Beautifying the Yard

Over a couple of weeks, Nick and I made a couple of trips to Lowe's and purchased some plants to decorate the yard and porch with. It was nice to have some nice weather to spend outside. Not too hot, not too cold...we've since had 6 straight days of rain.

We had to pull 3 shrubs out since Brasky's constant peeing on them killed them, and replaced them with a cute flowering tree.

I decided to try growing a rose bush. We picked the Candy Land climbing rose bush. Hopefully it climbs up the fence well.

We also decided to invest in some hanging baskets for the front porch, which we planted Plumerias, and solar lights to line the driveway and porch.

Christmas Seasons

As Christmas quickly approaches,  we are finishing what needs to be completed for a low stress celebration. One week before Christmas. Are you ready?

Decorate the Christmas tree.....check.
Hang stockings....check
Food.....check (minus a few perishable odds and ends)
Mail out Christmas cards.....check
First snow....check (it was here, now it's gone)
Bake Cookies and test cookie batter.....check and check (several times over)- Russian tea cakes, Press cookies and the family traditional Chocolate Balls.
Awaiting to be in the presence of family.....check
Wrap gifts.....This week's to-do.
Write Santa a letter.....Christmas Eve's to-do. (Don't worry Santa, I won't let you go hungry or un-humored!)

What are you seasoning Christmas with this year?

Unbe"leaf"able!

Give a huge round of applause to Nick and the kitties, for finally moving in on saturday!!! This is the second night with them home, and it only feels like a weekend tease; it'll set in that their here for good, when they never "leaf" me alone! ha ha.

After some unpacking, we spent some time outside raking up the leaves in the front and back yards. Who knew that there was so much! Only bagged the front yard piles, and accumulated six bags. We saved bagging the backyard for another day.

Nick was the leaf masher. Those old hockey gloves came in handy!

Brasky supervised the labor.

A hard day's work yields lots of snugly time.