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thanks, bj

Thursday, April 24, 2008

~ WORK ....and ....DREAMS ~



I am like anybody else....I don't mind work when it produces something THIS pretty....

in fact, I LOVE working in this sort of environment.....I dream of it a LOT...

the beauty.....

the lovely fragrance.......


"One's heart is nearer to God in a garden
than any place else on Earth"................I believe that !

I WANT to be working in a place like this...........*sigh


And, ESPECIALLY in a place like this ! ..............

....Isn't this just the neatest way to garden you've EVER seen ?

I am so excited about doing something like this. We had already decided to try some patio container gardening this season but THIS.....

Oh, I REALLY want to do something like THIS !! *sigh and double sigh

*************


BUT, IT IS NOT TO BE BECAUSE OF THIS...................



If there is anyone left on the planet that doesn't know what this lovely, little yellow beauty is...it's a DANDELION.....a weed....an undesirable !


And, THIS is a Dandelion PICKER ! You push it in, right beside the dreaded WEED, push, tilt, and it pulls that weed out, roots and all........

This year, for reasons unknown, we have a LOT of these little, mean, hard*to*get*rid*of boogers and we HAVE to dig them or else spray. Since I'm not a big fan of weed killers, we (did I say WE?) will dig them out............

*sigh and starting to sob just a bit here

I dug a LOT of them out yesterday and still have some to do but....it's getting there.

We also worked on our winter wood pile for our fabulous wood burning stove....

It was all stacked on the patio, up next to the fence on a home-made log holder...

Logs covered in dead leaves.....BIG MESS ! BIG !

So, we put together the new log holder BILL got for Christmas, cleaned the leaves off the logs, positioned the holder beneath the porch overhang, right beside our doors, and filled it up to the brim.....what a fabulous place for the logs !

Now, the logs will stay dry and will be handy from the door to bring inside during the winter for a nice, roaring fire.....

But....I sure was tired and, all the while, was STILL dreaming of my lovely gardens that I would rather be working in.....*SIGH and downright cryin' now

We ALSO cleaned out our outdoor fun fireplace....the one where we roast marshmallows and hot dogs with the grand kids....

Cleaned and scrubbed, inside and out....all ready for another round of cooking when the kids are hungry for another weenie roast.
***************
Yep, there's lots of yard work to be done and cleaning of THE PLACE before I can devote time to other projects like.....

GARDENS......

Remember...we are OLD and we work awhile, rest awhile, play awhile...It takes us twice or three times longer to get a job done now that even 5 years ago....And......

....speaking of playing, I finally.....

after a long, LONG work day, decided we needed

REST, RELAXATION AND................


REFRESHMENT !!!!!!!!

The good thing.....there's still time to start a garden of sorts...and if we continue to work as we did yesterday, we'll have the clean-up done in nothing flat and then......DREAMS CAN COME TRUE !


Have a relaxing day, if you possibly can...WORK tomorrow!! :)



Oh, and did I remember to give thanks for being ABLE to still work ? Let me do that this very minute!


Hugs, bj

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

You're a good and diligent soldier. Now, please tell me why it's work before play instead of play before work.

You know what they say, "Life's short. Have dessert first."

Kathleen Grace said...

Wow, you dig those pretty flowers up!? LOL, seriously, I kind of think they are pretty and since our yard is about 3 acres, I have decided to go with a more natural look. pretty yellow flowers dotting my lawn. Hubby wants to make raised beds for the garden this year, we will see what happens with that, he still has bookshelves to make!

Rosie's Whimsy said...

Oh what a fun day! Today is an all day gardening day for Hubby and I.....nothing glam.....just more clean-up.....but we love it!

You know my Momma use to go out in the very early spring when the dandelion leaves were still young and tender and use them as greens for salad with a hot bacon dressing. That's a frugal depression era meal!

:-) Rosie

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi BJ!
Oh it feels so good to clean things off and get ready for some outdoor enjoyment! I've just started on mine and it feels great!! I especially love the refreshment breaks!
Hugs, Sherry

Cora from Hidden Riches said...

Dessert first! I agree!

I have to say my garden dreams (or delusions of grandeur) are like yours! Being in Florida, I find the pots work best for me! Not as far to bend, easier to water, I can move them when the sun gets too hot, etc. Start small! Otherwise it gets too overwhelming!
And there is always the vegetable stand!

Cora

NnN said...

BJ, I've been doing the same thing here! It is finally warm enuf to clear the gardens off! I, too, wanted a little raised garden, so last year, we did just that. It is small (maybe 3 x 4 feet) surrounded by landscape brick, and outside the kitchen window. There is just one tomato and one pepper plant, plus 5 different herbs. It is big enuf to have plenty, and small enuf to be managable! And, I agree...when did I start to creak whenever I stand up!!?!? But thank God I still CAN straighten back up! :) Happy gardening to you!

Adrienne said...

Hi, BJ - I want to garden in raised beds but my sweetheart isn't impressed with all the work and time it will take to get them ready! It's not at the top of his 'to-do' list. I can't wait to get some work done in our yard when the weather warms just a bit. Or is dry for a day or two. We just bought a wonderful fireplace for our patio and can't wait to use it. When it warms a bit I think we will. ~Adrienne~

SweetAnnee said...

Oh you worked HARD..and I a so glad you treated yourself..I love to do that!!!
fondly my dear one, Deena

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

BJ, What a wonderful day. It is hard work. But, the kind I love to do. I love the raised garden. My sister gardens like that. I have been considering it. I can tell your season is ahead of ours. I do have my landscaping and flower beds cleaned up. Now, I just have to wait another week to go buy plants and haul my outdoor furniture up from the basement. I can't wait!! Hugs, Terrie

Dena said...

Wow BJ, I've never heard of that tool..we have tons and tons of them this year among the dreaded bur clover. The whole yard front and back will have to be re-seeded I'm afraid but now I have to go find one of those tools for next time :)

Hugs,
Dena

<<<~~~Jeannie~~~>>> said...

Hello BJ :) I would love to watch your garden grow...

Thanks for visiting me in my other blog.

Jeannie

Mary said...

BJ,

I gave up on getting rid of dandelions a long time ago. We also have white clover growing in our yard. Ours is the only lawn along this block that doesn't have erosion on the terrace.

The Ontario government has banned pesticides in the province and they've all been taken off the shelves. We use environmentally friendly or home remedies for getting rid of weeds and pests.

Love all your photos. You worked very hard and deserved to treat yourself.

Take care and enjoy your gardening.

Blessings,
Mary

Anita said...

We're planning on doing our whole back yard (eventually) in raised garden beds like this one... within 3 years we will be producing all our own food (other than grains, dairy, and meat)... I have organic suppliers for the meat eggs, and dairy, and I'm planning on waging my own war against the city council's ruling of no chickens in town (we're a tiny farming community, I mean come on!)

Betty said...

Hi BJ,

I haven't visited you in a few days. Sorry about that, but we are getting ready for another trip soon. Leaving May 4th for a week. I have been doing laundry today and trying to get some other things done around the house.

You always post such pretty pictures, which makes your blog a joy to visit.

I love Blue Bell ice cream, don't you? It's simply the best other than Bryers.

Hugs,
Betty

Anonymous said...

My wee grandson brought me a flower this morning that he picked in my yard...care to guess what kind of flower??
Yep...a dandy dandelion!!

Talk..to..Grams said...

We have the same kind of flowers in our yard as you do!! Pesky little dandelions!! Sounds like a lot of yard work! Love and hugs Grams

Mrs. B said...

Hi BJ! Wow, is that picture with all those gazillions of flowers from your yard? That's so pretty! My hubby (he's the gardener at our house) built some raised beds last year. They worked pretty well, but they're full of weeds now! He even made paths in between all covered with wood chips and the weeds grew right up through that too!

Thanks for your very nice comments on my blog! I'll post when I figure out what to do with those jars!

Midlife Mom said...

You sure did a lot of work! I love the stacked wood by the door. There's just something so homey about having wood by the door for those cool winter nights. Mine got taken over by red squirrels living in it so we had to move it as the cats were having a field day trying to catch the poor little guys. I don't think they caught any actually! Yeah!
We are finally getting green grass and some plants are coming up. It just seems so good after our VERY long winter this year. Can't wait to start putting in Wave petunnias and all the other things that I like! :o)

Anonymous said...

BJ

I love the garden pictures. I completely understand about the little yellow flowers!

Don't work to hard!

Donna

Susie said...

Hi BJ,
My you've been working so hard! We have those raised beds and also containers for our veggies and they do make it a bit easier on the back.
It's always so satisfying to get the yard ready to enjoy for the warmer weather.
Don't overdo!!
hugs!!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

BJ! I feel your pain, when it comes to dandelions...funny thing is they are a pretty flower, and the "greens" are good to eat..

I LOVE your newly stacked log pile. What a great log holder! Can you remember where it came from? I need something like that.
Hugs,
Penny

Anonymous said...

I have been working alittle in the yard,but nothing so beautiful yet.

Anonymous said...

What a cute post. I loved the follow up with the dandelion...so cute. But, looks like you've been having fun. :)
Alexandra

Anonymous said...

Hi BJ....
Just a note on the dandelions...
scientific name for dandelions is Taraxacum officinale. When you see the word, officinale in a name, it means the plant has been prized for its medicinal properties. In the case of dandelions, the roots, flowers and "dandelion greens" not only have medicinal uses, but also culinary uses. Dandelion greens are, in fact, quite nutritious. Me, I personally don't like 'em in the yard either. Hubby thinks they are beautiful each spring..not me. I go out and dig them up..you sure can't pull 'em them up...All parts of the dandelion are edible:

Dandelion root can be roasted as a coffee-substitute, or boiled and stir-fried as a cooked vegetable.
Dandelion flower can be made into a wine, or boiled and stir-fried as a cooked vegetable.
Dandelion greens (i.e., the leaves) can be boiled, as you would spinach, and used as a cooked vegetable, in sandwiches or as a salad green with some "bite." Consult recipes for dandelion greens for ideas.

Of the 3 parts of the plant, the leaves are the most widely used. i,
personally have never tried any but that is just a thought. Better research this before you cook up Hubby a big pot of greens from "your Garden".
I am not officially a blogger yet but Annie in LR would like her name put in the pot (not the green pot)if permissible... for the gift...No, 2nd thought, that is not fair...but you just wait until I get my blog up....love all you gals and we've never met...My blood work excellent this week!
..Yeah!!!PRAISE GOD from whom all blessings flow!
ANNIE IN LR

Susie Q said...

I know this particular pain oh too well! I clean them out and they come right back in another spot! This is a bad year for them.

Don't work TOO hard...but know I will be there with ya, working away for the next week or so, On the yard, the garage and the car. How does it all get so messy over the Winter?? : )

Love,
Sue