Okay...maybe not THAT bad...but still pretty ravaged.
After a week's worth of 50 degree temps...wind and rain...and then MORE wind and rain and even a little sleet...the flowers have looked better.
Spent most of the afternoon cleaning and clearing the borders and the patio gardens. To complicate matters a nearby Maple has spread "its seed" all over everything, as well. So, between the Ranunculous that have a tendency to explode in a shower of petals when they are finished for the Spring...think firework style...*poof*...the roses who go blowsy with excess water and the rain/sleet mushed petunias...well at least it was a colourful mess.
And, in the category of Let's Not Go There- The maintenance guy who thought he was doing me a favour by spreading fresh black mulch right over a large area I had just re-seeded with grass...so now the new grass is bright green and springing up thickly in clumps through the mulch.
I am weeding out the grass I just planted.
There is something very wrong with that!
Happy to report that after some pretty intensive trash bag therapy...some dead-heading...and pinching back...and a couple of serious re-pottings- things are looking tidy once again! The herbs are sprouted. My Morning Glories are up several inches and the Zinnas and Columbine have started making an appearance. The roses are Rosa Centrifoila...so nothing can touch them. Boxwoods, of course, are indestructable. The petunias will come back bigger, bushier and better.
There is hope!
And speaking of HOPE
My buddy Jim, who has spent the week riding "Clive" (his bike) in the Patriot Guard's- Run for the Wall.
At one point 800 strong as they accumulated riders State by State along the way. Greeted by massive flag-waving crowds in Mainstreet USA, everywhere.
Jim, you're amazing.
Idgy and I making summer plans almost daily now over our morning cup of coffee and chat. Only
More days!
A summer of picnics filled with French bread and good cheese...fresh fruit and dark chocolate and honey...and wine! Of balloons and photography...painting with acrylics and oils...car shows...hikes and gathering wildflowers...of exploring a new French Restaurant and sometimes just relaxing in the cool shade of the patio with ice cold homemade limocello and chat...Or baking Midnight Brownies together :) Best of all...real coffee and REAL HUGS!
Can't wait!!!
Good week, this...despite the rain and chill. Kay, Loretta and I plundered Metropolis in Plainfield mid-week...and yes..obviously Loretta came back with another high end bag (...because it was there..lol!) You think I make this up.
Enjoyed coffee and Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake...perused Barnes and Noble...Coldwater Creek...Victoria's Secret (LOVE Noir Tease)...Yankee Candles (new scent Campfire Treat which smells just like toasted marshmallows!) and Bath and Body where I found the best Tangerine Gel Soap...played with hats...lunched at nearby Applebee's and till found a minute to check out the newly opened Meijer's before heading back. A wonderful afternoon!
and a pair of black lace panties...because you can NEVER have too many pairs of lace undies :)
A quick visit with James yesterday who is enjoying serenading Nicki, Emma and Aiden on guitar. And their cat who is excruciatingly curious about the baby...
But, they don't stay little for long...and today...less than 2 weeks old...and already changing! Or maybe it is the plaids...lol! Still has that NEW BABY smell, though.
Looking forward to hosting a tea soon for Nicki, Emma and Nancy (her mom) and going to surprise Emma with her American Girl Doll.
You'll hear the squeal of delight from out there!
Even found her (doll sized) a Hello Kitty tee-shirt and bag with a denim skirt and pink shoes!
But the best is yet to come...later this year a train ride for the four of us (Nicki, Emma, Nancy and I) to Chicago to the American Girl Store where she can bring her doll and we can have a "Doll Tea Party" luncheon together...just us girls!
Excited!
Next in the queue for Frances Mayes newest offering Under Magnolias Just finished a re-read of her A Year in the World...which is always like eating a sun-warmed blood orange in Seville while reading Lorca :) This new book a memoir of her upbringing in the South. Can't wait to read it!
Life is Outstanding!