Friday Smiles

The Next Holiday

Every month except August and either March or April (depending on when Easter is) has a major holiday. The next holiday is Mother's Day.

This year I am putting a fresh new spin on Mothers Day. It's the two girls first Mother's Day and I want to make it special for them. So my mind is in full gear thinking of something special for them. Although, technically, it's not my place to. They are not my mother. But I want to show a little appreciation to them for being such great moms to their little ones. Any suggestions? Leave your suggestions in the comments for me, please. Help me be the best loved mom and mom-in-law in the whole world this mother's day. It's kinda my own self-contest I have going here.

So time to hit the mall and find the best gifts.
 

me at the mall

a food court stop

stopping in every store

I don't really want  a gift or a big to-do over Mother's Day. Just being content that everything is well, that everyone is happy and healthy, and being together is really all I need.

I do have a MIL that I will make a little fuss over. She is old, she has been kind to me thru the years. I have to think of something special for her, too.

I am participating with NoBloPoMo in the month of April's theme fresh.
gin


 

Mid-Week

              

  

Middle of the week is a joy in itself.
 Half way to the weekend.
     Two days left of the work week.
     Feels like the week gets in full gear.

This mid-week afternoon day found me re-potting a few plants and watering flowers in the flower beds that are beginning to bloom.

Adding a quick no-cook dinner with a big salad with the tomatoes from this past week-end and a sandwich just makes the mid-week more relaxing.

As dusk draws near, the flowers and plants take on a different look. These are of my old fashion running seven-sisters rose bush on an arbor. They look totally different in the night light.

I trimmed all the old rose blooms off, re-trained some of the running limbs into the arbor, and watered and re-mulched it.

The next two days will be the end of the week. It can only get better.

I am linked with Linkin With My Ladies and Oh Happy Day.

gin

Dissecting life

I saw this somewhere on the www and liked it a lot.

 I like #2 "what others think of me is none of my business."

gin

What's red and green and soft all over?

Monday in the kitchen is all about fresh. Fresh fruit and veggies. Fresh strawberries. Fresh tomatoes.
I stopped by the farmers market. Fresh produce is just now gearing up for spring and summer freshness.

                                   










This is really all we need for a few days added to what is already in the pantry. Strawberries to eat by their selves or as fruit with morning breakfast and desert for dinner. Tomatoes are just as versatile. Cook with them in stew, soup, chili, or pasta. And use them in green salad and on sandwiich.

These make for an easy menu for the week. They'll be used at every meal. Delicious. Nutritious.

I'm linked with Meet Me Monday's.
gin

Sunday Smiles

D O G S

Our family pets take center stage in our families along with all the other family members.

Here's a doggie show of our pets I took pictures of                    

Top row, left:  Butch and Bella                Top row, right, a stray                        
brother & sister, inseparable                    I saw him in a parking lot,
                                                            and he is exactly like another
                                                            family member named Butch


Middle row, left, Molly                          Middle row, right, same Molly
thinks she is still the baby of                  did not adjust well to the new
her family, riding in the baby                  baby in her house
stroller.


Bottom row, left, Macy                        Bottom row, right, Poochie
aka Ms. Queen of the day,                    does not like anyone but her
everyday, always has her way               human father

I just wish I had a cat.

gin

Friday Nights

This is probably the closest we'll get to a date night anytime soon. We left the city at 5pm after work.

We had "fine dining" at a drive thru, eating on the go.

 

Stopping at a state line welcome center was part of the night. We don't stop at these too often. They can be a little eerie and scary. But this one had been re-vamped. Was rather nice and a lot of people in and out. Must be the spring breakers.

We made it to our destination and back by midnght.

                                                        

The Ridicu-list

No self control here. It's ridiculous how I can get away with some things lately.

Today, two McDonalds ice cream cones were consumed by me. Only 150 calories each. But high in sugar and fat. I blame  (a) my no-self-control;  (b) the lovely McDonalds Easter gift card I received; and (c) the chance to be out and about running errannds for work. It's ridiculous the bad choices I made. If I  just didn't have to go past McDonalds again on the way back.

                                                            


While running errands for work, I also took a personal side trip to Walmart. Remember the half-dead clearance rack of azaleas yesterday? I planted them in their new home yesterday and realized that 4 more would look really nice there, if they survive.  I couldn't wait to get back to get more, just incase someone else was there to by all the half-dead clearanced azaleas that were left. I made it in time. There were plenty left to buy.




This was a most ridiculous weather day. It's suppose to be after Easter, spring time, air filled with pollen, which should be warm and sunny. Yet, it's cold and rainy, and cloudy and dreary.





I was a little later getting back to work than anticipated. What with all my personal errands mixed in with work errands. It's ridiculous that no one noticed how long I was gone. No one said anything or asked any questions. It's ridiculous I am not missed at work.

Hoping to Survive

While inspecting my flower garden, I am aware I need to freshen and spruce things up, to add a little here and there. And possibly a little watering and fertilizer wouldn't hurt.

On a whim, while in the city, I stop by Lowes and Walmart to check out their hardy, evergreen, flowering varieties in the garden center.

Several chosen species that came home with me were two hibiscus to display in pots. And, two spireas, aka bridal wreaths. I have always wanted bridal wreaths added to my garden.

I also needed something evergreen that blooms, I have had my eye on peony's in flower garden catalogs. But  have been unable to find them locally. And have also considered rhododendrons. Both are new to me, but I love their large flowers. I found no peony's. I did find rhododendrons in a large container. And at a large price of $24.98 per container. What if I pay that and then they do not survive?

I settled for the clearance section of half dead azaleas. Azaleas are evergreen. Azaleas are flowering. Azaleas are hardy.

I am hoping they survive and get re-freshed when I set them in their new home.

I am linked with Oh Happy Day and Owl Always Blog.

gin