steps, storms, and sweetness

1 Little Finn is walking!

2 Thunderstorms are my thing! The sounds, the smells, the rain and last night even hail pounding on the deck, watering the plants and bringing out the colours of nature are just THE best.

3 When your breakfast includes pumpkin spice latte with decaf coffee and coconut milk, you just gotta smile and be thankful for the sweet daughter in law that brought it you.

quote, impromptu, and feeling thankful

1 She says, "It's the perfect temp out there!"

2 The kids are getting construction done in their neighborhood which left them with no water services yesterday. They spent the day in the hot tub and playing at our house, then returned later for dinner together. Only one game of UNO and Daddy-Doo won!

3 And the rain comes. Sweet smelling and welcome. Thank you Mother Earth. 

time together, prepped, and more visiting

1 Nick and I spent some time together this week. We hit the gym, went for Mexican food, then to his house to putter and sort out a few things before his house inspection. End result, all excellent! Plus we had more than a few laughs and uh huh moments.

2 We get him ready for the coming work week by making pre-made frozen dinners. 7 ribs, 4 chicken and a couple of batches of gravy, 9 dozen cookies and a double batch of granola. I sure hope this holds him for a few days at least.

3 A visit from dear friends, visit with my cousin and aunt who's here for medical reasons, and a quick ride at the gym with Nick.

I did it, window washer, and yellow bit

1 When you have 2 days off and a lovely woman from your FB garden group offers you FREE irises!! What would any proper gardener do? You called it...I made a new garden bed. 20 x 3 ft !! I dug out the sod myself, and planted a few other lovelies besides irises.
Having a flower bed in the backyard started a few years ago. We had an extremely steep backyard and Mr P brought in 100 hydraulic dump trailers of fill, then a few more of topsoil. This dirt had one blub and 3 rocks!! The rest was beautiful black rich soil to which I added 3 bags of garden soil for good measure. Fingers crossed this garden likes it new space and fills in quickly.

2 When you polish the windows and can see outside. Oh it's not smokey after all. 

3 A lovely new echinacea that I recently planted. I think the yellow is rather striking. I can't wait for more buds to open.

snuggles, plants, and meal planning

1 When you have an early start to the day and your sweet cat comes and snuggles you.

2 The gardens need some new plants. What are your favourites?

3 Mr P has found permanent accommodation where he is working. That sure makes life easier for him. Time for me to make some frozen meals!!

sleeping, grumpy, and paint job

1 We finally purchased a new mattress. Yes, finally, a good night's sleep.

2 I felt a bit grumpy so headed to bed early. My guy cautiously opened the door asking are you okay? Do you need anything? I said I'm not really, just tired. Tea would be nice. So my sweet guy brings tea. But he's chewing something and I smell the sweetness of cake! So he brings me a little slice of red velvet cake in bed.

3 Finding satisfaction prepping and starting to paint the main bathroom. Pictures to follow.

hot, flowers galore, and we love the magic

1 When your guy says to you, "You're always hot!" You smile right back and say, "Yes, you're right." And then you both smile.

2 Flowers, flowers and more flowers. There are never too many flowers. I am making a plan for a new garden. Well, it's part of the existing back flower bed but I'm thinking of putting it around the corner and then down the side in front of our steep bank. Below and on the bank are pine trees and grass/weeds. We plan to put lilacs on the slope of the bank just high enough so that it gets watered. I'm thinking of just expanding what I already have. More feverfew, lavender, roses, daisies and peonies, oh and hostas if there's shade, astillbe and ladys' mantle. The deer don't like these plants much so here's crossing my fingers that this is a good idea after all. OOOOh, maybe you have ideas on plants the deer won't eat? Let me know in the comments please.  

3 The magic whiteboard is back. We love how we get motivated once we have things written down.  Goals get tasks, tasks get assigned and boom! Getting things done! Gotta love it.

coffee, littles and Fran

1 Morning coffee on the deck.

2 The littles are coming the a visit this afternoon. I've missed them so much. Looks like it's a swimming & pizza kind of day. 

3 I've got an online friend I've never net. We have been friends for over 10 years. It's interesting how much we have in common, how we can support each other, and find the good in being friends. Fran, you're a DOLL!!

hug, blessings, and how does your garden grow?

1 A random hug that meant everything.

2 The grandkidlets are back from California. They brought their other grandma back, Lola. She's sweet and just the most caring person ever. How lucky are those grandkids to have her living with them for the next few months. Blessed, I'd said, very blessed.

3 The lilac had taken on a life of its own. In one short season the roots had taken hold and the shoots were spreading out, crowding the other plants. Mr P and I got to work getting it out, and into a new home just a few feet away, but down the bank a bit. The hope is that the lilac will spread along the bank and create a lovely wall of flowers and leaves creating a lovely backdrop for the new bed scheduled to go in front. I couldn't resist and I've left a few sprouts in there and as they grow bigger, we'll move them also the the lilac patch. Meantime, what should I plant in the space left by the lilac?
I've got peonies, lavender and roses, feverfews and a rhodo, 2 more well behaved lilacs who can stay and a dogwood. Oh and hostas!

hearts, planters, and kindness

1 Oh my heart when our Izzy sends me beautiful text messages filled with I love yous, smiles and hearts. Lots and lots of hearts! We text almost the same thing and she says, "Wow! We're twinning!" Love her so much.

2 I felt the pull of the earth. I felt it and we answered. Mr P helped me by going to a local green house yesterday and getting a half yard of soil. Today we make 6 pots and topped up all the existing pots and dressed the beds. Seeds and bedding plants go in Tuesday with the help of Miss Isabelle and maybe Mr Kesler if he's up for it.

3 Just be kind.

feeling free, sweet words, and it's a win

1 Hallelujah!!! We have found a great property manager, and have rented our place! Feels like a huge weight has been lifted off of us, well me for sure. I'm grateful we had the experience but truth be told if we were doing a flip, we'd be broke!

2 Snuggling with Izzy last night and I said to her that I was going to really miss her singing when she's gone home with her family to their newly renovated home. She snuggled in even closer and sighed and said, " Do you know what I'll miss Grama? I'll miss everything." Oh my heart, this child is so sweet.

3 When I say good night honey bear to Kesler and he comes over to me and gives me a smile and a kiss and says, "Good night Grama." That's a big win.

obsession, love bugs, and get it rented already

1  23 and me, ancestry.ca, and myheritage. We have taken a dive into the world of ancestors, lineage, and finding our roots. Mr P is totally immersed in it while I've just dabbled in it.

2 I've been getting lots of love from my littles. A great prescription, filled.

3 We have one week left to get the house in tip top shape and ready to rent. Mr P is in charge of finding a property manager in the area who can look after things for us. I leave it in his trusty hands.

winter, just me, human

1 We have had the mildest winter in years. Barely a snowfall and it's mid January. Kids have to go pretty far to find a hill for sledding, but Nick and the international students manage to get themselves to the ski hill every weekend for lessons for the kids and shenanigans and fun for Nick.

2 I am home on my own for the next few days. I thought I'd be lonely, but I'm loving each moment.

3  We are all human. We all make mistakes.

warm winter, firsts, and thank you

Happy New Year!

1 January here in the Okanagan has been a bit unusual. Mild weather, sunshine, and just a few blasts of snow here and there. It's odd to see green grass, tulips trying to poke through the soil, and people walking around in light sweaters instead of woolies and toques. Ain't complaining about this at all.

2 Finn's first time in a swing, first time sledding, and first time for a cookie.

3 Feeling very grateful for my life and all the amazing people in it. I thank you for caring for me, supporting me, loving me and letting me give it all right back to you. You are my heart.