Happy Monday! I hope the sun is shining where you are because I’m relishing the fact that we are having a beautiful day which means I’ll be outside for a couple of hours which is good for my body and my soul. 😎
I hope this finds each and every one of you and your loved ones safe and sound. We are fine. We have plenty of food and supplies and have adjusted to the new curbside pickup for just about everything. I still miss people, but doesn’t everyone.
I’ve been enjoying spring trying to step forward amidst the snow and the temps in the 20’s some days.
I have one Hellebore plant so that means I cut each bloom and bring it in to float and enjoy. I do think I need to order a couple more, don’t you? 🙂
Outdoors, I’m still raking and using my Craftsman battery operated pruning saw which is one of the coolest tools I have.
Inside, my seedlings are doing well. They are 
doing so well that I’ve transplanted them all at least once.
When I first did the plantings, I threw a few beans in and have enjoyed watching them take off, and I mean take off. They needed some support so I planted them in old hanging planters, added some bamboo supports and wired two dollar store waste cans together to make a stand.
When you’re on Day 36 of being at home full time, little things assume you. 🙂
I’ll transplant them outside after it warms up, will watch to see if they actually produce beans, but it doesn’t matter because it has just been a bit of gardening fun.
I’ve been sewing on a gift, reading, planning a couple of outdoor DIY projects, and getting ready to order an additional Craftsman battery operated tool – a hedge trimmer. As I mature, the relationship between me and gasoline powered pull starts has lost some of its thrill. I love grabbing a tool off the wall, slapping a battery in, and going off to do my job. It’s worth every penny.
Do you have plans for the week as we continue to stay at home? Stay safe friends.
Seeing plants growing, inside or outside, makes me smile and feel hopeful. I got the yard mowed yesterday. Felt good to put on my wide brim hat for added sun protection and spend time outside. I only managed to trim about 1/3 of the edging because holding that trimmer does a job on my lower back. Perhaps I can finish today. Lots of rain forecast for this week.
The best thing of all? Smelling freshly cut grass!! I love it! 🤗 And yes, I talked to all my perennials popping up telling them how glad I was to see them again. My neighbors probably think I’m nuts, but my plants understand me! 😂😂😂
As usual, you have a lot on your plate. Our imaginations get a workout because we have to ‘make do’ with what we have on hand. Can’t be constantly running to store for project supplies.
Stay safe my friend. Love the Hellebore bloom. Gorgeous!
🐾Ginger 🐾
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I always enjoy mowing grass – beginning, middle, and end. Of course your plants understand you. 🙂 I need to do some edging work this year as well, but my edger requires gas and pulling. Hmm, I need more thinking on that. You stay safe too!
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I’m happy to hear the sun is shining where you are! We’ve had thunderstorms here since yesterday afternoon. Yes, little things do start to amuse you after 36 days! Love your indoor seedlings. I hope you have a big crop of beans!
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Can you hear me laughing? My husband and I have had more conversations about those beans. People grow veggies inside so I’m just curious as to what those beans are going to do. 🙂 Stay safe during the storms, and I hope they don’t disturb your beautiful Monarchs too much because they’ve put on quite a display for you.
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I love the Egret in your fern-like plant, and He-Man can relate with your feelings about gas-powered outdoor tools. Before we moved he decided to leave his lawnmower behind at the house for the new owners and when we got here he bought a battery-operated lawnmower. He loves it, and in the winter it folds up into a nice little package and we can fit both cars in the garage. I love that!
I’m glad to hear you’re doing well I hope that continues!
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Okay, now you have to ask He-Man what brand of lawnmower he bought because I was actually look at them last weekend. 🙂
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The one bought is a Worx brand. He really likes it.
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Thank you.
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I am busy planning my shed remodel (siding and extension) and my workshop expansion. I would rather be out there doing the work, but I need reliably warm mornings do I have a good 4 hours to work.
I’m glad you’re studying busy and sane, Judy. This might be the longest spring we’ve ever had.
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You know I’ll stay tuned for all the details on the shed remodel. We’re looking at building a very small ground deck. 🙂
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I cannot get those gasoline pull starts to start anymore either. It’s either wait for my husband to start a machine or go electric/battery pack. The sun is shining here this morning and I feel quite invigorated because of it. Bloom where you are planted, I guess. Today I shall bloom.
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I use to pull away and all was well. These days, I love slapping that battery in and not having to ask anyone for help. I like that – bloom where you are planted. I bloomed today too. 🙂
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What a testament to Yankee ingenuity! I do love those wastebasket stands, and I applaud the bean-planting. Those things do take off like crazy, and I agree they don’t have to bring you any beans; they’ve already brought you fun, which can be hard to come by these days. We are supposed to have sun ALL DAY today! It will be wonderful and I intend to go out and play in the dirt! I will raise my trowel to New Hampshire!
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I chuckled the entire time I was putting those waste cans together, but they are the perfect height. 🙂 I hope you played in the dirt, and I raise my saw to you. 🙂
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I also thought your plant stand was quite clever and attractive, too!
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I try to repurpose especially during this time. It’s always fun to see what you can come up with. 🙂
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I love all your little McGiver tricks! We’ll do anything right now to avoid a trip to any store! And yes, order more hellebore!
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I’ve been checking out Hellebores on line today. 🙂
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So beautiful! Our minds are all on planting right now.
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Wicked good, as we would say in Maine. Sure is nice to have Spring show her pretty face. In central Maine, the sun is shining, and yard work is on the agenda. Why is it that housework is dreary, but yard work is so satisfying? A mystery to me. We, too, like battery-powered tools. That’s all we have now. We don’t miss the gasoline powered pull starts. Not. One. Bit. Anyway, enjoy your time in the sun.
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I’m finding out that the best of my friends have adapted creatively to our circumstances. The “border line” ones just whine and complain! You are in the former group, and I like to think of myself as being there with you! I have plenty to do inside: cook, quilt, “possibly” conjure up a blog post soon, and read. All at a relaxed pace. Lots of sun here lately and that helps with the attitude!
Your porch is such a pleasant oasis. A place to showcase your quilting and gardening talent! The egret looks fully in charge of what goes on there! I’m guessing he/she was a Carolina purchase? Or a New England coastal town one? Does he/she have a name?
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I’ve adopted a new attitude – safety versus fear. I know I can’t see people, wear a mask every time I leave the driveway, order online, use all drive thru and curbside pickup I can, but I’m not going to stop living. Yesterday, I went to the local greenhouse for potting supplies so I could support the local store versus online. Every employee there had on a mask, gloves, and were taking social distancing seriously. I’ve used so much soap and sanitizer that my hands are like sandpaper. 🙂 The egret was definitely a South Carolina purchase. S/he doesn’t have a name so step right up and name him. I would love that because every time I walk in there I’d think of you. 🙂
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The best part of my day for six years was screaming, “Get off my lawn!!” Now, there hasn’t been anyone on my lawn for weeks. What’s a fella to do?
🙂 🙂 🙂
Glad to hear the garden is started. Hope the sun keeps shining and the winds blow warm.
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Holler over at Stan, you’ll get the same satisfaction. 🙂
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It’s sunny here. Will be in the 50s all week except one day when it’ll drop to 30s. I hope to get some yard work done. Lots of pine cones on the lawn. That’s one thing I’ll do. Maybe weed a little. I live in a condo so I don’t have a lot of yard work. Stay safe. I think we’re in the house for awhile longer.
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I picked up a few pine cones myself this week. Yes, I think you are right, this is not going away totally any time soon. You and hubby stay safe.
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No sun here but my (indoor) tomato plants are going like gangbusters. I’ve transplanted once and will need to do again this week. There is nothing like sunshine and growing plants to boost your spirits.
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Go tomato plants!
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The temps are suppose to warm up this week and stay that way for the foreseeable future… yay! I’m jonesing for a trip to the nursery and big box home store, but that will have to wait for a while. For now, I’ll have to satisfy myself with weeding and moving stuff around. Love your trash can stands!
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I went to our local nursery yesterday because I had to repot some seedlings and needed supplies. There were probably less than 8 customers in the entire place, and every employee had a mask and gloves on and tape on the floor for social distancing. Except for the big box stores, it seems like more people are wearing face coverings.
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When my daughter was in third grade her teacher had the class do a photosynthesis experiment with beans. After a few weeks she was allowed to bring the plant home. It was so pretty and healthy, we decided to plant it at the base of the fence in our back yard. Hint, don’t do that unless you are prepared for it to take over. It was beautiful, for a while and then it became the most obnoxious time consuming plant ever. Picking beans, cutting back the plant, keeping it from climbing on everything and consuming the house. I felt like Jack! Be careful with that thing. It will be all over those adorable little trash can planters. I wouldn’t know a Hellebore from a cherry blossom, but that floating bloom is magnificent. Glad you had sunshine this week.
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Too funny. My husband keeps asking ‘how’s Jack doing in there.’ 🙂 We had sunshine this morning and I worked outside, this afternoon it rained, so I listened to a webinar and sewed a little. One thing about this situation – flexibility is key. 🙂
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Yeah, you could say the sun is shining here. In fact, it’s supposed to get to 100 later in the week. Welcome to Arizona! Yikes. Guess we’ll have to figure out how the thermostat works and then because our electricity has a 3-6 pm “use as little as possible” clause, we’ll have to pre-cool and then hope we don’t use too much electricity during the more expensive hours. So far I’ve been managing well: everything open in the morning, close up when it starts getting warmer, open/close blinds depending on where the sun is. We’ll see how it all goes when it “warms up.” 🙂
I like the hellebore flower and your indoor plantings. I brought some of my house plants along when we moved. One of them I’ve had since the late 70’s (you remember those days, right?)
Had a full morning and afternoon, so it’s down-time time. Hurrah. Happy Monday, Judy. I’d gladly send you some heat later in the week if I could.
janet
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Well, I’m guessing you’ll be able to post about how you create a system to combat the heat within the guidelines. It’a a whole new world you’re living in. It’s 31°F with a real feel of 25°F here right now. 🙂 I have one plant from 1978. 🙂
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I have one plant here from the mid-seventies as well. I carted it all the way back from Colorado to Cleveland to Naperville and now to Gilbert.
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Gardening has been keeping me pretty busy (and sore, ha!). I’m happy for those wet days that give me time to rest and heal a bit. 😉 I learned that my favorite nursery will open on the 30th, such a relief! I can’t imagine what I’d do without access to all those ‘necessary’ annuals. 🙂
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You are so right about those in between ‘rest’ days because I’ve taken advantage of them myself. Our local nursery has been open, and there sure aren’t any lines. One day, I was the only person in the store besides the employees who were all masked and gloved. I actually bought four small geraniums this week and will watch them grow until I can put them outside.
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We have so much sunshine it’s looking like another drought year here. Ran the sprinklers today for the first time. We’ve had our first hummingbird visitors at the feeders. Most of the yard cleanup is done (‘cause we’re not too picky), and I’m hoping I’ll be able to buy annuals this year without resorting to Home Depot. I prefer supporting local businesses.
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Well, a hummingbird visitor will certainly perk a gardener right up. 🙂 Yes to supporting local businesses. I needed a few potting supplies that I could have purchased online, but I donned the face covering and purchased them at our local nursery that appears to be really feeling the result of fewer customers.
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Glad to hear you supported a local business! I haven’t yet ascertained whether the local nurseries are open, but the usual temporary structures have not been set up. I do hope they will be selling annuals soon.
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Nice! I have an electric hedge trimmer and I love her. I would like to have my trees properly, professionally pruned. Instead, I do not spend money on this and then whine about it when I get the opportunity.
I love Hellabores. I have ZERO. One day tho, one day 🙂
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I like pruning trees, but there is always that point that I can’t reach anymore and ladders are not an option. I’m hoping to purchase a couple more Hellabores this year. 🙂
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My husband pruned the trees yesterday. Of his own volition. I couldn’t believe it. I could not. I thought surely he’d read what I wrote to you! LOL
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Hi Judy, I have replied on my phone, but don’t see it here, so I’m sending this from our computer…
I agree about the details, like watching your beans grow, I have been watching my sweet peas growing, and I don’t think they have ever come up through the ground so fast….maybe all the attention they are getting!
Stay well and make a list of all the topics you will be able to cover when you get together with friends again….oh for a coffee chat!
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Sweat peas – oh, they bring such sweet memories. My grandmother grew them along the chicken coop fence. I was going to order some but they wanted more for shipping than the seed. Be sure to post some photos.
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I certainly will!
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I’m really enjoying the sheer number of positive words in this report! Looks like staying at home is keeping you as happy as your plants.
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Here’s hoping you’re staying safe and finding positive ways to use your time at home. I’m on Day 38, and have to admit it’s still a challenge each day, but I keep working on it. 🙂
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That’s what I need – a battery operated pruning saw. I might put it on my birthday wish list. 🙂 It sounds like you’re still filling in your days very nicely. Here the weather has been amazing, considering we are well into the second half of autumn. The days are gloriously warm and sunny and the nights are pleasantly mild. I’ve been crocheting and last week I finished my first ever amigurumi. It’s a very cute unicorn with a rainbow mane and tail.
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You will love a battery powered pruning saw! The gardeners I work with will say – Judy, start your engine. 🙂 Oh, your unicorn sounds so cute.
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Oh, you would love a battery powered pruning saw. Mine is a Craftsman, and I don’t know how that compares with others. I do know I cut back some ‘large’ branches this week. It’s a workhorse, and I LOVE it. Your unicorn sounds so cute, and I’m guessing you’re going to make a particular little person very happy.
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I’ll do some research. I haven’t decided what to do with my unicorn and there are some other animals in the book I want to try too, so they might go to a young recipient.
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I am sorry I did not make it over yesterday. By the time I made dinner and went for my 3 mile walk… my feet went up and I was done for the day. Plus I’m 3 hours behind! Lol!
Growing beans has got to be fun to watch. Especially now… the simple pleasures are everything! I love how you have it all set up. We have one of those battery powered pruners… aren’t they sweet! Trees out here in the desert grow very fast so we trim away!
Enjoy the weather starting to warm up for you. And stay safe my friend. We will overcome!
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I work out one morning but the next morning it is in the low 30’s which convinces me to stay in. 🙂 Walking three miles is a really good thing. Stay well.
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My plans are just more of the same . . . working in the garden. Weirdly, after a month of significant free time, I am STILL not caught up with work! How does that even happen?!
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That happens here because one day is decent to work with a light jacket and then the next it is in the 20’s. I know you don’t have that issue, so I bet you’re getting that garden looking pretty darn good.
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nope. It is a horrid mess. It it will be nice when the vegetables start to grow.
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My wife got tired of walking in our condo development (she desperately misses our gym), but last night I finally talked her into coming out with me this morning. However, sometime overnight she plowed her toe into the side of the bed hurting it. By the morning it was all stiff, and she couldn’t put on a sneaker without yelping in pain. And…. she’s therefore staying in. AGAIN! Glad you can get out into your garden again. Be well… – Marty
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Ooh, I’ve hit my toe like that, and it hurts. My daughter puts pieces of pool noodle around the bed feet now. 🙂 Hope you’re both out walking now. Stay safe.
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When we owned the orchard, I had a battery pruning saw and weedwacker. I have to say that the weedwacker worked great not only in the orchard with 300 trees but in my garden as well. Hopefully you will have seen the last of your snow and will be enjoying more sunny days,
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Love these battery operated tools. They work every time. 🙂
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Well, my garden plans revolve around the 25 caladium bulbs that should arrive tomorrow. They need to be potted up and set on the heating pad. There’s also a shipment of plants from Bluestone Perennials, so I will have to remember where, in my fevered imagination, I thought they should go at back when I ordered them.
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Interesting how you handle the caladium bulbs, and I hope you find the perfect place for those Bluestone Perennials. 🙂
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Judy, sorry you’re still dealing with the likes of snow. Sunshine though is good. Nice here today too after a cooler cloudier day yesterday. Take care.
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It’s been a cold spring so I really enjoy your beautiful blooms on Monday.
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