Sunday 29 April 2012

Of Visitors, Lemons, and Ladybugs

My sister and her family and an exchange student friend from Quebec came by today. Apparently five visitors is too much for the cats. The girls hid. Even Charlie wasn't sociable, although he did allow some quick pats.

They love the townhouse. BIL brought a bottle of sparkling apple cider, and we toasted the home. My nephew was thrilled to discover that I have goblets, and insisted on drinking cider from that. We sat out in the garden where it was warm and sunny.

oOoOo

I see a health food store from the C-Train every day. Today I made a point of going in, looking for some advice on managing my osteo-arthritis. I'm not in chronic pain but dang, I feel I should be managing it consistently now. My doctor hasn't been much help, all he wants is to see me lose weight (something I want too).

A very friendly clerk helped me pick out a supplement with glucosamine. She also spoke with me about my diet, and trying to reduce acidity. Basically, she recommended drinking lemon water, and removing sugar, dairy, and flour. "The fun stuff," I quipped.

I'm drinking lemon water right now. :-) I made do with lemon juice, I had so much to do today that going to a store for lemons was not in the cards.

oOoOo

After another trip to the Comic Expo, I went to the nearest garden centre. I got more pansies, it's my goal to have at least one survive. I also got some tomato starters and garlic chives.

Note - I have never liked raw tomatoes. I don't like the texture or the smell. I'll eat them in sauces with no problem. I used to pick them out of salads and would never have them in sandwiches, until I decided that the health benefits of them warranted me actually eating them. I can eat them with salads and sandwiches now.

So why did I buy a couple of tomato plants? Well, apparently they're easy to grow and damn it, I want some success in the garden. I have a hunch that the pride of growing tomatoes would make them less icky.

While I was transplanting the new plants, a ladybug crawled over my back steps. Yay!

Monday 23 April 2012

Sunday yardwork

There was a point, late afternoon yesterday, that I looked around the yard and realized that the longer commute is truly worth owning this house and this yard. Felt good!

I spotted a ladybug in the grass.
2012-0422ladybug

As I posted earlier, I'm going to go slowly in shaping the yard, for time and money reasons. I haven't placed the stepping stone my sister made for me, as I have yet to find my acrylic sealant.

These are honest pictures! Looking north before:
2012-0422northbefore

Looking north after:
2012-0422northafter

Looking east before:
2012-0422eastbefore

Looking east after. I need to pour some boiling water on the grass and weeds growing between the stones. 2012-0422eastafter
Looking south before:
2012-0422southbefore

Looking south after. I love the little caddy I got that allows me to haul heavy bags of soil from the car.
2012-0422southafter

Edited to add: the caddy is an "EasyGo XL Wheelbarrow" and I got it at Canadian Tire.

Saturday 21 April 2012

Garden plans

I have accepted that while I have this grand vision for the backyard with raised beds and no grass and all sorts of things ... I don't have to achieve it this year. There is so much inside and outside that I want to do. And I am not made of money. So ... today I bought a lawn trimmer, to cut the grass. Didn't see the sense in paying for a mower. I did some comparison shopping online. I went to Canadian Tire - a clerk advised against buying the very cheapest model as it gets returned a lot. So I spent $10 more for a different brand. I bought it, brought it home, assembled it, ran to Zellers to see if they had the right kind of extension cord with the outlet on the very end, they did, got 30% off thanks to the liquidation sale, came home, plugged it in and tested it ... it is awesome. I'll cut the grass tomorrow, with safety glasses of course. I also bought a portable grill. Because I am surrounded by barbecues and when I smell my neighbours grilling something, I want to grill too! So I got a small one that I can use on the cement patio out back - no need to buy a big bad ass barbecue. Neighbour Matt to the north has totally dug up his backyard and is moving the stones around. Like me, he has a gutter from the roof that empties into the yard and pools water. He liked my idea of buying a lawn trimmer instead of a mower. I bought a book by the Calgary Horticultural Society, expressly written for our climate. It's giving me some good ideas on small things I can do this year. I do want to grow some plants, I think this year I'll focus on containers. That liquidation sale at Zellers is really helpful for most supplies. I also want to see what I can do about the gutter that empties into the backyard. The water is super fertile, thanks to the pigeon poop that washes down with it. The grass is really growing where it pools, and it's in a shady area. But I'd prefer to direct the water away from the house instead of towards it. Maybe some rocks and PVC sheeting will do the trick.

Saturday 14 April 2012

Photo of the Day - April 14 2012

Via Flickr:
From a meetup for the Calgary Passion for Photography group.

Photo of the Day - April 13 2012

Photo of the Day - April 12 2012

Via Flickr:
The snow was coming down in clumps on this day.

Photo of the Day - April 11 2012

Photo of the Day - April 10 2012

Via Flickr:
I set up the Wii in my new basement.

Bonus Hermione

Bonus Hermione by angelamermaid
Bonus Hermione, a photo by angelamermaid on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Miss Adorable.

Photo of the Day - April 9 2012

Via Flickr:
Another afternoon of spying on the neighbours.

Photo of the Day - April 8 2012

Via Flickr:
Miss Chloe keeps herself very clean.

Thursday 12 April 2012

Photo of the Day - April 7 2012

Via Flickr:
Charlie and Hermione set a new high in "adorable". They're not littermates, just two kitties that have bonded.

Photo of the Day - April 6 2012

Via Flickr:
Two of these plants have since died. I suck at keeping flowering plants alive.

Photo of the Day - April 5 2012

Via Flickr:
I did not get any gardening done on this day.

Photo of the Day - April 4 2012

Via Flickr:
I have really got to spruce up the laundry area. And do something about the furnace pipe.

Monday 9 April 2012

Photo of the Day - April 3 2012

Photo of the Day - April 2 2012

Via Flickr:
I checked to make sure pansies were non-toxic before bringing any home. Good thing.

Photo of the Day - April 1 2012

Via Flickr:
I asmebled a dresser from Ikea.

Photo of the Day - March 31 2012

Via Flickr:
I organized drawers. The organizers are made by Rubbermaid.

Photo of the Day - March 30 3012

Via Flickr:
She's "supervising" as I untangle cords.

Photo of the Day - March 29 2012

Via Flickr:
I love how these two have become such good buddies.

Tuesday 3 April 2012

Photo of the Day - March 28 2012

Via Flickr:
The view from the front of the house.

Photo of the Day - March 27 2012

Via Flickr:
My backyard.

Photo of the Day - March 26 2012

Via Flickr:
Slowly, I'm hanging up my favourite artwork.

Monday 2 April 2012

Photo of the Day - March 25 2012

Via Flickr:
My sister made this for my new home, as a birthday present. It's a stepping stone for the garden I will have

Photo of the Day - March 24 2012

Via Flickr:
My BIL beating all of us in Wii bowling

Photo of the Day - March 23 2012

Via Flickr:
My lovely sister.