Buckle Up...

Ok..March is making a statement. Has to have the last word, kinda 
like our kids when they were teenagers. Lots of rain and very
much on the windy side. This is a good day to spend inside  
working on my blog. 

While thoughts of flowers are dancing through your head, you
probably have some prep work ahead of you. I know my list of
yard chores is growing.

Let's make our own list shall we?

1. Take a walk around your yard. Clean up, thin out, prune away
    what's not needed. We're talking leaves, sticks, debris. Look at
     your lawn..some bare spots, take note.
2.  Prune summer-flowering shrubs before buds swell. 
     NO pruning to spring bloomers until after they flower. Cut 
     back ornamental grasses. See previous post on Clematis care.
3.  Prep your damaged or bare lawn areas. I checked with my 
     lawn care specialist and he okayed some early seeding on those 
     bare spots. He adds to make sure the seed has contact with the 
     soil. Rake those areas to loosen the soil. Spring rains will help 
     keep the soil wet for growth. April will see the fertilization and 
     weed treatments starting.
4.  Mowing can happen if it needs it but make sure ground not wet.
5.  Add compost/manure to your garden areas, especially for the
     raised beds. Amending the soil with organic matter will help it  
     to stay fertile and workable.
6.  Ready your garden tools, bird feeders, pots/planters. Do some
     cleanup on lawn furniture.
7.  Cool-season crops are frost tolerant. They can be put in the
     ground before a last frost. Examples are broccoli, turnips,
     radishes, onions, rhubarb and asparagus. Google for specific
     information. Remember warm-season crops need to wait until
     after the last frost date for your area. See below for last frost
     dates. Thanks to, www.bonnieplants.com 
    

8.  Plan your flower/vegetable garden now. Lay it out on paper. 
     Make a list of what you're going to plant. The nurseries and
     big box store are getting ready for the enthusiastic home
     gardener.  Umm ok, I confess…a little garden shopping.
     

      

Celebration here, the Potting Shed is open for business. Husband
Ron took off the winter doors. Yippee!!

Here's a peek, and more to come. Note: see my new berry basket
hanging light, love it. Thanks my sweet.

I'm worn out from the excitement, and it's just starting!! So 
excited about Spring, sunshine, warm weather, flowers etc. etc.

next up, new garden word, recipe, and book review

Thanks for stopping by…..

Fresh Start

Oh happy day! Our arms are thrust outward as we welcome
the longer days of sunlight to pursue our favorite outdoor 
activities. We've got a one-way ticket to summer. Enjoy the
ride.

"Come the spring with all its splendor.
All its birds and all its blossoms.
All its flowers and leaves and grasses."
                                      -Goodfellow


A moment.
Amidst our thoughts of happy, of family, of nature's renewal...
isn't it a pity we have to take a moment and take in the shock
of Brussels. But we did, we shall, and we condemn those that
destroy. Our prayers for the saddened.

Look for the LIGHT
It's there shining bright.
When we are touched by grief,
By some terror-riddled thief…
Let's not despair.
Look up, breathe in,
Seek the goodness.
They shall not win.
Look for the LIGHT
It's there shining bright.
                        -Diana M.

Blessings, Happy Easter
With Grace Life Renews.






I've taken a lot of your thyme today, chores next
week for sure..we'll catch up. But first…

Check out www.cookingthymewithdiana.com for Quiche, 
Deviled Eggs, and kitchen tips on boiling/peeling and
dyeing your eggs.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Aw come on. You can google anything. I love knock-knock
jokes. A thing with my kids when they were little. I don't think
they would admit to that.

Shamrocks a traditional symbol of St. Patrick's Day. Snapped this
at the grocery store. The Oxalis make a wonderful house plant.


May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks.
May your heart be as light as a song.
May each day bring you bright happy hours.
That stay with you all year long.

Oh yes, wearing of the green. Doesn't she look like Spring? Love 
the hat and dress, coordinating umbrella…daughter Shakira  
would so approve!

For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.

next up: garden chores, 
               spring & recipes

I'll Take Today

Tuesday, day 68 (2016). It's morning, already 70 degrees.
Beautiful. I'm out for my morning walk and the sky has
my attention.

I watched the clouds move ever so slowly allowing the
sun to have its space. I felt a gentle warm south wind, a 
taste of what is to come. We have to allow nature to set 
its own pace. All in good thyme. 

Yep, the chicks were feeling it too. Anxious to get out and explore.
We'll be seeing more of our little friends and what they are up to
outside and in the garden.


With the season of new beginnings about to start, I want to take
a moment to reflect and offer….

and share from my Blessings Jar

Have you thought about your own blessings?

Click on www.cookingthymewithdiana.com

Thanks for stopping by, Diana

Anticipation

According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, the (spring) vernal
equinox falls on March 20th at 12:30 AM EDT, astronomically 
speaking of course. 



With that covered we can officially say:

March brings us:
 Daylight Savings, March 13th, clocks spring forward
 St. Patrick's Day, March 17th
 Palm Sunday, March 20th and Spring
 Good Friday, March 25th
 Easter Sunday, March 27th


                                          SPRING-TIME SWEET!
   THE WHOLE EARTH SMILES, THY COMING TO GREET.

Here's what's growing outside this week. What treasures I saw 
rising from the dirt. Crocus blooms are a sure sign Spring is near.  
Are you watching for the signs?


   

Word of the day: VERNAL
Adjective. Meaning: of or pertaining to, or occurring in spring.    
Springlike or suggesting spring, for example vernal greenery.
The vernal equinox is around March 20th when day and night
are approximately equal due to the sun crossing the plane of the
earth's equator.
I suggest this word due to its very definition and the relationship
to gardening.

My quick stop at a local nursery took a little longer as I began to
wander around, up and down the aisles. There were black pots 
displaying green growth of every variety, asparagus ferns hanging 
overhead, and new decorative garden products waiting to be put 
on display. It was exciting but I had to move along. I'll be back.


Check out www.cookingthymewithdiana.com for a chocolate
chip cookie recipe.