big little things happening around here! To make a long story short, I'm on my way to being a gardener.
Look at the zucchini seeds I planted on Saturday.
And here are the ones I put in a pot. (Yes, those are packing peanuts popping through. I wanted something down there to help it drain and not waste so much soil.)
The ones in the ground still haven't done anything, just like the tomato seeds. I'm not giving up. While I'm waiting on the tomatoes though, I really need to research and find out what I'm supposed to do next with these seeds that are sprouting. Wish me luck.
and I'm excited. Five years ago, the neighborhood ACC approved an extension to our patio and walkway to go through the single gate we were about to add. We added the single gate, but never got around to the patio. The patio is coming... fingers crossed. I say fingers crossed because they started digging on Monday and on Friday when they were waiting on the cement truck, it started raining. They said they'd be back tomorrow to pour. Guess what. There's 80% chance of rain tomorrow. I have already scheduled to take the dogs back to the vet for boarding tomorrow too.
Anyway, here's where they removed our pavers and will pour the walkway.
Doesn't that just make sense to have that gate right there? And with a walkway? I don't like getting my feet dirty and everything about this makes me happy. And before we had the fence replaced, the only gate on that side was the double gate way in the middle. Ahh...
So, here's where the extension to the patio will be. Come through the gate and walk straight to the patio, no more booby traps from the dogs to deal with. Also, now people can easily come straight to the back yard whenever we have stuff going on back there. No more listening for the doorbell and all that jazz. Gathering in the backyard? No problem, come on back.
Here's another reason I wanted that concrete there so badly.
Look how dirty the brick is where the dogs would dig. Yuck.
And here's the other side of the patio.
I'm going to add potted plants to hide the sleep aid window unit. I need to find new storage for the water hose too. That metal thing isn't going to stake into concrete. I also already have plans for the stacks of stepping stones and pavers.
Before they cleared this area out, I didn't really think that would add much. Once it was cleared, that spot looks a lot bigger than I'd imagined. I can't wait.
Speaking of those pavers and stepping stones, there's one more thing happening. I'm going to make a small platform to put in the yard. Looking at that last picture, it'll be up against that fence but down to the left. On that platform will be containers. Containers of what, you ask?
I ordered a few seeds and I'm going to see how they take off. Once (if) they start growing, I'll transfer them to containers and that will be the beginning of my container garden.
I read that roma tomatoes and zucchini are good for starting in July in this zone, so that's what I have. The 5 egg holes on the right are roma tomato seeds and all the other holes are zucchini. I also have zucchini in a little pot by my herbs (that'll mainly get shade) and I put some seeds in the flower bed too.
*not chives
Those will mainly get sun. I'm hoping with the different areas, something will work. By the time they're ready for a bigger container, I'm counting on the platform being ready. My building skills aren't near as good as my gardening skills... and my gardening skills aren't good. It sounds like the theme for July is high hopes. Like needing a walkway for a gathering when gatherings are pretty much outlawed. Oh well, I'll be ready when it's time.
So that's a few of the things keeping me busy and excited. Once all this is done, I'll get back to trying to keep the dogs in the yard. Did I mention they dug another hole and Archer went out along the back? Yeah, that happened, right after I'd been bragging about how smart he is by not doing that again. Whatever, I'm focusing on my concrete and plants right now.
with the plan of Cosme using it in the warmer weather and me using it in the cold weather. I finally got to use it. We were due for a pretty cold night a few nights ago and I was getting chilly. Knowing I wasn't looking forward to a cold bed, I moved the blower from his side to my side of the bed. I turned it on to get an idea of what I needed to adjust the settings to. I went ahead and left it on so I'd have a warm spot when I got under the blanket. By the time I got to bed, the timer had already gone off and the Bed Jet was done. I got in without it blowing and my side felt nice. I went ahead and started it back up, being under the covers and all. One word: WOW. Or, how about AMAZING. Or even EXCELLENT... especially for someone with popsicle feet. That was the best. We used it for a couple of nights and then the temps went back up. It's supposed to get cold again either today or tomorrow and I can't wait for bed! I read that the low for Tuesday is supposed to be 29. I've done quite a bit of cooking and I plan to make bread today. I'm in total hunker-down mode. If the baby weren't coming tomorrow, I'd probably stay in bed all day.
Speaking of bed, I think Cosme is finally used to the Purple mattress. He made the comment a couple of days ago that he's been sleeping really well. I've noticed how hard I've been sleeping too. I also think my fluffy pillow doesn't work with this bed. The flatter one is much more comfortable. I think I've also been sleeping on my back more than I ever have. My back's been feeling better as well, just in time to put the Christmas tree up.
I found a tree online and was going to order it Saturday but got distracted and never did. I woke up to an email from Rakuten/Ebates on Sunday morning with a bunch of coupon codes for Kohl's. Knowing that Kohl's also had the tree I wanted, I pulled it up and bought it.
Look at the deal I got!
Okay, so while that is an awesome deal, it's really only $20 cheaper than I found it at Home Depot and Amazon. I went ahead and got it from Kohl's because yeah, it was $20 cheaper but I also got cash back from Rakuten. Oh, and I also got Kohl's cash so I can spend more money at Kohl's. How considerate of them. I just love a good deal.
complaining for everyone to know that my back has been bothering me. It all started a few years ago. I started going to the chiropractor, we got a new mattress, and the aches eased off. I haven't been going to the chiropractor, we needed a new mattress, and the aches were back. I was using Icy Hot and ibuprofen daily. I went down to look at mattresses one day and found one I LOVED. I told them I knew I didn't want memory foam because I don't want to feel like I'm sinking into a mattress. They led me to it and as soon as I got on, I said that was the one. It was a Purple. I tried the 2 Hybrid and the 3 Hybrid. The 3 was too soft. If you haven't seen what it's made of, you should. It's pretty awesome. Anyway, we didn't do anything about it because I wasn't about to buy a mattress without Cosme trying it out first. One day, I thought.
I'm not sure exactly what the mattress grid is made of but this miniature piece is fun to squeeze.
Last weekend my back was aching so I messaged a massage therapist on Sunday. I asked if she did chair massages and told her about my back and how I'm weird and can't do a regular massage. She scheduled me for Tuesday. Cosme had a break on Monday evening so we went to Mattress Firm so he could test the Purple mattress. He got on and loved it. He actually thought the 2 Hybrid was soft and liked how the Original was firmer. They actually feel about the same but the Hybrid seems bouncier. (I don't think the Original has springs. I don't know.) We left with the Original, having 120 days to exchange it if we don't like it or want to go for the Hybrid.
It is definitely firmer than our other mattresses and it took me a day or so to get used to it. It took Cosme a little longer and I think he still might be thinking about going back for the Hybrid. Oh, it also stays cooler than regular mattresses so my weighted blanket definitely helped me get used to that. I went for the chair massage the next day, which helped whatever I pulled in my back while setting up the mattress.
To wrap that long story up, I haven't needed Icy Hot or ibuprofen since last Monday. Well, I did need ibuprofen but that was for a headache. The Icy Hot and ibuprofen are a lot cheaper than the mattress but this way feels better.
solid week between my last post and this one, but then I decided I'd go ahead and do it because I have time RIGHT NOW.
Here's what's been going on.
Something came over me this weekend and I baked. It's like I was going through withdrawals and had to bake everything.
I made Strawberry Shortcake Scones.
I did the glaze a little different this time. Instead of using only vanilla, I used half vanilla and half almond extract. I also added a couple of TBS of melted butter. I'm giving those two thumbs up.
I also made cookies. I found this recipe online for Chunky Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies. Peanut butter cookies are right up there alongside sugar cookies as far as my favorites go. While chocolate chip isn't my favorite cookie, I usually won't turn one down. Oh, and I do like chocolate and peanut butter candy. When I found this recipe, it sounded like it'd be the ultimate cookie.
I was not disappointed. Looks at those pieces of peanut right there with the chocolate chips.
Yum.
I also made Skillet Focaccia.
I've made it before but I also decided I'd make chicken with fettuccini alfredo so I thought that bread would be a good match. I've mentioned lots of times that as far as Italian food goes, I prefer marinara. I can eat the creamy sauces if I'm in the mood, but it can't be much. Marinara on the other hand, I could eat that every day. So I broke down and made alfredo sauce. I made the chicken like I'd do it for chicken parmesan. We had the pasta and sauce served over it. It was really good. So good, I didn't stop to get a picture until I was done.
I found the recipe on YouTube.
I subscribed after that. I sent the leftovers home with Eric and Paige because I don't think I'll have alfredo sauce for a while. I seriously OD'd. I spent the rest of the night with major indigestion, lots of nausea and a little vomiting. I did watch her video for eggplant parmesan and plan on making that this week.
I haven't only been baking. I also ordered a new pair of tennis shoes.
I tried them out this morning, going for a walk around the block.
I stopped to get this picture while I was out.
We had the house and driveway pressure washed the other day. This is our section of sidewalk at the property line.
Here's everything.
It looks SO much better.
I'm also really excited about Mulligan's, a Top Golf-like place they're opening close to the house. Yes, we used to live closer to an actual golf course and driving range but this is different, it's more chill. Wait, I guess golf is pretty chill. It's just different.
Anyway, I can't wait. I followed them on fb just so I can stay updated. They're opening pretty soon.
I also had Amazon suggest a few things to me:
For him. Because girls don't like Star Wars? Or is it because girls don't make waffles?
For her. Because guys don't like to relax in overgrown fields?
For teens. And grown men acting like teenagers?
For kids. Bath bombs? That's weird.
Speaking of Amazon, I need to go order new earbuds. They were recommended for the dogs. Just kidding. I think I'll do some laundry after that. I guess I should check the refrigerator for dinner options. There definitely won't be any baking.
bought green onion could be saved and planted. I didn't use all of a bunch I bought so I stuck them in a glass of water until I had time to stick them in dirt.
A week or so ago I pulled the dead cilantro out of the pot and stuck the green onion in.
I took this picture yesterday.
I think I see a little progress. Is it just me? I should probably plant more.
I bought the onions to put on the red beans and rice I made a couple of weeks ago, but they started looking a little blah a few days later. On Cosme's last bowl of beans, I used my chives instead. He liked the green onion better. Here are the chives now.
front porch lately and thinking it needs something... other than a good cleaning and a new front door. I was thinking a little simpler, like plants.
I started looking up plants and went with ferns. I knew I wanted larger pots and in my research, I read that instead of wasting money on potting soil to fill the pot with, put rocks in the bottom and fill the middle with non biodegradable packing peanuts. I'm assuming non biodegradable is key so that your plants don't start sinking over time. Anyway, I read that ferns don't have deep roots so you don't need to waste a bunch of soil. The first thing I did was find two pots.
Here's one of them, fast forward to the day I decided to assemble it all.
Next I ordered packing peanuts. Did I spend as much as I would have if I'd just used potting soil? Probably.
This is how the packing peanuts were delivered.
The mailman sent a message letting me know that he left my package on the front porch and how that was probably one of the most interesting deliveries he's seen. It does look pretty odd.
Next, I gathered chunks of broken cinder block from the backyard.
I thought the toad was going to delay my work but he played nice. I didn't mess with him and he didn't mess with me. And yes, the picture is also sideways.
Pile on the peanuts.
And here's the fern.
I didn't even bother with adding potting soil to the pot. For now, I just placed the potted ferns in the larger pot.
Here's the porch now.
I'm not crazy about it. I feel like it's too much and not enough space to walk through.
So... I went to all that trouble so I can probably move the plants to the garage door and leave the front porch as it was.
On the plus side, the toad didn't move while I placed the peanuts and fern in the pot. As far as I know, he's still sitting there but with shade and privacy.
my plants yesterday and there's something in the cilantro and I'm pretty sure it isn't cilantro. It looks similar though.
Here are the little baby leaves of it.
Here are the bigger leaves of it.
But look at it from back here. The cilantro is on sprigs and this thing is a stalk. It looks like parsley but I'm thinking it's a weed. I guess I could smell it to make sure it isn't cilantro.
I don't know. I opened my plant app to see and all the suggestions weren't anything close. I guess I'll just pull it out and throw it away with the weeds.
I also used my app on these things growing on the neighbor's tree.
I figured out they're loquats. I was tempted and picked one to eat. I thought I was being sneaky but then realized Maggie's been eating them all along.
She spits out the seeds when she gets to it.
This wasn't the only seed on the ground...
Then I saw a caterpillar and ran inside. My Earth Day outing was short-lived. I think I'll stop being so curious and stick to the fruit I buy from Kroger. I'll leave the backyard to Maggie and (for now) caterpillars.
Sure wish I had an orange right now. Oh, I think I might have apples. Oh! I think the daily photo challenge prompt might be apples. I love it when things fall into place. It might be an okay day.
Well, just early because I didn't even need my sunglasses. I only did one loop around, so 1.21 miles. That's better than nothing, right? I probably could have done another loop but then I'd have been rushing to get my other stuff done. No walks today though. It's raining.
When I got back home I did a quick glance at my plants.
Looks like something might be enjoying the basil before I get a chance. (Unless that's just poor upkeep on my part.)
The cilantro is doing well. The blurriness of it helps too.
I never planted more chives but what's leftover from last year seems to be doing well too. Looks like I have enough to top a few baked potatoes. Oh, maybe I'll put some on Easter's deviled eggs.
I've also been trying to get some more cleaning and clearing out done. I guess I should work some more on that since it's raining and I'm not going for a walk. I could easily go lie down and take total advantage of the rain and darkness but no, I slept really well last night so I'm just going to take advantage of that instead. I'll put my well rested morning self to work. Fun.
night, unable to sleep, thinking about what all I can do the next day. Last night this morning, when it was 1:00 and I still wasn't tired, I was thinking about how today I could straighten out the garage. This morning, as I'm trying to figure out where I can sneak in a few more minutes of rest, I looked out into the garage as Cosme left and wondered where all that oomph and excitement about straightening the garage went. Was that just the delirium of tiredness coming up with all those grand ideas? I'm pretty sure it was.
It's similar to my idea of hanging artwork with photographs. I got frames for those drawings I shared last week.
The highlights to go with The Minster. By the way, Mom said you can't really see what it is when you're sitting on the couch. Maybe these two need to be moved.
The skull.
Sleeping Eric. I decided the wall needed something to bring it together a little. That something will be blue.
Now what? Seriously, someone tell me what to do now. I have no idea where to start. I guess I could just start hanging and playing around, I don't know.
And to make things a little more overwhelming, I forgot about these two drawings that I love and took from Dodo.
So. Now what?
Cleaning out the garage is looking a little more doable now.
shaving the cats. Strat didn't like it at all. He was doing that growl that cats do when they're not happy and about to lose their crap.
It was fine though. I told him to shut up and that he didn't make the rules today.
Lucille mostly liked it and she took a lot longer. She has had all that long hair, but she just sat there and licked me. Now, when I got closer to her butt, she got a little anxious but who wouldn't? She looks much better now. She went into it as a little kitty and now she's a fierce lion. Well, a lion.
"WTF???" - Strat
That went so much better than expected.
It's also time for the sprinklers again.
I don't know why that makes me so happy. There's just something about having the sprinklers going first thing in the morning that I like. Maybe it's the sound or maybe it's just TCB.
I figured since I was out there watering the yard, I'd also get my new stuff in pots.
I'm hoping for better luck with cilantro this year.
I got rid of my dead rosemary and filled that pot with basil.
I also pulled a few weeds from around my few sprigs of chives.
And then there's Dodo's azalea in the former basil pot. It's still looking pretty good.
Maybe we'll get a little rain today to help out.
Spring has sprung and I'm really liking it.
Next up this week: making vet appointments for the cats. They need to get back on their flea drops and that stuff we got Strat on last year was awesome. The only down side is it has to come from the vet and the cat vet is in Houston. That's just not something I can do anymore so I asked on fb for a good cat vet and I'm going to call this week for an appointment. I wonder if they'll see a lion... Speaking of vets, I noticed Archer walking weird so I need to keep an eye on him and hope he gets to feeling better. I think it might have to do with his stomach. He's walking slow and his hind legs are spread a little. I saw that walk once before, right before he crapped on the sidewalk. I'm going to see if he goes to the bathroom today. If not, I'm wondering if he might be constipated.
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