Whats new in the garden?

Lots of new fun stuff is starting to arrive in the garden. Spring is getting busy! Are you?

Here are some of my finds on my daily walkabout.....

Wisteria

Chinese Snowball (next week it will be completely open)

This is a branch of a tree that is blooming. It is a passalong from my mother in law's garden and I planted it 3 years ago when it was a seedling. I do not remember what it is.

Buttercups that I never planted and now they have taken over and I am trying to weed them out but they move so much faster than me.

Almond Bush (pretty little button flowers in spring only)

It is a overcast cool day, which is a nice reprieve after yesterdays balmy 85. I just love the changes that springtime brings. Each morning I wake to a new surprise!

Family PMS

What do you do when your family is PMSing? Yesterday was a definate pms day for my household. Everyone was in a terrible whiny, gripy, bad, unreasonable mood. When I arrived home from work it was all quiet and then everyone came home and oh my!, the moods went flying. I did not know what to do to keep the peace so I suggested Roby and I go for a walk to clear our minds. Guess what, Roby brought his cell phone so we were not alone. Finally, I said dont answer it, just let it ring. Next week for 2 days we will be going south looking for wildflowers and staying in an Elegant Bed and Breakfast. It could not come soon enough. We need some pampering away from it all even if it is just 1 night.

Oh my!

I just finished 40 minutes doing a pilates workout. I always thought "Whats the big deal, it is just stretching and breathing, how hard can that be?" Boy was I wrong. I am so out of shape, I am exhausted and exhilirated at the same time. It actually made me sweat. Ha

Snippet from the book I am studying

"The past lives in you as memories, but memories in themselves are not a problem. In fact, it is through memory that we learn from the past and from past mistakes. It is only when memories, that is to say, thoughts about the past, take you over completely that they turn into a burden, turn problematic, and become a part of your sense of self. Your personality, which is conditioned by the past, then becomes your prison. Your memories are invested with a sense of self, and your story becomes who you perceive yourself to be. This "little me" is an illusion that obscures your true identity as timeless and formless Presence." Eckhart Tolle

Deep stuff, I know but oh so helpful in life.

We have to learn to live without carrying around regrets, hostility, guilt, and resentment. Imagine how light we would be if we would just LET IT BE!

Okay I will now step off my soapbox and practice just letting it be.

Happy Easter

Pretty Easter Girl Kylee
Egg Hunt

We had a great day! I was so busy taking pictures of the little ones I neglected my own kids and only got back and half shots of them. Oops!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Roby!Here is his bestest friend ever! She adores him and so do I!

New blooms

I found some new blooms in my garden today.

It has been such a beautiful Friday and Saturday!Wisteria budding

Rabbit holding Shasta Daisy

Blue Moss Phlox

Old Blush Rose

Texas Columbine

Awakening Exercise

Here is an awakening exercise from the book I am studying, I find this very helpful in overcoming negativity around me:

Recurring negative emotions do sometimes contain a message. Any changes that you make, whether they have to do with your work, your relationships or your surroundings, are ultimately only cosmetic unless they arise out of a change in your level of consciousness. When you reach a certain degree of presence, you won't need negativity anymore to tell you what is needed in your life situation. But as long as negativity is there, use it. Use it as a kind of signal that reminds you to be more present.

Try This-->

Whenever you feel negativity arising within you, whether caused by an external factor, a thought or even nothing in particular that you are aware of, look on it as a voice saying, "Attention. Here and now. Wake up. Get out of your mind. Be present."


Feel yourself becoming transparent, without the solidity of a material body. Now allow whatever you are reacting negatively to—the noise of the car alarm, the dog barking, the traffic jam—to pass right through you. It is no longer hitting a solid "wall" inside you.

My Favorite:
Become like a deep lake. The outer situation of your life, whatever happens there is like the surface of the lake—sometimes calm, sometimes windy and rough. Deep down, however, the lake is always undisturbed. You are the whole lake, not just the surface. Practice being in touch with your own depth, which remains absolutely still.

Just something to think about!!

CELEBRATE

Yesterday I took mother to her last red devil injection.

She is done with Chemotherapy!

Yippee!

Celebrate!

She will have her last 10 down days and then it is up up up!

Yippee!

Vegie garden planted!

I planted the vegetable garden and now wait with much anticipation for all the delicious vegies to grow and produce scrumptious nutritious food.

Here is a list of what I planted:

Garlic

Roma Classic Tomato

1015 Onion

Red Sweet Bell Pepper

Arugula

Goliath Tomato

Yummy Petite Orange Bell Pepper

Park's Whopper Tomato

Yellow Sweet Bell Pepper

Next year I am going to double the garden's size. I saw so many other vegies that I wanted but didn't have the space.

I saw my first super large butterfly of the season today. I did not have camera in hand. It felt like spring even though it is not quite yet.

Look at what is blooming

Baylee's Bradford Pear! We had one at our old house and it was Bay's favorite so we planted one here for her, however we made sure we got the right one this time, the one that blooms first and then gets leaves. At the old house it always had leaves and blooms at the same time. Here is a Japanese Snowball bush (viburnum).

It gets more exquisite each year.

If you could smell on the internet you would be amazed at how wonderful and sweet this stock smells. Everything is fresh and white!
Oops! I do have dandelions trying to take over in the area with sparse grass!
Viburnum one more time.

Neighborhood Egg hunt

Excited and ready to run.

Luke is patiently waiting for the hunt to begin. Kylee shows off one of her prize eggs as Luke runs around looking for more.
Here they are patiently waiting!
See the bunny up by the parking lot.

They wouldn't take their picture with him.

Here is some of their loot. They dumped it out and went hunting for more.
We all had a fun time. Sooooooooooooooooooo many eggs and so few kids. I bet they found around 50 eggs each. This was a really nice neighborhood egg hunt to get them ready for the big event on Sunday! I love having my neice and nephew close by, I get to relive the adventures of my own children, plus it is great to look at the world thru a childs eyes.

Quote of the day

"We must be the change we want to see in the world." —Gandhi

Monday

I worked for about 5 hours today, preparing the store for the week. We have so many pretty things in now and more market purchases are due in next week. I just love the beauty of spring.

Tonight I had my class online class again and I am excited. I am learning so much and thinking hard. Eckhart Tolle is a very peaceful and spiritual man who happens to be a very good teacher. He is opening my heart and mind to a beautiful world. I never imagined how much the ego can destroy the joy of life. In fact, I didn't even realize what ego exactly was until now. I feel awesome growth in me.

Snow in March

Bay and I built this guy! She wouldn't let me light his arms! heheheh

So much for Iris!

My dafodil did not like it too much!

My first Caucus

I attended my first caucus last night. I was in awe. Even though it was extremely disorganized, it was exhilarating. I was energized by those around me. Everyone had one thing in common, THEY WANT CHANGE! We waited outside in the could for almost 2 hours. It was unbelievable when the Republican caucus person came out and asked for all the people for the Republican caucus to come over to her area, no one came. So she asked again, no one came. She said it one more time and then the whole crowd booed. I couldn't believe that everyone there was for the Democratic Caucus. What I could see is that this country wants change, they are fed up with the powers that be. I hope this momentum carries on and builds towards November. I have never seen such interest in an election in my life. My hope is that whoever is chosen to run as the Democratic candidate is strong enough to endure the torture ahead. It can get very ugly out there with all the needless mudslinging. It was nice last night to see that people from all walks of life were realizing to get change you have to be active and give some of your time. You cannot sit around and wait for someone to do it for you. I have a new hope because of this experience, a new hope that we may get CHANGE!

Here is a quote from the Obama Camp:

"We knew that the closer we got to the change we seek, the more we'd see of the politics we're trying to end -- the attacks and distortions that try to distract us from the issues that matter to people's lives, the stunts and the tactics that ask us to fear instead of hope.
But this time -- this year -- it will not work. The challenges are too great. The stakes are too high. Americans need real change."

Here is an excerpt from CNN:

As polling places closed Tuesday evening, Texans were reportedly lining up in bigger-than-expected numbers for the caucuses -- in some places lining up in parking lots and overflowing buildings where caucuses were held.
A CNN I-reporter in Houston reported hundreds of people at his polling place -- saying he had to wait for over an hour just to sign in.
In Austin, about 800 people showed up -- far outstripping expectations and causing organizers to stand on top of tables and yell to organize caucus-goers, one voter said.

Couldn't find anything yet at the Hillary Camp, but I will post when I do!

Isn't this exciting! People are showing interest!

Bunny time

I love bunnies. They signify spring for me. For some odd reason I always think of Thumper from Bambi and I love Thumper. Such a wonderful character. Bunnies multiply at a rapid rate so they mean hope to me. I love their chipper hoppity attitude and cheery cottontails. I love bunnies!

More dafodil shots

With the weather acting up, I hope the good old fashioned dafodils hold up. I want to cut them for a bouquet but I also want to share the blooms outdoors. What to do?

My 1st class with Oprah is tonight!

I have been reading this book for the upcoming class with Oprah online. Tonight is the 1st class about chapter 1. It lasts for 90 minutes. I am so excited about this. It is an excellent book and has helped me with my life. I have learned so much and cannot wait to see what else I can learn through the class. I will be posting later on some of the wonderful things that I have learned.

birth of an iris

Leap day view of iris6:30 early morning March 1
midmorning view 3-1
noon 3-1
afternoon view 3-1
It is amazing how quickly the iris opened for the sunshine.

Daffodils are like a beam of sunshine

I just love daffodils, I wish they bloomed all summer.

They are so bright and cheery.

The warm days give me hope that soon I will be spending loads of time in the garden.

I feel so up and happy to enjoy yet another spring!!

Life is good.

Exercising my right to vote!

Today I decided to cast my ballot. I went around 10am and there were only 2 other people there and I was the youngest of them all. I sure do hope the young people get out there and vote. This election could be a turn around for our nation. I am hoping and praying for peace soon. War is devastating and I do believe it is ripping apart our country, therefore, I voted for change and I am proud of it. I encourage you to take the time out of your busy life and vote.