gifts made. 

Sonny made Lazy Susan's and cookbook holders.

I had some turntable hardware left over from ceramic days and hubby cut and painted the wood to fit, then I added wall decals I got at Dollar tree and then we coated them in epoxy. They are painted a light grey. The cook book holder was Sonny's own design.

Then I had bought some heavy fleece scarves last year on sale. I bought 3 and made 6 pillows. They are so nice an soft.

They are envelope style. I made a pillow form for inside so they can be washed easier. And yes the scarves had the fringe.

Then I had an old flag with a gnome and a towel with a gnome so I sewed them together and made me a pillow. 

Sonny and I both got our Christmas gifts early. He bought an archery target and I got a vintage looking stepstool for the kitchen. 

Of course Sonny had to put mine together. But I love it and it will make canning so much easier.

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Now for the good news...I announced here that the oldest granddaughter was getting married and posted their photos. But as of this week, the middle granddaughter is now engaged. Here are her engagement photos. 

I know they are dark but were taken at Garvin Woodland Gardens. But we are thrilled for both granddaughers. This one will be in June and oldest will be in October 2020. They are both so different. Oldest is very particular and wants everything fancy and so-so but this one is country to the bone and wants an outside wedding at her parents farm. 

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I had Sonny and my photo taken for Christmas cards this year. So on this note I'm wishing all of you a 

Merry Christmas. Be Blessed!

Holidays upon Us

Well the holidays are upon us and I'm not near ready. We have already gone through 3 birthdays and Thanksgiving. We did meet my sister and brother-in-law before Thanksgiving and ate out together at Olive Garden. 

I took her my snowman rug for her early Christmas.

Then on Wednesday, Sonny smoked a turkey and some venison hams and I made dressing and cranberries. We went to the daughter-in-love's house and spend Thanksgiving day with her and her mom, uncle, and 3 granddaughters and 2 of the boyfriends. Had a good time and they took lots of photos but I haven't gotten any yet. Hope to post some later. 

All the boys were working Thanksgiving so missed them. 

But I do have this photo of 3 of the granddaughters.

And here is the latest photo of the oldest with her soon-to-be.

Since they both finally graduated college they have plans to marry next October. He has a fabulous job working for Corp of Engineers and she got a job as a social worker in a nursing home. They have been together for 8 years and are such a sweet couple.

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And of course I can't leave out our baby Kinzey.

She loves outside except for when it rains and she plays so hard that she crashes once she comes in for the day. She loves to sit between Sonny and I in our double recliner. At 90lbs she is a little too big but she seems happy anyway.

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I did finish the quilt top for my daughter-in-love and she will have it quilted. It was using her keepsake sheet she got when she got married. I added the linework embroidery.

It's really bright. I now have a wedding ring quilt to finish for the oldest granddaughter getting married next October. 

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Short but sweet. Hope you are really blessed this Christmas season.