April Blossoms

Well, I snuck out of the house this morning to check out some patio furniture at "Pattie's Patio." As I drove up in the parking lot, they had a sign on the window "Going Out of Business." I got a little excited, hoping I might get a good deal. Unfortunately, there was another smaller sign by the door that read "We're closed today for personal business." Ugh! I went ahead, looked through the store windows and outside where a lot of their patio furniture is located. I really didn't see anything that excited me.

On the way home, I wanted to check out this fairly new greenhouse nursery "Greenleaf." I guess they've been here for a year or so. I've never been there because one person told me that they were a little pricey. I've been tired of looking at the same plants at Lowe's, Home Depot and Walmart (azaleas, rhododendron and gardenia bushes). I really wanted to see what else is out there for part sun to shady areas. I've always wanted a Camellia bush, but really haven't found one that either looked healthy or have a pretty bloom to it. I must say, I was impressed with Greenleaf. They had everything! I would really love to have a Lilac bush, but I don't have the sun to really reach it's potential. Oh, if we ever move to an area with some full sun in our yard, I'm going to purchase a Lemon tree. I saw one at the nursery and the white blooms on the tree are very fragrant. So sweet! They had some beautiful, healthy azaleas of all colors. I'm thinking about going back and getting one that had two tone bright pink blossoms. The container had to be close to 2 gallons for $24.99. I know when I purchased my azaleas in the front yard, they were a gallon and I think I paid around $10 each. So, I don't think $24.99 is too bad of a price for a healthy bush. I did go ahead and purchase a beautiful Camellia for $14.99. The color name is pearl. The picture looks like a light pink rose, not at all like some of the Camellias I've seen around. I planted it in the corner of the back yard, where I'm planning on making a flowerbed.

The Horticulturist, I spoke with at the nursery gave me lots of planting ideas and tips on the plants I purchased. She showed me a Campanula plant aka "Pink Octopus" and I immediately fell in love. She said they are shade lovers and very hardy. They are similar to Hostas because they spread out and can be separated. They have a danty little pink flower that looks like a pink Octopus tentacles. I think it's cute and very unique. The lady I was working with recommended Mushroom Compost for the plants along with a liquid plant root stimulator (to help on the shock) and powdered plant food that smelled just like a horse stable. Pe-ew!

Finally, I like to get some kind of annual flower to put in my flower pot out on the driveway. Normally, I plant Geraniums or Verbas because they do so well during the Summer months. Last year, Katie and I planted colorful Gerber Daisies. We had so many compliments on those and I loved them because they looked playful and happy. I don't know, daisies remind of happiness and joy. I was so undecided until I found this year's plant of the Mason's landscape. I've never seen a Regal Geraniums before today. I think that's what they are called or least that's what I was told. They are very pretty and different from the traditional Geraniums. The color name on the marker was "Elegant Purple Majesty." 

I also like to get a hanging basket for the shepard's hook that sports around in my flowerbed in the front yard. I've had good experiences with Mandevillas, but the ones I've purchased were the climbing. I've never seen them in hanging baskets, so I was pleased to see this one in a basket. I love the color! It's like a deep dark red. I got this Mandevilla at Lowe's. I'm excited to see if it will spread like the vines.

Just some pictures of my azaleas

Spring Break Events

Wow! Katie has been a busy little bee this week during Spring Break and the week's not over. I think it's been pretty eventful and full of fun.

Monday, we stayed around the house and got a few things done. She helped me straighten up and clean. That night, her paw-paw Millard and grandma Peggy came by and picked her up to spend the night with them. She stayed all day with them on Tuesday. She loves riding around on the Chuckwagon with her paw-paw.  For supper, they took her to her favorite restaurant"Sweet Peppers Deli". She loves their mac-n-cheese. She says it's the best! (haha) Of course, they always take her to Walmart and she came home with another Barbie. Ugh! She talked them into it because she didn't have one like that one.

Wednesday was our errand day. I had hoped to get our Walmart shopping out of the way, so we could spend some time at the park. I just tried to push Katie and Colton when it came to errands. By the time we got home to drop off the groceries and took a potty break, we were back on the road. The kids were hungry and tired and we still hadn't gotten to the park yet. I really didn't know if it was going to happen. Katie kept asking questions because she couldn't understand why we were on the road all day. I stopped by McDonalds to refuel the children with their Happy Meals. Unfortunately, Katie announced on the road that she had to go potty. My brain went into overtime to think of a clean and convenient place to take her since I had Colton as well. What to do? What to do? I wasn't far from one of our parks, so I pulled in. Nope, they had a bolt lock on the chain link fence. By this time, she was out of her seat rocking back and forth. Bless her heart, she was seriously in trouble. Then, I had an idea. I saw a huge parking lot across from the park for extra parking. Here we go. Katie, scared out of her mind, thought I was forcing her to go to the bathroom in the woods. "No!" I told her. I pulled out the faithful portable potty and got it ready. I just parked out in the middle of nowhere for privacy only. Colton was starving, so while she was doing her business, I fed him his lunch. (haha) It wasn't long before we were on the road again. I finally got to the park and we finished our lunch. It was too much, Colton couldn't handle it much more. He was so tired that all he wanted to do was cry. By this time, my nerves were shot! I had my fill. So, I buckled Katie back up, started up the vehicle and we headed back home. Oh, Katie was not a happy camper at all. She showed her temper a little bit until I told her that if she kept it up, we wouldn't come to the park at all for a while. It's amazing what a difference a threat changes a situation. By the time I got home, both kids were out like lights. I put them both in bed for naps and Colton slept for 3 hours. That's how tired he was. When he woke up at 4:00, I asked Katie if we could try it again. She got excited and was very well behaved. This time, I really enjoyed myself with the children. I took the Trike for Colton and Katie's bike. Ever since she fell off of her bike last year, I've had a terrible time getting her back on the thing. She starts crying and whining something awful. Believe me! She cried and begged me to not make her ride her bike. I kind of felt bad, but I made her ride it. She was scared to death until we were almost back at the truck. I had to help her most of the way because she announced, she doesn't like to go fast. Anyways, she did good and I was so proud of her. Since she didn't fall or have to turn around, she's ready to come back and ride again. Mommy's park rules are "Let's walk, so we can play." So, after we rode/walked around the circle, I let her and Colton play at the park for about 30 minutes because I had one more place to stop before going home for the night. Her playing at the park leads us to a "Katie Story."

Katie Story
I got so tickled at her. You have to know first of all, Katie is the social butterfly. She'll just walk up to children and introduce herself and then ask for their names, followed by a "hey, let's go play" request from her. (haha) Watching her, I noticed a cute little boy following her around. Apparently, she noticed it as well because she finally turned around and asked him why he was following her. At one time, she came and told me what he was doing. I found out the little boy's name was Eli. At the same time, Katie made friends with a little boy (looked older) named Levi. I don't think Eli liked Katie playing with Levi because he began growling at Levi. Katie kept thinking Eli was growling at her, so she asked him why he was doing that and it was scarying her. He said he wasn't growling at her, instead he was growling at Levi. Being the loyal friend, she told him to stop growling at Levi because he was her friend. LOL! Her little world is something else. She hated it when Levi had to leave, but it made Eli calm down and stop the growling. Eli was a cutie, black wavy hair and dark eyes, wearing his dockers. Doug didn't like it too well when I told him the Eli/Levi story. Yes, I think Doug's going to have a VERY hard time when Katie is up old enough for boyfriends. He says, she's not allowed to date until she's 22 years old because Lord willing, she'll be out of college with a degree. (Haha)

Whitney called us Wednesday night and asked if Katie could spend the night with her on Thursday. Nia was also out of school and wanted to spend time with Whitney, while she was off from work. Robin, Nia's mom, and Whitney took the girls to the EarlyWorks Museum yesterday, while Peggy, Millard and myself took Colton to Portrait Innovations for picture day.

Katie loved the Early Works Museum! She was telling me all about it tonight. They have a talking tree and clock tower. She got to dress up and it's a hand-on experience of American history. Whitney said it was lots of fun. She thinks Colton would even have fun there because they had little gadgets for toddlers. I promised Katie that we would try to go back when school is out for the Summer.

Katie and Nia hung out with Whitney and Zayne today. They were putting in their flowerbed, so Whitney had them play in the water sprinkler and they played with the sidewalk chalk, I put in her bag. As soon as Doug and I got to Whitney's front door tonight, Nia was already at the door asking if Katie could spend the night with her tonight. Oh me! Those girls were putting it on thick too, begging to spend the night again with one another. I reminded Katie that Summer is right around the corner and they could spend more time together then.

Whitney was telling me some of the stories of those two. She was amazed how Katie was singing just about the whole time she was there. I know Katie loves Beyonce's "Single Ladies" because it was on the new Chipmunk movie. Zayne told Whitney that Katie sounded like the chipmunks when she sang along with the characters. LOL! It's so true.

Doug and I have been looking for a small patio set. I've noticed a Bistro set from Lowe's that I wouldn't mind having. We don't have a very big patio in the back yard and I think a Bistro set would be more appropriate rather than the BIG table that seats 4-6 people and umbrella. We live in a fairly shady area, so I don't think we'll really need the umbrella. We went around tonight looking at patio sets.  The sets I liked only had 1 year warranties and Doug seemed a little partial to the wicker furniture.  I'd like to find a set that's sturdy with at least a 5 year warranty and Doug doesn't want cushions.  The only places we've really looked is Lowe's, Home Depot and Walmart. I remembered there is a patio place down the road from us, I think I might check them out tomorrow.  I'd appreciate any suggestions or lessons learned.  Thanks! 

Bloomin' Festival Weekend

Bloomin' Festival

at

St. Bernard Abbey and Prep School

this weekend April 17 & 18

from 9:00 - 5:00

Expect over 140 booths filled with loads of arts and crafters' goodies; great Southern food including funnel cakes, and smoothies; tons of fun for the kiddies like bounce houses, train rides, face painting and jewelry making; greenhouse owners displaying all of their beautiful plants, trees and bushes.

Be sure to purchase a chance to win a Ford vehicle, while you're there. For more information CLICK HERE,  to check out the Blooming Festival website.

If you get to go, you've to see the wonders of "Miniature Miracle" at the "Ave Maria Grotto." It's 3 acres filled with miniature replicas from all over the world. For more information about Ave Maria Grotto CLICK HERE.

In the past years, it's either cold or wet during the Bloomin' Festivals. One year, about a couple of years ago, it was actually very pleasant outside. I'm hoping to get to go this year because I need a new windchime. I bought a nice windchime there about 15 years ago and it lasted about 8-10 years before the lines broke from dry rot.

Easter Weekend

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter weekend. Ours was eventful, full of laughter, food and lots of Easter eggs to hunt.

A few shots of the kids looking through their Easter baskets, to see what the Easter bunny left them.

This is Katie's new Furreal Kitty "Lulu," she walks, meows, paws and purrs.  Katie seems to really like her.

First thing Colton grabs is the balls.  After awhile, he rolled his toy cars around on the floor.

A week of enjoying the Easter celebration by decorating the house and baking these goodies for everyone.

Red-Velvet Egg Bon-Bons

I thought these bunny cut out sugar cookies turned out cute.  I got the idea from "Tidy Mom". She has some of the neatest ideas, you'll have to check her out.

I found this Easter tree at Hobby Lobby for 50% off.  I've always wanted to have an Easter egg tree for inside the house.  I've never seen one like this one, it's so soft.

A few Easter Sunday pictures

The South has officially Sprung. I love the flowers blooming everywhere. It's so beautiful!

These butterflies were so gracious enough to allow me to get a picture of them.

Peggy & Millard's Easter Egg Tree all decked out

Flowering trees are showing off - Crabapple Tree

Easter Egg Hunt

Lots of Family Photo Ops

Spring Pictures

It was a beautiful Spring day, so I took advantage and took a few pictures. We didn't stay outside long. For one thing Colton's still getting over being sick and secondly the sun doesn't stay out very long these days.

I'm so glad I don't do this for a living because I don't think I'd be in business very long. Thank goodness for digital camera. Right? By the time I finally gave it up for the day, I had to take a moment and chill. Colton was getting very sleepy and Katie wanted to whine. Ugh! This is why I take them to someone to get professional photos taken. These were the best out of the batch.