We had decided not to plant one seed or tomato plant until after April 15th, after that punishing freeze we were surprised with last year, during the first week of April. That was the beginning of a harsh struggle we all endured in East Tennessee until the new year kicked in. We all had to take a big breath and hang on tight through a terrible drought. Well, April has arrived, again. And it's been - weird. We've had rain! We've had beautiful days, full of sunshine and temps in the high 70's. We even reached into the low 80's yesterday. But we got fair warning by this past Wednesday - one more heavy frost. We're supposed to dip down into the high 20's and low 30's during Monday and Tuesday night. So, we get to break out all the sheets and towels we can muster to cover the azaleas, roses and all our other small flowering plants - again.
Well, we finally got a window of time that we could work with. Dwayne had a run of days off. The weather was cooperating. But it meant hustling, still. We had rain coming on Thursday. We had to drop everything on Wednesday around 3:30pm and drive all the way to Greenback for mushroom compost. Nobody closer had any available. We picked up two scoops and made our way back. We had to get the compost distributed into all three beds. When we were finished - there was almost a full scoop still piled in the bed of the truck. Couldn't leave that sitting there, waiting for the rain to come. So, we carried it down to one of our neighbors' yard and the two men shoveled the rest out of the truck bed, beside his garden.
One funny note - we had mushroom compost delivered the first year that we built the raised beds. It was pre-mixed with topsoil that we purchased at the same time. Well - it was only when we were shoveling the compost into the beds this past Wednesday that I realized something about my husband. He thought Mushroom compost was made from mushrooms! Had to educate him about that one. "Honey... mushroom ... fresh cow paddy... it looks just like a smashed mushroom.... you get it?" His reply - "So, THAT'S why I'm smelling so much of that amonia smell!"
Anyway, we spent the next day tilling the beds. By evening time - we were in pain! Dwayne got to rest while I had to go grocery shopping. Got back home and got the groceries put away before starting supper.
In the middle of all this - we decided to coordinate a neighborhood yard sale and cover-dish picnic with all our neighbors in May. Everybody will be setting up their items and selling them in their own yards. Afterwards, Dwayne will get together with a few of the guys and they'll make rounds with a trailer to load up leftover things that neighbors don't sell and want to donate. Those items will be going to a church and/or shelter. And then, everyone will head over to our place for the picnic and all the fun. Looks like we're gonna have a pretty good crowd! I'm really looking forward to a bunch of fun! Anyway, I've already started going through the house and sorting through things. The spare bedroom is beginning to look crammed. Thank God, I had enough brains to go ahead and price everything as I put it in the bedroom!
Despite the chaos - I managed, yet, to complete my entry for Rhonda Wright's Treasures Challenge Number 1 - "What's In A Name?" That booger was a challenge, for sure! I had to step away for a couple days after becoming frustrated from not being able to make up my mind about the layout. Came back to it today so I could try again. Reached the point where I thought I had it completed and - guess what. I dunno. Something spurred inside. Within fifteen minutes, I had completely overhauled the layout into something totally different and got that "Yeahhhh!" feeling inside! Whew - it was done!
Here goes!
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Journaling -
Translated in English, your name is ‘Schoellkopf’s Good Sugar’. And you came into our lives as the perfect medicine we needed to remedy our sadness from Empty Nest Syndrome after Jennifer moved out to California for a while. Your name fits the sweet joy you bring!
You have filled that void in our lives more than we even imagined or hoped for. We realize that every time we step on your toys that end up all around the house! We realize that every time we head to the door and you get there before us! We’re reminded every time we climb into bed and have to scoot you over! We’re reminded every time we try to give each other a kiss and you’re sticking your nose between our two faces!
And we grow more and more love for you each time we’re reminded by you! We are so happy to have you in our lives, Zucker!
Kit – Jasmine by Rhonda Wright at Digital Design Den.
Fonts –
SchneidlerMedTlig and GirlsAreWeird
I managed to get one more project completed, as well! My first-cousin, Anastasia, had her 19th Birthday this past week. So - I did a set of Birthday pages to send to her parents and grandparents! I always do a second page that can be printed out multiple times for additional photos and other momentos.
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Kit - Birthday Party by Gilda Patterson at Digital Design Den.
Ohhhh... I forgot... I did another last week for my daughter's other half! It was his 31st birthday. And it fits Kevin so well. LOL
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Kit - It's a Guy Thing - Mr. Hunter at Scrapbook Elements.
I told you! I've been busy! LOL Well, I hope your coming week is just wonderful! Enjoy all the pretty colors of spring! Get out there and just spend time absorbing the beauty of all those gorgeous flowers!
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