SPRING HAS COME AND GONE, SUMMER IS HERE, WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?

Life is moving along. Some progress has been done but nothing earth-shattering. I'm not as enthusiastic as I once was about getting everything done on time and that's OK. As I age, my priorities changes and that's OK too. I've got a lot done in the gardens like repairing some of the damages caused by the flood. I planted a lot of potatoes at the farm and at home. At home, I planted some onions, 2 types of peas, Roma tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, three types of beans, beets, and cucumbers. I've planted some Celosias, marigolds, red salvias, white alyssum, some petunias, and lobelias. I still have more flowers to plant but I'm moving slowly because some beds are still not ready to receive flowers and it's slowing me down...   It's been a weird season for everyone so far.

The grass is starting to grow along with weeds that came in the flood. Yesterday, I weeded the garden on the right

Some bearded irises. I think they are called Stepping Out.

Lady Kin, lilac bush that is almost done flowering but so fragrant.

Some more tall bearded irises that need weeding.

Yellow bearded Irises that are almost finished blooming.

A fragrant white rose bush Blanc De Coubert

Cherub Smile Irises

Early potatoes in the back garden

Onions, 2 types of peas

Cucumbers I transplanted yesterday.

B3 Types of beans and beets that needs weeding



Geeen Bell Peppers and Roma Tomatoe also in need of weeding.

My front and back lawn are still not repaired. I have a pile of topsoil and compost in the middle of my front lawn and now that haying season is upon us, it will be a while before it gets done.  The front lawn is not my husband's priority but it's an eyesore.



 I've been cleaning out the garage and I'm trying to organize my husband tool drawers. He's notorious for not putting tools away after he completes a job and he never can find his tools when he needs them in a hurry... I found at least 6 hammers, 6 measuring tapes and triplicate of assorted screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers and so on.  I'm making some progress on that too but it's slow. Of course, he can never find the tool he's looking for so he buys another one. Some he bought a while back and he doesn't even remember buying it and it sits in its original packaging... I could open a second-hand tool store.

I just got a batch of  Cabernet Malbec Carmenere  Chilean red wine bottled and two more batches of Australien Shiraz on the go for August. I like to relax with a glass or two once my hard work is done.

I've been reading several books. Dodging Energy Vampires by Christiane Northrup, MD.,  an empath guide to evading energy vampires that drain your energy and restoring your health and power. Change your Thoughts Change  Your Life by Dr. Wayne Dyer and Sacred Contracts by Carolyn Myss. Awakening your Devine potential. I love books that deal with the mind or the soul.

 I've been hooking a little bit on my Julia Chicken chair pad. I hook about 30 minutes every couple of nights so it's slow going. I may run out of the gray-green for the background

I've attended a 60th Wedding reception for a couple we know from our church and on Tuesday, we will attend a funeral in a neighboring town for my daughter's mother in law tomorrow

I'm still working at the farm, looking after 34 calves and heifers.  Make that 35, as I got a new one this morning. Still no buyers in sight. Still too much uncertainty in the dairy industry market caused by we all know who...

I've been receiving acupuncture treatment for my sore shoulders and I have another appointment in July. I received 20 needles on various parts of my hands,  wrists, forehead,  neck, and shoulders.  It didn't hurt. I have another appointment in July.

Can you believe we are in the last week of  June? My husband is done with the farm income tax and he brought it to the accountant today. Farmers have a deadline of June 30th to get their income tax in.

Haying season has begun. I'm feeding my grandson at noon meals. Nothing has changed except I have to prepare meals for a gluten intolerant young man.

Thanks for visiting and please leave a comment.
Stay cool and enjoy the summer.
Hugs, Julia

CAN I COME UP FOR AIR?

What a week this has been and it's only Friday.  Sorry if I haven't been around much but it has been a kind of busy crazy week. I got myself so tired burning the candle at both ends that I got myself a nasty cold for Christmas and have been working sick. I'm on the mend but still have a bit of phlegm in my chest. I've been eating raw onions to stop the coughing. Thanks to my daughter Christine, for the tip, it works.

Since Christmas Eve we've have had 7 cows giving birth and 7 calves.  4 heifers and 3 bulls. I still have 3 more cows that are due  to calve tomorrow. I hope that they wait a day or two.  I now have 14 small calves and 8 larger calves to care for and calving cows that comes in my area of the barn on a regular basis on top of my other chores. We even had a calf born on Christmas Day but we managed to make it to my daughter and son's in law house for a great turkey dinner anyway. We've had late nights working at the farm almost all week.

On Christmas Eve we had family visiting and everyone was glad to see James and his parents of course.

On Christmas morning James opened his many presents. I didn't take many pictures as I was totally wasted from the cold and a run down feeling. Christmas was a routine work day for my husband and I.

James tasting some of his Tubby toys with his mom, my daughter Christine.

Here, he opened his wall mount bubble maker for the tub. Bath time is really going to be fun for mom and dad too.

Already he's turning the dial. A typical boy, he wants to know how things works. 

Here is a present from James. I had no idea what it was but what a delightful surprise to see his very own baby photo book.

The front cover.

Some earlier photos of  a sleepy baby with mom. Most of the photos in the book have been posted on my blog at some time.

You may recall these photos that I posted on my blog earlier. Halloween photos and James and his dad at the Ottawa Blues Festival.

James having fun playing and my son Vaughan holding hims. I think that James has a serious concerned look on his face, lol...

There were many other photos in the book that has already been on my blog so I won't bore you with more but this is one of my favorites on the back cover. He looks like he telling a story worth listening to. What a cool little dude.

One of his many toys that I discovered in the sunroom after they left for Prince Edward Island for a few days.

At our house our down time is making puzzle after the Christmas stir is over. It has become a tradition. Nothing relaxes me than working on a good puzzle.

  As promised here is a book that I won in a give away by author Margaret Andrews of the blog                           Nanny Goats in Panties   and hosted by our wonderful blogger friend Nezzy of Cow Patty Surprise. I read the book and found out that I used most  but not all of Margaret's suggestions in the book.  I don't always use metaphors because it's just not my style but occasionally I do. Thanks so much Margaret and Nezzy.  Go check out their blogs.

This book is a gift from Patrice at Everyday Ruralty blog.   It wasn't a give away, just a nice friendly and generous gift from a very nice blogger friend who is a good listener... She remembered my interest in the book. Now that is a special blogger friend. THANK YOU SO MUCH PATRICE FOR YOUR THOUGHTFULNESS. I so appreciate it.

Patrice's blog is always interesting and she is known for her Wednesday posts link up for chats on her porch. Check her out. It's a lot of fun learning tid bits from other blogger friends.

I'm looking forward to reading this book. I had it in bed and fell asleep after reading one page. No, it's not a boring book. I'm just so tired.

I haven't watch the TV news lately but someone  I ran into at  the grocery store, told me that the Triplet Story was one of three Highlights of the year of 2011 in the CBC TV News because it made international news. Apparently they showed a picture of me and the triplets. Who knew that someday my picture would make Highlight of the year, thanks to the triplets of course. It's all about them, ha ha ha... I'm just abroad for the ride. lol...

I sure hope that I'll post more often in the new year with shorter post but life gets in the way sometimes. I'm trying to visit your blogs but I had just to post this evening. I know that you'll understand.

Thanks for visiting and please leave a comment.  HAPPY NEW YEAR, stay safe and warm.  JB