A Bit o' the Green

I must have the Luck o' the Irish coming this way.  Last week was much better!  The Terminix guys did clean up their mess and... so far... no sign of any intruders.  Couldn't wait until March for my lucky shamrocks and leprechaun!  Hee hee.  Just makes me smile!

Not a single stitch of knitting or crochet was done last week!  The SPRING FEVER has me!  I'm sure Old Man Winter will bite us again; and, knowing that, I'm trying to restrain myself from getting too carried away with plants.

But... these two pots were pre-planted at Lowe's ($19.95) and I could not resist.  Swiss Chard and lettuce... we will be enjoying these for dinner, too.  ;)

And, this combo of cilantro, basil and parsley!  Love.  All the azaleas are about to pop throughout the area.  Ours are still a little pitiful even after water and fertilizer last year (they were pretty much goners when we moved in), but they are getting ready to put on the best show they can.  I am looking forward to really seeing some changes in the yard this year!!

Amanda sent this photo of my Alex last week.  He had walked into the kitchen with a quote he had written on a piece of Manila paper and taped to his chest:  "think only happy and posedev thots".    I believe our souls are kindred.  ;)

Let's keep thinking our "posedev thots" and have a wonderful week!

blessings ~ tanna

Windshield or Bug?

As I think about our last week, I keep hearing a line from one of my favorite Mary Chapin-Carpenter songs:  Sometimes you're the windshield; sometimes you're the bug.  We all have those kind of weeks... the ones where we are the BUGS.

This was my beautiful bouquet the very next morning after I received it... Hydrangea -- unrevivable (yes, a made up word).  Roses, too.  Really sad.  Their stems were in the very NECK of the vase.  Not too happy with the florist.

Then, there was this.  We had a RAT problem.  Not mice.  Big giant rats.  In our attic.  Fortunately, they did not seem to be interested in the living areas of our home, but they did like the attic.  My Beloved had trapped several, but we were losing the battle.  In comes Terminix.  This photo is about a third of the nice, white, fluffy insulation they removed to treat and plug all entries.

This is the nasty looking mess of insulation they used to replace ours (all over the floored storage area).  I'm not really happy with them or the florist.  The Terminix supervisor is coming later today to "clean up" some of the mess and "check" it.  I just hope they "extruded" all the rats in a more satisfactory way than they re-insulated our attic.  The verdict is still out. 

Oh, and there are the two sprinkler heads they broke because they ran the truck off the drive.  Arrrrgggghhhhh.  And, this ordeal lasted over the course of three days from 9AM-7PM.  Give me patience, oh, Lord. 

Add that to one of The Old Girls (our rental properties) catching fire (in the refrigerator) after a lightening storm.  Good news is that no one was hurt and the fire was contained to the freezer.  Oncor is still working on the service to the apartment.

And then, there was my Beloved having a fender bender.  Again, blessed that no one was hurt.  His Tahoe... another matter.  Well, it was a bug kind of week.

My therapy consisted of crazy random crochet... with future plans of a yarn bombing.  ;)

That week's over and we're movin' on!!  I hope each of you (and we) are the windshields this week!!

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8

blessings ~ tanna

Valentine Loves...

This one has a little Valentine Day color, doesn't it?  Part of the stash busting plan implemented last year. 

Noro colors are just so stinking fun to use and this simple slip stitch pattern shows them off very well.   Mixing the long color changes is what makes this so interesting.

 

Pattern is:  Noro Woven Stitch Shawl (links to free pattern and details)

And, then there are the REAL Valentine Loves!  My Beloved and I went to Ft. Worth this past weekend to watch our two grandsons play basketball.  Alex, a.k.a. Little Man, is just getting so big... and so grown-y.  He is such a good boy.

Our Roo (though he decided to go by "Andrew" at school this year and only be called Roo at home) is growing way too quickly to suit his Noni and Pop Pop.  He had so much JOY playing his game!   It was our JOY to be there with them.

My Beloved sent these beautiful flowers.  I am so very, very thankful that he loves me so... and  I love him right back.  ;)

Wishing each of you a Happy Valentine's Day!

"It's where we go, and what we do when we get there, that tells us who we are."
~ Joyce Carol Oats

blessings ~ tanna

Milking...

The beautiful Tulip Trees throughout the neighborhood shout that spring is on its way!!  And, I just love it!

Two weeks ago,  I unpacked my watercolor "stuff".  And, then I stared at it for a week... I always feel immobilized  after stopping ANYTHING for awhile... but, particularly with painting.  It's like I'm afraid I can't do it.  I've found that, while the fear of "ruining" something I've already started is GREAT,  a partially done painting is my best place to start back.  It's like jumping in the pool... takes your breath away... but, then it gets better.

I started this one in my last Soon Y. Warren workshop in 2014 and am happy to report that it was EXCITING to call it finished last week!  I haven't had time to start a new project yet... that will be my next hurdle.  LOL!

I enjoyed a wonderful lunch with one of my dearest friends, Milha.  The company was good as always and the DECOR of The Grove in Tyler, TX just rings my bell!  This is an outdoor area they have... one of many fun, fun spots to enjoy for an 'eat, drink and be merry' adventure.

You just have to love this!  Milk life for all it's worth!! 

Let's get out there and start milking.  ;)

blessings ~ tanna