Home Sweet Home in the Spring

 I finally got some sunshine and warmth. I have completely soaked it in. Yesterday, as soon as Miles went down for his nap I quickly mopped the kitchen and went to sit outside on the back deck. The sun was shining and the sun felt so good. I was like an alligator on a log. 

I will share my view and my thoughts while soaking it all in.

That pine tree to the right and I have a love/hate relationship. It drops so much on my decks. Right now it is those little worms. They are everywhere. It basically sits in the water, and I have worried more than once that it will fall right into that kitchen during a hurricane. On the other hand, I have wondered if it doesn't act like a shield for the flying things in a storm. 

Here's the deal I have no control over any of it.

It does provide shade and it has survived a lot of storms in its life, so I do my best not to give it too much grief over all the mess it makes.

I moved the geraniums over to enjoy a bit of those sunny skies too. One of them was falling over due to the wind that had come in earlier in the week. Is March 4th and 5th too late for March coming in like a lion?

Here's the deal with March.... It is magical in one sense, because everything is coming back to life but I think it and December are the most unpredictable and wild months for weather here in my little corner of the world.

Do you see that beautiful blue sky? 

That live oak on the left is about to undergo a major change. Between now and the first of May it will lose all its leaves and yet never be bare. Oh the deck will be covered in so much stuff, but I wouldn't change a thing. I love watching it all happen.

Today after taking Mom for an appointment I came home to a little one who wasn't interested in a nap so he and I sat outside in the front yard. He and Gus had a blast together collecting sticks.

Spring is showing up around the home and in the neighborhood. I took a few photos this week of all the things. I love to look back at my blog to see if something is early or late or right on schedule. 

Down the street, I took this picture because the petals around it are as pretty as the blooms on the bush. The camellias have been pretty this year in my neighborhood and I think right on cue they are finishing up just in time for azaleas to be the star of the show.

For those that think I always have perfect flowers, let me show you the truth. The pansies have had a lackluster year. The only pot of the 3 that looks good is the ones front and center. Two things are going on here...one is the light in this area has changed over the years with the growth of the trees. It gets less sunlight especially in the seasons other than summer.  The one closest to the house just fizzled out and got a disease which I think was lack of sun and so much rain. I didn't have to water all winter. 

They will remain there until April when I will replace with vincas.

The orange tree this morning is just covered with little buds for the blooms. They are beautiful when they open. All of those will not produce oranges because it is too small at this point. The lemon tree is ragged this year but has survived. It too is just too small, so I don't think we will have a large harvest in fall.

The other morning I went out to photograph my 5 roses downstairs. They are all sprouting and looking great. I can't wait for the first bloom. Out of all the signs of nature, I am thinking this one is the latest. They seems to be a little slow this year. 

WE have a lot of work planned this spring in this area. We have to finish getting all the dirt packed in between the new and old seawall. It is mostly done. We need to add some in right under the walkway out to the water and then I think we can call that a win.

We will finally be adding a rail to the second level. The wood is there and don't even ask why it hasn't already been completed. Jeff sat on that one a long time. Just waiting on the workers. Notice all the things that need to be done. Constant blowing off of the droppings from the trees and pressure washing the mildew off the stone. Pollen and window washing too. I am ready to get out there and get it all started. 

T-Ball started for Tucker. Jeff and I got to visit last weekend for the opening ceremonies which is a big deal in Destin.

It was still pretty cool and cloudy last weekend.

Miles is growing up so fast. He was is in deep thought the other morning while eating his muffin. He loves to eat. He is going to eat them out of house and home when he gets older.

This morning I made a smoothie which I think he was pretty sure was the greatest thing he had ever tasted. He wanted more more more and sucked up the last drop.

Those were the highlights of this week. 

Spring has arrived in the house no matter the outside weather. I am all in at this point.

Leap Year 2024

 I feel like the following picture sums up this winter here in the Panhandle. Winter has had a record name of cloudy days. The rain would form in the Gulf and really not go the normal northeast direction but would often linger over us and then fizzle away. It has been the cloudiest on record for our area and FAR too COLD for my blood. I am over it and thought I would not make it:) but the sun came out at the end of last week and saved me from despair. Kind of sounds like a country song in the making. It is once again cloudy to end out February and I am ready for spring.

February has been once again so busy. At one point I was reading along with posts from my favorite bloggers and then this past week and I just gave up. I will catch up soon. I decided to instead try to put up one last post for the month with the good things in life!!!

This little stitch which I think is my second stitch that I ever stitched oh so long ago. I keep it right by the door in my sewing room/office as a good reminder of doing that...counting my blessings.

Even though my mood has been as cloudy as the weather some days, I know I am so blessed and always circle back to being grateful.

*****

I have been stitching only on my Ole Florida Sampler. I snapped a picture before moving the Qsnap.

Then here is the current state of stitching. I am progressing nicely and enjoying the stitch. I am almost at to the border on this side. 

Like I said, February has been fast and furious...

But the camellias have done their best to brighten moods. I have kept a bowl full all winter on the kitchen counter. These decorated the counter for Valentine's Day.

Where on that day, we had our small group Bible Study as usual. We all decided to forego trying to go out since it is hard to get a place anyway and do our usual night. I decided to make dessert for everyone.

The heart shaped brownies were topped with ice cream and chocolate syrup also.

Since it was the start of Lent, we also later had communion. It was the most wonderful way to spend the evening with friends in Bible Study, communion and fellowship.

Jeff decided to hire out the usual chore of putting fresh pine straw out and I didn't complain one bit.

I honestly enjoy working in my flowers and yard, but this year it seemed like such a gift to me to have it done. The guy showed up down the street doing a house. He was not mow, blow and go guy but a landscaper and outside house work guy.  Jeff quickly booked him.

He did an amazing job and I am honestly thrilled with it.

I know many thought I was crazy when I downsized my houseplants and my outdoor pots because I love growing things, but too many is when they become a burden rather than enjoyment. Jeff read his wife well this year and I am just ready for spring. 

Azaleas should be next on the blooms and the day lilies are breaking ground. I have the roses pruned but they seem to be dragging their tails. They will start popping when we have some significant sunshine.

Jeff and I traveled over to Cape San Blas last Saturday to make sure all our summer plans were good ones. It has already been 3 years since I turned 60 and the family went. We said it would happen again soon and yet we haven't made it back. Lindsay is the one to get the plans together and Mom and Dad made sure it was all paid for and set. We will go over again this summer and rent a boat this time. Last time was no fun for Jeff with taking ours. We tried to get the same house as last time, but it was already booked. Lindsay found us another one very similar so plans are made and this time there will be 3 little boys instead of just Tucker and hopefully before full on hurricane season. 

He has also planted himself a garden over at Paul Allen's house so he has something to do. Potatoes and onions are planted with tomatoes coming in March. 

That is the good stuff over here and the other stuff we all have our fair share of. Mom is about the same. She did fracture another piece of her back. No clue as to what she did to make that happen. It may be that her spine is just that weak. Plugging along===she is.

To end this post on Leap Year...

My first Springer Spaniel was a Lear Year Baby. Her name was Sally. We got her a few months after marrying and she became my first dog/CHILD. Never was a dog more spoiled than Sally. She lived 15 years and welcomed Lindsay and Paul Allen.  She loved our family well.

That is a wrap on February. Come on Spring. _Sandy