Split Bradford Pear

We had high winds here on the mountain the other day and they split my Bradford Pear tree... Oddly enough, there was a large split at the bottom of the branches, however, the split was on the other branch. We cleaned up the broken branch and will have to take the rest of the tree down soon. Bradford Pear trees are known to have soft wood and break easily.

Pellet Stove Installation

The pellet stove pipe installation kit is complete. Because the vent on the back was in line with the electrical outlet, I decided to run the pipe up on the inside out then out, alleviating having to reroute the electrical wire to have the pipe outside. The pellet stove installation kit is galvanized, so I painted it flat black. The piece on the outside is galvanized and looks nicer than I thought it would. (I'll post a picture later of the outside piece.) Fortunately, my dad's roto saw did a great job. I couldn't believe how much drywall dust landed over the entire living room, just from cutting the 7" or so inch piece out.

The second hearth pad was shipped and it was white with missing grout and a chipped stone, damaged during shipment. The company that I bought it from said to keep both and offered to send another pad out as soon as I approved the picture they emailed to me. The pad that the pellet stove is sitting on is not for a corner, but at this point, I want my money back and I will purchase one from a local woodstove dealer when they stock this fall. I prefer one that is darker and more rustic and is actually a corner pad.

We still have to install the air vent to the outside. It is a small vent to assist the draft. After that, we will test it and make sure it is working properly and hopefully I'll be able to relax and enjoy it this fall ;) I'll let you know how well it heats after the test run... xox

Good morning Wednesday~

Last summer when we went to the beach on vacation, we also visited a beach where wild horses live called Assateague Island. I took this pic from the vehicle. We didn't get out and explore because we could drive and see them on either side of the road... I would have much preferred to park and walk and enjoy, but was outnumbered ;) I found their link if you are interested in checking it out. http://www.assateagueisland.com/

Cloudy here today and calling for rain. I managed to sell a few things on eBay, so I was happy to see that this morning. I suppose someone told my buyers that the economy is bad :)

Enjoy your day and be blessed. xox

Thank You Iva Mae

A few years ago, my friend Iva Mae's husband came over and opened his trunk to reveal a five gallon bucket of daffodil bulbs. Iva Mae sent him over to give them to me. She loved her flowers but was not always able to work in the yard. She was not healthy and suffered with emphysema and diabetes, and died not before she told me that she loved me. Every spring I look out into my yard, back and front, and smile when the daffodils begin to bloom one by one. I will always think of her when I see them. Thank you Iva Mae :)

More Spring Pictures

Daffodils, grape hyacinths, forsythia, Bradford Pears, the first few weeping cherry tree blooms, hyacinths, and new growth on my red rose bush ~


















It's late, but I wanted to post the pictures I took earlier today because if I don't do it now, I may forget :) Enjoy and God bless xox

Tuesday's Spring Gifts

Before I post the spring flowers, I wanted you to meet my oldest and one of my dearest friends... I affectionately call him, "Mr. G". He will be 94 in September and comes to visit me every now and then. He used to live down the street and moved a couple of years ago because he was "tired of being a slave to his yard". Sometimes I would sneak down there and pull weeds out of his beds for him, but he always caught me and pulled me inside to enjoy a hot cup of tea with him and a surprise cake or danish that he bought just for us to enjoy. He has 4 children and has lived through 2 wives and recently lost his girlfriend. When he talks to me, it is as if he can see right through to my soul. He is very close to God and attends bible study regularly. He lives in a retired senior citizens complex and teasingly tells me the women there are all too young for him :) I always think of him when my primrose blooms, under my bedroom window because he purchased it for me long ago.

Time for dinner ~ I'll post the flowers shortly :) xox

Friday ~ The Weekend Is Here!

Paige is now officially five :) I love this pic because it shows her little feet ~ Just wanted to share with you so she could make you smile :)


Friday already... eBay is so slow for me that I have been doing other projects around the house and last weekend, which feels like it was only yesterday, we rented a UHaul and picked up wood and unloaded it... all in one day... Needless to say I was a bit tired the next day and was sooo glad to get the last piece off of the truck and jump into the shower... I am guessing we have an additional 3 cords now, but it needs to be split... another time ~ another day...


We have yet to uncover the camper. I can't wait to get it uncovered so I can sneak off for a quiet nap ~ I love sleeping outside...


The red raspberry patch is already sprouting. I pruned the back side of them so the mower would fit behind them. Paige and I love running outside to see how many berries have ripened since the day before :) We sometimes eat them sun warmed, right off the vine, but don't tell ~


Last fall, I removed all of my iris from the side of the garage and planted grass seed. There's nothing like the feel of new green grass under your feet... It's so bright and fresh! I planted a Kwanzan cherry next to the garage years ago and it has now cast a shadow on the iris bed and they didn't flourish there any longer.

Thanks for stopping in and I'll update you on the hearth pad and pellet stove installation as soon as I get pics taken :)