The thrill of it all!

 Many years ago I used to do some sketching with pencil or charcoal, but I've never tried using colored pencil.  We've had several art classes at the community center and it's been great fun learning to use them.  Our instructor, Kathy Gorup, asked us to bring a photo of our pet.  

This was my photo.

The light from the overhead lamp made it difficult for me.   Lady doesn't really have any brown color in her coat.  She's all black, gray and white.  I just couldn't figure out how to show the light in my drawing.  

Anyway, this is what I ended up with and it was a fun project. 

We followed the Zags until the end last night and even though they lost, it sure was a fun tournament.  They gave us many thrilling moments.   It was wonderful entertainment while we wait for the snow to thaw.

On most afternoons we take Lady for a walk in the woods.  She loves it, but she refuses to leave her toys behind.  She is obsessed with playing fetch with a ball, any ball.  She carries it with her all the way on the walk, hoping that we'll take a minute to throw it for her.  She is a funny little dog. 

My veggie plants are growing nicely and I have transplanted all of my tomatoes into larger pots as well as most of the peppers.   In another couple of weeks I'll start more seeds.  It will be a variety of squash plants, corn, green beans, dill, lettuce and cucumbers.  

I am thinking about building a couple more raised beds since back pain is starting to become a real nuisance.  I'm looking at the ones that use a concrete block for the corners.   The blocks can be stacked and the 2x6's slide into the block.  They can be anchored using a piece of rebar in the center.  

In the meantime I am kind of spring cleaning and throwing out some of the clutter.  I read a saying that said when you're young, you wish for "stuff", middle-aged, you acquire "the stuff" and at my age, you throw out "the stuff".   Notice how I didn't say "old-age".  

June 2014.  

The two raised bed that I have are holding up well.

 

Will need pansies soon.

Grandson Dylan has a birthday this week!  We are all celebrating.   Julie's cakes are always amazing.  Yummy too!

The flower on top of the cake unfolded as the candles began to burn.  Very impressive.

Pretending can make it real...

 ...Yes, it's been snowing for the past 254 hours(I meant 24, but it seems like 254.  A little type there).  

 I was outside early this morning to run the snowblower since the temperatures will soon warm up and the moisture could turn into rain anytime.  

What do you get when you have 8 inches of fresh snow on top of what's already on the ground and then it starts raining?  Let's just say it becomes a sloppy mess.  

The best thing to do is to get rid of as much of it as you can in the walkways and on the driveway.  

it's beautiful outside and not cold.  It would be wonderful it the date was Dec. 24th.  

Tonight we "spring forward".  Maybe, just maybe, it will mean that the snowfall is finally the LAST one!  

Therefore, I am only thinking "spring" from now on  - or sometimes "summer".  

We have basketball games and an XFL football game to watch today. 

 I'm working on a sketch of Miss Lady using colored pencil.   The art classes at the community center are fun, especially since I am learning new techniques.   The instructors, Kathy Gorup, Kally Thurman and Vera Gadman, have introduced us to both pencil and colored pencil drawing, watercolor and also acrylic painting. I missed the acrylic sessions, so I hope they will be taught again some time. 

I've done my first transplanting of my Red Robin tomatoes and started the seeds for four varieties of peppers and also my garden tomatoes.  

 I am hoping to have some of these ripening on the those plants by May.  

I also took my begonias out of storage so that they can begin to grow once again.

Happy Spring Forward Day.

I swear you'll feel better after listening to this song.

La la la la la de ho

Whether the weather be rain or snow

Pretending can make it real

A snowy pasture, a green and grassy field

In like a lion.

Beautiful, but cold.  

I read my friend Marianne's blog this morning.  She was up and out there about the same time that I was(4:30 a.m.), except - I didn't go out there.  I sent the dog instead.

I have to agree with everything that she said on her blog this morning.  You can read all about it at Slight Detour. 

Jon and I had to spend all afternoon yesterday in town so that means this morning's job will be to run the snowblower and clear the paths since they are predicting somewhere between 7-12" of new snow over the next few days.  I sure hope they're wrong, but it's not looking good.

I know I'm late to the party but I just finished watching The Queen's Gambit.  Who knew a series about playing chess would be so riveting.  If you're looking for something to watch during the next snowfall event, I highly recommend it.  

Happy Birthday to my sister-in-law Patty.  She and my brother Roy are vacationing in Cabo.  Good idea.