Spring Fever

Home Depot is in my sights. My hands clutch the steering wheel a little tighter. I am only getting One Thing. I repeat it over and over.

Just. One. Thing.

Dirt is all I need, to help transplant my many plants - some overgrown, some in the wrong spot. I can do this. Parked, I clench my fists. One Thing.

Trouble is, that one thing is in the nursery department. I walk past the shrubs. No, wait...not past that shrub. My neighbor told me about Oregon Grape, and I might need to have it for the yard. Not today, I'll just snap a picture.

There. Disaster averted. Of course, I take a few more pics just to make sure I know what is available. Hands in my pockets, I walk past the annuals. They aren't really a temptation, anyway - too much work to just have to redo them next year. Ah, alert! Perennials on the left! Keep walking, dirt to the right.

Ah, got my dirt. But I do have to pass the perennials again. Oh, are there small versions of those high-priced shrubs outside back there? Oooh, there are!

Yes, this happens Every Time I go into a nursery. Long story short, I did get my dirt. And 12 plants. Yup, no will power here.

Spring Fever has me in its grips, and all I want to do is plant and dig and weed. This happens the first full week of good weather every year, and I try to just go with it. After all, the yard work will turn to drudgery soon enough...especially once the kids are out of school and I have to get them to help with the garden.

Yes. Doug is making an enormous garden again this year. He even bought a mini greenhouse to keep the plants safe inside. Spring Fever has gotten to him, too. It's contagious! Run! Run!

What's Bloomin'

There have been fewer snow showers this last week. We did have a hail storm, but it wasn't destructive, thank heavens. We have had quite a few showers, too, which I'm sure the flowers enjoyed.

As for new blooms, the grape hyacinth has bloomed. They are a little underwhelming for me, though, so I'm not sure if they'll continue to have a place in my landscape.

The plum tree has also exploded - and I do love these.

The forsythia bush is still having serious problems.

There are buds everywhere, but still only a few flowers. Here's hoping it eventually figures out how the blooming season works.

Hope your week goes well!

Miss Mal Turns 12!

Yes, Malena is turning twelve. Where has the time gone?!?

Malena (right) and her friend at her party

Because she is turning twelve, she gets to have a "big" party - pretty much whatever she wants. The party was split into two pieces: first, she took her friends swimming at the local rec center and then they opened presents afterwards. Second (and a week later), she had them over for a "late night" where they could play the Power Game.

This is a game of Malena's own invention, where she can fly, another friend has control of the weather, another has control of any living plant and the last one has control over light and dark. At least, I think that's what it is. They seem to have a blast playing it, so it's all good, right?

As you know, I love photo montages, but this year I'm going to just show you one of my favorites, from when she was two:

As true today as the day it was taken...Happy birthday, sweet girl!