Sunday Afternoon

While David was outside in the rain making improvements to the trailer, I was disassembling wreaths. :) I decided I didn't like my current spring wreath, but didn't want to go buy anything new. I recycled an old wreath and some other things around the house to make a new one. The trailer looks great too, but I didn't get a picture of it. :)

Another Tree!

On Saturday we picked up Amos the Amur Maple tree! They told us that it was the largest Amur Maple they'd ever dug. Go big or go home!

When I went in the greenhouse to let someone know we're arrived, the main who loaded Sterling on the trailer last week raised an eyebrow at me. "I hope you brought something bigger this time!" We did - this time we borrowed a truck and trailer from my dad. Thanks Dad!
The weather was semi-cooperative. During the biggest part of Saturday's rain, we went to have lunch. The rain finally stopped and David started digging the hole.
I tried to keep busy, but am pretty useless with a shovel. Todd and Kevin came to help and made the digging look pretty easy. Our friends Dan and Leila stopped by and Dan told us that the land across Fremont from us was once a cornfield that was part of his grandfather's farm. Our yard it probably cornfield land as well. That helps to explain the surprisingly dark dirt in the front yard.
Since Amos was dug and wrapped by hand, it lacked the wire basket that Sterling came with. It made it more difficult for the guys to get off the truck and into the hole. This is the last picture that I took before I went into the garage to hide and listen for someone to shout "Call 911!" The shout never came, so I poked my head out just in time to see the tree catapult David over Todd. I couldn't get to the camera in time, but it was a Kodak moment! There was no harm to person or tree, so all's well that ends well!
We've still got some stumps and rocks to move, and a little more dirt to redistribute, but the two biggest projects of spring are finished! We rewarded ourselves with dinner at Lamberts - yum!

Here's How Henrietta and Gracie Spent the Weekend

Wish We Were Here

Happy Spring!

Sterling the Silver Maple

Hi - I'm Sterling the Silver Maple. Last week, I was dug from the ground at my home at Willow Gardens. I was wrapped in burlap and wire and promised a new home in Springfield. I was a little worried that my new family wouldn't be able to get to me because of the flooding on Highway 60, but they made it.
I was loaded into a trailer, and after a few alterations we were off. We took back roads home so I could ride safely in the trailer.
Before I could be planted, a dead tree had to be removed. It has faithfully tried to bloom every spring that Erin and David have lived here, but the bottom of its trunk was completely hollow. So...it was time to go.
A section of fence was removed and David carefully backed the trailer and truck back as close to my new home as he could get. Our neighbors were a big help in getting me off the trailer!
I rolled off the trailer carefully and managed not to disturb the tiny daffodils that bloomed this week!I laid very still and quiet overnight. Sunday afternoon, David headed back out to finished digging the hole for me to be planted in. Todd came over to help and asked if they had made a time capsule to bury. Erin hurried into the house to put a few things in a glass jar: a wedding program and picture, pictures of each of the animals, a Land Rover card, and a note with the date of planting.

Todd and David rolled me into my new spot. I may look skinny, but my root ball weighs around 1800 pounds. Not an easy task!

Here I am standing tall and proud with my new family! I've been fed and watered. I'll need more dirt once the dirt around me has settled and some mulch and I'll be set! I have lots of buds, so will start providing shade soon!

More St. Pat's Pictures

The weather for the parade was a tad chilly, so we huddled in the car until close to parade time. I think what finally prompted me to get out of the car was the cotton candy that Todd bought. Cotton candy is an outside toy. :)
The boys scored more candy than on Halloween! Being small and cute really helps!
We finally began to thaw out over a steaming plate of cheesy, bacony fries.

Happy St. Patrick's Parade Day!

Happy Parade Day! From some of the YOSA Crew and Blarney Fire Department. :)

Glazed Lemon Cake

Glazed Lemon Cake
2 cups flour
1 ¼ cup sugar, divided
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 package (3 oz.) lemon Jello
¾ cup milk
2/3 cup oil
2 teaspoons lemon extract
3 large eggs, separated

Glaze:
2 cup powdered sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice

Preheat oven to 325. Spray bundt pan with Pam for Baking. Mix with wire whisk: flour, 1 cup sugar, Jello, and baking powder. Beat in milk, oil, and lemon extract. Beat in egg yolks, one at a time. Beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry, beating in remaining ¼ cup sugar. Fold beaten egg whites lightly, but thoroughly, into batter. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 45-55 minutes or until cake tester inserted in middle comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes. Combine glaze ingredients in saucepan. Heat through. Loosen sides of cake with spatula. Turn out onto cooling grid set on wax paper. Pour warm glaze over cake. Let cool 1 hour.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday to You!

Happy Birthday to You!

Happy Birthday dear Mom!

Happy Birthday to You!

Tree Huggers

The weekend's weather was beautiful! On Saturday, we set out for Willow Green Gardens in Rogersville to tree shop. We'd picked up a flier at the lawn and garden show advertising large trees on clearance. They're on the verge of getting too large to be dug up, so they are on sale for half price. David agreed to dig the hole to keep the cost down, so off we went. Armed with a little bag containing calipers, tags, and a marker, we braved the mud and walked down rows and rows of trees. We arrived at the rows of Amur Maples and began measuring. Somehow, I ended up in charge of the calipers. Finally, we decided on the tree below - Amos the Amur Maple. David tagged it and off we went.

So...come by and see us. Bring a shovel! We'll show you where to dig!