Sculpture Park

Last Saturday I went downtown to the Better Homes and Garden garage sale at Meredith. They had cleaned out their storage of items from photo shoots over the years. I arrived about an hour after it started and there wasn't much left. I would have loved to have gotten some of the pieces of furniture they had, but since my car is much too small to transport things like that, I was really just going to browse. I did get several free scrapbooking, quilting, and home decor magazines. 

I was across the street from the Pappajohn Sculpture Park so I decided to walk thru. I had never been there, and it was a beautiful morning. 

 These gorgeous shrub roses lined the sidewalk on both sides of the park. 

 And my favorite...Back of a Snowman White and Back of a Snowman Black.

After my walk thru the park, I headed to the farmers' market with Lisa. We picked up some fabulous cinnamon rolls and cinnamon raisin bread. 



Peonies and Garden

My peonies opened up over the weekend.  They're beautiful as always, but they get so tall that it's hard to keep them upright. There's a white one that will be open in a couple more days.

 I finally got my garden planted...six tomatoes and some kohlrabis. Every year I have the goal of making it bigger....but there's always next year.

Flower Garden Border

Today I spent my time working on the flower garden. I've been wanting a border around it ever since I put it in three years ago. I didn't want to go to the work of doing it until I had the garden the size I wanted. Last fall I made it a bit bigger and decided this size was perfect. 

 I loosened all of the soil with a garden fork and then planted annuals in the new part. Eventually I want to get more perenials, but I need to make a visit to Mom's and get some cuttings of things I don't have. I'll plant some bulbs in the Fall too.

 And last but not least, I had to put the fence back up so the rabbits don't eat everything.



Flowers and Spring Work

I spent several hours outside today...almost seven to be exact. This morning I went out and bought my flowers. I hit three stores, which wasn't what I was planning, but I wasn't happy with the selection at the first two. I love flowers, but it is so easy to spend a lot of money...and I haven't even started buying for the vegetable garden. Totally worth it though.

I hadn't gotten around to cleaning up my pots last fall so I had to pull out the dead ones and even a couple straggly green ones that somehow survived winter.

 I got six pots done and the space along the side of the garage. I have a problem with critters digging in my flower pots. My mom told me to put rocks in after I get the flowers planted. Works perfect. I still need to plant a few in the garden. The front landscaping was looking a bit blah so I added a new layer of mulch.

 I also got the patio set out of the shed and cleaned it all up and put the cushions on. I sure hope the summer-like weather is finally here to stay. The deck got washed and the garage swept.

 I got a new grill cover since the last one didn't make it through the winter. Another thing that didn't get done in the fall...the grill to the garage...so the cover cracked. This new one is fabric-like so it should hold up to the weather better. I also had a couple of side tables to get cleaned up.

Everything is looking good. A few more flowers and vegetables, and I'll be set. Wish I had this much ambition every day!

I even got my first sunburn of the season.  On my way to a great tan...maybe....

Fence - White Again

Another project that needed to be done was cleaning the white fence that is on one side of my deck. I honestly never thought about cleaning it until I noticed all of the mildew on it late last Fall. It looks so much better now.

Before

After

Another thing crossed off the list...I love that feeling.

Spring Flowers

The weather has finally cleared up so I was able to get out and take some pictures of my flowers.

Strawberry Pie

Strawberries have been on sale for about a dollar a pound that past few weeks, and I've really been taking advantage. I could eat a pound a day if I let myself. They aren't quite at peak sweetness, but they're still delicious. 

I sliced strawberries into a graham cracker crust and made a filling. I had to wait for the filling to cool.

 The finished pie, chilled just in time so I could eat with my supper.