Prepping My First Garden

This is going to be my first serious garden.  I do not have a green thumb and my family teases me that when I walk through the nursery that the plants start to wither and die as I pass by.  Yeah it's that bad.

We have started cleaning up the plots none of the plants were dug up last season.

Bill took the gate off and brought it up to the house.  The wind had it's way with it and did a lot of damage to it and the hinges.  I can not plant until the gate is back on the deer would have a free for all.

Even Whitey came down to garden to check it out

There is a lot of crab grass around boy that stuff has nasty roots.  Any ideas on getting rid of that stuff?

I am looking at this garden not only my first garden but as a learning experience too.  I know I will make mistakes but I hope to learn from them and next year having a beautiful garden.  Any tips will be helpful.

Until Next Time,

Pam

What a Beautiful Day

Spring has finally come to the mountain and what a beautiful day

Bill went down to the storage to bring more stuff home.  While he was gone I went outside for a walk and to listen for sonic booms from Nellis Air Force Base.  I didn't hear any booms instead I heard gobbles.  We have some wild turkeys hanging around the house.  Bill made it back just in time to hear them talking away.

We headed to town to picked up our mail, stopped at the hardware store and then off to the nursery.  I picked up a couple more herbs and planted those today.  I also got 4 different bell peppers, chili peppers, tomatoes and a semi dwarf bing cherry tree.  Bill and I are going to work in the garden tomorrow I hope to get most of it planted.

I started book 2 of Debbie Macomber I'm a very slow reader but I have hoping to finish book 2 and 3 before the end of May when Lisa See's book Dreams of Joy is due out.  It is the sequel to Shanghai Girls which was a very good read.

Until Next Time,

Pam

Yesterday Snow and Strawberry Shortcake

Yesterday Bill kept saying it was going to snow and that evening I looked out the window and couldn't see  the lights of the town below.  Bill then said see I told you it was going to snow I can read the Utah weather I'm a freken Doppler 7.  I couldn't stop laughing Anna said it sounded like I was going to lay an egg.

He was right we did get some snow a light dusting of snow.

Last night I made Strawberry Shortcake.  I use Bisquick to make my shortcake the only thing I change in the recipe is I double the sugar.   It was so yummy.

I have errands in town today after that I'm not sure what I'll be doing.

Until Next Time,

Pam

Copic Markers

I'm dying to use my new Compic Markers that I got from Ellen Hutson what a nice selection of scrapbook, card making and art projects supplies she has.  I just placed another order with her today.

I love the new colors they fit me to a "T"

Today I worked a little in the craft room and tomorrow Bill is going to put some shelves up for me along with my racks so I can get some stuff put away.  I bought a wireless printer and I am trying to make up my mind if it should go in the craft room or the office.  I think I will get more use out of it in my craft room.  

The wire gym baskets are working out great I am putting my embellishments in them.  I found an auction on ebay for 6 of them and I won the bid.  I think a total of 8 of them should work nicely.

Enjoying this Spring Day

Until Next Time,

Pam

It's Time to Think about Easter

I am a real fan of Williams Sonoma there was one 15 minutes from my house now I would have to drive to  Las Vegas 3 hours away.  At least I can order online.  I love that their website has recipes besides all the wonderful appliances, gadgets and anything else you need for your kitchen indoors and out. 

All the items above can be found online I have provided the links below

Spring Wreath - Carrot Cake - Easter Eggs - Rack of Lamb with Mint Jelly - Roasted Asparagus with Lemon - Baby Spinach Salad with Roasted Strawberries

What are your plans for Easter?

Until Next Time,

Pam

Bill's Favorite Dinner

Bill loves breakfast for dinner.  Tonight I made poached eggs with peppers and onions and crispy baked bacon.  He was so happy you would have thought it was Christmas. lol  It was darn good if I say so myself.  Mmmmm English Muffin for breakfast and for dinner I was in heaven.

We do have some sunshine right now but that is suppose to change in a couple hours.  We have a serve storm alert until 10am tomorrow.  Bill cleared off the deck twice today and here you can see it needed it a third time and it's a covered deck.

Even with all the snow Bill and I had a wonderful day.  The sellers left a snowblower and Bill started it up to see how it worked.  We found out why they didn't take it with them.  It was so funny watching Bill out pushing Mr. Snowblower it was turning but instead of blowing it out it was freezing up inside.   We had a nice laugh together and now I'm checking out what is the best snowblower out there.  Everyday on our 42 acres is an adventure that we are enjoying to the fullest.

Until Next Time,

Pam

Winter Wonderland of Snow

It looks like we will be staying on the mountain today instead of going into town and doing my grocery shopping.  It is suppose to snow the entire day which will mean we have had 2 1/2 days of snow.  This just seems so surreal to me after all I spent 52 years in Southern California.

I am tired of taking photos of snow after all it all looks the same.  However, this photo does have the locals in it.

Today I will change things up a bit so - For Today:

I am Listening to:  The Hawk 95.9 Southern Utah's Real Classic Rock (that's what their website says)

I am Reading: Debbie Macomber, Midnight Sons

Outside my window: Snow and my husband shoveling snow

Next to me: A comfy minky blanket, Whitey and my Nikon D80 camera (I've got to be ready)

What I've been thinking about:  My garden do I really want to start this garden with seeds or go to the nursery and buy plants.  Plants are winning since this is my first serious garden and I don't want to mess it up. 

What I'm Thankful for:  That we are happy and healthy

What I'm Creating:  A mess in the craft room, LOL.  My craft room back in CA was half the size and everything had a place. My craft room here is also "My Space" besides my crafts and sewing it has my stuff that was in a different room in CA and now I have to figure out how to organize everything to work together.  I need bookcases and other vintage type things to put my stuff in.  I could find these things easily at a yard sale or the Pasadena or Long Beach Flea Markets and that is not the case here.  I think I'm going to have to make it to the Pasadena Flea Market at least once this summer.

Something you might not know about me:  I daydream and procrastinate way too much

Until Next Time,

Pam

Another snow day

We woke up to a foot of snow and it is suppose to snow until Sunday.  I took a photo of when it started snowing yesterday and a photo this morning at the same place.  

Bill was so sweet he started a fire early this morning so when I got up it was so cozy in the house.  Looks like we will have to chop some more firewood soon. 

We don't usually go into town when it is snowing but we need to get bills put in the mail today.  After that I plan on working in the craft room and see how many more boxes I can get unpacked.  Until I get some book cases I have no idea where all this stuff is going to go.  As I always say to Bill "we will figure it out"  that goes for everything we are learning living in this part of the country.

Until Next Time,

Pam

A little of this and a little of that

The temps dropped, we are having strong winds and it is now snowing.  We could get over a foot of snow with this storm.  I'm hoping this will be the last snow fall of the season.  My strawberries and herbs have stay in the laundry room until the weather gets nice again.

Here are my ebay finds for the craft room.  2 vintage gym baskets I hope to find more I think they will be nice storage.  For my fabric I found a vintage laundry basket.  

I worked on my craft room today getting a few boxes unpacked.  Whitey was getting a little restless and didn't want to be in her bed on the floor.  Once I put the bed on my work table she calmed down and went to sleep.  Isn't she a spoiled child.

Update on the AeroGarden.  It's been 9 days since I posted about my AeroGarden.  I am so pleased with the growth of the herbs.  I'm already planning my next crop...tomatoes and peppers.

Anna went back to California with Josh.  She will be there until Monday then she will be heading home.  She wanted to pick up her car which has been stored at Josh's house.  I will be a nervous wreck on Monday she will be making the 7 hour drive by herself.  I am going to try and keep very busy between now and Monday otherwise I will dwell on it.

Until Next Time,

Pam

The Royal Wedding

I am not a "Royal Watcher" like millions I did watch the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana.  I felt it only fitting that I will be watching the wedding of Princess Diana's son William to Kate.  My daughter and I thought it would be fun to have a Tea Party while watching the nuptials on April 29th.

It has been so long since we had a Tea Party.  We use to have a Tea Party once a month with my mom and my friend Carol.  We would take turns hosting the Tea Party.  We would pick a theme, decorate and have little gifts.  It was so much fun and I have such wonderful memories of the parties.

I will start working on a menu I would like to try some different sandwiches and treats.  Of course we will have traditional scones and cucumber sandwiches.  I will be checking my tea books and the Internet for recipes.  Any Ideas????

Until Next time (which might even be today),

Pam

Monday and Tuesday

My daughter loves to play Angry Birds (I love playing it too) so for her birthday I ordered a dozen Angry Birds Cake Pops.    They were so moist and delicious not to mention so darn cute.  I got them from MomsKillerCakes. They were a big hit with everyone.

We did get a few inches of snow on Monday which made for a beautiful morning.

In the afternoon we went for a nice drive through Quail Creek State Park. 

Today Bill and I worked in the garden pulling weeds and old plants.  Bill is going to fix the garden gate the wind has been so vilolent that a couple of the henges right off of it.   The gate needs to be fixed before I start planting I don't want the deer making a mess in the garden.

Anna, Josh and I went bowling this afternoon.  They have a very nice bowling alley here and I had a nice time.  I love that a couple of 22 year olds let me tag along with them. 

I brought 3 drawf fig trees with me from California they have been in the basement waiting until the day I can put them outside without freezing.  I am so happy that they made it through the winter and are doing so well.  Hopefully in the next few weeks they will be able to stay outside during the night.

Until Next time,

Pam

Happy Birthday Anna

22 year ago my baby girl was brought into this world.  Never in my life did I think that that 9 pound baby would bring me this much joy over 22 years.

Happy Birthday Anna

I love you with all my Heart and Soul

Lots of Love,

Mom

Nolan's Cheddar

Sharing Photos Today

Today the Family went for a nice outing on the bike trail.  Anna rode her bike, Josh his skateboard and Bill and I walked.  We went about 3 miles total.  Along the trail is a snow run off stream and the water is starting to come down but not too heavy yet.

We also saw some wildlife along the way.  A prairie dog came out of his burrow.  A red robin and a woodpecker sat long enough for me to take these photos.

When we got home I noticed we have some plants starting to bloom.  I have no clue what they are but I will soon find out.  

I have my work cut out for me in the garden.  Here is a photo of it.  It is overgrown and a lot of junk in it.  Without measuring it Bill says it is at least a 20 x 20.  Wish me luck I'm not good with plants and this will be my first serious garden.  Any tips?

We are going out to dinner tonight to celebrate Anna's birthday which is not until tomorrow.  Not too much is open on Sunday so we will celebrate out tonight and then tomorrow..........Well I can't say anything until tomorrow Anna does read my blog :)

Until next time,
Pam

It's great to have the kids home

It has been a very busy week

Bill and I spent two days cleaning the house.  It looks pretty good.  We just need a few more items and I think the house will be complete.  We need a dining room table and chairs.  Right now I have a plant under the light fixture so no one will hit their heads on it.  We would also like to have a entertainment center built for the TV.  I would like to get a rug for the living room floor.  The only other room that would need furniture is the craft room and I am looking all the time for some used bookcases.  Since I left my desk in California I will need one of those too.  It will have to be small since it will be going in the guest bedroom. 

Anna and Josh got home safe and sound.  They went to the baseball fields to practice batting and throwing balls.  They have great parks and sports facilities here.

The whole family went to the nursery and I got 6 hanging strawberry plants for the deck.  I picked up some rosemary and spearmint.  Next trip I'm going to get some blackberry and raspberry plants.  They have a great selection of vegetable plants next year I'm going to buy those instead of starting with seeds.

Today was such a beautiful day that Anna, Josh and myself drove down to St. George to do some shopping.  We had lunch at Five Guys Burger and Fries.  We shopped at Robert's Arts and Crafts, Costco, Lip Trix and went grocery shopping at Harmons.  I enjoyed the 78 degrees and blue skies but it isn't going to last we are suppose to have snow on Sunday. *heavy sigh*  It was starting to dry out and I was going to start working in the garden.  I will try to get a couple hours of pulling weeds and plants out of the garden tomorrow.

Until next time,

Pam