Herb Garden

It may be risky since it's still April but Lincoln and I planted herbs on Monday. It's been very rainy with more rain to come and not much warmth but since I didn't spend much money it seems worth the risk. I wanted to plant when Lincoln was here so we dug some holes and planted basil and parsley by the chives. Purple basil is new to me but we are trying that this year too.

New Trails

 Walking has been my main form of exercise for years, but I really do enjoy it when I am able to get out in the woods. The last two weekends have been quiet weekends mostly at home so Dale and I took the opportunity to explore some trails that are new to us. The photo above is last weekend and the one below was just this weekend. They are different trails but there has been a considerable change in the green factor in recent days.

This weekend's walk started at a familiar spot very close to my home but then we ventured off on a new trail and were successful in linking two of my favorite walks. We made it through the woods at Katoski to Greenbelt Lake which I walk often. This was a longer walk, more than three miles round trip but a great walk and fun to approach the lake from another trail. I absolutely love exploring the woods especially this time of year when things change so quickly. The buds on the trees are opening and the wildflowers are starting to bloom. I will be back on both of these trails.

Eight Weeks

 Walker is eight weeks old today. Could he be any cuter? I asked Ashley to help me take a few photos. I let Ashley pick if she wanted to be in charge of the camera or the smiles. She chose the camera which was wonderful. He smiles so sweetly and easily. Yes, that little dimple is still there.

Early Gardening

 Gardening is so fun this time of year. I love the anticipation and preparation. This year is a little different because we planned for some travels during prime planting season so I am making some adjustments. Saturday we got some compost and worked up a couple of my little garden areas then headed north to a few of the Mennonite Greenhouses. I bought a few plants that I hope to get established so that I am not starting from scratch when I return home. Now I need to hope for good weather, no frost and a little rain while I am gone. I will be back to the greenhouses in May for more but I got to indulge the garden bug in me even though its still risky at the end of April.

Rainy Day

 We have had plenty of rainy days this Spring and it looks like we will get more in the coming week. One day last week I stopped after work and picked up a few supplies then headed over to see if Lincoln wanted to try to make play dough. It was a fun project especially since it was a huge batch.

 When the rain had almost completely ended we headed outside to stomp in puddles and find worms. It was a wonderful rainy day for me. I think it was pretty good for Lincoln. I got some snuggle time with Walker too and that made it a great day. He is a very good sleeper lately.

Healthy No Bake “Brownies”

My good friend, Marti introduced me to this delicious treat. They have very few ingredients and are natural foods. It's mostly nuts, dates and cocoa. Everything that Marti has ever served me has been so special. She has an amazing way of making people feel special and welcome. Her home feels like a sanctuary and I love my time with her. It's good for my soul. I learn from her and love it when I find time to visit her and her dog. I made these "brownies" this morning and they are tucked in the freezer. Although they are healthy ingredients they do have plenty of calories so I need to pace myself. Feel free to stop over and try a few. (I even included a recipe this time. Are you impressed?) Just one warning if you decide to make these. Take all of the pits out of the dates or your food processor will get very noisy.

Healthy No Bake “Brownies”

3 C.  walnuts
1/4 tsp sea salt
20 pitted and cut up Medjool dates
1/3 C. Unsweetened cocoa powder
1tsp vanilla extract
1tsp water (you may need more to give it that cake like texture, so be prepared)

Place the walnuts and salt in a food processor and process until finely ground.
Add the dates, process, then add the cocoa powder, water, and vanilla and process again until the mixture begins to stick together.
(Add any extra small amount of water you have a cake-like consistency.)
Press into a 9inch square pan.
Put into the freezer for a half hour, then take out and cut into squares. Put some in a container in the frig to eat and others, if you want into a plastic container in the freezer if you want to save some.
Enjoy your guiltless munchie attacks for chocolate!!!

 

Spring Flowers

 

Spring is in full swing and I am thrilled. Trees are starting to bloom and I have daffodils opening every day. These tulips are a great preview of what's to come. My mom and sister both brought me the same tulips at Easter, obviously perfect choices for me. I love this time of year! Now its time to walk in the woods, buy compost and head to some greenhouses!

 

Family Easter

 It's been five days but I am still smiling at the houseful of family that came to share Easter dinner. We had so much fun. It may appear to be chaotic. Well, it is pretty chaotic but we have lots of fun. Once again I didn't get photos of everyone but grabbed a few shots throughout the day.

 

The dining area of my house seems to be too much space almost every day of the year but when the family gathers we fill it up with food and lots of people. I just love having so many together.

 How would we ever cut the meat without Dan? Seriously, I don't think any of the rest of us would know how to attack a ten pound ham or a twenty pound turkey if Dan didn't come!

So happy that the sun came out after a very rainy morning. 

 The little ones are always a bright spot for all of us. It is so fun to watch them interact with everyone.

How fun to see Walker smiling and trying to "talk" with Great Grandma.

 Of course there was a little basketball and lots of four square too. Then we even played six square so more people could play. Not sure who thought of that but the basketball court works perfectly for that too.

 The spectator section

Amazingly fun day that went by in a blur! It always goes so quickly and feels busy but in a very good way. We did open a bottle of wine at the end of the day and enjoyed some extra time with the Little family before they headed back to Ohio the next morning. It was so great to get the time with all. Mark your calendars for April 5, 2015 for another family Easter Dinner!

Egg Hunt

 This is the first year that I did an Easter egg hunt but I don't think it will be the last. Although Saela slept through it and Walker is too little, Brecken and Lincoln had a great time.

 Since it rained most of the morning I wasn't sure if we would be able to have the egg hunt but my nephew, Jake and his girlfriend, Rebecca were willing and able to hide the eggs as we got ready to eat Easter dinner so that we could have the hunt after our meal.

 I think some of the adults had a good time too. I know that I did. This is fun. I will post more Easter photos but as usual lately, I didn't get enough shots.

Monday Boys

 

 Look at that face! Walker is changing so quickly. Fortunately I got to spend time with both boys today when Mommy had appointments. Walker is so sweet and cute. I didn't catch a smile with my camera but I got his bottom lip and that's pretty cute too.

 

 Lincoln and I got time to play and read together too. I love playing with him but I also appreciate that he can play very well independently when I am with Walker. This was my first time alone with both boys and we did very well. I just love spending my Mondays with these boys! Yesterday was a fun family Easter with a houseful and I will post some from that soon.

Happy Easter

Easter is a special day for many reasons. This year I am especially excited that almost my entire family will be heading to my house for an Easter feast and celebration. I love having my home full of family and I expect that there will be twenty -seven of us today. Although I won't make it to church I have not forgotten the true meaning of the celebration. He has risen indeed, halleluiah!

Des Moines Visits

 I almost forgot about a couple of phone photos from my time in Des Moines. Dale took Friday off so that we could hang out in Des Moines and it worked out as a great day to spend time with family. In the late after noon we met Felix and his mommy for some park time. It's always fun to play with Felix and lots of fun to watch Dale with his grandson. We also got to have lunch with my niece, Molly who lives in Des Moines now and is expecting my great nephew late this summer. It was so great to see Molly with her baby bump.

Des Moines Days

 As usual Spring comes a little bit earlier in Des Moines. I had a Thursday work meeting there and stayed a couple of days to spend time with Dale. I still get so excited to see daffodils and look forward to mine blooming in the near future.

Because I wanted to be sure to continued getting my steps in I took the opportunity to walk some familiar paths and especially enjoyed the trail along Jordan Creek which was right by my West Des Moines home. I walked and biked that path for almost six years and it was nice to be out there again. I did several loops around the pond at Jordan Creek Town Center after my meeting and look forward to patio dining in the coming months. Two herons gave me quite a show so I walked more than I had planned.

 

Dale and I did some walking together through his neighborhood and a few other favorite spots. I love the area around the art center even when the rose beds are still covered for winter. Of course I was very happy for the chance to go to the zoo again. It's a great place to walk and enjoy the animals. We got a great view of the newest lion, Deuce and the monkeys are always fun too.  Now I am back home and it's time to focus on Easter.

Patio Time

 Every Spring I am excited to get back out on the patio. It's like a gain a room when the weather is nice. On Friday it was a perfect day for patio living, even for Walker. It's also a great place for a hair cut . . . very easy clean up!

 Yes, we may use candy to encourage a toddler to hold still for a hair cut. I found a tiny candy cane that survived the winter but realized it's not the best choice for hair cut candy. We had to rinse it off a couple of times.

That outdoor light is still pretty bright for a boy that only saw daylight for the first time on March 3.

Then Monday morning I woke up to this! An April 14th snow isn't that unusual but it is quite a contrast after getting to enjoy some short sleeve weather. The snow will melt in the next day or two so I certainly don't let it bother me but it will keep me off the streets for my morning walk. There is no reason to risk a slippery fall in mid-April.

Garden Itch

I am so anxious for garden season. Although I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination I do love exploring and experimenting in the dirt. It was even nice enough to enjoy iced coffee on the patio beside my pansies on Saturday. After moving some leaves I found my garlic peaking up through the soil. It's very exciting to think that I may actually be able to harvest garlic this summer.

Because I was anxious to get started I planted some seeds during the cold days of March. I have pumpkins, marigolds, zinnias growing in the dining room. It will be another month before I can stick them in the garden so I transplanted most of them into bigger pots on Saturday. Playing in the dirt out in the sunshine was a huge treat. After all that warm sunshine we have had over 24 hours of almost constant rain. April showers bring May flowers, right?