Strolling with Baby Joshua (May 1, 2010) May 2, 2010

I spent the most incredible spring day yesterday, strolling with Baby Joshua (and his Mom), along the beach, through a nearby garden center/nursery, and on our farm.  We even enjoyed an outside lunch at a favorite seafood stop (which Joshua slept his way through).  Somehow, the marvelous re-birth of spring flowers and outside activities seemed that much more special, sharing them with this precious seven-week-old miracle.

It’s actually May Day, but by the number of sunbathers on the beach, you would have thought it was the middle of summer!

It was a perfectly brilliant day and Joshua slept through his entire visit to the beach.  He loves to be held close where he feels most comfortable, either in his Mom’s “babywearing” pack or in Grandmom’s arms (of course I had to have my time with him, too!)

I told Joshua that he’d have  to wait just a little bit more  before he was big enough to ride the antique carousel . . .

(He didn’t seem to mind.)

Then, we visited our favorite garden center and checked out all the spring flowers.  Joshua pretty much slept his way through the Mandevilles, too . . .

Then, we walked through the orchard on our way home and enjoyed some late peach blossoms . . .

. . . and apple blossoms . . .

Mommy even gave Joshua a chance to feel the new, spring grass under his feet . . .

Then, he had a chance to play with Uncle Nate . . .

. . . and visited with Grandpa, too . . .

“Can I borrow your hat, Grandpa?”

It sure was a busy day for little Joshua . . . and a lovely day for all of us!

“Is it bedtime yet, Mommy?”

To continue strolling, please click on over to the Quiet Country House.

Strolling into Spring!/Sunday Stroll March 7, 2010 March 7, 2010

I must admit I’ve been a bit AWOL from blogging AGAIN due to schoolwork, coursework for my Doctorate, preparations and excitement over the impending arrival of our new grandbaby, and life in general!  I’m also finding Facebook to be much quicker and am making almost daily updates there.

Therefore, with that apology made, I’m forging ahead to make-up this lapse, by posting a combo “”30 Days of Winter Beauty Photos”/”Sunday Stroll.”

                                           

With the incredible spring-like weather we experienced yesterday, with abundance sun and temps in the 50’s, I just couldn’t resist!

My very-pregnant daughter, Abbie (due any day!) and I strolled to a nearby garden center where they were celebrating an early arrival of spring.

The hyacinths and tulips were magnificent!

While we were there, we picked up a few early birthday presents for Abbie, to help welcome in the colors of spring . . .

Some pretty pansies

Some assorted herbs for the windowsill, until they can be planted outside

Pussywillows: a sure sign of spring!

Here’s Abbie with a bit of her “loot.”  She refused to sit down several times throughout our jaunt, but I told her she had to sit for just a bit while I adjusted our goodies in sacks to carry home!

We finished the day with an early birthday celebration (with both families) for Abbie, just in case the little one decides to make his appearance on her actual birthday in a few days!

We enjoyed key lime pie, one of Abbie’s very favorites, whici is a specialty of Ed’s Mom.

Happy Early Birthday, Abbie . . . may all your wishes come true!

What are your wishes from spring?  Are you experiencing any early signs of spring yet in your part of the world?

If you’d like to continue “Sunday Strolling,” just click on over the the “Quiet Country House,” and enjoy your day!

Happy First Day of Spring!!! March 20, 2009

Spring has finally officially arrived, but it doesn’t feel like it here!

The temperature is supposed to go into the mid-40’s (F) today . . . still kind of “brrrr……”

What’s it like in your “neck of the woods” on this first day of spring?

A Breath of Spring! February 18, 2009

A typical February vacation day (from school) yesterday included:

• an early (8:30 am)  morning dentist appointment (ugh!)
• a trip to DMV (ugh–wrong day to go right after a holiday!)
• visit to the Town Hall re: Motor Vehicle Taxes (a credit b/c we had been double-billed!)
• working on preparing Income Taxes (fun!)
• assorted paperwork for school, coursework, etc. (always fun!)

The high points of the day definitely included:

• lunch out with my daughter
• a visit to her high school, where she teaches Biology, Environmental Science, Botany, etc., to water the plants in the greenhouse (so they don’t die over school vacation)
•  a stop at my husband’s  current construction site to see the latest progress on an incredible project, (where he’s building million-plus-dollar homes for some very lucky people!)
• a stroll through our local nursery/garden center to chat with the owner/friend/neighbor and to enjoy a BREATH OF SPRING!!!

Here, I offer some beautiful shots from inside the greenhouse to ensure us all that spring IS on the way, although a mix of snow/rain/sleet is predicted here for later today . . .

I couldn’t resist bringing  home some pansies and organic parsley to brighten up the inside, until it’s warm enough to plant outside.

What are you doing as you await the arrival of SPRING in your parts?

Thinking of Spring . . . with Snow on the Ground! February 1, 2009

With a healthy amount of snow currently on the ground (and a very unhealthy amount of ice), and another “BIG” storm predicted for Monday night, I’m thinking spring!

I just couldn’t resist picking up this tulip bulbs at the grocery store the other day.  The bulbs are submerged in water and they promise to bloom “within two weeks.”  They’ve already grown an impressive 10-12 inches and I look forward to some crimson/yellow-tipped blooms soon!  They certainly add a dash of green to our kitchen.

What are YOU doing to “think spring?”