Blooming projects

One of the things I need to pay more attention to is how long I go in between posts here. It seems when I let more than three days or so lapse, I end up with so much to tell you all, that it practically becomes a novel when I do post again. I used to tease my sister about the times she would call me when I was out and she would leave me the longest message on my answering machine. I always knew I should just pour myself a cup of coffee and pull up a chair, because she would talk into my machine as though I were there and she was having a one sided conversation. She would literally run the thing out of tape (back before digital machines). The one thing I've always known about my sister is she does love the sound of her own voice. Ha! So, maybe I should begin prefacing my posts with something like, "pour yourself your favorite beverage because this is another one of those long posts." Anyway, let's begin....

I'm sure you remember my post about the "push beets" (bush beans) that my four year old grandson planted? He came over last night and I got to show explain to him how those were the beans he poked down into the soil. After he understood how little plants grew from those beans, a huge smile came over his face. I told him the next thing we need to do is get them into the ground so they can really spread out and then pretty soon we can have beans to eat. Gardening can be so enjoyable and fun for children, and this grandma is loving it right along with them!

 

I have never grown strawberries before, so it's very exciting to discover I have some actual berries on my plants now!! I could so get used to this gardening business. In fact, I have some ideas forming about how I would like my raised beds to look for next year, but then I start thinking about that greenhouse I've been dreaming about too. My zucchini is doing way better than I ever expected, but then, I already knew how hardy they can be. My ex husband and I used to grow more than we ever knew what to do with. I was just surprised how they perked right up after I set these two plants in some of the crappiest soil I've ever seen. Maybe it's not too bad of soil though, since Scooter and I used to have a garden where I put them. It's just that there are all kinds of stubborn, thick roots of some sort. I suspect it's the rosemary that used to be there when we first moved into our house. Looks like they are working around it though..

 

 

I have decided to do some summer reading, something I haven't done in a very long time. Well, not with an actual book, you know, the kind with actual paper. There's just something about holding an actual book and flipping the pages. I have some very fond memories of a life long ago, where I sat in my chaise on the deck next to my pool, and would read as my children splashed about on a hot summer day. While I don't have a pool now (soon to come), I can still sit in a very peaceful part of my back garden, on my swing, and while away a bit of time with my nose in a good book. I plan to start with The Last Days of California, by Mary Miller. I happened to pick this up at Barnes & Noble a couple of months ago, and I'm very excited about starting it! I tend to stick with the same authors, John Irving, Anne Tyler, Jennifer Weiner, to name a few, and every once in a while, Tom Clancy. It just depends on what I'm in the mood for at the time, humor or mystery, or maybe just a good historical novel.

 

This past Wednesday evening, I invited my weekly knitting group over, rather than meet at our usual spot, Panera's Bread. We all had such a fun time, as most of us started our KAL (knit a-long) sweaters. I think I might have mentioned before that there are two different patterns the group has chosen. Some of us are doing the Vodka Lemonade, by Thea Colman, and there are a couple who are going to work on the Adrift, by Carol Feller. There was wonderful 'party' food, shared with good friends, and I made Pomegranate Martinis, for those that didn't want wine. Oh, and a few of them also tried some Angry Orchard Hard Cider, one of my favorite libations! It was definitely a great evening where we could get loud and rowdy if we wanted (the dogs didn't mind the attention either!), and I used our cable to have nothing but 90's hits playing ever so slightly in the background. I love entertaining, and would be happy to host another knitting night in the future. After all, how can you go wrong with this combination...adult drinks, knitting, food, friends, knitting, music from an era we all enjoy, knitting, and did I mention there was knitting that happened too? This is such a fantastic group of friends!!!

 

 

I chose to knit the Vodka Lemonade cardigan, and so far, I am absolutely loving this pattern! Last night, I finished the collar, and I began dividing off for the sleeve shaping. This pattern is definitely holding my interest!

 

 

It began as a chilly morning here in northern California, but it promises to be a beautiful day, as the sun has emerged from behind the clouds, and there is just a slight breeze. I'm looking forward to spending the day with my dear husband, bbqing our dinner, and then off to my grandson's ball game!

 

Here's to a super weekend for you!!!