April 18 Snow, UGH!

Yup, it snowed last night.  Heavy, wet snow that stuck to everything.  Branches bending and testing their flexibility.  Just plan messy.  The temps rose to above freezing, somewhere near 38 degrees, so there was melting but not fast enough. However, today, Sunday, it's predicted to hit the low 60's so what's left isn't going to last too much longer.

A Cats Life

Here are just a few of the sleeping positions of Oliver in just over 15 minutes -

Timberland OUT! Cabela IN!

Great boots.  Loved these boots.  Tremendous boot. Very comfortable boots.  Interesting, the soles on both boots split and both in the same spot, the balls of my feet.  I wore them as long as I could but my feet started getting wet.  Like my dad would do, I thought of using the plastic market bags on each foot but quickly passed on the idea.  I get enough ribbing from family and friends as it is, why give them more ammo...

I called Timberland to see what, if anything they could or would be willing to do, and I was told that if they're older than one year I am SOL. So, frustratingly I had to move on and buy another pair.  This time, in an effort to show my displeasure with Timberland, I bought a pair of Cabelas boots from The Bass Pro Shop.  So far, so good.

Sadly, this pair went in the trash...

Spring Bloom Hello's

Our Hyacinth are blooming and they smell so goo!

I planted eight bulbs, four on each side of the front stairs, years ago and they continue to pop every spring.  They do not disappoint.

Same with the daffodils, ever faithful - 

Lechmere! Who Remembers?

Who remembers Lechmere?

Doing a project and pulled this spool of fishing line out.  I guess it's been a while.

Weeping Cherry Haircut!

Pruning our large weeping Cherry tree has been on my mind now for a couple years now.  It was too tall and it was becoming harder and harder to maintain and prune in the fall.  Also, it had grown into the wires; electrical, cable and phone, running to the house from the pole, so it was time.

Once I made my mind up it was something I needed to do sooner rather than later.  To that end, and instead of waiting until after it flowered this spring, I went to work hand cutting each branch and limb.

Before -

After -

Hoping my theory, of cutting now versus later in the year, is that the spring thaw will allow the tree to push out new growth immediately after waking from it's long winters nap, instead of putting it's initial efforts into the flowers and longer limbs.

Fingers crossed that what I expect to have happen happens.

Also, no one else in the house is pleased with the haircut I've given and the fact that there won't be any flowers this year.  This is true, about the flowers, but I'm thinking long term...

Curb Appeal Is Appealing!

I had 5-yards of premium dark mix mulch* delivered this past Friday.  I'd been on the fence on weather I wanted to fuss with mulch this year but eventually decided it was time.  Once I decided in favor of I didn't want a full state shutdown to prevent it from being delivered, so I pulled the trigger.

Phew, with that decision made and behind me it was time to spread mulch.  With my OCD, I knew this was going to be an all or nothing project.  Meaning the mulch needed to be spread, all of it, from start to finish no lingering over days or weeks.  By end of day Saturday all the mulch had been spread, tools put back in their place and the driveway swept (and blown).

See below for the finished products - 

*Premium dark mix is a blend of spruce and fir bark that is aged to a rich natural dark brown. This is an all-natural mulch with no dyes or colorants added. This mulch breaks down the quickest, adding nutrients back into the soil.

Some Spring Chores Done!

Ah, Spring!

The garlic is beginning to pop through.  Unfortunately, not like in years past but hoping once it gets a little warmer they'll all start popping -

Got the 55-gallon rain barrels out (we have two), cleaned and in place -

Began turning, by hand, the large veggie garden. Turning the winter rye under to feed the soil - 

Phew, finished!  This garden and the one raised bed at the top of the pic -

A nice surprise to see two of the three parsley I planted last year survived the winter and already popping out and reaching for the sun -

Use At Your Own Risk

The patio furniture was like WTF the other morning.

I pulled the items out of winter storage and gave them all a good scrubbing with soap and belch.  Nice, clean and happy I placed them up on the deck, signaling spring\summer has arrived.  However, woke up the other morning to it snowing!

Not funny Mother Nature, not funny at all... 

The One-Percenters...

Emilie and JoAnne came home the other day with this, SCORE!

The Faces Of Trixie-Dog

 Trixie-dog joined me on the pool deck the other afternoon to relax and enjoy the warm day and sunshine.  Not too sure about her but pretty sure I dozed off for a quick power nap...

Spring Blooms

Our crocus are popping up and blooming away.  They too are enjoying the warmer weather.

Boston Skyline from 22

I was in our Boston office for the day earlier this week. Always a nice change of pace. Here are a couple pics looking out the 22nd floor -

Massachusetts State House off in the distance -

 4PM traffic heading south on Rt.3 -

Sky Blue

The sky was awesome the other day with cloud ripples.

Not Happy, Happy

I cleaned the fish bowl this morning.  Surprising how messy and stinky two comets can be.  I guess being a fish bowl with no filtration or air probably doesn't help.

They don't seem to enjoy any aspect of the cleaning process, especially the fresh water shock!

These are 2 remaining (out of 10) comets that we bought a year ago that spent the entire spring and summer outside in a 55-gallon barrel.  The barrels are used to catch rain water off the house, which is then used to water the gardens and plants. The comets are used to eat the mosquitos and their larva. A perfect system actually.

All happy and clean!

It's A Sign

And "they" say eggs aren't good for you, pfft!

Go ahead and tell me these beauties aren't heart healthy...

Spoiled Rotten

Trixie-dog patiently waiting for her turn at my cereal bowl. No pressure...

Merica!

This flag has seen better days.

Still standing tall and unwavering!

When I was growing up and in grade school we stood, faced the flag, put our right hand over of heart and recited the Pledge of Allegiance every morning -

I pledge Allegiance to the flag

of the United States of America

and to the Republic for which it stands,

one nation under God, indivisible,

with Liberty and Justice for all.

Bursting Open!

A nice way to spruce up the kitchen and a reminder that spring is right around the corner!

One Way To Keep Warm

PIG PILE!!!

Condiments Anyone?

Checkout my vintage Dachshund knick-knack.  Came across this bad boy while trying to clean and get organized.

Interestingly, this is not your ordinary Dachshund, no sir!

A closer inspection shows holes at the top of it's head and the top of it's behind, hmm!

Care to take a guess at what this jewel is?

Two holes on the head -

Three holes on the behind -

The view underneath, two larger holes -

This is a vintage salt (head) and pepper (behind) shaker!

And it's in very good condition.  Sounds like one of the belly corks is stuck inside the critter and unfortunately the second one is long gone.  However, still a pretty cool item from my childhood.