Busy Week

This week has been very busy in our household. I haven't had time for blogging much due to all of the other activities happening around here. However, I am having withdrawals. I need to post something. So here it goes.

Most of the time we show our best sides in the blogging world, but I need to confess something. My house is a wreck! It looks like a tornado has been through it. Look at my beautiful sunroom.



I do actually have an excuse for this mess. (Doesn't everyone always have an excuse?) Really, I do. We are getting ready to have a yard sale this weekend at my mom and dad's beach home. I ususally donate our items to Goodwill, but we decided that it would be good for the girls to see what a yard sale is all about. Carson has already learned a lot just from the planning of the sale. She was surprised at how her items were priced much lower than the original cost. It has made her think twice about spending on items that are short lived. That's a pretty good lesson to learn.



We have also spent a good bit of time this week getting the kittens used to being outside. Although, they are perfectly content being inside, it is time for them to help me out a little. You may remember my post about my vole problem. Well, these kitties were added to our family to help Mo and it is time for them to get busy.



First, they have to get to know their fellow vole killer, Mo. I'm not sure that they fully trust her yet.



Even though this week has been very busy, we have still been enjoying some of the simple pleasures of living in the country. My favorite pleasure this week....grilled broccoli fresh from the garden. Just drizzle a little olive oil, salt and pepper, then grill. Yummy!





Now, you know what I've been up to this week. What's been going on in your household?

Then and Now

Isn't it funny how time changes things? Last week it was hot and so very dry, but after a day of rain (a little over two inches) everything is green and beautiful again. It made me think about how just a couple of months ago I thought that the winter was going to last forever. I knew it wouldn't, but it just seemed like it would.

I spent some time today looking at some of my late winter posts to see exactly how much things have changed since then. Those of you who have been reading my blog for a while may remember my post about our new vegetable garden. It is hard to believe that we have now harvested some wonderful romaine and broccoli.

Then (early March)


Now (a little overgrown, but producing broccoli)


Then (February, I thought John had ruined my knock out roses.)


Now (His 'tough love' did them a favor)


Then (Our landscaping looked dull and drab.)


Now (It is my favorite place to sit and drink coffee or dine.)


Now (We have baby tomatoes on the vine.)


Now (We have heads of cabbage on our plants.)


One thing in life is certain.....things are always changing!

A Country Weekend

There has been a lot happening in the country this weekend. The vegetable garden is growing by leaps and bounds. We now have tiny tomatoes growing on the vine and sweet basil to go along with them. Some of our broccoli was ready to cut. How exciting!



I have been taking pictures of anything that will be still for any length of time...

....bluebirds


...dragonflies


...tiny frogs


...and turkeys!


Well, only one turkey.


It has been paying a visit to our pond each morning for a drink.


Today it put on quite a show.


After strutting around for a while, it decided to roll around in the grass and shake out its feathers. I'm not sure what it was trying to accomplish, but it sure did look funny.




Life in the country is very laid back and relaxed, but it is never boring. Right now we are getting some much needed rain. I think I'll turn in for the night and fall asleep listening to its song. Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Broccoli Troubles

Those of you who have been reading my blog for a while know that I have started a vegetable garden for the first time this year. We have enjoyed harvesting and eating the wonderful romaine lettuce that we planted and have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of some delicious broccoli. There is just one problem.

Today I went out to check the garden, as I do every day, and this is what I noticed.
The leaves are big and beautiful. They are the prettiest color of green imaginable.



But, there are no broccoli spears developing.



It rained a little last night, and some of the broccoli plants had fallen over on the ground.



So, my questions for all of those experienced gardeners out there are...............
What is happening with my broccoli? Will it ever produce? Any suggestions are welcome.