For today

This morning I thought about this little journal format that I have on one of my private blogs and so I went and looked it up.  I had done the last one a little more than  a year ago right before we moved.  Just a few weeks more than a year we've lived in the country.  I have to say I've loved every minute of it & have never missed our house in town regardless of the more than ample space it gave.

A year ago I was asking you all for suggestions to change my blog name.  Making Country Memories is certainly what we've done this last year.  We haven't gotten very far with "farm" life other than a progression (and "disappearance") of a total of 9 cats, 3 dogs and a pet coon.  At the present time we only have 2 cats (with a new set of kittens on the way) 2 dogs and an occasional sighting of a possum, badger, wild turkeys, deer  and the sound of an occasional coyote howling. 

We're working on plans to hopefully expand the animal population around here, I'll keep you updated on that adventure as we figure it out.

For today...... 

I am

• Energized--when I do housecleaning jobs for others it makes me want to come home and clean, organize and or re-decorate my own.
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• Enthused--After we finished our cleaning job my sis & I went to visit a green-house.  I came home with Lavender and Chives to add to my herb garden.  I really know nothing about this little venture I've started, but I'm excited to learn!

• Inspired--Cleaning house last night and having new plants that I couldn't leave outside led to re-decorating, cleaning out the closets, putting some winter things away & making a corner for my herbs & daffodils I bought.
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• Excited--Pleased, awe-struck, and at times a bit overwhelmed to think that in 2011 we are gaining 4 new grand babies.  I think it is time to make me a chart to keep track of them all.  Names, birthdays, and possibly with my memory maybe who they belong to would be a good idea too! :D
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• Thankful--That I have a sister to work and play with.  That we share so much in common.  Cleaning jobs are much lighter work when you co-work. Exploring the greenhouses, sharing ideas, getting & giving opinions makes planning much more fun.  A random stop at the antique store to scout out some treasures, be green-envy (in a nice way) over the treasure the other-one found first and then deciding that really we've spent all morning anyway, we might as well go enjoy lunch out too.

• Impatient--Wanting to have everything I want WHEN I want it, & HOW I want it NOW.  I really want to do better at enjoying the process.

Outside my window.....We are having our first thunderstorm of the season.   gray skies and it went from light rain falling with the occasional thunder to a full blown rainstorm with sharp lightening later this afternoon when I was on my way home from town.  I'm seeing green grass, tiny green leaves, trees that have burst into bloom & flowers poking their heads up from the earth.  Ahhh, spring!

I am thinking..... About some of my kids coming home next weekend, looking forward to loving on baby Raya who somehow is already 6 weeks old and looking forward to taking a new grandkids photo.

From the learning room........  Researching raising chickens, gardening ideas, container plants and herb/kitchen gardens.  

I'm also learning about "Norwex".  In a few words, the definition of what Norwex is:  From the highest quality microfiber cloths & mops , hygienic kitchen products , personal care products – facial cloths , the most innovative toothbrush on the market , crystal deodorant , and environmentally friendly detergents & toilet cleaner, plus SO much more. It's relatively new, at least in this area, and I along with many others have never heard of it before.  For some of us who are not only interested in using environmentally friendly, but SAFE and NON-toxic products to clean our homes with. It sounds and from the little I've already seen, like  wonderful products.
 
I am thankful for......My life.  My husband, my kids, finally having a chance to live in the country, and I'm thankful for good health to be able to keep up with it all. I'm ever constantly thankful for healthy children, (and so far grandchildren!) especially when I see and hear of those who have so many different health issues.  I may not be so very interested in all the health issues themselves, but I am interested in the why's & wherefore's, and possible causes of the issues and what can be done to avoid them in the first place.

From the Kitchen.... Our first picking of Asparagus--EVER!!  I'm so excited.  I've planted it several other times & never could get it to grow.  I also picked Lettuce leaves for our first fresh salad of the season!  It's chilly in the house this afternoon, and I'm thinking that cinnamon rolls baking would be a wonderful way to warm & cheer up the house & kids.

I am wearing

Warm fuzzys. With this rainy day it's chilly in here and I'm not wanting to kick up the heat anymore than totally necessary these days.  I'd prefer not to have to call the propane guy again!

I am reading..... Besides our Bible study chapters (Genesis currently)--All the country magazines I can find around here--flowers, chickens, farms, gardens! I'm trying to resist getting another book to start reading at the present, I can't seem to put it down until it's finished!

I am hoping.....The weather will clear up for my trip to Sidney tomorrow, and for working outside next week. I am hoping that I can get everything done I need to do before next weekend so it can be a happy, enjoyable, stress free time.  It certainly will be noisy, messy & way too short!

I am creating....Reviving my house with spring decor & my plants indoors.  Wanting to do some more scrapbooking before I'm totally swamped with outdoor work.  I got started on my Finland/Sweden album, now if I just can focus on getting it done...

I am hearing....Raindrops on the windows & roof, The wind, One child on the piano, one on the computer.

Around the house.....It's all clean from having Bible study here last night--Yay, I always love Thursdays like this!

Some of my favorite things......New things.  Spring, new looks, New baby news, New to me old antique/vintage or just plain old things. Sisters & Friends.

For the rest of the week....Taking my two "M&M" kids to meet a friend so they can spend the weekend with their kids. If the weather is cold, rainy maybe I can scrapbook this weekend.  If not, then more yard/garden work.  It's almost Friday, and beings that next weekend will be a full and busy one, I'm hoping for a calm, quiet and relaxing one this week!

 pictures I'm sharing............

 Herbs & daffodils-- The old wagon from my dad out of the barn, grab some planters, baskets, buckets & plop them in front of the porch windows.  It's too chilly yet to get them in the ground outside.
Hmmm, I like this pretty well.  Can I leave them inside year round?  That would be a handy & cheery kitchen garden!

My asparagus!  I just planted it last year (plants, not from roots)  It's grown about 4" every day. 

Shopping at the antique store today I was reminded that I had my big round tin somewhere around here.  I didn't pull it out last year, so when I got home I went scouting.  Ah! I pulled it out of the back of the shed, now it's ready to be filled with something.

 Every farm needs an egg basket, don't you think?  I don't have my chickens yet, but it worked for putting my fresh cut asparagus in.

 A bit of tweaking in my porch herb garden--Lavender & Chives from today's trip to the greenhouse, A few "spring" decorations from the basement storage,  I added my collection of farm/mud/rain boots, and my new large containers for outdoor planting are stacked, ready for using. Oh yes, and a cute "new"/old box I sat my lettuce & spinach in.