It's cool for May

Here it is May 18th and we are expecting frost tonight. Naturally I planted tomatoes and herbs three days ago right before we got heavy rain. And now, frost. I covered the plants up last night with towels and sheets - and will again tonight. I swore last year I wouldn't plant too early but I did! The good news is they are fine and I'm hoping that they will do well tonight. I've planted several types of tomatoes as well as mint, basil, dill, Greek oregano, rosemary, lemon verbena (new and I'm not sure what to do with it), thyme and sage. I also got some flowers but they are still in the pots so I just brought them inside. I'll be getting some more flowers next week.

We did get rain! Thunder storms and heavy rain overnight and then much cooler weather. We should warm up after tonight and we might get into the 80's by Thursday. Weather is bouncing around! I took some pictures of our stream as it was swollen from the rains which is what you see above. I took this picture from our deck using a 75-300 zoom lens. While I'll be glad to have it get warmer it would be nice if it would move up in temperature gradually.

It's Snowing up here!

We expected a few flakes but were surprised when we looked out this morning how much snow there was. Yea, it's just a dusting but it's the 8th of April for heavens sake.... it's supposed to be warm, not snowing!!!
The picture of the car was taken around 7:15 and the picture of the deck was taken around 8:15. As you can see, we did get snow. Right now the temperatures are at 32 so the snow is not sticking. The flakes have turned from really lovely snow flakes to a kinda misty snow/sleet/rain precipitation. So, I guess we don't have to wear our snow boots today - good thing as I put them away! And to think Easter is this Sunday.

A Spring Day

Yesterday it rained and we anticipated warmer weather today and got it! It was above freezing when we went to breakfast and around 3 in the afternoon we went outside. B used the blower and cleaned off the driveway of leaves and the road of stones (debris from winter cindering and the road resurfacing we had in the fall). I headed for the patio and worked on the leaves that had accumulated over the winter. I threw them over the stone wall and then went around to the other side to push them down the steep hill. While we both have more to do, we felt we got a good start on our spring chores. And that's great. You know it's time for warm weather when you really want to get outside and do some yard work.

The weather report indicates that it’s to get cold again. This weekend we expect rain and then early next week we are back to below freezing overnight. But, today made us optimistic… Spring is really just around the corner!

The Winds of March and keeping busy

Here it is, March 23, 2009 and it’s COLD! While the sun has been out, the wind has been very busy – our chimes on the deck have been ringing all day! Right now the tree tops are blowing and the flag has been fluttering most of the day. And we went out a bit ago to get the mail and the temperature was at 33 – and that’s cold! With the wind chill we have to be in the upper 20’s.
The good news is the daffodils are starting to pop up. The bad news is the crocuses have been nibbled on by something… maybe deer or maybe smaller critters. You can see the bulbs. Well, I pushed them back in the ground and am hoping for the best.
I read in Better Homes and Gardens and other magazines we get about gardening. I even had a dream last night about having a house that had a lovely garden that was kind of enclosed. It reminded me of our first house. Anyway, that’s what it is… a dream. The deer eat everything!!! This is why I plant my garden in pots on the deck. Last year they didn’t do well… too cool and it was not a summer conducive to growing! I was able to purchase tomatoes and other fresh produce in town from farmers who sold on the side of the road. I’m going to plant tomatoes again this year and herbs. But I’m not going to go gang busters like I did the first year we were up here. I’ll buy from the local farmers and the supermarkets as they also have good produce.
So I hunkered down today. After doing a load of laundry (at least I did one chore today) I did some Library work and then played on the Wii. My latest enjoyment is Animal Crossing City Folk. Now this game seems rather laid back at first. But it is addictive! I’ve upgraded to a bigger house and have things to sell as well as gathering cherries to make money. Sounds stupid but it’s fun. And there are several other games I play. After playing the games I then did Wii Fit… got to keep exercising and active! That’s fun and I did well on some activities and really BAD on others (I keep bombing on the ski jump). Do any of you Wii???? Well, the beef stroganoff is cooking and I’ve got to go in and stir it. Good day and the stock market is up…. That’s really great!

March Madness and it's almost SPRING

The day started gloomy – and it’s been that way for the past several days. But, on a positive note, it’s warm… above freezing when we get up and today, into the upper 50’s. March is an odd month. You know, by the calendar and by the fact that day light savings kicks in, that Spring is just around the corner. However, the weather does not always cooperate. And I find, when it’s gloomy for several days, which it’s been, I feel funky… down… so I just keep taking my vitamin D tablets and hope for the best!

Leftovers for dinner today… a selection of several days. So we just finished a helping of pop corn. Thank goodness for the microwave. I also made cake. We went to Target the other day. Gosh, I really like that place. So many nice things and if you really check, you can get very good sales. Well, we were going up and down the isles and hit the baking/cooking area. They had this nice Wilton cake pan that makes what I would call a very large cupcake but it has an indented top. So, it looks like that sponge cake you can purchase at the store that you put fruit in. Well…. Good price so I got it. Since we purchased strawberries (another good price deal) the other day, I thought I’d make these cakes. Now the pan has 6 cakes. So, if figured, put about 2/3 cup in each and the rest in a square pan. Well, I filled them too full. They popped up with really high tops. Baked them for about 19 min. and then let them cool a bit before taking them out of the pan. They look good. I’ll just cut the top (which will be the bottom) off and put the fruit in them. They will be GREAT… and the cut off tips will taste good too. Next time, I’ll put less in the pan and make some giant cup cakes in anther pan I have.

Despite the gloom the sun came out late afternoon and right now it’s really nice outside. I’ve been playing this game on the Wii called Animal Farm, City Folk. I had read reviews on Amazon and thought that sounds neat. Well, this game is far more involved than you would think. The more you do the more involved it becomes. It’s like the Sims… you create a town and live in it day to day. Yea, I know, get a life. But it’s fun and something to do that makes you think. I do other Wii things, too but this one is “different”. Anyone out there have a Wii?????