A Walk around the Garden

Tuesday like everyday I took a walk around my garden.  I just love this time of year-everything is coming up or blooming.  Everything is coming to life again.  This being the first Spring in my new house, the garden is a new canvas.  Here are some photos of what I saw:

Peony 

Tomatoes are starting to form.  Can't wait for fresh vine ripe tomatoes!

Leaf Lettuce-it is so good!

Japanese Painted Fern

Buds are forming on my Iris'.

This is part of my courtyard garden.  Everything is starting to fall into place.

The little drift roses out in the front garden are starting to bloom-so pretty!

It is raining here today.  Raindrops on my broccoli.

Owen and Jenny came over for a visit the other day. We visited outside.  Here is Owen having dinner with me on the patio.

I made the most absolutely wonderful dessert- Ina Garten's Apple Pie Bars!!  Just so yummy!!

While we were eating dinner (Owen, Jenny and I) two Mourning Doves decided to visit with us at the birdbath.

The last time I went to Publix (I used a mask and gloves and go in and out quickly) I decided I needed flowers in the kitchen and on my vanity.  They are so pretty and antique looking.  Just beautiful!

Thank you for coming along with me today on my garden walk.  I hope everyone is doing all right and staying well!

Hugs, 

Sherri

Jack turned 7 on Sunday, 4/19!

I cannot believe it, but Jack turned 7 yesterday!!  Where did the time go.  Saturday I drove down to Jenny and Kevin's and we celebrated Jack's birthday outside.  It was warmer out than it had been, I was thankful for that.  At night we had a really nice fire in their firepit.  Jack also learned to ride his bike without the training wheels.  He rode that back almost the whole time I was there.  They also had a pinata, which Jack designed with the help of his Mom and Dad.  Everyone had a great time.  I still miss hugging my grands and my daughters.  Hopefully this won't go on too much longer.  I do want to say I do understand why we have to do this and we would go backwards if we don't do this but it is really hard sometimes. 

Happy Birthday Jack!!

Visited a Park Two Weeks ago!

Jenny, the grandboys and myself went to the Colonel Francis Beatty Park by Jenny's house two weeks ago.  We needed to get out of the house but not endanger ourselves with COVID-19.  We had a very nice walk for a few miles on a beautiful trail.  Here are some photos from that day:

The dogwood trees were blooming so beautifully that day!

This beautiful lake is in the Park.  Just gorgeous, like sparkling diamonds.

I have always loved sweet little violets and the park had alot of them!

I've seen this many times.  A vine grows around a tree and the ree just keeps growing.  Nature always amazes me!

This is one of many babbling brooks in this park, so pretty.  I love the sound of water.

These boys love each other so much.  They fight like any other siblings do, but they truly love each other!

The water is so crystal clear in this brook.

Owen (8) in the gray shirt and Jack (6) in the red.  These are moments to treasure.

This Park backs up to a residential neighborhood.  This house is owned by a Dr.  He is rarely there but he has a huge lawn chess set!  It was awesome!

I have always loved woodland ferns.

We saw these camillias on the way home.  Just so beautiful!

This is a dogwood in my neighborhood.

Even in the worst of times we can find beauty.  I really enjoyed getting out in the sunshine and walking along some wonderful paths.  We never know what we might find when we are on these walks, but I always seem to find nature's beauty along the way.  I hope you enjoyed these photos and that they have brightened your day!  Be safe and well my friends!

Wow, you just turn around and now it is April!

Hi Everyone!

Wow, so much has happened since I posted last.  I first want to say, I am sorry for everyone who has lost someone they know to COVID-19.  What a horrible virus this has been!  Here in NC we are in a Stay at Home order and have been for a few weeks now.  I worry and pray for my family in NJ and here.  I know NJ has been hit really bad (as well as NY).  My sisters are not letting my Mom go out anywhere.  She has been all right.  I have been home since March 17th.  On March 27th I was let go from my job due to COVID-19.  COVID-19 has just wreaked havoc with everything we know and do.  It really needs to go.  With all that said, I have been trying to keep busy.  I have been reorganizing, painting (a little), knitting, reading, gardening, baking and cooking.  In the beginning I was also painting rooms (the guest room and guest bath).   Here are some photos of things I have been doing:

Reorganized the pantry

Reorganized my tea cabinet

Caprese  (Basil was  from my garden)

Grilled Steak, Caprese and some boiled potatoes

Planted my Hosta-Great Expectations

This is the Rose of Sharon from the one I gave my Dad.  My Dad passed away 3.5 years ago.

My lavender is blooming.  So I guess it loves it here!

Last night I made Ginger Chicken Stir Fry

Chinese Noodles and Duck Sauce

Enjoying nature.  Cloud watching today from my courtyard patio.

Little goldfinch came to my birdbath today.  I had my first hummingbird today too at the hummingbird feeder I put out :)!

The reorganized courtyard patio at my house.

Beautiful moon rising up through the trees tonight

I made banana bread.  It was so good with my morning tea!

The knockout roses in my neighborhood are starting to bloom!

I finally got my garden in shape, so I put my armillary out.  Love this piece.

Hope you enjoyed the photos today!  Be back tomorrow with more! :)  Everyone be safe, stay home and be well.  Hugs to you all!

Painting

I have been painting both watercolors and painting my bedroom and the guest room.  Yesterday I painting bubbles with my daughter, Jenny.  We had alot of fun!  I would make my bubbles a little more translucent though next time.

Tomorrow I hope to paint some more.  I find painting very relaxing!

I painted my bedroom and I really love how it turned out.

The paint made this drab all cream room so different with just a pop of these colors!

Then I painted the Guest Room last weekend.  I used Sherwin Williams Rainwashed.  The paint had primer already in it, so it went on smoothly.

Extremely happy with this color!  I will be painting the guest bathroom with this color this weekend.  I also have a niche in the hallway and I'm going to paint the back of it with this color too.

I downloaded alot more audible/chirp books to listen too while I am painting and knitting.  As a matter of fact today my yarn was delivered!  I am going to start knitting with this tomorrow.  I bought 3 beautiful skeins of Apple Blossom from Expression Fiber Arts.  They are a local yarn company and I have bought from them before.  Along with the yarn skeins, I received 3 apple charm markers and a lovely quote from Jim Carrey. 

"Flowers don't worry about how they're going to bloom.

They just open up and turn toward the lgiht and that makes them 

beautiful"  

Jim Carrey

This yarn reminds me of Monet's home in Giverney, the lily pond.  I am going to make a shawl called Palette also from Expression Fiber Arts.  I love that I can support my local yarn company during the very tumultuous time.

Everyone be safe and well during this time!  Hugs to you all!

Spring is Here!!

Hi Everyone!  Today is the first day of Spring!  It sure feels it here in NC.  The birds have been really busy here at the feeder, the flowers are popping, pear trees have bloomed and their leaves have come on and the weather has finally turned warm. I am trying to get the plants I brought from our old house to the new house ready to plant.  Some I will have to wait because they are getting ready to bloom.  One is the tree peony below that when I moved from NJ almost 16 years ago I brought to NC with me!!

18 year old Peony Tree

One of the 2 really huge buds on the peony tree.

I planted a camellia this year and it is showing off!

With everyone not knowing how long the COVID 19 will be around, I bought a tomato plant, broccoli plants, lettuce and basil.

Basil

Lettuce

Broccoli

Tomato

I wanted to grow some veggies anyway.  I am also going to put some seeds in a pot.  Yellow Squash, Green Beans and Cucumbers (also more lettuce).

I have been working from home since Tuesday of this week.  I really don't mind it at all.  I certainly don't miss the commute!  I can play classical music or listen to a book on Audible or Chirp.  I can wear my jeans and a t-shirt.  I have seen more of my neighbors (walking outside in the fresh air only) than I have since I moved here in November.  I am walking the dog more and just getting more healthy with my food choices.  So I guess there are some good things that have come out of this horrible virus!  I keep everyone in my prayers daily re:  COVID 19.  

I will be blogging more also.  It is a good way to communicate with people and let them know what I am up to!  I missed blogging and I'm looking forward to sharing more.

Everyone be safe and take care!  See you tomorrow! :)