Small Projects Among Other Things

This summer, I hope to get the back deck and the side deck painted. Before that happens, some rotten boards need replacing. Prior to that, I need to chop down the lilac bush. It has grown so tall that, in its search for light, it is leaning well over the deck. Time to say goodbye.

It is such a forest back here that one can't even see the lilac bush.

Things are so shady again in the back yard that nothing grows in the raised bed that John built for me. My sister-in-law Mary offered me that hosta you see in the box. She has had it since 1999 or before. It's never been a favorite for her and she has tried to dig it out herself over the years and it kept returning. I knew that I couldn't dig it out so my son and grandsons did it for me. Yay! Plus they planted it. Double yay!

 

The hosta seems to be doing well. I have marigolds and chives there and hopefully they'll all do fine.

That's Jake just visible through the lilac bush. Only three blossoms on that this year. Must have over trimmed it last year. 

Sam Pondering... I am pondering painting that deck.

Now I am certainly glad that I never saw this bit until I was reviewing the video frame by frame. Yikes!

The things boys do!

If you have had quite enough of this foolishness, feel free to scoot off. I am about to share a bunch of strawberry pictures and then a bunch of peony pictures, then a "it's no wonder you're fat" picture and finally I'll close with a windowsill pic because you wouldn't know where you are without that.

Fresh strawberries in June! 

I have ditched my old huller for a cheap straw. Works ever so much better! 

Strawberries look even better in a red colander.

My favorite way to enjoy strawberries is with sugar and cream. 

These are gifts from a friend...cranberry orange muffins from a mix: Krusteaz  They were just the best things!

I have a small peony bush and how I love that week of blooming peonies. It is winding down these days.

Thank you for stopping by. I am using all my powers of restraint to keep my mouth shut. ;>

February Note Card Party~Fruit

Welcome!

The bowl of Cortlands is one of my very favorite photos of all time on the blog and it was taken way back in 2008. I broke all the rules by not using using daylight and with no clue about composition or any other thing. I may be regressing if the final two photos, taken recently, are any indication.

Ahhh the grapes and the recipe written in my mother's printing — horrid picture, out of focus and still I love it. You can find that recipe in my recipes located in my sidebar. I know that many of you have enjoyed a grape salad — so cool and refreshing and delicious!

I'm putting this post up a little early because I am on Nonni duty tomorrow. The grands are coming for lunch and spending the afternoon. Yay! This is the first time that I've had them both together for any length of time without a parent in sight. If you are the grandmother of active boys, you might understand this. ☺ Now that they are old enough to get along well and cooperate, I'm looking forward to having them both here at the same time.

Okay, let's have some fun!

Spiderwort

Do you have spiderwort growing in your garden? It's a wonderful little flower tending more toward blue than purple. It's a perennial, which in my book is an added bonus.

The Death Spray that I spoke of earlier found at LL's is not working quite as well as I'd hoped. The rhubarb leaves are still being eaten overnight. Oh, and do be careful when using any such spray. I accidentally inhaled some yesterday and it wasn't pleasant. Yup, those stupid product warnings are made for folks like me. < insert wry, very wry, grin >

The strawberry shortcake was delish. We were able to talk my mother into staying for supper. I thought that since this making a meal of strawberry shortcake is an old family tradition and all... Mother told me that my grandmother came up with it; my grandmother told me that her grandmother came up with it. Well, as stated, it goes away back and I have no idea to whom proper credit goes. I do think everyone should try it!

Edited to Add: *More information* from Leslie on how far back this eating of strawberry shortcake for supper goes. It is not original with my family. John's family didn't do it, though he's not opposed. This leads me to wonder if your family does. Oh, we make meals of corn on the cob as well in late August and early September. And I'd be mighty tempted with fresh tomatoes, too, but never have.

This next bit is only for regular readers and the curious. Nan is now enrolled with the hospice program. It sounds as if it will be just the support that she needs. It has no time limit; it is covered by her insurance; it does provide respite care twice a week for two hours at a time; a doctor is on staff and he can make house calls; there's a nurse on duty 24/7 if a question comes up at any hour. Best of all, if caring for Nan becomes too much for either of us, she can go to the Hospice House, which is a wonderful facility. My sister looked into it last fall when we thought my mother might need it. One of the first things the Hospice nurse said was that a lot of the medications that my grandmother is taking will be removed. They're no longer of any benefit to her. Also, if she doesn't want to eat, she doesn't have to eat. These things will be her choice. This will represent a major shift so it'll be interesting to see how it all goes.

Time for a bit of levity...

I was able to pop in to visit with the grands a few nights ago. Only the youngest and my son were home at first, but the eldest and his mom came in after a while. I asked my returning grand if he'd been visiting.

His response, "No! I just forgot to stay home."

Love kid logic and must remember that line!

Have a wonderful Friday...

Strawberries and a Sweetheart

Sent John off for a few things from the store and he took the scenic route past the farmstand and picked up strawberries. That means just one thing—strawberry shortcake for supper. That's right. Our strawberry season is short and swift so we devote an entire meal to the delicious strawberry. Course John could enjoy strawberry shortcake any day; somehow Nan and I will just have to endure. ;>

In further John news, he continues his work on the trellises.



Does he not look happy?


Don't look now, Hon, but I see more painting in your future.


He thinks that I'm kidding!
And a very happy Thursday to you...