Better Late Than Never

For about three and a half months, the little chalk board in our dining room has wished us a happy new year.

 April seems like a reasonable time to bring that sentiment up to date, so I changed it to this reminder:

Pleasant Valley Sunday

After playing on Saturday, I decided I should get something done on Sunday.  It wasn't really work, as the weather was perfect.

 Somehow, the shed had become so cluttered you couldn't really step in there to do or find anything.  So I cleaned it out a bit.

 I planted some marigolds that were free to me, leaving room for a cucumber plant or two.

 David washed my car and his truck - aren't I lucky? :)

 And I spray painted our big outside table and two smaller ones so that they'd look as fresh as our new chairs.  It was windy, but it worked and they look great!  I even painted the mailbox.  It rusty and pretty ugly, but it looks fresh and clean now too.

After a while, I figured some hammock time was in order.  Being a devoted inside dog, Riley isn't quite sure what to do outside when he's ready for a nap.  Since he thinks furniture is for dogs, I got out a lounge chair and put it in the shade.  He hopped right up there, knowing it was just for him.

Sunday evening we had supper with my parents.  They'd had to be out of town for Easter, so we enjoyed what would have been our Easter dinner, complete with Jello eggs. :)  It was all so good!  After dinner, we sat around a campfire for a little while and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

It was a great weekend!  I really wish it didn't have to end, but I heard a rumor that another weekend is on its way.  I hope it's true!

Saturday At Spring Creek

 I love spring weekends when the weather is nice.  Let's face it...I love most weekends.  Spring and nice weather are just bonuses.  Last Saturday, while David got the mower going for another season and made our yard look nice, I had a play date.

 I met Christina and Heidi at the Spring Creek Tea Room for lunch.  The tea room is located in an antique store and has become quite a popular place.  They open at 10:30.  We arrived at 10:00 and found a table...but just barely.  If we'd come just a few minutes later, we would have been on the waiting list.

I've never had a bad meal there.  This time I chose a chef's salad, which included strawberries, red pepper, almonds, sprouts, croutons, ham, turkey, and things I'm sure I'm forgetting, all resting atop a bed of greens.  It was delicious, and barely needs the tasty dressing.

 The company was the best part of the day, followed by the food.  Coming in third were my big finds.  Cast aluminum garden tools, above, and a $12 Longaberger basket, below, were the treasures I brought home this time.

It was a great time with friends, and so nice to come home to a freshly mowed yard!

Mulch Much?

(Written on Sunday) Yesterday, we spent 12, yes 12, hours whipping our yard into shape.  Someone before us put in all this rock, sectioning off about a third of the back yard.  If we don't keep up with it, it becomes a mess of weeds and ugliness.  Last summer, we didn't get any mulch put down and it was really looking bad this spring.  

So...off we went to the landscaping place with the truck and dump trailer for 6 cubic yards of mulch.  That doesn't really sound like a lot...but it is.  A. Lot.  But we got it done and are happy with the results.  It hurts today to stand...or sit...or walk...or move, but it was worth the effort.

 When we weren't cheering on the Drury Panthers to victory today, I was doing this.  David got me a hammock for Christmas, and I love it!  It's so comfortable!  Riley might be a little jealous.  I think he wonders where the dog hammock is!  It's awfully nice to kick back and just enjoy a job well done.

Water for Elephants

I love the book and movie Water for Elephants.  A traveling circus seems like such a fascinating and foreign life.  It's lucky for me that we have a circus headquartered right here in our town AND David knows the owner.  When we were gifted with tickets to see the show while they were in town, we happily accepted.  The seats were great!  This first shot is taken without a zoom.  We were just a few rows up from the floor.

 The big cats are a new-to-us part of the show.  They are beautiful and so regal.  They reminded us so much of our own two cats at home, albeit a bit larger.  The mannerisms are very similar though!

 The circus was in a different location this year, mainly because this big guy is TOO big for their usual venue. Bo is incredibly graceful for such "big boned" critter.  He really seems to enjoy the crowd's applause.

I should have taken more pictures, but I was too busy watching with my mouth hanging agape.  I didn't get even a single picture of the motorcycle stunts, but I think that may have been my favorite part.   

 Or maybe the sparkly costumes are my favorite.  Or maybe Bo.  Or maybe the high flying trapeze artists.  Or maybe the little elephant that is really a dog, or maybe...  I can't choose.  I just loved the whole thing!

Go Rest High On That Mountain

Oh, how we cried the day you left us
And gathered round your grave to grieve
Wish I could see the angels’ faces
When they hear your sweet voice sing

Go rest high on that mountain
Son, your work on earth is done
Go to Heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and the Son

Written by Vince Gill

Back in January, we celebrated my Grandad's 85th birthday.  We expected about 25 people, but packed a room with over 50.

 It's a testament to the many lives Grandad touched.

 On Good Friday, Grandad's labored breathing ceased and his earthly life ended.  

 It's hard to say good-bye to such a great man, pictured with one of his many great-grandchildren.

 On the day of his visitation, his older brother who had flown in for the funeral, suffered a massive stroke and passed away a few days later.

 But if heaven works like I think heaven should, both were greeted by their mama (in the middle of the picture above), and if heaven really works like I think it should, she fixed them a big ol' fried chicken dinner.

We will miss you terribly, Grandad, and we'll see you soon.

This Is How We DU It!

Today my little ol' college WON THE NCAA II CHAMPIONSHIP!  Couldn't be more proud to be a Panther!  Well done Drury!  We watched the nail-biter of a game in a room full of other excited alums and fans.  It was a GREAT way to spend the afternoon!