Crazy Hazy! She's So Lazy!

It's just not a relaxed Hazel unless she's hangin' like this!

When she's happy like this she always has a huge smile on her face. First dog of mine to ever smile like she does. And both Meredith and I are convinced she sometimes purrs when she's being cuddled and loved!

Hazel can really brighten up a room.

Aaaah, Sunburned and Achy

Hello again!

I cannot believe how much my muscles ache and how my shoulders, arms and face are sunburned! BUT, it's a great feeling... I had such a wonderful weekend enjoying the weather and getting the gardens ready for Spring. I just love to plant. So rewarding to grow yummy things to eat however we end up eating most of it RIGHT IN the garden - especially the tomatoes and green beans. Good thing (with some plants) the more you pick the more the plant produces!!!!

Along with all the seedlings started this spring, I am so eager to put out the plants wintered-over in the basement; like my ranunculus! I've been growing them for a few years. I usually plant them in planters however one year I sank a bunch into the ground but when I was digging them up that fall, I didn't do a great job finding them all and left a few over winter. I was told in my zone they cannot survive in the ground during such low winter temps although low and behold the following summer I found a couple blooming right where they were left! Unfortunately, I don't trust my whole collection of bulbs outside like that and usually just bring the planters in and bag the bulbs.

This year I am trying to grow passion flowers. Not sure if I'll be successful because I hear they take a while to germinate and not all seeds grow. But, if I grow the vine flowers/fruit, I hope they too can be brought in the for the following year. Hopefully, I can grow some in a pot and some in the ground. Next year, see which come back! I've been lead to believe the plant might handle this zone's winter temps. It will be fun to see.

That Time Of Year...

Hello again!

It's that time of year for planting and gardening again! I love putzing around in the garden and growing fun things; flowering bushes, flowers for cutting and veggies! Most of the plants I have either started from seed or purchased the plant, then took cuttings and rooted the cuttings for more!

Last year I had an premature start on the gardens. Spring seemed to come so early and everything started to bud. I took that as a sign it's time to plant my seedlings. Big mistake that was... a week or two after all the gorgeous weather, we had frozen precipitation which killed most of what I planted and all the buds died off my well established perennials and flowering bushes; hardly any lilacs in the Spring nor hydrangea in the late summer.

This year, it's been such a successful crop and the seeds were so fresh - in the event that we have a sudden attack of winter, I'd hate to see them with frostbite. So, I have been holding off planting until Mother's (or later).

However, no one told my plants that they are not outside!!! Soaking in the southern window's sun and absorbing the wood stove's heat, The tomato plants think it is ready for action and the plants have started their tomato flowers already. (Guess I started those seeds a bit early).

Among other plants I also seeded some thyme which as soon as I turned my back, they sprouted their first leaves! It was less than a week and "POP!"

LOL, and to think I considered kicking back and not planting seeds this year. But, when that certain time of year came around for soaking and sinking seeds, I just couldn't hold back.

As Promised..

Good news for the blog.

As you know, they found the two suspects whom were responsible for the Marathon bombings. That was interesting as it unfolded.

In-laws were out of town and safe. That was also a relief to hear. They live very close to the action and were glued to the TV as the excitement took over their town.

Everything here at home is back to normal, too. Next week's Spring Break and not a moment too soon! Had to cancel our plans but that's ok... There are plenty more vacations we can take.

:)

Electric Billboards

Electric billboards that usually announce traffic flows, construction or Amber Alerts have been posting the breaking news. Interesting all the "Firsts" that have come our of this event. All colleges in Boston closed. NEVER before has all MBTA lines have been cancelled indefinitely. Buses being used only to shuttle police into and around the Watertown area.

Events Keep Unfolding In Boston

Amazing events unfolding in Boston. We used to live in Watertown area. It is a wonderful Italian area that was safe and quiet. My sister-in-law and her husband live in Watertown, now. I am sure they are safe in their home.

Incredible, the trains, subway and colleges are lockdown or "Shelter-In-Place" all over Boston; Boston is basically shutdown.

Good luck to those in Boston and hope this ends soon.

The hospital where the first suspect was brought is the same hospital where 5 bombing victims are also being treated.