In The Garden - April 26, 2022

The local weatherman is fairly certain that last night's frost warning was the last of the season. I hope he's right. Otherwise, I might be jumping the gun just a tad too early, but that's okay. I'm enjoying the long spring and have been busy in the garden regardless.

The hummers are back, so I started the morning by refilling the new hummingbird feeder with fresh nectar. 

I transplanted petunias...the red, white, and blues into a hanging basket and a variety of striped and spotted into a wooden planter box. 

Silas brought his tiller over yesterday afternoon and tilled up two flower beds for me along the south side of the house. I planted a variety of sunflower seeds in one; poppies, bachelor's buttons, and marigolds in the other.

I got the herbs planted in the herb wheel (sage, rosemary, thyme, eucalyptus, and basil). While there I dead-headed the chives that are already thriving.

I found a morel mushroom when weed-eating along the back fencerow this morning. I had cut it in half before I realized what I had, but I salvaged it and will have it with my supper tonight.

Zinnias are sprouting up in the garden and in the flower beds along the front porch.

The first purple irises of the season are in bloom. These are the ones that my Aunt Linda Lemmons loved so much. They serve as a memorial and remembrance of her each spring. 

The lilacs and flowering trees are in bloom and the garden is abuzz with pollinators of all kinds.

It's a lovely spring and I'm looking forward to enjoying more of it. 

That's some of what's going on in my garden. What's going on in yours?

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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Good morning! It's the last Monday of April and 2022 is movin' on! 

View From The Top of an Arkansas Mountaintop

How was your week and weekend? My week here was great!!!

The first part of the week was quiet. I worked around the house cleaning, doing laundry, etc. and sorted through my closet exchanging winter clothes for summer. 

I got quite a few things planted in the garden...corn, green beans, onions, several kinds of squash (zucchini, white scalloped, butternut), and pumpkin. This was mostly seed and sets. I've got lots of plants to set out, but it's still a bit too chilly to take a chance. 

I planted zinnias along the entire length of the north edge of the garden. My goal is to raise enough flowers to keep the butterflies happy and me in pretty bouquets all summer long.

On Thursday I went with Patrick and Amber and their family on an overnight getaway to Tulsa. It was a short trip, but, man! We crammed a lot of good stuff in!

On the way down we visited the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve at Pawhuska, Oklahoma. The state park that I work at here in Missouri has just under 4,000 acres of tallgrass prairie with 2,500 of them being open to approximately 60 bison; it is the largest piece of tallgrass prairie left in Missouri. The Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Oklahoma has 2,500+ bison running on 40,000 acres of tallgrass prairie; it is the largest piece of tallgrass prairie left in the world. It was amazing!!! Bison, bison everywhere, but no babies. When we got home I saw a post on their Facebook page that said four had been spotted on the preserve over the weekend. 

Our next stop was at the Voice of the Martyrs headquarters at Bartlesville. I plan on doing a full post on that and will share more later.

After arriving at Tulsa we settled into our accommodations, ate supper, then headed to Flashpoint Live at ORU. With over 12,000 people in attendance it was the single largest Christian/political event that I've ever been a part of in my life. It was incredible and we were blessed to have been there. 

Flashpoint Live With Mario, Hank, Lance, and Gene

On our way back to the hotel that night we visited the pedestrian bridge that crossed the Arkansas River at Jenks. After breakfast the next morning we visited it again. Night or day, it was absolutely beautiful and we were surprised at the variety of animals we witnessed from its deck. There were cliff swallows, Canada geese, mallard ducks, several kinds of turtles, even an American bald eagle! 

We followed a good portion of Route 66 on our way across northeast Oklahoma.

We even discovered and made an unexpected stop at the Blue Whale. Turns out that it is a popular site along the old, historic route. 

We had supper at a 1950's diner...

...then we headed into Arkansas to visit friends of Patrick and Amber's before heading back to Missouri and home. With the redbud and dogwood trees in bloom springtime in northwest Arkansas is beautiful! 

Saturday morning Tony and I ran out to the Amish greenhouse. Like I didn't have enough flower and vegetable plants needing to go in the ground already, I ended up bringing home more. If everything produces, I should be set for the summer on fresh vegetables and so should everyone I know. LOL! 

The hummers are back! Saw the first one of the year yesterday afternoon. What a delight!

Now, here we are, back around to Monday. Let's take a look at the week ahead...shall we?

This week's master to-do list...

- clean house

- start my spring cleaning list

- do laundry

- clean out the herb wheel and get planted

- set garden plants out daily to harden off before planting in garden

- transplant flowers into hanging baskets

- run errands

- get together with dil over breakfast

- make and distribute May baskets to family and friends

- work 

A Bison of a Different Color in Pawhuska

This week's menu plan includes...

Monday - Chicken ranch salad with matzo bread

Tuesday - Broiled salmon, baked sweet potato, sautéed spinach, and fresh asparagus

Wednesday - Turkey breakfast patty with fried potatoes, peppers, and onions

Thursday - Pasta with meat sauce, salad, and garlic bread

Friday - Turkey breast cutlet with mashed potatoes, fried cabbage, and fresh beets

Saturday - Bison roast with potato (baked or mashed) and oven roasted carrots

Sunday - Leftovers

Bison Like This Were Everywhere in Pawhuska

Well, that's it for today! You have a nice day and a great week ahead and I'll be with you again soon!

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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Good morning! I pray that you and yours had a great week and weekend and an absolutely lovely Resurrection Sunday! Mine was sure good here!

Let's see...the last time I checked in I was rather anxious because Fiona was hidden out and in labor. It took me a while to locate her (she was in the very back corner of the closet in my bedroom), but the Lord heard and answered my prayer. Fiona was not distressed and she delivered her kittens whole, healthy, and without incident. The best part is there are only two of them!!! I am so thankful!!! 

Fiona and Her Kittens

I had read that cats can have any where from one to twelve kittens per litter; I, personally, had never seen fewer than three and was prepared for, at least, that many. I am quite pleased that there are only two. Thank You, Jesus! 

Thursday I had a doctor appointment and multiple errands to run between Lamar and Lockwood. I didn't want to go by myself, so grandson, Silas, rode along. We had a good time and enjoyed our day together.

Friday evening I was invited to Patrick and Amber's where we enjoyed a lovely Seder meal. Amber prepared traditional Seder dishes including lamb, bitter herbs, and haroset. Patrick walked us through the symbolism of each and led us through a time of prayer and blessing. It was a fine time of fun and fellowship.

Seder Plate

Saturday morning daughter-in-law, Angie, and I attended surrogate granddaughter, Chloe's, bridal shower. 

Chloe and I

Chloe and granddaughter, Heather, have been good friends since kindergarten. Through the years the girls and I have gotten together for several tea parties. 

Heather, Chloe, and I

Heather, Chloe, and I

Chloe's bridal shower was tea party themed and was a lot of fun! The only thing missing was Heather. Sadly, she was unable to attend. 😢

My Plate @ Chloe's Shower - So pretty!

Saturday evening I had an egg hunt for the grands. There were lots of eggs and plenty of candy to go around. I'm pretty sure they all enjoyed it even though it was a bit chilly.

The Grands That Were Able To Make It This Year

Grandgirls Mercy, Ruth, and Esther

While they were here Buddy got my garden area tilled. As soon as it stays warm enough I've got lots of plants ready to go in the ground and I can't wait to get started! 

Sunday morning we got together for breakfast before church, then celebrated our Resurrected Savior. Resurrection Sunday was the most important day of the year to my husband and I felt his absence more yesterday than any other thus far. I sure do love and miss him!

John and I - April of 2018

So here we are...back around to Monday and the start of a brand new week! What are your plans for the week? Here are some of mine...

This week's master 'to do' list...

- clean house

- do laundry 

- get a few things planted in the garden (it's still too cool to do too much, but I can at least get a few onions in the ground)

- get together with my friend, Carla

- plan an upcoming adventure or two

- mark a thing or two off my spring bucket list 

- visit the Amish greenhouse and get some bedding plants

Violets and Henbit

This week's menu plan...

Monday - Homemade pizza

Tuesday - Corned beef, cabbage, and baked potato

Wednesday - Broiled salmon, baked sweet potato, and sauteed celery

Thursday - Out

Friday - Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet with brown rice

Saturday - Turkey burger and oven fries

Sunday - Leftovers

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Well, that's it for today! Have a nice day and a great week ahead and I'll be with you again soon!

Until next time,

~Rebecca

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It's a cool and rainy spring morning here on the tallgrass prairie of southwest Missouri, and it's put me in a Beatrix Potter mood. In fact, I'm watching Miss Potter even as I type this and visit with you.

I'm trying not to be anxious, but I can't help being a bit nervous. Fiona is in labor and has hidden herself away in an out of the way place. I'm praying that she is not distressed and that she delivers her kittens whole, healthy, and without incident. 

The yard looks so pretty this morning. The tiniest of spring flowers...spring beauties, bluets, violet, henbit, false garlic, and dandelion...dot the whole of it. The bridal's wreath bush and red bud tree are in full bloom. The classic pastel colors of spring...pinks, blues, lavenders, purples, and yellows stand out stunningly against the green of new grass and the newly-leafed out trees. The cherry trees, lilac, and dogwood buds are ready to burst forth into full flower at any moment. I'm so thankful for spring flowers and the beauty that they provide! 

Well, I just wanted to stop in and say hello! What are your plans for the day? What are your plans for the upcoming holiday?

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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