A New Look!

For a couple of years now we've contemplated pulling out the four bushes in the front of our house.  They were past their prime and were slowly dying from the inside out.  Well, this was the weekend!  Rex labored for many hours getting them out.  If you look closely at the photo in the title portion of my blog you can see the old bushes (sort of).  Here's a picture of the house without the bushes.  I think it makes the house look a little newer.  Kind of  the way newly built homes appear before any landscaping.

Old bushes waiting at the curb to be picked up by the city.  Look at their "inner deadness"!  Is that a word?

We replaced the old bushes with new boxwoods.  I believe they're called Emerald Jewel.  If it ever stops raining here, I'll take a photo of the entire house with its new look!

It's in God's hands now!

On Saturday I planted the carnations, pin cushion flowers, dusty Miller, and Jacob's ladder.  Got them in the ground just in the nick of time, too, as it has not stopped raining since Saturday evening.  I took a peek at them today and they're looking pretty healthy.  My fingers are crossed!

Cat Grass Fever!

Besides all the plants for the yard, Callie got a little present, too.  Here she is nuzzling in a small pot of cat grass.  I think I read on the label that it's actually a plant called oat grass.  Whatever it is, she likes it.  Hope my hubby likes the following.

This Week's Menu Plan

Monday

Fettuccini Alfredo with Chicken and Broccoli

Salad 

Tuesday

Lobster Ravioli

Salad

Garlic Bread

Wednesday

Meatloaf

Mashed Potatoes

Corn on the Cob

Thursday

Chicken Parmesan with Spaghetti

Salad

Friday

Cook's Night Off

A Trip to the Nursery!

Look at all the greenery.  We made stops at two different nurseries today.  I didn't think we'd be able to fit ourselves back into the car, but we made it!  Now the real work begins.

I've been tagged!

Cathy, at A walk in Lily's Garden, issued a challenge.  Right now, get my camera and take a photo of myself.  No primping allowed!  Well, here I am in all my after school, beautifullness (Is that even a real word?!)  I must confess, however that I did remove my glasses.  I agree with Cathy, I wish I had on some lipstick.  I do have one request...please DO NOT click on my photo to enlarge it.  YIKES!

A Special Evening with Colleagues

Back in February, the music teacher at my school invited the 5th grade teachers to her home for supper.  The opportunity to "break bread" with these ladies was certainly one of the highlights of the school year.  After the meal, the five of us gabbed well into the evening.  It was so interesting to step away from our roles as educators and get a glimpse of each other in a social setting.  Thank you, Rhonda, for all the preparation that you put into that evening.  Enjoyable!

Just take a look at this unique sculpture in Rhonda's foyer.  She owns the coolest art pieces ever!

My Dream Sofa!

Look at this gorgeous sofa!  Our current one is beginning to show it's age, and this one would be a lovely replacement.  It's called the Prima Dona Sofa and although it looks like a settee or loveseat, it's not.  It's 95 inches long, which is the length of the full size sofa we have right now. 

Weekly Menu Plan

Monday

We're both off work today - 

It's every man for himself!

Tuesday

Shrimp linguini

Warm Italian Bread

Dessert at RBES Ice Cream Social

Wednesday

Cheeseburger Casserole

Corn

Salad

Thursday

Quesadillas

Friday

Let's Eat Out!

Wild Kitty!

She looks wicked, but you have to remember, she's nearly 20 years old!  Callie has claimed our breakfast nook as her new home.  She's usually not very pleasant to those who dare to enter her territory.  Here she seems to be warning me to take my camera and get out!  In reality, she's just yawning!
Callie is not too pleased about having her nap interrupted.   It's okay, Callie, this is the last photo, I promise.

Spring in the Yard!

Look at this gorgeous decorated rocking chair!  It's been in the basement, waiting patiently for its spring debut, since we bought it on a rainy Saturday last fall.  It came from Michael's summer clearance sale.  Can you believe it...we bought it, complete with the "Croc-style" pink shoes on the seat (look closely), the straw hat hanging on the back, and all the spring greenery for $17.00!   
The red bud tree in our front yard in full bloom.  I think it gets more beautiful each year.  Last year it was the home of a mother robin with two babies.  I wonder if it will be a home again this year?

A Visit to Wicks'n Country

     Yesterday, a trip to Wicks 'n Country, a local shop here in town, resulted in the purchase of this darling little birdcage.  I've had my eye on this for several weeks now and finally yielded to temptation!  Not positive where it will find its final home, but for now it's on the bottom of the hall tree in the front entrance.  We have no little birdie for it so I placed a Royal Albert cup and saucer inside.

     While I'm posting, I thought I'd go ahead and post this week's menu plan.  

Monday, April 6

Spaghetti with Mizithra and Browned Butter

Garden Salad

Fresh Italian Bread

Olive Oil for Dipping

Tuesday, April 7

Sloppy Joes

Sweet Peas

Crispy Crunchy Seasoned French Fries

Wednesday, April 8

Toasted Ravioli

Ceasar Salad

Thursday, April 9

Lobster Ravioli with fresh Parmesan Cheese

Garden Salad

Friday, April 10

Cook's Day Off!

We'll probably eat out.

     As you can tell, we love pasta at our house.  Lucky for me because it's quick and easy. Sometimes I barely make it home from work before suppertime!

     Before I leave, I'll post one more photo.  This one is our entertainment center which has been reworked since Dear Husband bought his new TV.  The center portion which held our old set has been removed.  I now have more decorating opportunities...which I'm not completely convinced is a good thing.

Have a happy week!