In The Garden Today

What is happening? A lot of things are growing. Some are blooming. Things are plugging along in spite of the virus.

Last but not least is Fiona the cat.

Please stay home and stay safe.

Keeping Busy

I had to take a leave from school for the time being.

I was having paralyzing anxiety and I could not do it another day.

I haven't slept in three days. Well a little here and there but mostly I have been full of anxiety and fear.

That is what anxiety does.

I have asthma and apparently if I get the virus I may not make it.

So all that was adding to the whole school handing out lunches thing.

I was constantly worried that someone was coming through the line that had the virus.

There were random people coming into the kitchen too and that added to my stress.

My Principal doesn't seem to understand that I have a medical condition that could be fatal.

My family kept saying just quit. I didn't want to quit. I like working with the kids. Just during normal times not during this Pandemic.

So for now I am off work and praying every day things get better.

Praying for everyone who is suffering from anxiety or sickness.

My brother told me yesterday a classmate from high school has been in the hospital in Boise, ID for two weeks on a ventilator.  I am praying hard for her recovery.

She has the virus.

I now know one person who has it.

Please keep praying for everyone.

God is going to intervene. I know he is.

Anyhow since I have been so stressed I decided to bake.

It is something that takes my mind of some of the worrying.

I made pizza pockets for my family.

I shared some with my brothers family who lives here on the ranch.

I also made some hot rolls for them.

I might have ate one myself.(-:

And during all that baking I also made some sourdough.

The Wood Ducks Are Back

Remember last year when the wood duck family hatched out their ducklings in our wood duck box on the pine tree?

Well they are back!

This is a picture of the male sitting in a nearby oak tree.

Female is inside the house. She should lay a dozen eggs and then begin sitting.

They should hatch around the first week in May if all goes as planned.

My brother built a new house this year because the old one was falling apart.

So they have a fresh new place to start their family!

Welcome Spring!

We have all waited for it for months only to be rewarded by a lock down in the state of California. We are suppose to stay at home. Only leave if necessary. Work/doctors apt/etc.

So we are going to have to stay busy right?

What a better way then gardening!

Or crafting!

Or cooking!

Lets all get busy on some projects and share ideas!

I love spring and all the new green growth. It has to be positive right?

I know we will all be fine.

Just stay busy and it will help take your mind off the chaos.

I have been seeing a lot of fun projects for kids.

Let this be a time to work with your kids and teach them basic skills.

How to cook, clean, do the laundry, make a grocery list,

pay bills. 

They are never to young to learn how to unload a dishwasher or put away their toys.

Or even fold laundry.

Have them write or draw a picture and mail it the old fashioned way to Grandma/Grandpa.

Grandparents love getting mail!

Take time each day to call friends and relatives just to say hi and check in.

You can't get the coronavirus while talking on the phone!

Not all old folks have computers or iPhones. 

A personal call is a nice way to say hi and show you care.

Dig out all the change you can find and have the kids put it in order.

Maybe there is enough to get burgers or something fun for the family!

I know my change jar gets filled at least once a year. It adds up!

The same with aluminum cans/bottles. 

Recycle and get a few extra bucks to spend on something fun!

If the weather is nice go outside and sit in the sun for a bit!

Sunshine brightens up anyone's day!

A favorite of my granddaughters is hide and seek in the house. 

It is hard to find her at times. 

She loves this game.

Most kids love games and I am not talking about video games.

Turn off the computer games/t.v. 

Play some real board games, card games or something like hide and seek in the house.

Bingo is fun for kids. You can make your own rules and tools to play. 

Have the kids help.

Speaking of sending a letter to Grandma/Grandpa....how about including a neighbor who is shut inside. A nursing home where the elderly are living.

That would cheer up their day as well.

Think of someone else.

There are plenty of people out there that are having a rough time.

A handmade card or picture would cheer them up.

It is a small thing to do with a huge reward.

Be kind, Think of others and stay safe.

This will soon pass and you will be back to your old routine. 

Enjoy your time at home and make it count.

All kids love attention and I am sure there is a project or learning activity that is age appropriate if you just look online.

Stay safe and healthy!

Merry-Gold

These are such a cheerful flower. They are truly merry.

I ordered some of these bright happy flower seeds.

Marigold - African 'Kee's Orange' 

PotteryBarn.com Rabbit

My experience ordering on potterybarn.com was much better.

This rabbit came packed well in two boxes with bubble wrap.

Very pleased. I think this rabbit is nicer then the Target one.

The petunia is for outside, but since it is raining and cold it is in the house for now.

Also in the background is a nice begonia. I got both at Home Depot.

It was part of my retail therapy last week.

Sometimes you just need to enjoy life.😁

It is almost spring. I am going to enjoy it!

I hope you are staying healthy and enjoying life too!

Evening Visitor

This bird dropped in for a snack.
Which was probably a finch.😨

On closer inspection it looks like one wing has been clipped.

I looked this bird up online and there are others that have that same wing pattern, so I guess that is a normal wing. Interesting hos it looks clipped though.

No leg band.

Peregrine Falcon

Baking Day

I made lemon bars and sourdough yesterday.

The sourdough is rising. 

I will get a picture when its baked.

*Picture coming soon*

I hope you are healthy.

This virus thing is crazy. 

People are losing their minds.

It seems over blown to me, but I have not got sick yet, so I have no idea how bad it is.

 I do know people who have had the flu.

 I have had the flu.

We went through the whole swine flu thing and nothing was closed. 

Schools remained open.

Stores had groceries on the shelves. 

Not sure what is going on in peoples minds.

I don't know anyone who has it. Or anyone the even knows anyone. 

We have one case in our area.

My grandkids have been sick with colds/ear infections/sinus for a couple weeks.

I am just looking forward to spring and flowers blooming once again!

Everything will be better then!

Take a deep breath!

Stay positive and think spring! 

Everything will be o.k.

You will be o.k.!

Target.com Rabbit Fiasco

I ordered these Easter bunny items from Target.

They came in two different packages from two different places.

Both broken.

Not just broken but also wrapped terrible. No wrapping in huge boxes.

Not a problem just call and they will refund my money like Amazon does right?

WRONG!

You have to take them back to the store.

You can only get a refund of the price of item. For a refund on your shipping you have to call a number they give you to call.

This is on all returned items. Does not matter if they are broken!!!!!

Last time I order on Target.

Grrrrrr.

Amazon is so much easier.

Moving Water

In the potty.😂

I finally found the solar pump and I added it to the toilet. 

Now it looks like it has running water.

I don't like the little black cord showing, but not much I can do about that.

I tried to move it around, but it looked like I was trying to hide it.

So....this is what it looks like now.

I think you might have to hit the replay button to view it after it loads up.

Owl Nest

The owls are back and nesting in the huge digger pine.

No pictures because Mom owl is hiding.

They have been back for about two weeks now.

Looking at around the end of March for owlets.

Funny story about the owls.

 I was sitting in the Livingroom and I looked out the window. 

It was really windy. Suddenly a clump of feathers blew by.

I thought that was really weird so I got up to investigate.

When I went outside I saw several owl feathers on the ground and even one in the tree.

Caught on a branch.

So right away I knew they were back.

Sure enough after taking a walk closer,  I spotted Mom owl.

They always try to be sneaky, but I know they are there.

I don't bother them while they are nesting. I say hi and walk on by.

They are very curious though and always peek down at me.

I really enjoy watching their family grow.

That is my update for today. Enjoy your Friday!

Rain In Forecast

After a dry February it may be time to get out the umbrella again.

I'm ready!

Sweet As A Blooming Flower

Saw this camellia bloom in the toilet water.

Thought it was worth sharing.😁

Nothing like a fresh clean toilet.

The toilet sits below a huge camellia bush.

It was inevitable.

Have a great day!😊

Head Over Heals

The head planters are doing really well. I only took a picture of two of them.

I added some blooms to this lady head planter and some bead necklaces too. 

She is all ready for spring.

I also added a shell crown to this lady.

I added moss around the fountain garden and cleaned up some more.

The wind blew and blew and made another mess.

So that is all cleaned up and ready for the next wind event.

I have to mow the grass tomorrow. Things are really starting to look like spring.