I've decided it is totally within my rights to say I do not like gardening. I do not like yard work-just the bare necessities to keep things not looking like a horrible jungle. The endless weeding of flower beds, tapering bushes, and pruning things just so is not my cup of tea. I like big trees. I don't mind raking in the fall and spring, so trees are great. Sadly, our big maple tree in the front yard looks like it is not going to bounce back this spring. It looked sad last year compared to the full and green trees in the neighborhood. This year, I can see buds, but none have opened; May 18th, none have opened. It has always been a later tree, but this is beyond the past years. We lost a beautiful river birch about a decade ago-one of two trees we planted that first summer after moving here in 1991. The pines in the back look horrible as well. They all were planted the following summer. One spot never took to any trees-we planted three-all died within the 1st to third year. That's where we now have the fire pit. Two more died in the last decade as well.
My idea of gardening is to buy hanging baskets, or getting the smallest little pots of flowers and replanting in bigger pots. I tried to fool myself last year that I could have a garden. This year I am being more realistic. DH is going to get a couple small trees for his Father's Day gift. One will be something that flowers-ideas please. One will be another maple. We will likely not live here long enough to see the maple grow and develop into a beautiful shady tree, but we'll give it a start. But I planted a few pots. I need to pick up some more as my ratio is wrong-you'll see where and I'll hope to remedy tonight, but as I add my 10 simple pleasures for the week, I'll smatter in my little touch of spring flowers. Here's what has been making me happy the last week.
- Well, let's start with the yellow flowers that keep sprawling out in my rock area. I've shared these before, but they are getting even more full. These were the unexpected new growth on the ground came from the remnants of the Mother's Day hanging basket from last year.
- I got my new eyeglasses, a week earlier than they said they would come. Even with picking out frames on the lower end cost, but what I wanted, they came to $640! I have a strong prescription, so the lenses, to get them very thin, were $375 alone. But I got progressive bifocals, anti glare, and the added light filter for screen use. I'm very happy so far with the results. I have plenty in my spending account since I rolled forward the max of $500 on top of what I put in my account to cover copays, and deductibles.
- The car show returned to our town this weekend, moved from Saturday nights to third Sundays. DD2 and I went down-DH was trying to stay off his foot after a morning putzing around the house. It was nice seeing people we knew and the weather could not have been better.
- This is a mean one, but watching pup chase a fly that got in the house gave me a good chuckle. He jumps and bats, and hunts it down when it moved.
- Homemade guacamole last Wednesday night with our girls dinner was absolutely delicious. I have to watch the number of avocados-I know they are resource dense to grow and transport, but we love it so much.
- Sale, two for one on our favorite BBQ sauce, Sweet Ray's. I know it is probably very generic tasting, but we like it and go through a lot spring through fall-well, year round but even better on grilled food.
- I've been brewing a jar a day of pomegranate Good Earth tea for a refreshing ice tea. We add lemon juice and just a touch of sweetener. It is so refreshing. It is so much better than paying $3-$4 for a coffee shop version. The price went up, but I can still get 18 tea bags for $4.39, and I use three for a quart jar, which yields, well, four ice teas, or 19 cents a tea. In comparison, DD2 spent $5 on a macha green tea at one of the food trucks at the car show.
- It was nice seeing my daughters friend from when she lived in Wisconsin who came for the weekend, and then at the car show, DD2's bestie. It gives me joy to see my kids have really good people as friends.
- I found two dresses I was happy with of the four I ordered. I hate shopping and even more shopping for dresses I feel comfortable at at events where there is a good chance I will be in photos. These, and the light sweaters, and undergarments, are going to be my exceptions to purchasing brand new, non-thrifted items of clothing for the reminder of 2021.
- DH finally found the boat he was looking for at the price he was willing to pay/invest in it. I'm happy for him as it has been a long search.
So poor gardening skills aside, I do love the flowers and the flowering trees I see out and about. I like my own little pots and clusters of flowers. I haven't given up hope on the zinnia seeds I plant which have tiny little green sprouts popping up. Apparently squirrels do not like zinnia seeds. I hope you have a lovely Tuesday and enjoy the rest of your week.
