Weekend Cleanup

With warmer temperatures and sunny days after several cold winter months, Collin and I begin to feel the beckon call of the outdoors which summons us to begin cleaning the yard of debris and fallen leaves in hopes that spring will be arriving soon. We have a big yard with lots of trees. Even after several fall cleanup days, there is always a lot left to do to prepare our yard for mowing and getting things in shape. We were out in the yard yesterday morning by 10:00 and worked until after 5:00. We actually got more accomplished than we thought for and were pleased with the days progress. As we headed to the shop to move a few things and get to our necessary yards tools of wheel barrows, racks, trimmers, etc. Collin took a minute to even sweep out the shop of winter dust and dirt.

I have my own tools and headed out to the mailbox. I have ornamental grass here and it needed to be cut back from the season. Before long, it will be growing green and tall again. I leave it through the fall and winter. I love it's golden color and it's feathery ends which blow with the wind. Before the day was over, I also pruned the crepe myrtle trees, and Collin planted a new hydranga bush for me in our garage area. He dug up a start for me from my mom's bush.

We have a creek that flows through the middle of our backyard area. Unfortunately it collects leaves during the winter months and has to be cleaned out during early spring before the rains set in. If not, leaves, trash, and all kinds of debris wash out into our yard leaving a nasty mess. Collin went out into the wooded area to cut away and open the ditch so the water would be able to flow freely. If this is cleaned out, it's actually kind of pretty in our backyard with a clear stream flowing through it. It is also a major landmark serving as a division in our property where our kids played a great deal. Because of it's positioning, if Bryan was trying to tell something important of needed definition when he was a little boy, he would frequently refer to "our second backyard." Now I ask--how many people do you know who have two backyards?

I raked a ton of leaves yesterday dragging them off to the burn pile. I cleaned all around the house on all sides except for the south side. Yard work can be very tiring and make for a sore body when you haven't done this kind of work for four months, but I love to be outside. It clears my head and calms my mind. The sunshine felt good.

And here is Collin keeping an eye on the fire. He did his own share of raking leaves and picking up sticks.

Yes, it was a busy and tiring day, but we accomplished a lot. We are by no means finished; there will be several more Saturdays of work, but we're on our way looking forward to spring.

And look at these little beauties--the first of the season. Yes, indeed, the promise of new life is on the way and I can hardly wait.

Marcia

Valentine Weekend

Last Saturday was snowy, but yesterday's Saturday was sunny and beautiful. It beckoned and called to everyone to come out and enjoy the day of warmer temperatures whereas it has been so very, very cold.

Not only did warmer temps summon activity, but it is the weekend which ushers in the season of love--Valentine Monday. Collin, my love of 31 years plus, and I shared the weekend with friends and activities and had a wonderful time.

Friday afternoon, as soon as I got from school I put together a Black Forrest Mousse Trifle in honor of the holiday and we headed to a potluck at the Classic Airstrip. These are great friends that share a love of flying in our local community and we also travel and visit with them when we go to Osh Kosh each summer. We had a great meal--tonight's theme was casseroles; Mexican Chicken, Enchilada, and Beef Stroganoff. We also had salads and desserts. After dinner, the men talked airplanes while the women played Mexican Train, a domino game.

Saturday morning, we headed to Little Rock with our friends, Dennis and Regina, to the 35th Annual RV Show held in the Statehouse Convention Center. This is a HUGE hall, the size of several football fields across and down, filled with motor homes, travel trailers, and my personal favorites, 5th wheels which is what we have.

We got there about 10 and toured dozens of models. We decided about 1 to break for lunch and went to On the Border for a delicious Mexican meal. We went back to the show for several more hours of looking and headed home about 5. We had a great time.

I love giving and receiving gifts, but time spent with my sweety and a good meal is hard to beat. Although Valentine's Day isn't officially until tomorrow, we've celebrated and had a wonderful time. Hopefully, we don't need just one day out of the year to remember to share our love with family and friends, but should be mindful all year long. To all my friends and family, you are dear to my heart and I love you.

Happy Valentine's Day

Marcia

Snowy Saturday

We woke up this morning to about an inch of snow. No worries, though--no school or work today. It has been a VERY cold week of temperatures and it was nice to sleep in this morning, drink coffee, look out the window at nature's blanket of beauty, and stay warm by the fireside.

And the "fireside" is my main topic today. Since we remodeled our house some 17 or 18 years ago, we have had a wood-burning insert set into a brick fireplace. Wood heat is so warm and we have always enjoyed backing up to it's warmth especially when coming in from the outside. But, it's also a bit dirty to load and cleanup. Then we had the major chore of finding, cutting, hauling, spliting, and stacking the wood pile getting ready for the winter season. And yes, I said "we" because I have always done my part to help out in the endeavor and Collin would tell you so. If Bryan was home, he always helped as well.

Collin always kept the stove up and going, but when he was away, many is the time that I've carried in wood and stoked the fire. Well, no more.

Collin has been captivated for some time by a new method of inserts--wood pellet heat. These are also developed for bio-fuels such as corn. We purchased one of these a few weeks ago and had it installed. He is extremely pleased--really warm heat such as we were used to, much easier to load as he pours in a bucket of pellets, cleanup is a snap with little dust, no more carpet squares over the floor for protection, and no going out into the rain or snow to haul in wood. He is a very happy camper. He is also delighted that if necessary, I could clean it and definately pour in pellets with little effort to stay warm if he wasn't here. He always was concerned if he wasn't here to load wood into the other stove and I had to keep it going. He was even more concerned when our kiddos were small. He didn't want his babies cold.

So here is our new wood pellett insert. What a great day to have it and stay warm.

We've really enjoyed the day. Collin fixed us a late breakfast this morning and we cleaned up the kitchen. He has cleaned the stove, while I've done some laundry, and he helped me tag team some cleaning in our bedroom and bathroom. I can't tell you how appreciative I am to get some help. Bryan has been home this weekend and I am presently being serenaded by drums which I love. Collin is enjoying You Tube on his computer and here I am.

Where ever you are, I hope you're cozy and warm.

Marcia