conservatory

Yea for spring!

We've finally had some time to putz around outside, and we've spent a good many hours just cleaning up to get ready to plant or let things grow. It's amazing to me how many weeds pop up so quickly...

I was very excited to see that we've got good sized asparagus growing this year! We planted the roots last year and they grew tall, thin stalks, but this year it looks to be a tasty treat for us. Our raspberry canes are also spreading like crazy, so I'm eager to see what they produce for us this year. As for the rest of the garden, we'll do the usual tomatoes, peppers, beans, peas and beets. Chip would like to try growing lettuce sometime, too.




Here's the other 'big' news:

Yep, that's 10 yards of dirt...

These are taken with our new camera, which I'm still getting the hang of!

Book recommendation: Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
Recipe recommendation: Fontina and Roasted Peppers
New product recommendation: Diet Coke Plus (with vitamins and minerals!)

haven

Chip and I attended our first marriage retreat this past weekend. It was sponsored by WELS and held at Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan, so we didn't have far to drive. There were couples from as far as Michigan that came! It started Friday night with a session after dinner, and then we had sessions for about half of Saturday. Then we were free to enjoy the gorgeous weather Saturday afternoon, and concluded the evening with an assigned 'date night'. Chip and I went to Kirsch's, which was quite good, and there was live music. It was relaxing and the food was excellent (particularly the appetizer special we ordered). Sunday morning was the last session, followed by a short worship service and then we were free to head home!

Overall, it was a good conference. There were 47 couples there, though, so the group time felt a little rushed. The one-on-one stuff we took away from the seminars is great, and we'll benefit from the materials to go through together. And it was especially nice to spend a bunch of time with my husband after having not seen him so much during tax season. [grin]

Lake Lawn Resort

Book recommendation: The New Girl...and Me by Jacqui Robbins
Recipe recommendation: Sautéed corn
Movie recommendation: The Prestige

demiurgic

Ever get in one of those moods where you feel the need to be creative?

That hit me recently, so I did a floral arrangement, made some cards and baked some cookies!

I've been reading a lot of different crafty/artsy blogs lately, which could partly explain the urge, and wanted to try out a few things. The pictures are with the old camera, so pardon any of the photos. You have to hold the battery case closed when taking a picture...

Recently I took half a day off and met Chip for lunch in Lake Geneva. I took the opportunity to hit the bath shop, Starbucks and then wandered into the Corner Shoppe, which is room after room of nifty things. In the back is their dried and fake flower room, and I picked up a neat beaded branch for $3. It works really well with some silk leaves we already own, though the vase they are currently in doesn't do the arrangement justice.

I've been adapting cards I find on other blogs (sorry, don't have any references anymore...oops...) and they turn into nifty cards, though I have realized I really need to invest in a few more 'big' stamps to get some better effects.


Then, finally, I have been enjoying reading baking bites, and a few days ago, a recipe for lemon buttermilk cookies was posted. I made them as flowers, and added a little lemon sugar sprinkle to the top, to give them a little more character. I thought it would be neat to display these on patterned leaf paper, so I made some of that, too!

If you have a blog you'd like me to visit, or to 'advertise', let me know!

Book recommendation: Magic Thinks Big by Elisha Cooper
Recipe recommendation: Lemon Buttermilk Cookies
Restaurant recommendation: Potbelly Sandwich Works

nieve

What's wrong with this picture?

It was taken this morning through the back door window, that's what! In a lot of ways, I'm not surprised at this snowstorm, but it really isn't fun. And there's a lot more snow than when I took this picture, too. The wind is blowing and cold, the snow is yucky as soon as it hits the ground (read: slush up to your ankles) and the first time I went out today, I forgot I didn't have my car brush in the car anymore...

But otherwise, I'm okay with this snow. We got a pretty easy winter this year, for the most part, and I was fully expecting a snow in April. Plus, Chip and I haven't really developed our garden plan yet, so we still get some more time to do so!

...ya dang old fin flappin' flounder shovel nose mackrel... (Yosemite Sam)

Book recommendation: Alabama Moon by Key Watt
Recipe recommendation: Sea Breeze martini
YouTube recommendation: Hillshire Farms commercial