A Haven for Vee

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Leading an Exciting Life

Oh it is a lovely morning here in Maine. We had frost warnings overnight, but no frost came near us. 
I am not living an exciting life, my friend. The most exciting thing that happens to me is being dragged around the house several times a day by a geriatric grandpuggy
who is very selective. The front lawn was not suitable (thank you, Lord). Perhaps it was that neon green.
The rhubarb patch would have served well, but I came to my senses just in time to yank the chain and move on. Besides, I need some rhubarb because I'm baking with it today and it will require no extra seasoning. The house is chilly and the oven will be just enough to warm things up to bearable.

I like the strangest things...the shovel at the ready for those shovel-ready jobs.


The phlox garden is doing well. I remember chatting with Linda about phlox some weeks ago. She lives in Texas and her pots of phlox were blooming long ago. I wondered how long it would take for mine to show up...must look into that. Do you ever check back on such minutiae? 

How do you get a project accomplished that you know is above your abilities? I start right in knowing full well that John will not be able to take it for long. Works like a charm and I always get more than I was even imagining.


The hill had been eroding and we needed to stop it. My idea was to build stairs. John's idea was to build a "patio."


Rain came in the night and chiseled a groove on the left side there. He'll be working on getting that smoothed out eventually before it gets too hard. We have more work to come and perhaps I'll show our progress again some fine day. You may remember seeing this area looking this way:




That's a wrap! Have a wonderful day...

47 comments:

  1. Good morning Vee,
    Yes it is a lovely morning here in NH too and I am also thinking of baking something to take the chill off. I confess that I needed to turn the heat on last night. Your phlox plants are beautiful. We have some in the yard too. I wish they stayed in bloom longer, I love them! Your dog is cute! Enjoy baking up something sweet with your rhubarb!
    Linda
    Mysewwhatblog

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  2. Good Morning Vee. We are under frost warnings for Friday night here in western NY, it did get quite chilly here last night. ANYWAYS--You do lead a very exciting life, truly you do. I will say it again, I look forward to your posts. Have a lovely day, Blessings

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  3. Hi Vee! It's been raining so much here that I haven't been able to get outside and do the work that needs to be done. We had tornado sirens one night and that kind of excitement is a little more than I need. Your phlox look beautiful and every year I say that I'm going to put some around my tree, but still haven't done it.

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  4. Your phlox garden is so beautiful. I finally have roses blooming and it makes me so excited! Can't wait to see the "patio"!! Happy Thursday ~

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  5. Love your garden Vee. Your rhuburb patch is beautiful! WOW! So green. No frost here. Hot temps already! URR....Happy Thursday. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  6. Lovely glimpses around your yard! Isn't spring beautiful?!

    Yes, I absolutely do go looking back to previous posts (mine and others') to research some minutiae. Glad to know I'm not the only one. (Sometimes it's the only way I can remember something...like a table setting or a party theme or what we planted in the hanging baskets.)

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  7. Good morning Vee, sometimes I go back and read spring posts from other years to see when my flowers bloomed. It seems the blooming has always been newsworthy and it makes for a good record of the garden :) It's cool here too, in the 50's right now and only expected to hit the high 60's but that is Spring and it's enough. I love the idea of a patio, I always love the idea of my husband doing it for me too ;)

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  8. Your lilacs and phlox look beautiful! Our phlox at our previous house bloomed mid April. You have found a great way to get things done around there!

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  9. Morning Vee! Can't wait to see your patio and I am sure your dear husband will get it done! Aww, your grandpuppy cracks me up, I'm thinking he so loves his Grammy! Your lilacs and phlox are just gorgeous! I think I'll have to plant some!

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    Replies
    1. You've already seen all the "patio" there will be. LOL!

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  10. Hi Vee, we have had 17 days out of 20 raining in the month of May. We have been wanting to get an area done with a fire pit for some time, maybe with a few days without rain we can. I really love rhubarb pie and I can imagine yours would be delicious. Stay warm.
    Ann

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  11. O, my....your flowers are looking magnificent...so colorful and happy....and I love the stepping stones.

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  12. Gee there is always something to do around a house isn't there? Your first photo of the lilacs is so beautiful.

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  13. How is it you can pull the wool over John's eyes by jumping in to a project and he pushes you aside to finish it? Glenn just gives me pointers from the sidelines, maybe I need to know more about your technique? LOL
    There's always something outside that needs tweaking isn't there? Your lilacs are pretty, mine are not quite open but I love the fragrance when they do, especially the ones below the kitchen window over the sink.
    I'm off to babysit a couple of grands this weekend and wonder what kind of trouble, I mean adventure we can get into.

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  14. I am enjoying the new blooms even though it has been chilly and rainy.
    Cute little visitor you have.

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  15. I'm a tad jealous of the lilacs. I think we are the last place on earth the lilacs bloom. Your flowers are lovely, glad to see you and your house guest are still getting along. John's project looks great. Progress!

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  16. Wonderful flowers - isn't it wonderful to finally have springtime?

    I couldn't BELIEVE all that weird spam - I had to get rid of comments on that one. Yikes, the one time I donj't check my blog lol.

    Your granddoggie is too cute.

    Hugs.

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  17. The photo of your lilac and phlox are so pretty. They go so well with your grey siding. Nice to see the area at the end of the deck is repaired. John is a handy guy! Nice and sunny today but did I mention the wind in my other comment? Yes, I did! Too windy to sit out on our new deck!! But then, I'm too busy to sit out too. Enjoy the afternoon.

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  18. Vee
    I so surprised at how much further along your flowers are, Lucky Lady!
    I just scrolled back and see that you have switched out your LR furniture.
    It does a body good to be able to refresh our homes, for sure.
    Please tell me that was not you at the other end of that lifted couch....

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  19. I can almost smell the aroma of the lilacs now...they are so lovely. It must be nice to have a handy hubby! And by the way, your life sounds about as exciting as mine :)

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  20. Lovely photos ! Hey our lives are enriched with pets nature and loved ones around us and that for me is a life full of excitement all depends on how ya look at it lol ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !

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  21. The place is looking good Vee. You're more shovel ready than our alledged Prez. Your life is as exciting as mine. Work, work, work ... and it's all around the house. The fun never ends around here. Hope y'all have a blessed day. ~:)

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  22. Lots of rain here..no frost though. I have a pile of projects and I can't seem to get motivated to do anything right now with all the wet stuff. I have frogs croaking in my yard now..it's nuts.

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  23. Great solution for the eroding hill. It looks real good. We are having dry weather here. Some storms are suppose to roll in just in time for the weekend. Time will tell if they have it right. Your Phlox is so cheerful. I'm glad you didn't get that big freeze last night. I'm cracking up about how you get projects done!

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  24. Still smiling,.... and I thought I was the only one that knew how to get a job done! The phlox looks beautiful! So glad you didn't get frost!You say you will be busy baking today, Rhubarb baking sounds pretty exciting to me, as does tending to that sweet guest of yours!
    Looking forward to seeing the project completed!
    Hugs,
    Sue

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  25. So envious of your glorious rhubarb plant. I just did get some planted this spring; it won't be mature enough to cook with for a few years:-( I have made some rhubarb & strawberry jam though (fruit from the Farmer's Market). I also love the lilac and hope to get a few planted as well--it's hard to start over again, XOXO

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  26. It's chilly here too, Vee, and we have been getting frost warnings. Afraid to plant any flowers yet. A rhubarb pie? or crumble? Sounds delicious. We're going to warm up with stew.
    Your lilacs are so pretty. I do wish they lasted longer, though.

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  27. It is so cold here! Almost like late fall. I love that you grow rhubarb. One of my grandpa's favorites but I haven't learned to enjoy it yet. That means no one has knocked my socks off with it yet! I love your phlox. I had a lot of it right outside our house when I was growing up, in pink, purple and white. So pretty.

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  28. Hi Vee!

    I love old dogs... :0) My dog has always gone to the back pasture to do his business . . . it's other peoples dogs who like to season my yard! He's adorable!

    What wonderful treat are you making with rhubarb? Please share! My rhubarb plant bit the dust a few years back, and I have not replaced it - I need to do that this year!

    Always something to do around the house isn't there!? We have several projects going on, I hope we can get them done soon, but if we don't, they will still be there next year!

    Hugs,
    Barb

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  29. Your place is looking delightful! Those phlox are so pretty and cheery. Your comments about Grandpuggy and his where he would do his business made me laugh!

    We are blessed to be married to handy men!

    Deanna

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  30. Hi Vee, What a cute doggie. It was even cool/breezy in GA this a.m.! Did you make a cobbler with the rhubarb? Best wishes with the patio project.
    Wishing you both a good evening. xo

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  31. Sometimes life just isn't very thrilling is it, your flowers are beautiful though, and gosh, those lilacs! How stunning are they!!! Hope that you enjoyed your baking with the rhubarb! Hope too that tomorrow will be more exciting for you. xx

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  32. I love Maine I visited there once and have never had the chance to make it back. Love your blog such wonderful pictures.

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  33. Looking very pretty around your house.
    I've just planted a small rhubarb plant so I guess I'll have to wait a few years before it looks like yours.
    Life is always exciting, even when we don't do exciting things. : ) Just to be outside on a nice day is exciting.

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  34. Your lilacs are so pretty, Vee. The rhubarb is looking very vigorous as well. Enjoy your baking!

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  35. Well Vee how I have missed you. I am trying to use a new computer and this is my first time to try to blog again. Have not been well for at least 3 years. Think I now have things under control. Sure hope you get this and let me know. I found a comment on this old blog from you so decided to go with this old one. Not able to find and download my new photos yet so just using old stuff. Loved your post and boy do I know how it is to need and want things done and finding it hard to get things done. Blessings to both of you.

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  36. Wow- your lilacs are out already! Ours have a way to go yet. Your rhubarb is ahead of ours too. You're obviously a bit ahead of us, "spring-wise", although you're not that far away. The lilacs and phlox are lovely. John is doing a great job on fixing up your patio area. He's a handy guy, I think you'd better keep him around. lol

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  37. Whooo Hoooo- You're using rhubarb today! Me, too...still eating on our pan of crisp here.
    You are even ahead of us this year-our lilacs are just coming out and our phlox is at least 3 to 4 weeks away. I keep thinking you should be behind us! I love pictures of odd stuff, too-thus, I love the shovel photo- xo Diana

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  38. "A geriatric grandpuppy". Oh gosh, you crack me up.
    The older I get the more I'm satisfied with a non exciting life.
    Are those lilacs I spy in your first photo? Oh, how pretty they are. Have you cut a bouquet for the inside yet? I was sad to see I missed my chance for a peony bouquet here this year.
    I am downright green with envy over that rhubarb plant. We bought one to try again here, although I think our weather is less than ideal for growing it. Can't wait to see what you make with it.

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  39. My lilacs are done and the rhubarb needs to be picked, just wish it was a bit warmer here.

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  40. The work never ends, especially at this time of year. Your rhubarb plant is wonderful! Your plants are definitely catching up to mine - no phlox blooming here yet. Mine is on tall stems, about 2-3 feet high. Yours look lower - a different variety? And mine won't bloom until July, at least.
    You've got a winning way about you when it comes to getting something done! Has John caught on?

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  41. What a wonderful post and I love them ALL but when I see a 'personal' photo of you or John - I get so excited!! I have not heard your voices in some time but I do admit - LIFE keeps me from keeping up with all my loved ones in Blogville all the time and I may have MISSED your voices!!! Just know you and John ARE loved!!! By the way - my phlox is just a pile of greenery now. This is my first year for it so is this all I can expect for the rest of the season?

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  42. I had to laugh about you not needing any extra "seasoning" in your rhubarb recipe !

    Your gardens and place are so lovely I don't think any extra 'seasonings" your grandpugpuppy could leave around would spoil the beauty.

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  43. Morning Vee ... just read your comment on my blog .... and as always thank you for always leaving your kind words. It makes my day and this morning it made my hubbies day....you are tooooo kind....but thank you. I am just like you when it comes to taking different kinds of photos....I love the shovel ready and waiting ... it's like a little slice of life. Your phlox is absolutely gorgeous I wish I had a green thumb and could grow such beautiful flowers. It seems everything we plant either the deer, the mice over the winter, or the skunks just devour whatever we have tried to grow in our yard over the years. I gave up and get a few annuals every spring, put them in pots and out on the patio they go for some summertime color. You know I've thought so often that since we both live in Maine it would be really nice to meet you sometime. So if you are ever in the area...we are just a little North of Augusta it would be so nice to get together if you would like. We too live a very quiet and "not exciting" life but it's peaceful and unhurried and I've kind of gotten used to it. We've definitely turned into a couple of "Old Geezers". Have a wonderful weekend and I'll be on my way to Nashville this Sunday to see my daughter...so happy that I am going probably for the last time...I get too nervous when I travel alone but I am determined to do this no matter what. Thinking positive. Oh almost forgot ... that patio idea sounds awesome would love to see it when it is finished. Your hubby, just like mine, is such a hard worker .... he says it's what keeps him alive. : )

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  44. Enjoyed my catch-up visit today, Vee.

    Oh yes, I chase down my own versions of minutiae. Like trying to figure out years and years ago who actually said in some ancient cartoon, 'I hate those meeces to pieces!' We thought it might be Tom and Jerry, but in fact it was Pixie and Dixie and Mr. Jinks. (all this head-scratching took place long before Internet.)

    And one other chase-down that took a long time (also B.I.) was a line of verse spoken over Dennis Finch Hatton's grave in the last scene in Out of Africa. Now, that, as we recall, came from the collection of poetry A Shropshire Lad by A.E. Housman.

    Chuckled at the rhubarb moment with your granddog. Growing up on the farm, we were always sure not to eat from the rhubarb patch down by the roadway, because our dog deemed that a particular favourite spot.

    Your post made me think of things I haven't in years. Was fun! Thx!

    Hugs,
    Brenda
    xox




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  45. Your life truly is exciting and I always enjoy reading your posts about it! You crack me up with your sense of humour Vee. My yard work is so behind with much, much to do. I can't even bring myself to take any pictures. We need rain so bad and tonight we have a frost warning - ugh!

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  46. Maine is so beautiful! We are thinking of going this summer but for some reason I doubt we will. It's getting to seem further and further away. Howard's brother lives in Portland..and has an Island home (family island) in Bucks Harbor.. His people are all there except his one son who is near us here.
    Just a beautiful place to live...

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