May

We decided to make new flowerbeds. Really big ones right in the middle of the lawns on each side of our driveway.  Even though I don't mind mowing, having the new beds will cut down on a little mowing and it was a nice way to round up the trees already there, thus making it simpler to mow. I really didn't like going around each of them individually before.  

We rented a sod stripper and that sure saved on a lot of back breaking work.  BUT, it was still a ton of work!  We had to lift it up and load it all on the truck to haul away.  We actually took away 3 loads! And it rained and hailed while we worked making it a muddy messy job.

After that, came the part I love. Finding the plants I wanted and then arranging them in the new beds. I now have all my very favorite trees right in my own front yard. Plus some evergreen and flowering shrubs.  I will fill in with some perineals as I find what I want, but for now, I love the new look.

 

Before we rented the sod stripper, John sprayed a section by my garden to kill the grass so I can plant more grapes and berries.  That is when I realized that it was going to take way more work that I had planned on.  I don't mind work, it is just the kind of work that matters and digging and scraping sod was not on my list of want-to-dos. So glad we had the sod stripper or it would have taken weeks to finish this job.

So now my vegetable and fruit garden is enlarged and all planted too.  I can't wait to see it start growing and start harvesting.  It is mostly for the grandkids to pick, but I am especially looking forward to having my own raspberries.  They are my favorite. 

It was fantastic weather for Mother's Day. John and Rachel and Jessi and the kids came over for a little while before we headed over to Mom's for dinner.

The kids bought me a new outdoor clock and thermometer and some awesome work gloves.

The spring flowers have been extra beautiful this year. The colors and abundance have been amazing.

Lina had a sick day with us. It is so cute to me that she always has an agenda on her sick days. This time we made stuffed animals.

The girls had their spring concerts. Josiah had his last one last spring. This is the last one for Arianna, unless she decides to do choir next year. She did a solo this year.

Josiah did his country project. Not surprising that he picked the Dominican Republic.

Lina picked Tennessee for her state project.

We got great news from the kids in California that Gabe placed third in the individual speaker at the debates. 

The girls spent the day with me while Jessi took Josiah fishing. Baking some snickerdoodles was on their list to things to do.

We have had an eagle soaring over our place.

It paid off to get up before the sun was up! Such a glorious sunrise!

Just when I think I am done buying plants for the yard, I found this little gem waiting for me. Now how could I have passed her up? My name is even spelled right.

The month ended with the addition of Henry George to our family. What a blessing!!

I can't wait to hold my second great-grandson!