OH, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING

My surprise garden is going nuts with tulips and grape hyacinth! I didn't know you could put sooooo many bulbs in one small bed. I get excited to go out there every morning to see what else might come up, so far just tons of red tulips.



I can't wait to see what this little white one looks like! All this is sort of a bonus to buying our perfect little dream house.

The front of the house looks very naked with out that big, ugly, dead locust tree, but it's so nice not getting scratched up by the thing. Nick's "lawn" is starting to thicken up, I think it's about 60/40 this morning-60% grass that is.

I really hope we can get the inside of the fence painted before the wedding, speaking of the wedding...I'm done stressing! Things are coming along quite nicely, I'm organized, cool, calm, collected and busier than I want to be. I don't think Nick really understands everything that needs to happen in such a short time but...oh well.

Now if I can just figure out how to make this 46 year old face of mine look 26 again! Shoot I'll take 42! Anyway, that doesn't really matter so much as, Nick loves my 46 year old face, and I'm very fond of his! I think I'm most looking forward to seeing all of my family and friends and being able to spend some time relaxing and enjoying them all.

Nick has planted watermelons in one of the raised beds he built, we're hoping that by July we can walk out there and pick a couple for the reception. I can't wait to see the sticky mess my grand baby Cayden will make with one!!! Speaking of Mr. Cayden, he's crawling! He should be into everything when they're here. Yia Yia better get busy Cade proofing everything!  

Farmer Nick is working hard on our empty lot, he doesn't like to let on but I know he can't wait to show it off to the dads and his mom. I'm really proud of all he has done too. Hard to believe we've only been in the house for two months yesterday!

It's a beautiful day and I'm going to go enjoy it!
xo

AN EASTER WINNER AND SPRING PLANTING

I tried to load these pics of my new planter boxes to load the other day, the computer had other ideas, guess it thinks I brag too much on Nick. It's probably right, It is a computer after all!



Not bad for pallet wood! I can't wait to get them planted. We have had three nights below freezing here so I've forced myself to hold off, but it's supposed to be really warm the next week so I might just have to get it done. I'm thinking about chamomile and maybe some lobelia to trail over the sides. I don't know, having all this property is a bit overwhelming.



I told you I would announce the winner of my first giveaway today and here it is...NATASHA! Her blog,Rickrack and Ribbons, is full of beautiful quilts, inspiration and the second cutest dog face in the world (sorry, Bruno is looking over my shoulder) You should head over there and check it out! Natasha is also one of the sweetest gals out there. I only know her from her blog and her comments but she seems very genuine.

Well, I promised the boyz fresh cinnamon rolls for Easter breakfast, so I better get to mixin'! I hope you have a wonderful Easter!! Me? I'll be here at Two Willows Farm, maybe we'll go see the fireworks at 6:00a.m.! Or not!

xo

MY HOW TIME FLIES

It's hard to believe that we left Portland two months ago, one day short of two months. So much has happened, it feels more like six!

In two months, we've sorted and packed all of our belongings, driven completely across the state, bought a truck, bought a house, I've gone back to work...WOW...



Both Nick and I have remembered lessons learned as children, lessons from parents and grandparents. We have truly been able to slow down a bit, relax a little, and enjoy time together.

We've seen snow that doesn't cripple a city, sunshine, and yes even rain. We've looked to the sky and seen more stars than I've seen since I was a kid on the beach.

We've seen snow covered mountains...

and majestic buttes...

it hasn't been easy...we've had our bumps...but through it all we have all been able to keep in sight what really matters most...we are together, and we are in love. We might not be rich, but who cares!

Well, it's off to work with me.
I hope your day is filled with love, wonder and beauty.

xo

A VERY GOOD DAY INDEED

I don't have to work today. It's a good thing too, I spent ten plus hours in the salon yesterday, had my big six month review with corporate (keep in mind I've been there 2 weeks) and it's spring break here, so I also had to cut a bunch of hair.



The QSR, as we call them, went just like I thought it would, no surprises for me, I know what needs to be done, the owner of the salon however thought that it was unfair and biased, and made me feel as though she holds me responsible for her low score. What ever. I've promised myself I'm not going to worry about it.

Nick decided to take my mind off of it by suggesting we go look at the Ontario State Recreation Area, we have been thinking it would be a good place for our wedding ceremony, I think he really just wanted to see if it would be a good place to fish but, whatever his motives it sounded like a good idea, and it's really nice today.

He went to drop off a couple of resumes and run a couple errands before we left, so I jumped in the shower and got dressed. That sweet man did something very unexpected, he stopped at the grocery and picked up some things for a picnic!

Smoked salmon, cheese, crackers ,strawberries, Mexican pastries and sodas! It was just what I needed! We sat and relaxed, talked about the wedding, talked about our grandson, watched Bru try to act like a civilized dog, all bets are off when it comes to cheese and salmon! It was a beautiful time! I love my two boys so very much, they know just how to make me feel better!

Have you ever wanted to cry because you were happy, but known that if you did the person that was making you happy might misunderstand and think it's his fault somehow that your upset? I've needed a good cathartic cry for a while and just haven't been able to get there.


 I think that I just might go lie down and do that, not because I'm sad but because life is so beautiful!

And because I'm so lucky!

Well, that's all for now. I hope someone you love does something to make you cry tears of joy!

Have a great day!
xo

p.s. remember to enter the giveaway:) you can find details in my last blog!

SENTANCES YOU NEVER THOUGHT YOU'D SAY

Bruno the lap dog...he's alway so proud of himself when he does that! Luckily I had the camera right here! Well, the "army of one" sleighed the last piece of fence yesterday, as well as about 200 poorly laid pavers. He also finally comleted his compost bin and his worm box! That's where the whole sentances you never thought you'd say thing comes in.

So, while he was pulling out the bricks, Nick found 3 worms, let's call the Larry, Moe and Curly. He then informs me that he's going to put the worm box in the basement...I then inocently ask "What's going to keep them in their box and not crawling all over the laundry?" sentance one I never thought I'd say. Sentance two went something like this...we're having dinner and I realize while makeing said dinner I put garlic skins in the compost bucket under the sink, and I actually heard myself say "Do worms like garlic?" WHAT!! Well, I guess I'm getting the country life I wanted.

The supreme ruler of  BRUNOTOPIA. All hail the king. I think he's been secretly working out the landscape plans, Poor Nick, I'm not sure he knows what he's in for.

I think today I'll tackle these boxes in the library. After I post my blog everyday I look at all sorts of others, for inspiration and I get so jealous! All of these women have beautiful homes, so nicely decorated and so well put together. I can't wait until mine is like that, the day I can post a picture of a room all the way finished, furnished and put together! Well, sitting here won't make that happen, now will it?

Have a beautiful day!

(oh, and if you want some inspiration for your own cozy cottage check out my blog list over there on the right!)

SUNNY DAYS AND COUNTRY DATES

AHHH...A nice sunny spot for the Bru! He loves hanging out in Brunotopia. Nick has been so busy trying to expand the boarders of Bruno's kingdom, and the army of one has succeeded!!

O.K. we know the place needs to be painted...and yes we have a plan...even if we don't get to the painting won't it be cute with window boxes across the front? Maybe one of my Mom's favorite flowers...nasty urchins...or as most of us call them nasturtiums.

The garage is my favorite building on the property. So rustic and charming, and it isn't ready to fall down like so many old out buildings you see! I am so blessed to have this place, and my two guys! I've only known two men besides Nick who are as hard working...my Daddy and my Ga'pop... Guess I have to add Nick's dad Lee to that list...we have a plumbing project to take care of today and I know Nick wishes his dad was here to help. Boy do we have a long list of projects for Lee when he gets here!!!!

I want to finish my spice rack project as well as my favorite clock. Hopefully we can go get at least one dresser so we can at least get our clothes put away--Nick was just putting things away in the fridge thinking how much he was hurting when he nailed his head on the fridge door! His comment? "Now I really hurt from the tips of my toes to the top of my head!". -We had a country date last night, we went to the auction preview, that was a bust, then we went to dinner which was not a bust! WINGERS, good food, good service, really a nice time, and with out the Bru! After dinner Nick really had something special for me...KMART! He really knows how to show a girl a good time!!

Well, I'm feeling guilty just sitting here doing this...guess I should put one last coat on the spice rack so I can get it hung up...then maybe organize the laundry! Have a great day!!!

LITTLE SURPRISES

Yes, that's Bru, and Yes, he's actually sleeping that way! Another day at the motel, on Tuesday it will be 2 weeks. We really thought that we'd only be here a week at the longest, we packed accordingly, big mistake. We have been to the laundry twice already and really should have gone today but...it's Sunday...and we both have one more pair of clean socks left.

Yesterday Nick had to go over to our storage unit in Fruitland. He got on his bike and rode over the bridge to get Bruno his thyroid medication, in the "rain". While he was trying to remember where he had packed those pills he ran into my knitting stuff. Last week we went to my very favorite yarn store, White House Yarns, here in Ontario. The store is beautiful and the yarn is even nicer! It's located in the first house built in Ontario. When I walked up to the door I saw a sign...WE ARE CLOSING...what? That store was one of he biggest reasons I wanted to move here! Well I went in and did buy a few skeins of yarn but no needles. I guess the shock of finding a great yarn store, and having it close after I had only been in there once, sort of rattled me good. For those of you who knit, I know you understand what I was going through, 660 yards of yarn and no needles. When he told me he brought them to me, well, I almost cried! I did the only thing I could, I cast on a prayer shawl.

You can't really tell in the picture but the yarn is a rich eggplant purple that changes to a milk chocolate color and right now I'm working in a dark caramel shade. When I picked this monster skein up all I could see was the purple, the variegation was a big surprise but I like it. I think I'll keep this shall and put it in the Quonset so when we have guest they'll have something warm and full of love to wrap around their shoulders on a chilly evening. When I finish it I'll post more pictures and the pattern, hopefully in it's place of greeting in the Quonset!

We're meeting the heating inspector in the morning, hopefully that will all be good news. Just in case, if you're reading this, please say a little prayer for us. I can't wait to get in there and get some pictures. Your mind sort of distorts things. Like I can't remember what color the fireplace is, or the carpet. Buying a house is really something else. Hopefully tomorrow we'll know when we can move in there, and get out of here!