Life in the Slow Lane and a Birthday

It was a rainy and cool week and Ramblin' Man 

was doing his thing - in Salt Lake City, so I had 

a few days to myself. 

What did I do? I hunkered down and did some

spring cleaning. I know, boring! 

That's exactly what Princess Peanut thought as she 

found the most comfortable spot to nap the day away. 

Weenie Baby was also blissfully cozy. 

Whitey Bear prefers the rug.

So while they dreamed of chasing squirrels, 

I stayed busy dusting and organizing and washing 

and vacuuming. 

We are finally getting a bit of snow in the mountains, 

and that cold mountain air forced me to keep a fire going

while I worked. 

I still haven't decorated for Easter......

I am always trying to catch up with life, it seems. 

The clouds finally cleared and I was able to 

get outside for some gardening. 

Since our coyote sighting, I have been a little wary

about going out with the little dogs, 

but I have not seen him again and 

Whitey is very good at alerting me

to any 'intruders', so I put on my gardening

gloves.

Spring is showing its beauty and pink currant is 

one of my favorite native blooms. 

The hummingbirds would agree - it is theirs, too.

You can see it growing to the right of the bench.
This is a busy place with hummingbirds darting back and forth.

You can also see the lawn needs mowing.....
That is Ramblin' Man's job,
only because I can't start the mower!

But it has been raining and he has been away.

The viburnum and sweet box are still blooming

and fill the back yard with intoxicating fragrance. 

Star magnolia really does look like floating stars

with a backdrop of evergreens. 

Delicate violets - a gift from a friend's garden- 

bloom by the rose arbor. 

A little friend......a Douglas squirrel. 

I sit here and enjoy the fresh air and bird song. 

This is the view and where I saw the coyote
 from my kitchen window last week.

My giant holly tree is straight ahead. 

It is still loaded with berries until 

the cedar waxwings arrive.  

The fragrant Narcissus that I planted last fall

in the wildflower garden are starting to bloom. 

A closer look. These make me smile.

The first forget-me-not in the same garden.

A hawk flies over. 

Weenie Baby helps me plant a new rose - 'Blaze', 

a red climber. 

It will look beautiful on my arbor.

I fertilized all the roses and
put out 'Worry Free' slug bait,
which is safe for pets and wildlife.  

I also planted a sumac, which 

Weenie Baby promptly dug back up

when I wasn't looking :-)

She's a digger.....

These are blooming by the arbor. 

It's getting late and my Ramblin' Man 

is due home after his long trip. 

It's his birthday and I baked his favorite 

 crumb cake to enjoy after his favorite meal. 

(Broccoli beef stir fry)

I cut some pansies from my potted garden on the deck
to display in my Mum's blue glass.

My Dad bought her the tiny hand blown pitcher
from her favorite Ethan Allen store
in the small Massachusetts town where I grew up.

It has traveled 3000 miles and many years.
She kept it on her kitchen window sill
along with a small collection of blue glass bottles.

The bottle says 'Bromo Seltzer.'

A simple celebration.....

Just the two of us. 

(We'll celebrate with the family at Easter)

I've celebrated birthdays with him 

since he turned 16! 

My sweet 'Blue Eyes' and me - High School Sweethearts

We are so blessed to share these many years 

of celebrations together.

xoxo

Wishing you lovely spring days, Dear Friends!
A celebration in itself!

xoxo