Fun with the Grandkids

This past Saturday was so much fun. The day started off with breakfast at the Arthur Fire Department. They do pancakes and sausage fundraisers and we usually go. This time Shannon and Shae went with us. Keith met us there as well.
We were ready to leave by 7:50 and I didn't need to be at Duane & Sheryl's till 9:00 so Shae told me that I can go sit on their front porch swing till it's time to go. I love their porch swing . It is so peaceful to sit there and just enjoy the quiet.
Later, I went to watch the kids I played lego's with Camden and had so much fun playing  with Kennedy. It was the first time I ever had her by myself.
As soon as I was done there, I went to Keith and Jocie's to pick up the boys to bring them to our house. The first thing they wanted to do was ride the Ranger in the woods. We talked Elmer into going with us. We drove through as many trails as we could find. We stopped many times to pick up treasures and looked at all the baby calves

. At one place we found a lot of clam trails. One of them was still hooked together and looked like a butterfly. We can't across a stream and I was telling the boys that I always see frogs there and I was so disappointed that I didn't see any. Gordy said but Grandma there is one

After we came home we grilled burgers, started a fire in the fire pit and then had dinner out on the deck. We finished dinner off with s'mores. and then lots of fun in the yard

Spring Fever

Today I am at work as I was for the past two days. It is not busy, so I have been spending a lot of time on Pinterest. The weather is so beautiful, so all I can do is look at gardening sites, fairy gardens and flowers. I really have a bad case of Spring fever.
There are a couple of projects I really want to try. I absolutely love making fairy gardens so of course the projects I have in mind have to do with those. Here is the one I want to do. Hobbit type things really set my imagination in gear!

I also have been looking at bonsai trees. I would love to learn to do that. I need to look into classes for that.
This morning I really didn't want to go to work this morning! I just wanted to go looking for photo ops. I did take off a little early to take a few pictures of old barns before I went to work.

My brother in law was here this morning and said that his wife had already planted lettuce. It really gives me the itch to start mine. I could plant lettuce and possibly some radishes or kohlrabi.
I am thinking about making my own seed tapes for kohlrabi. It would sure save time pulling out plants when they come up too thickly. I'm going to look up an article to make sure I know how to do it.
I spend a lot of time going through all the photos on my computer and today I found one I absolutely love. I'll share that one and log off

A New Experience

Paisley and I are going to have a new experience today. Sheryl works at an assisted living facility and we were talking about it this past evening. I asked her if they allow dogs there. When she said that they did, it was decided that I would bring Paisley to visit on a day that she was working. I'm a little nervous but still anticipating a good time.
Along the way I have a few errands to take care of; the bank, library, the market, etc etc. I have laundry that needs to be done, a floor that needs mopped and a few tasks like that. This evenings plans are to do a luminary walk with Beth. I am very excited about that!
My little Japanese Maple was covered with Sparrows this morning. I thought it looked cute so I took a picture to share

A New Year

Today, being January 1st I took special note of everything that was happening. When we were on our way to church everything seemed so new and fresh! The sparkly white frost made everything so beautiful. I drove because of Elmer's pain in his hip so of course my eyes were everywhere taking in everything. I couldn't stop looking at all the beauty! The houses looked so homey, especially the one with smoke coming out of the chimney.
I love going to church anyhow, but at least part of the joy for me is the ride to Champaign. I love that it takes almost an hour to get there. Driving is so soothing and peaceful. It allows time to dream and look at everything along the way. I always scan all the trees for hawks. I love seeing them and if it weren't so dangerous, I would certainly stop for photos! Along with 6 hawks today, we saw flocks of Canada Geese, crows scrounging for road kill, and an especially interesting old tree.
Church was inspiring as always, with words for the New Year and some beloved songs that we haven't sang in awhile. Afterwards we went out to Olive Garden for lunch with Dale and Louise and Emily.
This afternoon is shaping up to be very quiet and lazy. I would like to go for a drive but I guess I'll give Elmer a break and let him watch the game.
I do have a photo from yesterday when we drove through Walnut Point State Park