Five in February…

Linking up with Amy for Five on Friday and with Susanne for Friday’s Fave Five!

2016-02-11 February plants and food

1.This is the time of year that we I prune the apple tree. See all those branches growing straight up. They all need to be cut. It took me a few weeks to complete this task as I do a little on dryer days because it is hard on my neck and shoulders. I’m happy to say that I finished this week and I’m patting myself on the back. It was hard to get a good photo but in the photo on the right you can see that all the branches that were growing straight up are gone now. I’m thankful to have the strength to still do some yard work.

2016-02-11 February plants and food2

2. This week my Lenten Rose is making a great showing. I love this humble plant and the fact that it blooms during the season of Lent.

2016-02-11 February plants and food3

I’m thankful for my Lenten Rose and that it reminds me of my savior who humbled himself for all of us and died in our place.

2016-02-11 February plants and food4

3. The Primroses are blooming. So nice to see them appear and our littlest and youngest rhoddy looks like it will have more blooms this year than last. I’m always surprised and thankful when they pop up all on their own again and again.

2016-02-11 February plants and food1

4. and 5. On Wednesday I went to See’s, Macy’s, Costco and Hobby Lobby to do a little shopping for myself and others. At See’s I bought 3 small boxes of candy handpicked from lists of our families favorites. Our oldest son’s office is across the street from the mall so I delivered his and our dil’s box early. I went to Macy’s because I was ready to replace my purse. My everyday purse has to be light to start with, not beautiful heavy leather. I like pockets on the sides that my sun glass case and phone will fit in. Two main compartments to keep my wallet separated from other stuff. I had this exact purse in black and this time I went with this lighter color combination. By the time the sales person gave me some extra percentages off it ended up being half price. I also bought some items for Dear that he requested. At Costco I was happy to see they have my favorite jeans so I bought 2 pairs. They were $14.99 each! The sweater was $12.00. Then at Hobby Lobby I found three puzzles for my dear old pop. At almost 93 he enjoys his puzzles. They help his days fly by instead of drag on. I was on the hunt for bright and light pictures because the darker backgrounds are hard on his eyes. I’m thankful for such a productive outing and that I have the shekulkie (money) in my pocket to make these purchases.

Dear and I are having an early Valentine meal together on Friday. Rain is forecast for many days in a row now so we aren’t going far from home but far enough to get to a good steak house for our midday meal. Hope you all had a good week. On this Valentine weekend may you feel the unconditional love of God and pass it along to those around you…

In Between the Constant Dripping…

birds-squirrels 038… we had fun watching the birds and squirrels in our yard and we managed to prune our apple tree. The Pine Siskins were quite active and numerous at the feeder.

birds-squirrels 012Incoming!

birds-squirrels 013Outgoing!

birds-squirrels 015Showing all their color!

birds-squirrels 001 This industrious squirrel thought maybe it could get to the feeder from the un-pruned branches of the apple tree. Silly squirrel…

2015-02-07 birds-squirrelsThree squirrels, the most we’ve seen altogether in our yard decided it was easier to pick up the droppings below the feeder.

pruning 002 We braved the dripping skies and started to prune the apple tree on Saturday.

pruning 005 On Sunday we managed to get the majority of the unwanted branches removed and cut down to size for the yard waste bin with just a few stragglers that we may or may not trim. We wouldn’t have been able to get so much done without the help of Andrew and Katie who came over after church on Sunday.

So we are feeling quite accomplished here at this old house. How was your weekend?