The Garden

I have been told, here in Pennsylvania, you should always plant on or about May 20th; well, that's what the "old timers" say anyway. While Hannah was at piano, I went to the nursery (Liniks in Finleyville) and bought my garden plants. I had to buy them this year because got a late start on planting. I did buy seeds this year from a heirloom seed company, but I didn't realize I should have bought them in early March to start them inside...so I had to buy starter plants.

Hannah and I had a great time planting, yesterday. The boys helped too. We planted 3 different tomatoes, zucchini, 3 different kind of cucumbers, 2 slicing kind and 1 pickling kind, 3 different kind of lettuce, strawberries, green beans, peas, sugar snap peas and beets. The kids planted pumpkin seeds on a mound at the other end of the yard. Today Ben and I will be planting parsley, basil, dill, thyme, rosemary, chamomile, lavender, and a black raspberry plant.

I love gardening!

Mothers Day

I used to not be a fan of "Hallmark" holidays like Mother's Day. Probably because it usually meant more work for me! However, yesterday was different, a lot different. Late Saturday night I mentioned to the kids and Dave I would like to not have flowers or yard work on Mother's day this year, just Lindt Dark Chili Chocolate. (I should mention here that the flowers and yard work was always my idea, not theirs!) Then after everyone woke up on Sunday morning I decided I wanted Beverly and Clay to join us for dinner; dinner that Dave and the kids were going to make. But in order for that to happen the house needed to be cleaned too, and I wasn't going to do that either! They all joyfully agreed to serve me this way. and I LET THEM!!!!!

I made a list of things that Dave needed to get from the store for dinner and off he went. While he was gone the kids cleaned the house. All I had to do was clean my room, which by the way not only needed it but I was glad to do it! Then I laid on my bed and listened to my iPod for a really long time...DOING NOTHING!!!!! It was great!

After a while Dave returned and the dinner preparations were underway. We had stuffed pork roast with baked potatoes and green beans. Danielle made Buckeye's for dessert. Clay brought 3 pounds of huge, cored, perfectly ripe, strawberries with dipping sauce.

Then we ate! What a meal!!!! Oh my goodness, it was fantastic; I stuffed myself!

The very best part about the meal was, I didn't have to clean up ANYTHING!!!!!

After dinner, we retired to the living-room for an amusing game of toss the whiffle ball, a game that Benjamin invented. Mr. Bossy Pants, Ben, was bossing everyone around, no one was safe...it didn't matter he was the youngest(4) one in the room while everyone else is 8 to 82, he thought he was the oldest and in charge! He was telling everyone exactly where to toss the ball. It was great fun! :)

I did get a few gifts for Mother's Day, I just love them too. Dave picked up on the blatant hint of chocolate and bought 5 boxes of Lindt's Chili flavored Dark Chocolate (one from each one of the kids), and 2 huge baskets of outdoor flowers. Danielle made a card from all the kids that made me cry. It had pictures of each one of the kids on it with a space for everyone to write a little note for me.

Thank you guys for such a wonderful Mother's Day! I really enjoyed it and I love you all so much!!!!!