It is finally spring! Since my last post, we have had Easter, Income Tax, an Election (federal), a week-end Genealogy Conference, and now, finally, enough warm weather that the yard was crying out for some attention. So, over the past week-and-a-bit, we have dug one of the four 4′x15′ vegetable beds and planted sugar-snap peas, carrots, lettuce and spinach. I have acquired some tomato plants, some basil, and some begonias, lobelia, and some ‘Johhn-Jump-Ups’ for the planters (although it is still too cold at night to plant them.) We have cut back the hedge around the front and side yards (caragana is a nasty shrub, with lots of prickles, which needs to beaten into submission periodically, but on the other hand, is pretty tough and makes a relatively indestructible hedge). I raked the front, side and back lawns, and have commenced digging out the quack-grass which got away on us last summer during the ‘monsoon’ season (we live in what is generally regarded as an arid climate, but the last two or three summers have been quite rainy, which has interfered with yard work). The forsythia at the corner of the verandah is blooming yellow, and I put the ‘silk’ forsythia blossoms on the grapevine wreath on the front door. The scillas, muscari (grape hyacinths) and Tarda tulips in the front yard are blooming, and the trees are beginning to leaf out. I have done no sewing at all, and have not even managed a trip to Value Village or the Mennonite Village Green Shops, although we did drop in on the Habitat For Humanity Re-Store on Saturday, and found a low metal-mesh shelving unit which will work in the green-house. But life has not been all work and no play!
Last Saturday, a dear friend (and morning walking partner) held a tea-party. She invited 13 guests (an assortment of friends from her quilt group, our non-book club, yoga class, pot-luck supper group, and just friends & neighbours). Inspired by the Royal Wedding, we were all to dress up (to some degree) and wear a a hat. For those who could not provide their own hat, we were able to provide a selection of vintage and newer hats from our own collections. She prepared ‘smoked salmon’ canapes, cucumber sandwiches (with the crusts removed), and lemon-curd squares. I contributed tiny scones which were served with English ‘Devonshire Cream’ and strawberry preserves and/or marmalade. Tea and coffee were available, as was an assortment of wine (white, red and rose). We enjoyed each others company from 1:00-4:00pm (and didn’t even break into the gin). The hostess had set out her assortment of flowered china in spring/summer colours, her crystal glassware and linen napkins. It was great fun to see old friends and meet new ones. The consensus was that we should do this again!
I still have not found the battery charger for my camera batteries, so no photos yet, but I am still looking (when I am in the house and not cooking or doing laundry).
Well, it sounds like you’re having fun, anyway! Hopefully this year will be better for the yard than last…