Backyard Project

I was inspired by the beautiful weather today to tackle the the dirt plot project in my backyard. Two trips to Home Depot later, I have a backyard flowerbed that has a lot more potential.  Once my arms, back, and knees forgive me for playing in the dirt all afternoon, I may add some more flowers...

A new log edger keeps the flowerbed from eroding away...

The poinsettia was happy in the dirt plot, so I gave it a permanent home

If this potted hibiscus is okay with only afternoon sun, it will stay here

I learned that pine straw bales double in size when you cut the twine!

Spring Shower

The very first non-scarf knitting project I ever attempted was a baby bib and burp cloth set for my friend Robin.  Since knitting an actual pattern was so new to me at the time, her baby shower gift was the completed bib... and a partially completed burp cloth still on the needles.

I mailed the finished burp cloth to the mom-to-be later...

Now that Robin is pregnant with her second baby, I've had enough practice to get both the burp cloth and bib done in time for the baby shower.  The color, "Summer Splash," coordinates with big brother's set, which was knit in a variegated turquoise called "Swimming Pool."

I had a bit of a "feed and clean" theme going...

Adorable turtle button!

Packed and ready to go to the shower!

Friday Funny

You know it's a Friday during Lent when you get "It's peanut butter jelly time" stuck in your head while making lunch...

Power Outage

What should you do when the power goes out at 4:00 am? If you're me, you light a candle and go downstairs to try to locate the source of the infernal "I have no power" beeping that will not stop.  Along the way, I grabbed my cell phone to report the power outage (yes, I have the number stored in my phone), and then attempted to knit by candlelight while waiting for the power to turn back on and the beeping to stop.  I finally figured out how to stop the beeping five minutes before the power turned back on, and it had been out for an hour already.  And where was Dave?  Upstairs, snoring...

I finished a knitting project the other day, albeit not during the power outage Tuesday morning.  I'd show it off, but the recipient actually reads my blog, so it will have to wait.  The picture above will serve as your glimpse of it until then!

Friday Funny

I'm cat-sitting this week and learning first hand about shedding (and kitty litter). It's really bad when I stop by after work and leave with dark slacks absolutely covered in cat fur!

This is not going to help Dave's plea to get a pet kitty when we move into a bigger place.  In order to keep my pants clean and my allergies happy, one of us would have to vacuum the floors and the furniture at least every other day... definitely not happening with both of us working full time!

Yardwork

Yesterday was a gorgeous spring day to work outside! In the almost four years I've been in my townhouse, I have wanted a front yard full of beautiful flowers in the spring.  I always seemed to miss the season for planting the flowers I wanted (especially bulbs--still don't have any daffodils), or there just weren't enough hours of daylight.  I made up for it with a day off from work, a bunch of flowers from the hardware store, some Miracle Grow potting mix, and a small shovel.  Now I just need to figure out what to do with my backyard...

Replanted some of my "Grandpa Irises" and fertilized my potted plants

Red petunias in front with a line of yellow marigolds in front of purple kale

"Firecracker" plants in the back with my potted mums from the fall

My forlorn backyard with the poinsettia I've managed to keep alive for 4 months

Friday Funny

Now I know why a couple co-workers at my last job had an exercise ball for their desk chair! Maybe I should try it, too...