-:- updates and news

It has been quite awhile since we last met in this space - thank you for sticking around despite my absence! Here are a few updates, in numbers.

# of cavities filled:

Four. Since I've never had a cavity filled before in my life, that was altogether an intriguing and terrifying experience. You can bet I have regular dentist appointments back on my calendar.

# of rocks found for a border in our front yard:

500 million. A few weeks back, we gave our yard some much-needed TLC in the form of some newspaper, mulch, a trip to our city's compost site, and rocks that we used to make a border between a bed in our front yard and the yard itself. Our neighbor liked our rocks so much that she asked if she could copy us! Everything is looking so much better and now we are prepped for some wonderful gardening next year.

# of garlic bulbs planted:

63. Or something like that. We got together with a few fellow community gardeners to plant some garlic off-site. It was a lot of fun and I can't wait until next year when we get to eat all of it up. It also eventually led to Mr. becoming part of the garden steering committee for next year! He's leading his first meeting next week and where I would be a bundle of nerves, he is as cool as a cucumber.

# of visitors:

Two. We had my parents here for two weekends in a row, which was such a wonderful treat. I don't have any pictures of our visit, but I do have a skein of yarn that I purchased while they were here - I think it's destined to become a pair of souvenir house socks.

# of knitting projects completed:

Two. Both hats, one for me, one for a dear friend's cat. Several other projects have been started, but up until recently, progress has been slow.

# of books read:

Zero. I don't think I've ever gone this long without finishing a book, but I'm remedying that now. I picked up an Agatha Christie book at the library last weekend, without knowing much about the author or her work, and have discovered my perfect mystery book - complete with gorgeous pre-war British language. Love.

# of good reasons I have for not knitting, reading, or blogging in the last few months:

One. And it's such a special, exciting excuse to have. We are thrilled.

xox

-:- it was a dark and stormy night...

Last Thursday, we experienced a night filled with the loudest thunder, the brightest lightning, and the strongest winds I have ever witnessed. It was the kind of storm that made me wonder how the squirrels and birds cope with such things.

The next morning, after Mr. investigated our backyard, he discovered that a big branch had fallen from our neighbor's tree - but considering the strength of the storm, we felt lucky that was all we had to deal with. Until I looked out our front window and saw this:

It was a bit like waking up after a large, unexpected snow storm to inches and inches of snow - except this snow was green. And dangerously close to the house. 

We went outside and discovered that a chunk of the tree near the street had fallen onto our blossoming tree in the front yard and wiped it out. I think the tree by the street was already damaged somehow - you can see how the top of the tree's wound is dark - and the winds were strong enough to take it down.

Thankfully, we live in an amazing town and before we knew it, a crew had come in and cleaned everything up, including the big branch in the backyard and our newly demolished blossoming tree. We didn't have to lift a finger or pay a dime - what a relief. And how lucky we are.

Now we have a bit of a clean slate in the front yard. We're deciding whether we'd like to plant another tree (apple, maybe?) or install a raised bed now that we have a bit more sun in that part of our yard. Either way, our kids will have a fun tree stump to play with in the future - and we'll always remember seeing those pink blossoms during our first spring in our new home.

xox

-:- why, hello

Our spring has come and (almost) gone, leaving us looking right at summer. We just returned from a wonderful visit back East to warmer temperatures and sunny skies. Our garden is planted, our tummies are craving fresh fruits and veggies, and our heavy winter comforters have been tucked away.

And this spring, while short, has been so full of lovely things.

We discovered pink blooms on our tree in the front yard, lily of the valley covering one side of our house (my all-time favorite flower), and a lilac bush. We have been hosting and visiting, collecting wonderful memories all along the way. Drop Dead Fred is available on Netflix. And tomorrow, Mr. starts a new chapter in his career as a geologist - instead of as a teacher.

Spring sure took its time getting here, but it was worth the wait. And I can't wait to see what summer has in store for us.

xox

-:- busy weekending

This weekend was the first super busy weekend we've had in a long time - but it was busy in the most wonderful, relaxing way. Saturday involved yoga, the Shepherd's Harvest Festival, and vegan Chinese food for dinner. So good.

We cleaned up a bit when we got home from our full Saturday and then Mr. successfully brewed his first batch of beer while I finished those socks and got them blocking. By the end of the night, our house smelled like fresh beer and wet wool - what's better than that?

Today was dedicated to our poor backyard. We pruned and sawed and pulled huge roots from the ground. We raked and swept and planted clover seeds in one of the few places where sunlight is a certainty (it's a special mix for the bees). There's still so much left to do, but luckily, it's just the kind of work we love in these parts.

Very little of what we had planned for our yard today actually happened, but we made significant progress nonetheless. And we did manage to come home with several plants from an amazing local plant sale, which will have to wait to be planted in the ground just a bit longer...

xox

P.S. Happy Mother's Day!