“Spring is when life’s alive in everything.”

So much has happened since my last blog which was around the end of January!  I hate when I wait so long to write.  It becomes an information overload I feel.

Al, Teenie and I have been trying to acclimate to being without Herc.  Some days are good and some are sad and not so good.  I know with time it will get easier.  We received his beautiful mementos from the vet a few weeks back.  Aren’t they lovely?  The box slides open to reveal his ashes and a lock of his hair.    Teenie has become increasingly needy.  She does not like to be left alone much at all.  She has literally torn down the door frame from the basement door. We keep trying to reassure her and comfort her as best we can.  Here she fell asleep on her phone.  Somebody begging for an M&M.  I don’t blame her. One day in the near future we are going to create a beautiful pet cemetery over by some special trees behind the cabin.  Our furbabies mean so much to us.

The cats are doing incredible.  That isn’t a bobcat in the tree.  That would be George being his crazy self. Bun and Honey are doing well too!  They are loving the warmer temps. The cows started having babies in March.  Five total.  It was amazing to watch the Momma’s taking care of their babies.  We actually walked up on one who had just given birth literally moments before we passed by her. Sadly, all the cows have rotated to another field across the way.  We suspect the next herd will be all the babies that were born in early Spring.  Then, I guess they will have babies next Spring.  We aren’t sure how all that works.  But, for now we have no cows to watch on our property.  At least for now!

Speaking of warmer temps, this weather has been crazy!  In the 70’s one day and in the 20’s the next. We did get another snow day in late March.  It felt very strange having snow on the ground and Spring decor in the cabin.  I decorated mid February.  A little early but, I was done with the winter theme by then. Here’s a few pictures. I said a few pictures.  Sorry.  I tend to get carried away with anything decor.  IYKYK  You may or may not have noticed a few different pieces of furniture.  In preparation of completing the basement, which will need some furniture, we have moved and/or purchased some pieces.  I decided to do a short blog on the furniture I’ve acquired while antiquing.  So, be sure and check that blog out next!

So, yeah, Al and I have been working on the basement.  The bathroom is SO close to being finished!  We have added some walls and a partial ceiling as well!  I cannot wait for it to be done.  She said for the millionth time.

We managed to get our porch swing hung.  We bought it back in the summer!    Sometimes some projects just take longer to get completed.

We have tilled the garden multiple times, sowed some seeds indoors and even gave the Garden Shed a facelift.  We won’t plant outdoors until mid May and the garden will be a bit bigger this year.  We will have our own pumpkin patch, too!  We are going to use black landscaping tarp, as well as, it’s own irrigation system.  We follow some pretty seasoned gardeners on YouTube and they swear by it.  We shall see! Praying for a good harvest.

Oh, I learned a new way to strip furniture!  You use EasyOff oven cleaner! Check out these!  Little to zero effort.

With our dark walls I am loving the look of natural wood.

For Valentines Day we purchased a freeze dryer.  So romantic, I know.  It is wonderful!  It opens up yet another way to preserve food!  I’m excited to utilize it once the garden starts pumping out them vegetables. So far, we have freeze dried 24 lbs. of diced green peppers from last years garden, some bananas and apple slices. All are very yummy! We are still learning the ropes with it but, it feels good to know we won’t have to be as wasteful with our food.

You will see on the next blog where I have been spending a lot of my time over the past two months!  Antiquing!  I started yet another collection. Butter Pat dishes.  They were once a thing.  Some come from restaurants, railroad companies and ships that no longer exists.  They all tell a story.  Al built this little display cabinet for me “in his spare time’.  I just love it.

That’s about where we are for now.  Just focusing on the basement, mowing and garden duties. I have two planned trips to Georgia.  One in May for my daughter’s baby shower and one in June for the birth of my grandson! Exciting times ahead!

I planted some Spring flowers a few weeks ago.  Now, the trees are blooming and finally the feeling of Spring is in the air.

Take care and head over to the next blog!

XO,

Elisa