Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Summer Dreamin'


Today, as I typed up notes for a meeting with my colleagues, I realized that today was April 22. Not a significant day, aside from being my Dad's birthday and Earth Day. But today was the day I realized that it was April 22. Our last day with students is May 21. We have crossed that threshold of being less than one calendar month away from summer. (If you haven't assumed yet, yes -- I am a teacher.) This is bittersweet for a number of reasons. However, I wanted to focus on what the summer may hold.

Garden
  • I have dreams of our yard resembling a small slice of MOBot - the Missouri Botanical Gardens. I could have an endless rant of how lovely this place is, and why it is easily in my top destinations in St. Louis, but you must experience it. I look forward to doing more planting, creating more flower beds, and carry on with my hosta obsession collection. 
  • Getting our hot tub up and running!
  • Saving money & planning towards building this amazing raised bed on our own 
  • Finishing our compost pile
  • Buying more basil & pepper plants
House
  • Organizing!!!! I tend to go through purges when I really examine things to determine if I need to hold onto it or not. The 4th bedroom in our house is top priority this summer. While it won't be done in time for the neighborhood garage sale, I predict trips to Goodwill this summer.
  • Organizing more. That is my biggest goal for the house... Can you tell?
City + State
  • I want to get to know my state and surrounding city more. I dream of frequenting local farmer's markets, local shops, sites in my state, charming towns, and getting to know my area better. 
  • Speaking of getting to know my area better.... We have been here for 4 years as of this coming October. I want to get to know my area even better. 
Etc.
  • With no concrete commitments aside for a few things throughout the summer, I am also looking forward to making trips to visit with family + friends.
  • Relaxing. Recharging. 

What do you wish to accomplish this summer? Do you get summers off or vacation weeks? When everything is said and done, I am looking at roughly two months (give or take a week or two) for being my time frame to get things done. 




Photo: http://www.phase-eight.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/summer.jpg

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Hosta Have Them All


I love Spring. The weather becomes warm, thunderstorms start again, and I crave to be outside whenever possible! Last year, it was incredibly rewarding to see what the annuals we planted coming back. In the case of the hostas, they were even larger than the previous year. (Each year they get a little bigger!) Now, this year, I cannot wait to see what everything will look like! I get way too anxious waiting, which causes me to become nervous -- Will everything come back?! Why isn't this blooming yet?! It should have leaves by now! Reality check -- it is the beginning of April. 

While our garden starts to bloom, we have been frequenting plant nurseries more. My hosta wish list continues to grow, as do our gardens! Good pairing, right?! I have already purchased my first hosta of the year - one I was eyeballing last year. (So, I may have a slight addiction, or fascination with hosta....) Soon, farmers markets will be in full swing and I will be scoping out plants at those events, as well. It's an exciting time in the Midwest!

Hope that Spring and warmer temperatures are with you, as well! Here's hoping for no more freezes and lots of blooming plants! 




Above: Hostas start blooming in our front yard! Can't identify which hosta it is just yet.
Below: Z's mom purchased him a hammock for the back yard, and it has been the perfect place to relax on mild days!