Early, but not Bright

I don't know when I last put up a Christmas tree in November. Probably never! But since my life is quickly  moving into hyperspeed with all I have to get done in the next 7 days, I decided that it would be a wise decision to break tradition.

No, we didn't go traipsing off into the hills for the perfect unique little tree. We hauled it in from the garage.

 Last year, we decided enough with trees that dry out within days, the dry pine needles and the messes that go with that, and the TTS (tipsy tree syndrome). We bought a prelit Christmas tree from Costco. How un-Christmas-like is that?  Well, I 'm grateful not to have to experience once again the agony of trimming the tree with tangled, broken lights.  So, really, this artificial tree suits me fine. And it looks pretty nice, considering it's fake.

I had to make sure the lights worked when I set it up 2 days ago, but since then, they have not been on. Tomorrow, December 1st, they are officially allowed to shine. And sometime in the next few days, the decorations will be added to the tree while egg nog is served and Christmas music is playing (that isn't allowed till at least December 1st, as well).

Deck the halls, everyone!

Dream On

"This world is not my home, I'm just a-passin' through"

I think those are the lyrics of some old gospel song of yesteryear, and so very true. Helps to keep priorities straight, too. Not to get too wrapped up in the things of this world.

Even though I am just a-passin' through, do you think it's alright if I dream a little about the kind of home I'd like here on earth? It goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) that I feel blessed to live where I do, and have the home I do have. But sometimes one dreams. Lately we've been talking about selling our home and building a brand spanking new one on another property that we purchased for investment purposes. Who knows if it will really happen?

Anyway, here's a list of a few things I'd include, if I had my way, as part of the house we'd dream up:

• a large open kitchen/living room area 
• a  walk- in pantry in the kitchen
• an island in the kitchen
• lots of pull out drawer storage under the counters
• a wrap around deck off the kitchen and living room
• a hot tub on the deck
• a big master bedroom with an ensuite
• a finished basement that includes a multipurpose room, a laundry room, a guest room and a bathroom
• a detached garage/workshop
• a suite above the garage (okay, now I AM dreaming!) for guests or family
• a big yard (but low maintenance) with lots of room for the grandkids to come and play
• my own 'office/hobby' room away from the main living area
• a wood stove/pellet stove to keep things cozy in the winter

Oh, and did I mention that ideally it should be ocean or lakefront? But if not, then at least it would be nice and private, with a long driveway and big trees!

Dreaming on...

Oh, did I miss anything?

Do You See What I See?

After that crazy rain storm yesterday afternoon, Jill and I wondered if all of our seed planting was for naught. The seeds, if they  haven't taken already, could easily have been washed away. This morning I took a little boo out there and lo, and behold, I was pleasantly surprised! Here's a teeny tiny little lettuce sprout, from a  seed that I planted less than a week ago.

The hardest part of gardening is often the waiting, and, by far,  the most rewarding is observing that little sprout of life poking its head up.Some seeds seems to take a lot longer than others to show themselves.  Patience, patience.

Now to ensure that the watering continues!

The Square Foot Gardener

I don't really have a green thumb, but I do love to watch things grow. I love indoor plants and outdoor plants. I just don't have the gift of growing the greens. Okay, maybe it has something to do with not watering enough.

Anyway, I do love the feeling of completing the planting of seeds and small plants, and then checking them every day or so to see if some little green shoot has pushed its way up out of the dirt. Anticipation! Hope for the miracle of life from a tiny seed!

This year Jill decided to invest in an official Square Foot Garden, based on the book by the same name. She has done everything right so far, including buying the right soil (weed free), constructing the 4 foot square box and dividing it up into 16 little sections. We bought the plants and seeds on Mother's Day. I just have to show you how it looks right now.

As well, we grabbed several planters and filled them with leftover soil. Jill planted herbs and some veggies and rearranged them quite nicely on the backyard 'patio' (and I use that term loosely). Today I added the lettuce seeds to a couple of them.   So, now we have a total of 3 mini garden areas, including my strawberry and rhubarb patch in the back corner.

I hope it's going to be a productive growing season. When I think about the puny zucchini I grew last year, I truly have to believe there is HOPE and second chances  for every wannabe gardener, including me!

Multitude Mondays

So many things to be thankful for, even when one is feeling under the weather. Maybe it’s that flu going around, but I have had  zero energy and a general achiness these past few days. But not so sick that I can’t carry on most duties and pleasures (such as blogging).  :)
So, here goes..

I may not have a beautiful 3000 sq. ft home, but what I do have is a cozy one that I enjoy spending time in.

I am thankful that my life is not a blur of activity most days. I have time for the little joys in life, like a friend unexpectedly popping in for tea or  the freedom to put up my feet in the middle of the day  if I’m not feeling well.

I am thankful I have time to enjoy handcrafts, like knitting or cardmaking, with my friends.


I’m thankful for laughter and good conversation in the home with my family.

I’m thankful that we still may have a snowfall now and then, but Spring is pretty well here! Yippee for warm weather!
Two weeks ago:

Last week!:


I am thankful that I do not have to work full time to help make ends meet. I mostly enjoy my part time online work, but am willing to give up extra money for the freedom to live life at a slower pace. Not that I’m not occasionally jealous of those who take regular holidays to warm destinations ! Maybe down the road, I’ll increase my workload just to achieve some of our dreams.  I love having that choice, though.

I’m thankful for a hard working husband who rarely complains about anything!

What about you? What are you thankful for today?

The Spring Thing

I know, it’s not officially Spring, and there still is a chill in the air, but today it just felt like winter was really over.  Are you feeling it, too?

I don’t know why I wake up early and want to get up and on with my day on Saturdays, when every other day, I practically have to drag myself out of bed!
Today, to fulfill my daily 30 minutes of exercise goal, I cleaned up some flower  beds , raked, hauled  branches,  and pushed the wheelbarrow around the yard, tidying things up. Then I swept out the garage and cleaned the deck. It’s actually a bit too cool to sit out there today, but that didn’t stop me.  Knowing that we could very well have another dump of snow (I doubt it, though)  didn’t stop me either. Don’t you just love El Nino?
 
PMC update: 6 for 6! I believe this goal is going to be a bit of a challenge for me. It helps to be accountable, though.

Saturday Night's Alright For..

Working or Playing? 

Which wins out with you? You are home on a Saturday night. You're tired.

You have a list of 'to do' items, none of which you care to attack at the moment and none of which are in the 'urgent' category.You know you'd feel good having accomplished something, though.

On the other hand, you have the 'want to' list. You know, those activities you dream of doing on a lazy Saturday night. Just because it's a lazy Saturday, meant for relaxation. And you don't want to think too hard.

So that's my predicament, which happens a lot when home on a Saturday night. I think tonight my 'want to' is going to win out, which may mean sitting in my comfy chair, knitting, maybe reading for pleasure, or checking out what's on TV, sipping a cup of tea.

I only wish I had a decadent dessert to go along with my decision!

The Fruit of Our (Mostly His) Labour

Before and After:

So, we are well on our way to reorganizing our living quarters, and I'm happy to say we are pleased with the results. The lino and carpet are GONE, and the Maple Cappucino laminate now graces the floors of our upstairs.  Still more to do before the living room is the way we dream it to be--slow but steady wins the race.

Floorage

This morning we bid 'good riddance' to our linoleum for the  final time. No tears were shed in the process.  Tomorrow the last of the laminate goes down. And then the clean up, finishing work,  and reorganization begins. Will it never end?