Spring Is In The Air

Yesterday's high winds brought a change to the air.  I can feel Spring right around the corner.  My dogs feel it too.  They are more frisky.

The trails I hike on are turning a wee bit greener...

Violet hears Spring coming...

And, I see it on the moss covered hills...

and in the longer days...

and I appreciate it.

Decorating for Easter

This was the view from my kitchen window this morning...

Yeah, I know...

Enough is enough, already...

Doesn't Mother Nature know Spring and Easter will be here very shortly?  Well, she isn't acting like it, so I decided to take the matter into my own hands and bring spring inside.  Off I went.  I went straight out to the barn and traded out my red quilt for a cute pastel quilt that I bought a couple of years ago at my favorite second hand store for $4.00.  It is very spring like and I love it.
Once that was done, I switched my table cloth to something a bit more floral...

 

baked some homemade banana nut bread...

and put some lilies and painted eggs in my ironstone pitcher...

Look at the detail of the eggs.  Daisies, daffodils, clay pots, chicks and a purple bow tied at the base.  So, so pretty :) 

You knew the Easter Bunny had to be digging around somewhere didn't you?  Well, he is.  And, he's right here at my house!!!  I call him Peter, but don't tell anybody!!!  (Peter Cottontail to be exact)

He thinks my cling-on chicks and flowers are really cute...

I think they are really cute too.  However, it is the paper whites that I am forcing that keeps him most interested.  Because not only are they beautiful, but they smell absolutely heavenly.

Very soon (hopefully) we will be smelling flowers outside.  Until then, however, I will appreciate these.  Now, if you would, please excuse Peter and I - Peter wants to watch Miss Potter...

Google Image

Lucky for him...
I just happen to have it.
Have a wonderful night :)

Happy Birthday Alexandra

Twenty two years old today...

 Although this is not original, I believe it was written with you in mind...

Google

And, I would like to add, "You is beautiful - inside and out."
You are my sunshine.

Sunday Recap

It has been cold and blustery here today.
I made blueberry pancakes for DJ...

bundled up and took the dogs for two walks...

ironed my vintage heart table cloth because sometimes girls you have to iron - it just looks better...

which was soon adorned with a bouquet of my favorite flowers (daisies:) and a plate of homemade oatmeal cookies...
The boys have pretty much eaten half of the cookies already.
Yeah, I know - hard to believe...

I watched Stripes play with the big cat toy (that would be DJ)...

and after another walk, I returned to the house and the aroma of stuffed cabbage rolls coming from the oven...

Now I am ready to sit by the fire...

have a glass of wine, settle in for the night and watch Once Upon a Time...

Did someone say Once Upon a Time?

Yes, Baby Girl we will be watching Once Upon a Time tonight.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have a glass of wine calling my name :)
Have a great night.

For the Love of a Dog

So I call my Mom this morning to check in, she informs me that my sister Brenda wants to talk to me.
I was like, "OK...  What's going on?"
Mom, "I'll let her talk to you."
She hands Brenda the phone.
"Hey Bren.  What's up?"
"Pepper hurt her leg terrible last night.  Not sure what's wrong, but I really need to take her to the vet and I was wondering if you could help me out."
Help her out?  Really?  I mean it's not like she even likes the dog...
She loves that dog with her whole heart.   Of course, I would help her.  

So I made the one hour drive to the vets in a snow storm.

It is the same veterinary clinic that my parents took our dogs to when I was little.  It serves a large farming community and is a really nice facility.

I actually find it comforting there.

 

Pepper Anne, unfortunately, often does not find it comforting and has to be muzzled :(  

However, today she was very well behaved.  Her leg was better, she had her ears checked (she has terrible, terrible food allergies that unfortunately affect her ears), got her shots, and went home with her happy Mom.  I would like to add that my sister's drive home takes less than 15 minutes!!!

I, however, had to drive another 60 minutes in white out conditions to reach my house...

Would I help her?  Really?  How could I not?
I kinda like the dog too :)

Springlike

It was an absolutely beautiful day yesterday.  The sun was out, the wind was blowing and there was a hint of green on the ground.  It was definitely a springlike day.  I love walking all the time, but spring (or springlike) is the best.  Sure, there's mud and dirt that gets tracked into the house after the walk, but the longer days and warmer temperatures more than makes up for those minor inconveniences.
Dave and DJ joined the dogs and me last night for our walk.  As usual, I took a bunch of pictures but this time I tried the wide focus on the camera.  I like the perspective it gives.

Upper Pond

Lower Pond

Vernal Pool

Moon in Distance

Venus is to Right of Tree

Moon at End of Walk

Easy to understand why I love my walks (and camera) so much isn't it?
In case you are wondering, the camera is a Canon Power Shot SD1300 IS.
Have a great day!

How My Pets Really Feel About the Super Bowl

Stripes...

"Just catching a few winks before the pre-game show."

Violet...

"Let's make some food!!!  You know, if I could wear an apron, I would!!!  Hey, why can't I wear an apron?"

Snoop...

"Bring it!!!  I'm ready for some football and food!!!  Yeah!!!"

Suzie...

"There's a game on today?  What kind of game?  Football?  Really?"

It is a house divided I tell ya :)

All Flowers and Candy

Valentine's Day is less than two weeks away so I thought I would share with you some inspiring ideas.
Flowers...

That's the amaryllis we bought my Mom this Christmas.
Eight blossoms.
Can you even believe it?
Flowers are good...

Candy.
Do I really need to say anything else?
Didn't think so.
I'll just let you savor the photos...

Here's the link for the candy: http://www.oliverscandies.com/.

It is my favorite candy store ever :)

Once you go there, you'll never go anywhere else.

Ladies, I have given you a lot of great ideas.
Now do your best Larry the Cable Guy impersonation and tell the men in your life to "Git-R-Done!"
You're gonna thank me for this :)
Have a great day!