Low-key Evening

Happy Monday, everyone! After I got home from work this evening, I cooked supper for Scott and I. Steaks with cracked peppercorn seasoning and sauteed Brussels sprouts. Delicious.

Afterward, Scott mowed the lawn and I spent some time taking pictures of the yard and what's been blooming lately.

I'm finishing up my low-key evening with a bit of housework and laundry. I also made a clean eating recipe for homemade whole wheat pizza crust to use tomorrow night. And, blogging, of course. 

Tonight I'll end with this verse about family. I've been thinking about my family a lot today and how much they mean to me, even though we don't see each other that often. The beauty of the love we feel for our family is that it is a selfless love. A love that compels us to do things for one another that does not benefit ourselves, but the other. 

"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10

I hope you all had a great Monday. Enjoy the evening.

Roses are Red, Grass is Green

Roses are red, grass is green. I have no idea where I was going with that, but I did photograph both grass and roses yesterday evening. Suggestions are welcome in finishing that little verse. I'd love to hear them. Extra points for the inclusion of animal-related themes.



Last night I spent some time working in the yard. I made a coffee, grabbed my camera, put Dart on his leash and headed out into the gorgeous weather. I've been working on our pond area. The previous homeowners had a lot of plants around the pond that were very wispy and wild-looking. I like a bit more of a lush, green, intentional look. So, I've been pulling out a lot of the old to make room for new. I'm thinking ornamental grass, hostas, perennial mums and I did plant some hens 'n chicks.







The yard was overrun by birds last night. Naturally, Dart was in heaven.







I really have to monitor him outside because last year both a baby Bluejay and a full-sized Robin fell into his murderous clutch. (And no, the birds did not die. Both times we were fortunate enough to catch him before a killing occurred) What can I say? Animal instinct at its finest.



Things are really green right now. I love spring for that reason. I wore my Sperry ankle boots to work in the yard. They keep your feet dry and they help me not to slip when I'm walking on the pond rocks with my pool skimmer to clean out the leaves.



Not only did I have a great evening in the yard, but I was able to meet my friend Theresa for lunch yesterday. We met at this great little bakery/cafe and I had a salad that came on a platter. A platter! I ate about half and saved the other half for Scott. I snapped a pic of my outfit before leaving for lunch.



Daily Discussion: What is your favorite thing to do outside in the spring? Least favorite?

Week-END

Well, we made it to Friday everyone! This was one of those jam-packed weeks where there seemed to be a million things on my to-do list. I was pretty happy to see 5 p.m.

My in-laws, sister-in-law and her two little ones were supposed to visit this weekend. But, my poor nephew has strep and mono! He cried when his mamma told him that they couldn't visit. So bummed!

Since we won't have house guests, Scott and I will probably work on some projects around the house and in the yard.

Scott traveled about three hours away for a photo shoot today for his job, so we were up at 4 a.m. It's now after 10 p.m. and he's still not home. I think he's going to be pretty exhausted when he gets in.

Spring has definitely sprung around here. I'm getting antsy to start working on my yard. I've been scouring Pinterest for ideas. Here are a few things I'd like to accomplish this spring and summer:

• Re-stain our deck.
• Plant veggies and herbs in raised beds or containers.
• Re-landscape the side of our house by planting some new plants, shrubs, etc.
• Purchase and plant some new plants for around our backyard pond.
• Plant annuals in my big planter out front.
• Put together a few pots of pretty annuals for my front porch and deck.

Here are a few inspiration photos I've pinned:

Source: images.search.yahoo.com via Kelly {Prairieglitter} on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Kelly {Prairieglitter} on Pinterest

Source: homeideasdesign.com via Kelly {Prairieglitter} on Pinterest

Source: allsuperdesign.com via Kelly {Prairieglitter} on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Kelly {Prairieglitter} on Pinterest

Looking at these photos just makes me want to get outside! How about you? Do you have any weekend plans to work outside?

Have a great weekend!

Garden Variety

A few photos I've taken (with my phone) in the yard recently. It seems we've had a good amount of rain this year, so everything has looked really lush and pretty.

Weekend Re-cap

We all wish the weekend lasted longer. I couldn't agree more. This week, I'm fairly certain the work I did in our yard will accompany me every day, as I feel I've been hit by a train. Not quite the extension of my weekend I was hoping for.

But, the aches and pains are worth it. Our 1,800 gallon pond is once again operational, the remnants of last fall's leaves are in yard waste bags and the leaves of old plants are torn out, making room for the new shoots and leaves to break through the soil.

I was over the moon to see that I have daffodils almost ready to bloom. I usually enjoy winter, but this year I'm ready for a warm-up.

Saturday and most of Sunday were spend doing outdoor projects and I must have been so focused that I forgot to take any photos of our progress. Soon, soon. We ended our evening by going to evening church services and then out to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants for a meal and Margaritas.

Well, it's Wednesday now and I am still sore. I have a new-found respect for the elderly in my neighborhood I see out gardening every day.

Tomorrow is the big "B-Day." Basement Day. We have a local basement company coming to repair our sinking basement. For the price of a Smart Car. Well, maybe not a Smart Car, but a Ford Festiva. In good condition.