nancypullen

[nancypullen]

How Do You Keep An Idiot Busy?

With second-hand angels and polymer clay, that's how. Allow me to explain. I have mentioned before that this town has nothing to do, NOTHING. I've tried, I'm truly not being negative, I have searched high and low - but when the big event this week was a ribbon cutting at public toilets, that sums it up. So I'm always on the hunt for something other than chores to keep myself busy. I mean, folding laundry is a blast and all, but sometimes you need a change. Yes, that was sarcasm.

My sister recently sent a craft idea and I was excited about it because, well, it's sort of Halloween-y. You probably knew that was coming. Anyway, you've probably seen those pretty Willow Tree figures - they're usually found in Christian bookstores and Cracker Barrels. This craft idea uses those as a base and you can alter them with paint or whatever you please. Oh, I please. Once the seed was planted my search began. Normally, those figures would pop up in thrift stores, yard sales, or Facebook Marketplace ads. Now that I needed one, they were nowhere in sight. Geesh! I hunted and hunted without any luck. Well, that's not entirely true - there are plenty on Ebay, but they're asking far too much for them. Especially because I intended to ruin them. It's sounds nicer to say modify, I intended to modify them. On Monday my handsome prince found three at an auction and scooped them up as a surprise for me. It was like winning lotto! He brought them home, I grabbed my clay, paints, and glue gun and got busy. These girls were transformed!

You guys, it was SO. MUCH. FUN. Don't look too closely, I snapped that photo while they were drying. I need to go back and tidy up a few spots. Anywho, I started with this one.

She was the easiest. I made her a clay hat, then shaped another blob of clay over that gold gift box she was holding and turned it into a pumpkin.

Why yes, that IS my old battle-scarred baking sheet that is older than a college graduate. It's perfect for baking polymer clay. Don't judge me.

Once that pumpkin cooled (275 degrees for 15 minutes) I painted it and glued it on. SO easy. If you have ever had fun with PlayDough, then you can have fun with polymer clay. I use Sculpey Premo because I think it's super easy to work with. Fresh out of the package you have to knead it a bit to get it pliable, but after that the sky is the limit. I made that witch's poor dead ghost kitty later because I felt she needed more than a pumpkin.

This gal was next.

I had a hard time deciding what to do with her because of the way her hands were positioned. Then I decide that she was dreaming of taking to the sky on Halloween night and I baked her a little broom, and another pumpkin just because they're easy.

I made the broom handle in two pieces so I could glue one piece above her bent arms and one piece below. It worked just fine. The last one was the most fun and took the longest. I tackled her this afternoon. There were so many possibilities!

At first I thought I'd turn all of those flowers into googly-eyed spiders. Then I realized that would mean making dozens of tiny, spindly legs and gluing them on one by one. Ummm, no. This is supposed to be fun, not torture. Idea after idea ran through my mind, and I almost settled on putting a harvest of little pumpkins in her hands. But I figured I'd already overdone it with pumpkins and that was sort of a cop out. I started thinking about what a witch would be harvesting and of course, MUSHROOMS! Witches love poison toadstools and all manner of fungus, right? I added a frog just for fun.

Once they cooled I slapped some paint on 'em.

That frog was still waiting for dots in his eyes. I gave him a few warts too. While those dried I dabbed a little muddy colored paint over those yellow flowers and covered them with a bit of fake moss (because, of course I have a bag of fake moss). Then I piled it all in.

I think she's my favorite. Don't tell the others.

She spent all afternoon searching for those mushrooms and that frog is a tad suspicious that he may end up in the stew too. He won't, she just brought him home for company. Again, don't judge them too harshly yet - I still have to look them over and tidy them up. But this was such a FUN project. By the third attempt I was better at baking the hats, so now that I'm an old pro I'll be looking for more Willow Tree girls. I have to do something to fill my days. I may end up with a closet full of witches. My kids are going to hate me when I die and they have to unload these. The local Goodwill will wonder what kid of nutjob was ruining perfectly good angels.

Is it still 85 days until Halloween? Yes. Yes, it is. Do I care? Not even a little bit. It's never too early. As I was finishing yesterday's witch, my brain was busy telling me that I should have other hobbies - preferably something that does not require sitting for long stretches. Then my brain and I laughed and laughed.

Seriously, I should probably get on the treadmill every time I pop another clay pumpkin or mushroom into the oven. Or dance to a few Zumba songs. There needs to be a balance. But all of those thoughts gave me an idea for a new card....

Yep, that tracks.

I have a couple more projects to share, but they can wait. Are they witchy? Yep. That's why I'll wait. I don't want to seem crazy or anything. I'm not saying I'm not, I just don't want to seem that way.

That's what's happening here. A whole lot of nothing. I'm happiest when I can do something creative so I'm always looking for an inexpensive project that'll keep me from losing my mind. This worked. I hope that you're keeping your mind and heart occupied with pleasant things. Every day is a new terror, a horrible headline, another heartbreak. You're allowed to give yourself a break. It's how we stay strong, it's how we'll last. Take care of yourselves, my dears. Let your imagination have free rein, dare to be whimsical. Find small joys, and if you can't find them, make them. Sending out lots of love. Spread it around. Stay safe, stay well.

XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

It's Time

We've passed an important summer milestone. We are officially under the 100 day mark - it's just 99 days until Halloween!

That said, I'm still out here sweating like a pig and harvesting from the garden. This afternoon I picked these tomatoes.

Have I mentioned that Mickey doesn't eat raw tomatoes? I gave some to the Edgewaters last week, looks like I'll be giving them more this week. They're going on vacation in a few days so I can't bury them in produce. Jamie is such a wonderful cook, I'm sure she can come up with a creative way to use them up. I'll probably just cook down a bunch and freeze them for winter stews, soups, and chilis. The flavor is out of this world. I'm pulling up loads of shallots too - and they're delicious.

Why is my thumb in that photo?? I'll probably pull up the rest of them tomorrow and put them in the onion basket in the pantry. They'll keep for a couple months (supposedly) and I'll enjoy them while they last. But enough about summer, let's get back to thoughts of all things autumn. Signs are popping up everywhere - well, the important places like Home Goods and Michael's. I truly try not to buy Halloween stuff because A) I have plenty B) it's more fun to make than buy, and C)Halloween is different for us now. I used to really deck out the house and yard because it was such a fun way to lure trick-or-treaters on the big night. Now I decorate inside, but keep outdoor decor to mostly a few pumpkins and mums (and maybe a witch broom) because we're likely not going to be home on the 31st. Since moving here we've crossed the bridge to spend Halloween with the grandgirl in her neighborhood. The first year I put loads of goodie bags on the porch for any little goblins that might visit and we only had a few. We're not on the main drag and Denton doesn't do much for Halloween. They allow trick-or-treating between 6 and 7:30 which kind of stinks. By the time parents get off work, get a quick meal into the kids and hit the streets, time is almost up. Grown ups ruin everything. Anywayyyyy, back to me not buying much...I caved in Home Good last week. Mickey was driving an hour to Salisbury to photograph a little league championship game so I tagged along and had him drop me at a mall. I was hungry for some semblance of normalcy. Denton ain't it. Long story short I ended up in Home Goods and couldn't say no to this beautiful marble cheese board. Pumpkin-shaped with a touch of gold? Yes, please! Look at the little pumpkin on the knife handle (squeal!).

I saw this sign in Michael's. It describes me perfectly. If I could get it on a bumper sticker I'd buy it.

Fast forward to today. I had some books to return to the library and for lack of anything else to do I decided to go by Goodwill and see if there was anything there I could paint, change, or otherwise recycle. You guys, this is ALL I could find.

That little grandma figure was actually part of a pair but I left grandpa on the shelf. One look at her gray hair and wrinkled face and you can probably guess where this is going.

I snapped that before I attached her hat so it looks a bit wonky. I painted her clothing, got out my clay and made her a wand and a hat, and eventually put a spider on her hat as well. I painted her basket of apples orange to look like little pumpkins and added a stem to the one in her lap. This kind of nonsense keeps me busy.

The spider's legs collapsed when I baked him in the oven. Guess who doesn't care?

He's actually not a spider. He's an art critic that she put a hex on, so that's why he looks weird. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. That's it, life on the Pullen spread. I'm just checking in so you know I haven't kicked the bucket. Mickey is off somewhere (Hooper's Island?) taking photos of the night sky (enjoy the mosquitos). I'm probably going to pop some popcorn and watch a movie. The cats are demanding dinner so I'll feed them and then choose something to watch. Tomorrow I'll wake up and breathe for another 24 hours, probably look for something else to paint or craft with, and then rinse and repeat. B.O.R.I.N.G. We're in the dog days of summer, that's never fun. We still have one foot planted firmly in the steamy summer weather, but relief is finally close enough to dream about.

Am I wishing my life away? Maybe. My birthday is just two months away and I feel like I've lost another year. At least thinking of the change of seasons is a glimmer of something positive. Oh geez, that got maudlin, didn't it?

I'll sign off and go choose something to watch. I'm leaning toward something Jane Austen-ish, but true crime may lure me away. Maybe I'll just go to bed and read. That sounds better, I'm tired. Mickey will creep in some time in the wee hours and have to battle a cat for his spot. I hope the cat wins. Sending out loads of love tonight. We all need some. Do your head and heart a favor and skip the news for a while. Every day is a gut punch and another mountain of lies. Save yourself. Seek joy. We have to stay informed but we don't have to drown in it. Be kind to yourself. That's some granny wisdom from me to you. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

Whatcha' Doing?

I'm just going to say it. I hate summer. Hate it. I enjoy spring, planting and anxiously awaiting the first green shoots and blooms. I adore fierce spring storms. I like winter a lot, especially if there's snow - the more, the better. Give me a winter wonderland! I looove autumn, it's my favorite season - the color, the weather, the way the sunlight becomes a deeper gold and fat, orange pumpkins appear on porches. I wish it lasted longer. But summer and I simply tolerate each other. I hate sweating, I hate that it's a full-time job to keep myself and everyone covered in sunscreen (I failed, and once again browned my skin), I hate that it's too hot to cook, I hate that getting into my car is like stepping into a sauna. Don't even get me started on the humidity and my hair. I check the forecast and want to pitch a fit. Whatever the opposite of that winter seasonal depression is, I have it. Give me sweaters and boots, give me warm drinks and hearty soups. Give me frost warnings! Whew, that felt good. I needed to get that off my chest. I know that my opinion may not be popular, and if you are a summer lover I'm happy for you (weirdo).

In order to stay indoors and make the most of the a/c I have been making art, dabbling in crafts, and generally making a mess. I picked up a little wood birdhouse at Michael's last week and decided I'd manifest fall with paint and clay.

It was priced at $12.99 and there was a coupon online for 40% off. Sold! I already had some leftover polymer clay from my earring making days so I just used that to start forming pumpkins, a broom, and all that sort of stuff. While those pieces baked and then cooled I painted the house. The beginnings of a witch!

I went back later and made her nose extra pointy. Then I left her in the oven too long and burned her a bit. That's okay, the brown bits were covered with paint anyway.

Painting, baking, painting some more slowly started turning a bare house into a witchy cottage. I snipped off that hanging loop and added a chimney in its place.

That ghost was fun to make. Can't really tell from the photo, but I painted him in sparkly white paint.

Today I started moving the witch around, trying her in different spots and wondering what else I could do. I mean, she will obviously need a cauldron, right? Everything is a bit boring, so I thought that maybe the roof needed some moss, and we'll definitely need some cobwebs.

So I borrowed a bit of stuffing from an overstuffed pillow and rolled it around in some green paint to make moss. It worked!

While waiting for that to dry and contemplating where it should be placed on the roof, I rolled some clay around and made some tombstones and an owl. I mean, what's a graveyard without a hooting owl? I put those in to bake...

and realized that I was getting carried away. I don't even know where those tombstones will go. There's not really room around the house. I went ahead and painted the owl, maybe he can sit on the chimney. It's sloppy, but I can clean him up when he's dry.

I have no idea what I'm doing, other than having fun. What better way to spend hot July days than dreaming of October fun?

Just sayin'.

I honestly don't have anything more interesting to share. NOTHING happens around here and there is nowhere to go. I long for a Jazzercise or water aerobics class, anything! If you don't want to go walk in the woods, there's nothing for you here. I enjoy nature as much as the next person, but it's so hot and sticky that I'll pass on that activity. My big outing recently was to get my mammogram. I swear those machines are getting meaner. By the time she was finished I would have given up the nuclear codes and every secret I've ever been told. There's got to be a better way to look inside our boobs. My guess is that this is less expensive than more pleasant methods, therefor it's deemed good enough for women. Ultrasound works, that's what they do if you get called back for anything suspicious - why not just a yearly ultrasound? I'm sure there's a perfectly logical medical reason, but I don't have to like it. Can you tell that the summer weather is making me crabby? And there's no end in sight.

I'm trying to convince myself that the gorgeous fresh salads of the season are enough to make it bearable. I had this beauty for lunch with a sweet homemade vinaigrette. Sun Sugar tomatoes from the garden, juicy strawberries, walnuts ( I added feta too) - yumm!

Not gonna' lie, I'll miss those tomatoes at the end of the season. I've been picking a couple quart baggies every day. I brought these in a couple of days ago, those roma tomatoes finished ripening on the kitchen window sill. The green beans were roasted for dinner.

I usually bag them, date them, and toss 'em in the frig.

But don't start thinking I'm enjoying summer, I'm just making the best of a bad situation. I'd trade every bit of this for sweater weather.

Okay, I'm stopping right here. No one wants to hear me complain and I'm boring myself. If I'm bored you're probably dozing. I'll go see if my owl is dry enough to tidy up, then I'll figure out dinner. See? Exciting!

Sending you love and hoping that you are having more interesting days than I am. Send me pictures! Tell me all about it. I'm starved for conversation and news. I don't care if it's an amazing vacation or an interesting bird. Tell me. Please. Until then, stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

A Day That Will Live in Infamy

Forty-one years ago today, these two crazy kids said. "I do." And they did, and they're still going. Two babies, several houses, many states, and more ups and downs than a roller coaster - and we've never been on a single episode of Dateline. Success!

We don't look like that anymore, but we've had fun getting where we are. Every gray hair and wrinkle has a story. I begged the mister not to make me go out and celebrate, so being the sweet guy that he is - he made dinner! Not only did he make dinner, he made a beautiful feast! Steamed crab legs, delicious crab cakes, a scrumptious mixed greens salad, charcuterie, even a dessert - pistachio gelato and madeleines. Every bite was perfection. I hope he does this again in another 41 years.

Other than celebrating our milestone, not much is happening around here. We kept Little Miss for a week and stayed quite busy. Pool, mud kitchen, crafts, Barbies, a movie (Elio - it was okay), cupcake decorating, library visits, all culminating in the arrival of her parents for the 4th and a visit to the carnival and an evening of fireworks. Quite a week! My gardens are still thriving. Even the globe thistle has bloomed this year!

All but a few of the bee cocoons have emptied and they've been busy on all of the plants. I've already spotted two holes filled in the bee house. We'll have babies!!

Summer leafcutter bees pollinate like crazy, then make their nests in these tubes, lining them with cut leaf pieces and supplying them with pollen and nectar before laying an egg. The larvae develop in the tubes, eating the food provided by the mother, and stay all winter. They'll emerge to continue the cycle next spring. This has been fun to observe. I ordered mine from Crown Bees. If you're inclined (or lack pollinators like us) I give them 5 stars.

If you know me you know that once the 4th of July is over, I consider it pre-Halloween season. I think we're 115 days out. Okay, I know we're 115 days out. I spent this afternoon trying my hand at silk screening on wooden blocks.

These are just practice runs, I'm learning as I go and loving every minute of it. Pumpkins in July with no apologies.

Don't judge me. The world is on fire, the bullies are in control, every day is a deluge of bad news - let me have my pumpkins. I encourage you all to do the same. Find something, anything, that distracts you and provides joy. That's it from me - just a quick post to let you know that I'm still alive. I'm spending my days counting bees and eating tomatoes right off the vine. I don't love hot weather, but I'll certainly make the most of the growing season. I hope that you're soaking up the sun and enjoying everything summer offers. We've passed the solstice and each day costs us daylight as the wheel of the year turns toward autumn. Onward we go. May the days ahead be kind to us all. Sending out love tonight, take some and pass it on. Sprinkle it on everyone you meet. Can't hurt. Until next time - stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

Say It Ain't So

Bobby Sherman died today. Now he'll never marry me. I was so sure that at some point the stars would align and we'd find each other. Oh sure, he'd have to accept that he'd always be second to Dean Martin, but I think we could have been happy.

I wrote to him when I was in second grade, just to let him know that my heart was available. I decided to include a photo with my letter to seal the deal. I used every Avon sample in my arsenal to paint my face and, to appear sophisticated, wrapped a black lace scarf around my head in sort of a side-pony fashion. Irresistible. I wore my favorite red dress and stood on a chair to look taller (surely he wouldn't notice that my knobby knees were even with a doorknob). My sister snapped the photo.

When I didn't hear from him with an immediate proposal, I assumed that he was as careful as he was cute and was probably waiting for me to graduate. So I kept my eyes on the prize and continued my education rather than thumbing it out to Hollywood (hey, it was the 60's). My mistake. Now he's gone. Tiger Beat magazine alerted me when he married, and I knew it wouldn't last (it didn't). I tuned in to see Here Come the Brides every week, and I danced with his album covers. Years passed and my heart strayed...Bay City Rollers...Andy Gibb. But he was always there, tucked away in a little pocket of my heart reserved for childhood innocence. I suppose he just sat there with Santa and The Great Pumpkin. As a woman of a certain age, I keep my car radio on the 70's channel, and every so often one of his songs pops up. My heart is instantly lifted - all these decades later, he can still make me smile. What a gift. Bobby (we're on a first name basis) eventually left the entertainment industry and built a second career as a reserve deputy with the San Bernadino Sheriff's Department and donated his salary. He remarried (probably because I was unavailable) and as far as I know there was never a scandal or negative story attached to his name. I think he just might have been a truly good guy. As soon as I heard about his death I texted my sister. She understands, and I appreciate her not gloating about Donny Osmond's good health. Pretty sure this is the year he calls her.

With a heavy and heartbroken sigh, I'm letting go of yet another piece of my childhood, of youth. And he was such a lovely piece.

Farewell, Bobby. Thank you for the happy memories. If there's an afterlife I hope that yours has fringe and tambourines. Save me a seat.

[nancypullen]

OhMyGawdIt'sSoHot

Gross. That's all I have to say about it, gross. We're part of this.

We're hot and getting hotter and, even worse, the forecast is for unbearable humidity. If you are fortunate enough to live where it isn't humid, thank your lucky stars. It's suffocating. Also....

for a curly-haired girl it's a nightmare. I might as well buy some giant shoes and a red nose.

If you drive down my street and see an old lady in a blow up pool, mind your own business. It's about survival now.

But I'm not here to complain (we both know that's not true) so let's move on to more pleasant topics.

The mud kitchen! Our little miss absolutely LOVES it. It was such a hit and that makes me so happy. She spent six hours last Saturday running between her kitchen and the pool.

Here's the finished product. I found a treasure trove of utensils, pots and pans, etc at Goodwill.

Here's how Saturday looked. Just a gal riding her turtle and enjoying a snack. Like you do.

Time to make some potions.

Into battle!

But first, pie.

Surfin' USA.

And then flower lasagna for the bees.

She ping-ponged back and forth all day. It was wonderful. Added bonus, I had a steel drum station playing on my phone to enhance the vibe.

If the temps would cooperate we could enjoy plenty of days like this. I think we're going to get roasted though.

These two knuckleheads were honored for Father's Day.

And a good time was had by all. Little Miss is at an outdoor day camp the next two weeks. The heat and humidity worry me, it's not even pleasant in the shade. I hope they keep the kids hydrated. I know I tend to worry too much but heat exhaustion is no joke. I've been sick from it before.

That's about all the news around our patch. The gardens are booming - I've got loads of green beans and tomatoes, the cucumbers act like they don't want to live but they keep producing. The bell peppers and herbs are chugging along, and all of the flowers are doing well. Can't ask for more than that. I've got a beautiful bank of cornflowers just under the bee house.

The bee cocoons arrived on time and little by little they're emerging and flying. It's delightful.

They have a buffet, so I hope they stick around. I'll know if in a few weeks I start seeing leaves plugging holes in the bee house. If I were a bee, I'd stay and eat.

Every time I go out to water I grab a couple of these SunSugar cherry tomatoes - they're like candy!

That reminds me that it's time to eat a bit of lunch and hop in the shower. I'm sweaty from just walking around outside with a hose. Gross. We're running across the bridge later to watch Little Miss in her gymnastics showcase. A couple times a year the kids get to show off what they've learned and it's lots of fun. I'll take her a bouquet so she feels celebrated. And that's that. It's ridiculously hot and I don't appreciate it, the grandgirl completed first grade with flying colors, and we're enjoying garden bounty. Summer is upon us and all that means to me is that it's just 135 DAYS UNTIL HALLOWEEN! When we hit the 90 day mark I will consider that a light at the end of the tunnel. I hope you're looking forward to something, even if it's 135 days away. Enjoy what is while waiting for what will be - day by day that makes for a pleasant life. Sending out so much love. We all need it now more than ever. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

OhMyGawdIt'sSoHot

Gross. That's all I have to say about it, gross. We're part of this.

We're hot and getting hotter and, even worse, the forecast is for unbearable humidity. If you are fortunate enough to live where it isn't humid, thank your lucky stars. It's suffocating. Also....

for a curly-haired girl it's a nightmare. I might as well buy some giant shoes and a red nose.

If you drive down my street and see an old lady in a blow up pool, mind your own business. It's about survival now.

But I'm not here to complain (we both know that's not true) so let's move on to more pleasant topics.

The mud kitchen! Our little miss absolutely LOVES it. It was such a hit and that makes me so happy. She spent six hours last Saturday running between her kitchen and the pool.

Here's the finished product. I found a treasure trove of utensils, pots and pans, etc at Goodwill.

Here's how Saturday looked. Just a gal riding her turtle and enjoying a snack. Like you do.

Time to make some potions.

Into battle!

But first, pie.

Surfin' USA.

And then flower lasagna for the bees.

She ping-ponged back and forth all day. It was wonderful. Added bonus, I had a steel drum station playing on my phone to enhance the vibe.

If the temps would cooperate we could enjoy plenty of days like this. I think we're going to get roasted though.

These two knuckleheads were honored for Father's Day.

And a good time was had by all. Little Miss is at an outdoor day camp the next two weeks. The heat and humidity worry me, it's not even pleasant in the shade. I hope they keep the kids hydrated. I know I tend to worry to much but heat exhaustion is no joke. I've been sick from it before.

That's about all the news around our patch. The gardens are booming - I've got loads of green beans and tomatoes, the cucumbers act like they don't want to live but they keep producing. The bell peppers and herbs are chugging along, and all of the flowers are doing well. Can't ask for more than that. I've got a beautiful bank of cornflowers just under the bee house.

The bee cocoons arrived on time and little by little they're emerging and flying. It's delightful.

They have a buffet, so I hope they stick around. I'll know if in a few weeks I start seeing leaves plugging holes in the bee house. If I were a bee, I'd stay and eat.

Every time I go out to water I grab a couple of these SunSugar cherry tomatoes - they're like candy!

That reminds me that it's time to eat a bit of lunch and hop in the shower. I'm sweaty from just walking around outside with a hose. Gross. We're running across the bridge later to watch Little Miss in her gymnastics showcase. A couple times a year the kids get to show off what they've learned and it's lots of fun. I'll take her a bouquet so she feels celebrated. And that's that. It's ridiculously hot and I don't appreciate it, the grandgirl completed first grade with flying colors, and we're enjoying garden bounty. Summer is upon us and all that means to me is that it's just 135 DAYS UNTIL HALLOWEEN! When we hit the 90 day mark I will consider that a light at the end of the tunnel. I hope you're looking forward to something, even if it's 135 days away. Enjoy what is while waiting for what will be - day by day that makes for a pleasant life. Sending out so much love. We all need it now more than ever. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

I Couldn't BEE More Excited!

Back in February, when I was dreaming of summer gardens, I placed an order for 200 bees. I chose Summer Leafcutter bees because no hive is required and they're super pollinators. I asked for my order to ship the second week of June so that I'd have a buffet of blossoms for them. By May I was getting nervous, hoping that everything I planted for my fuzzy buzzing friends would thrive and flower. I hesitate to say that my plan is actually coming together. I squealed when I received notice that the bees will arrive tomorrow via FedEx.

They'll arrive still in their cocoons, like this.

and within a few warm days will emerge and get busy in my gardens. Right on time, the Bee Balm is starting to bloom and I have a big patch of it. Bees and hummingbirds love this stuff.

The front porch has loads of salvia and lavender...again, delightful to bees.

The purple coneflower is opening up as well, there are dozens of buds.

I've got planters and hanging baskets filled with tasty treats.

All six Speedwell plants are starting to bloom - I started these from seed in my greenhouse!

The vegetable garden is a smorgasboard of flowers - the cukes, the bell peppers, and these green beans.

Just beyond the raised bed full of veggies the Cornflower is reveaing three or four new blooms a day.

All three fence buckets are healthy as well.

I have lilies, zinnias, geraniums, and my mammoth sunflowers are reaching for the sky. This was snapped a couple of weeks ago.

This is my view from inside the house. Last month we watched a chickadee pair launch their family from one of those birdhouses. Hopefully later this month we'll see bees buzzing around sunflowers.

I'm hoping that within the next few days the number of flowers blooming will double. Surely some of these bees will stick around for a meal. I hope so. No one can say that I haven't tried. I'm also trying to pull together this mud kitchen. I'm waiting to visit Goodwill until Wednesday (aka bee delivery day!!) because I can get a 30% discount for being a senior.

I'm happy to be labeled old for 30% off. Anywho, I'm hoping to strike it rich and find some pots and pans, maybe a muffin tin or two. I've cut out some bunting from the leftover oil cloth and I think I'll string it across the back. I loosely draped it to see if I liked it before attaching anything, and I think it looks okay. I'll get out there this afternoon and tighten it up and make it permanent.

It's coming right along! I find that if I keep myself busy with several creative projects, whether it's in the yard or for our Little Miss, I'm less likely to end up in handcuffs over the state of the country. It's heartbreaking, it's infuriating, and yet I know that there are tens of millions of people beyond my front door who are good and kind. A handful of power-crazed billionaires will not defeat us. It might be ugly for a while, but they won't win. They've underestimated us. I can think of another time the general population was underestimated.

Big mistake. There you have it. Between art, gardens, and magic for Little Miss, I keep my sanity. Sort of. So many of us are struggling and worried right now, and the fear is justified. Four months in and the destruction is apparent already. Midterms seem a lifetime away. With that in mind, my advice is to keep fighting the good fight, write call, march, do whatever you can to be heard and to raise the level of resistance. But seek joy as well. Find pockets in your day to laugh and create. Feed your soul, even if it's a box of mail order bees. If you deplete yourself you'll have nothing left to give. It's okay to decide you're not going to check the news today (I mean, we all know it's going to be horrifying). It's okay to give your heart and mind a break. That's how we stay strong for the long haul. Take care of yourselves and the ones you love. Start a ripple effect of kindness. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

Saturday

The sparkly new laptop has arrived and I do believe it will make me faster, smarter, and more creative. Or not. Could go either way. The mister is off taking photos, so the cats and I are working on projects. I have brownies in the oven and paint drying in the garage.

Phoebe is exhausted.

Molly is all up in my business.

Back to the garage project. Right now Mickey is my hero. I asked him to build something and he came through in a big way. I'll explain. Summer is coming and we'll have Little Miss for a few days at a time here and there. She's got a bunch of fun camps lined up but there are still weeks where her parents have to work and we get to fill the void. Since this town offers nothing fun other than the Icee machine at 7-11, we try to create our own fun - sometimes it's crafts, sometimes it's new toys, sometimes we just let her watch too many cartoons (we're old and tired). We have a big blow-up pool that she dubbed Mermaid Lagoon, she has her saucer swing hanging from a shady tree, but I wanted another outdoor activity for her. A MUD KITCHEN!!

I'll backtrack a bit further. Last week we went over to celebrate Tyler's birthday and I brought along a little something for Little Miss too. These little plastic bottles, labels, and chalk pen for the labels....

and this book.

I printed all sorts of recipes with ingredients that can be found in her yard. Each recipe went into a protective plastic sleeve.

You get the idea. There were about fifteen recipes and plenty of blank sleeves where she could save her own recipes. We had some fun brewing potions and I started thinking how nice it would be for her to have a space at our house to make everything from mud pies to magical elixirs. I talked to the mister about it and he said he'd go to Lowe's and buy lumber. Well, that was easy. I didn't even have to lobby for it. I tagged along on the Lowe's trip and picked out a paint color for the project. He's the builder, I'm the decorator. You guys, he built exactly what I wanted in one afternoon. I should have aimed higher. I snapped this pre-paint, when I was just getting ideas. That's a two gallon water jug with a spigot on the bottom shelf.

It's very sturdy and just the right height for a couple summers of fun. I can't wait to finish it and share it with you. I spray painted a few empty cans and rummaged in my drawers and cupboards for supplies. I've got everything from a teapot to a silpat baking mat. I'll have to raid Goodwill for a couple of pots and a mixing bowl or two. All of mine are breakable. Note: Those canisters probably won't stay. It's actually a set of four that I bought many years ago at a Country Living Fair. They're called decoware and apparently that particular style is rare. I found an identical set on Etsy that just sold for $135.00. I think I paid $30 for the set. Guess I shouldn't let them roll around in the yard. They take up too much of her shelf space anyway.

I've got the first coat of paint on, and may go finish it after dinner tonight. I chose a light blue color called Quiet Nook. Most of the accents will be red, and I'm debating whether to use some of my leftover oilcloth from the garden bunting to make a little mini strip of bunting for the top. The vision is this color scheme.

Add a silver teapot and some utensils and bowls - loads of mud fun for a special little girl! That's what's been keeping me busy today, that and the garden. I've been harvesting radishes daily. We have too many.

This first bell pepper is begging to be picked.

The cukes have had too much rain, but they're covered in blossoms and they're making babies.

I've got more tomatoes than I can count, big slicers and tons of SunSugar cherry tomatoes. The green beans are covered in flowers and promise a bumper crop. Yesterday I made the decision to pull up all of the remaining radishes. We are buried in them. In their place I could plant a hot weather lettuce, like a nice butterhead. I think I'll just pop in some nasturtium seeds and see if they take off. They'll provide pretty pest control and can be added to a salad for a peppery taste. It's the easiest route to take for what will be an empty space. I know that summer heat is coming and I'm trying to do a favor for July and August Nancy. Nasturtiums are low maintenance. I can admire them from the shade of the porch. That reminds me, I got a steal at the auction last week! You know how I love my porch sittin'. And you know that my porch must be pretty. I saw a little side table at the auction house that was just darling and I knew it needed to come live with me. I was able to snag it for just $6.25, and just look at it!

A little red table with heart cutouts??? Take my money! She's perfect on my porch.

Come sit and rock with me, we'll sip fresh lemonade and solve the problems of the world. Who am I kidding, I can't even solve the problem of my hair. It's gotten long again and is giving Farrah vibes. I'm probably too old for that. I keep looking at styles like this - simple, no fuss, basic.

Then I remember that I don't look like her. She has no sagging jowls, and she has normal human hair. I have double that amount of hair and a face that is sliding down my neck. Still, I spend most days with my hair scraped back in a ponytail because I can't be bothered with it. Might as well lop it all off, right? I already know I'll regret it, but when has that ever stopped me? I made an appointment for June 17th, so in ten days I'll be a new woman.

I do not have high hopes. Gardening, making a mud kitchen, talking to cats - it's been a busy month and we're only one week in. I've got an oven timer due to go off in four minutes, so this will be adieu for now. I'll be back to share photos of the finished project and maybe something exciting enough to write about will happen between now and then. Doubtful, but always possible. Sending out love and a scoop of optimism. In the dumpster fire that we're all living through optimism is an act of rebellion. Be a rebel. Stay safe, stay well, keep hope alive. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

Standby

We are currently experiencing technical difficulties. My laptop has gone on to its greater reward (a moment of silence, please) and, because I am a woman of a certain age, I do not type anything longer than a brief text message on my phone. Typing with just thumbs is a skill I do not possess. My new laptop is supposed to arrive by Friday and I'll have lots of photos and nonsense to share. No news, as absolutely NOTHING has happened around here since my last post. That was ages ago, and all I've done since then is pull weeds and eat. Seriously. The one bright spot was celebrating Tyler's birthday, that was fun. The gardens are thriving (knock on wood) and temps are slowly climbing. Right now the only issue is that there are #@$%*! Spotted Lantern Fly nymphs everywhere.

We're supposed to report sightings to the Maryland Dept. of Agriculture, so I did. Because my gardens are doing so well this year they'll probably send a team of bug busters over and decimate the whole yard. I hope not.

Anyway, this is just a bit of a place holder until the new laptop arrives. I've got a couple of projects underway that I'll share and, as always, I need to talk about my hair. If Bob Ross and Dolly Parton merged heads, that's what I'm dealing with here. I'm running out of ideas and even worse, I'm running out of concern. I don't think I care anymore.

That looks like it would feel good. Don't be surprised if I show up looking like a really old, chubby Marine recruit. It's a possibility. Alrighty, I'm outta' here. I have bugs to squish, chickadees to lure, weeds to pull, and hummingbird hooch to brew. I'm a very busy woman.

Sending out lots of love. I hope you're basking in sunshine and enjoying these early summer days. Stop and smell the roses (and the gardenias, and the lilies, and the sweet peas, and the freesia, and the...well, you get the idea. Get out and soak up a little vitamin D, its amazing what a boost that can be. Hopefully, my new magical laptop machine will arrive Friday and I'll catch you up on the last month of my life in the slow lane. Until then, stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

Backyard Betty

It's the time of year where I feel the call of the wild. Well, as wild as manicured flower beds and tidy vegetable patches get. I prefer to be outdoors rather than in, and I find myself making daily rounds looking for new buds, new veggies, even new visitors. I wasn't thrilled to spot several Lantern Fly nymphs. Ugh, those things are nothing but trouble. He was dead seconds after I snapped that. Not sorry.

. I mentioned in an earlier post that we have a wolf spider living in the raised bed. Since that spider will gobble up pests, she is welcome to stay. The grandgirl told me that the little chimney-shaped entry hole is 'a "work of art", and she's not wrong. I'll keep my distance because their bite can sting, but they're mostly active at night so I doubt our paths will cross. Still, the grandgirl has called a couple of times and asked if the spider was still around (she's a fan) and I assured her that Carla the Spider is living her best life just behind the basil. Before our Little Miss arrived for a visit on Friday I cut out some little togs for Carla - four arms in the shirt, four legs in the pants.

I stuck two twigs in the ground and made a little clothesline, the grandgirl was tickled to see that it was laundry day at the spider hole.

They looked a little worse for the wear when I snapped that, they'd been through a thunderstorm. i need to rummage through the doll clothes and just find a tiny skirt to hang. Speaking of hanging things, I finally got around to making the backyard bunting. Oilcloth, nylon cord, and a hot glue gun did the trick.

The mister helped me hang it and I'm happy with the result. Again, it's all about a certain little girl and she declared that it looked like a "royal festival". Mission accomplished.

Again, don't judge that grass. We're working on it. Everything else is thriving, flowers and veggies are making me proud. It's so early in the season that I don't want to say that out loud. We had several days of scattered showers followed by a hot and sunny weekend - I think everything grew a foot. The Bachelor's Buttons have started to open up!

I'm especially happy because I started those from seed in my little green house and I've got a bumper crop. That hot weather also gave us the green light for pool time!

I do believe summer has arrived. I'm ready for watermelon, fresh peaches, sun-ripened tomatoes, and tan lines. The latter is probably a bad idea, but what the heck.

Oh, hey - here's something that is absolutely delicious on those fresh summer veggies and salads. Tyler and Jamie introduced me to this combo and it is SO good. There's a store in Annapolis that sells infused oils and vinegars and this blood orange olive oil is a WINNER.

I combine a tablespoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of white balsamic and shake it up - drizzled over a salad it is DELICIOUS. You can order from the Seasons store or, if your conscience allows, you can also find it on Amazon. It's so yummy. In other news, eldest son is running around Ireland right now. It's his favorite spot and I've lost count of how many trips he's made. He sent a couple of pics today, he was out on a boat frolicking with dolphins, seals, and puffins. He's in Dingle right now, and I told him about a cute shop I visited there called Sweet Pea. There was a lovely shop cat named Angel and her portrait is painted beside the door. She often sits beside it and it's hilarious to watch passersby do a double take. This afternoon I received these pictures from Matt.

Ah, there she is! You can see the little tag on her bed that says "Angel of Dingle". The shop owner says that she's quite the celebrity. Anyway, Matt is having a grand time and his visit is for two weeks so he's not even at the halfway mark yet. Here's another bit of fun news. I won a contest! Well, it was a drawing, a contest implies that there was some sort of skill involved. Either way, I won a $1,000 gift card to a site that sells custom drapes, blinds, roman shades, etc.

I've already received a ton of fabric samples, but I'm not sure what I want to do yet. I'm leaning toward cordless roman shades, but some beautiful drapery panels are tempting. I'll update when I make up my mind. Warning, it takes me forEVer to make up my mind. I wish they sold rugs, I'd rather have a big ol' area rug. Okay, I should probably bring this snoozefest to an end. I really just wanted to let folks know that I'm still alive and still looking for silver linings. The world is nuts, but my backyard is a haven. We're booking little bits of fun so that we have days to look forward to - a trip to Salem and Maine in October, a day trip to NYC in December, and a David Sedaris event in February (in Easton!). It's important to have some dates on the calendar that promise joy. Doesn't have to be anything big or expensive - a picnic in the park with friends, a date with a bestie to go poke around antique shops, whatever makes your skirt fly up. Life can be such a drain, you've got to find some things to keep you afloat.

That's all of my old lady advice for tonight. I hope that you're so busy being happy that you don't need it. I'll be back soon, probably with photos of flowers and vegetables - buckle up, it'll be thrilling (sarcasm). Until then - Stay safe, stay well.

XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

Hobbling on Hobbit Feet

My sister spends half the year here in Maryland, her house is a little over an hour from mine. The rest of the year she's up in Maine where her only grandchild resides. In other words, she divides herself between the two people who need her the most - a 6 year old, and me. I relish the time we get to spend together, mostly because we always laugh until we cry, and we usually discover something new - a new restaurant, a great new boutique, or a new life hack that saves us some money. Last month we went shopping together and uncovered one of those hacks. Let me back up. We're both petite. Well, parts of me aren't so petite anymore, but I am short of stature. My sister is a whopping inch taller than I am but still a shrimp. Last month we got together and decided we'd go to Easton, have lunch at our favorite restaurant, and then raid all of the consignment shops in town. We both love to buy for our grandkids, and loading up on pretty summer clothes for them at consignment shops makes sense. They'll only wear them one season and it's not a tragedy if they get stained, ripped, etc. So off we went.

How adorable is she? Anyway, we had great success finding summer togs for the little kids in our lives, but then the discussion turned to how much we each needed a pair of sandals for summer. I have a favorite brown pair that I've worn to death, she does too. I've seen plenty of pretty shoes with matching pretty price tags. Where do I go that would justify an $85 pair of sandals? Aldi for groceries? It just doesn't make sense. Sure, if you do the math and consider how many years I'd wear them and blah, blah, blah maybe it adds up. Still, neither of us were willing to fork over big bucks for what amounts to about 12 ounces of leather. After stopping for lunch we spied a Famous Footwear store with "Summer Sale!" signs in their windows and decided to have a look. We both wear shoes in the neighborhood of size 6 or 6 1/2, and as we browsed the sandals we found plenty that we liked but none that we felt were worth the price. Naturally, we gravitated over to the kid shoes to see what they had in stock for the grandbabies. That's when I said, "Gosh, some of these look so big..." and the lightbulb went on for both of us.

I pulled a size 3 "big kids" sandal off the shelf and slid my foot into it. Perfect fit! We dissolved into laughter and then realized that we had opened a portal to half price shoes forever. As long as I steer clear of Disney princess shoes and light up sneakers (though I have it on good authority that they make you run faster) I can find pretty much everything I need. Sneakers, boots, sandals, flats - we can get them all in the Big Kids section! Finally, being a half-pint pays off.

Peep my sister's little foot trying on kids' shoes.

We both bought sandals, I found one pair and I think she found two. Check out these fabulous sandals - for half price!!

Why yes, that box does say Malibu Kids, but that's just between you and me. After laughing ourselves silly over our good fortune (we may not be super models but our hobbit feet are very economical). We decided to go into Target. We'd both been boycotting it, but honestly, I needed my Mrs Meyers cleanser and we both needed a Starbucks. We were weak. We went in and immediately shopped for the grandkids, then laughed our way over to look at the big kids' shoes. Not gonna' lie, there was some new boot goofin', a pair of gingham shoes that we both regret not buying....

and then these.

You guys, these are the best yard/pool/beach shoes ever! We each bought a pair and I've worn them every day since. I slip them on to go putter in the gardens, they rinse off like a dream, and they're SO comfy. Very squishy. Cat & Jack brand from the children's aisle is working for me!

Did I go into Walmart last week for kitty litter and make a pit stop to try on some cute light up sneakers? Yes, I did.

They were less than ten bucks. I didn't buy them but i did entertain the idea that for under $20 the grandgirl and I could have matching kicks.

After decades of pants and sleeves that are too long, of mini dresses being midi on me, of trying to shop in pitifully small (and often ugly) petite sections, finally a win! If you have a smallish foot, go check it out. I wear a 6 or 6/12, and in the big kids section that translates to a 3 or 4. The kid sizes go up to 7! You know how cheap frugal I am, so if you see me in the grocery store wearing Little Mermaid velcro sneakers, mind yo' business. I'm just out here living my best life. Besides, that leaves me more money to spend on flowers. In fact, I'm slipping on my kid shoes now and heading out to the gardens. I hope your day delivers a sweet surprise, whether that's a funny text from a friend, a beautiful new bloom, or turning a problem like hobbit feet into a po$itive. It's the little joys that keep us sane, right? Sending out love, take some and pass it on.

Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

Time

It's Tuesday, which honestly means nothing in the world of retired people, but I like to know what day it is in case I end up in the ER and a doctor asks. It won't keep them from thinking I'm batty, but it may postpone the diagnoses long enough to escape. I'm old school and have a calendar hanging on a kitchen wall where I dutifully mark off the current day after dinner each night. I like to be able to glance at exactly where we are in the month, but I admit that it's unsettling to watch the days gobbled up so fast while I feel like I'm standing still. I'll be 62 in 4 months and feel like I've hardly used 61. I suppose that glorious journey traipsing through France is enough to make it a good trip around the sun. Most of the squares on our calendar are filled with the mister's various commitments. He's always running around taking photos, going to photo club meetings, recording instructional photography videos, or meeting other photographers to hide behind bushes and snap photos of birds. The county and the Caroline Review keep him busy and that keeps him happy. My squares on the calendar look a bit different...there are words scrawled in hurried serial killer handwriting that say things like, "rAdiShes" or "MoOn BAth". The first is marking the date that I sowed radish seeds, the second reminds me to gather what I need for a soak in the tub during a full moon. That's right, one of my little pagan rituals is a moon bath - lighting a candle, playing some soft tunes, soaking in a fragrant, steaming bath, and manifesting or setting intentions. Does it work? Well, I'm not living in Paris nor am I a lottery winner, so no. But I think it beats hiding in bushes and waiting for birds, so it stays on the calendar. Back to those radishes. I sprinkled the seeds on April 19th, so we're just a couple weeks away from harvesting.

I have several rows that will be ready this month, and a second section that I seeded last week. Mickey loves a fresh radish, so he'll have a bumper crop to enjoy. I was lazy and failed to tidy up this Sun Sugar cherry tomato, but she's already making fruit and has several blossoms. Guess it didn't hurt her that I didn't do any pruning. Time will tell.

The bell pepper plants all have blossoms too.

A wolf spider has made its home in the raised bed.

I'm happy to see that. She'll gobble up pests and protect my plants. I should probably put a little mailbox and a flower or two there.

My shallots are going crazy. We won't harvest those for months, but they're making me very happy.

The mammoth sunflowers are growing up fast around the bird houses. They'll be as tall as that kitchen window in no time. The lilac is blooming like crazy and the fragrance is intoxicating.

Everything else is growing, growing, growing and that's how I mark my days. I spend a lot of time talking to birds at the feeders and squirrels who help themselves to the treats on the back porch. There's one I call Eddie and he's my favorite. The other squirrels rush around, chasing each other from limb to limb, chattering nonstop. Not Eddie, he can be found face down at the buffet. He's my spirit animal.

Between Eddie and Kevin, the woodpecker who likes to give me the stink eye through the bird cam, I stay entertained.

Of course, I had the derby marked on the calendar. I love the Kentucky Derby and spend months researching horses, jockeys, and trainers prior to the big day. The I throw all of that out the window and bet on a gray horse. This year I fell in love with Final Gambit. He is magnificent. Sure, he had a few strikes against him - he'd never raced on dirt, the track was sloppy from rain, and he drew the number 17 post position, a spot that no horse has ever started from and won the derby. Did that stop me from throwing away my money? Absolutely not. I had a really good feeling about him. That beautiful beast ran his heart out. He moved up from dead last to cross the finish line in 4th, nearly grabbing the 3rd spot. If he'd had an extra five seconds I do believe he would have won. No regrets, take my cash. I look forward to that day all year. I've covered spiders, squirrels, birds, and horses, might as well add cats. We crossed the bridge last Saturday to entertain Little Miss and then celebrate Jamie's birthday. I decided to take along some sugar cookies for my favorite girl and one thing led to another.

I separated some of the dough into smaller balls and added food coloring, then pinched off pieces and dropped them here and there while rolling out the plain dough. With the help of a cat head cookie cutter and an edible marker I ended up with a whole litter of feral cats.

Not my best effort, but she enjoyed them. On Sunday I made Mother's Day cards for my mom and my mother-in-law. Once the glue and ribbon is out I usually lose track of time and start cranking out cards. These were part of Sunday's batch.

It's just a silly hobby but it keeps me sane (ish). And that's that. I'm marking days, growing stuff, and making stuff. Could be worse. The calendar tells me that Mother's Day is approaching, and that day always makes me so grateful for the gift of my boys. From their first breaths they made my life a delight and still do. How'd I ever get so lucky? My gift from Mickey will be a quick trip up to the Lancaster area on Monday to visit my favorite Amish nursery, Reiff's. Last spring I loaded up the car with beautiful plants, so I'm making a list in my head for this trip. The merry month of May is all about growing and blooming, right? I need to do my part.

 "May is the month of expectation, the month of wishes, the month of hope." - Emily Bronte Alright, this scattered post is irritating me, but we all know that I won't go back and edit. I emptied my brain onto the keyboard, it is what it is. Just letting you all know that I'm alive, mostly well, and haven't dropped my basket yet. The mister has come downstairs, which always means one thing - time to feed him. Duty calls. Sending out love and hugs to anyone who needs them. I think right now we all do. I hope your days are pleasant and that you have plenty to look forward to - that matters. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

Three Years, Zero Friends

It's May! This month marks three years in Denton, and you all know how I feel about that. I've tried, lawdy, how I've tried. I suppose I shouldn't say I don't have any friends - I have several friendly acquaintances, and there are still a couple of library coworkers that I occasionally meet for lunch. Those former coworkers are darling, and I love hearing their news, but I'm old enough to be their granny so we really don't have much in common. I really miss going to Zumba or Jazzercise and cackling with my boomer peers. I miss chatting with women who are celebrating a good bone density scan or an AARP discount. I miss devoting full days to treasure hunting at The Strawberry Patch or The Country Living Fair. I really, really miss having friends that I could call at 3am and they'd show up. I don't even have a friend I can call at 3pm. I'm super nice, I don't stink, I can think of a hundred topics to discuss at the drop of a hat, and I don't require much from a pal (I'm not needy, I don't cling, my life is not a rollercoaster of drama). If there was ever someone in Denton destined to be my friend they must have died. I've lived all over the country and have never had a problem making friends. Looks like I'm flying solo now. Now that I've gotten that pity party out of the way, let me tell you what I'm enjoying in my little hermit life. My gardens!!!

That's what I see in my imagination when I'm out tending the garden and giving everyone a pep talk. I know it's just May, and I'm probably jinxing everything by saying this, but the gardens look fabulous! Nearly everything I started from seed in the greenhouse is currently thriving in the yard or raised bed. Major credit to Mickey for building the raised bed, filling it with soil and putting up a tidy barrier to keep out the friendly neighborhood groundhogs. If all goes well we'll have a variety of tomatoes, bell peppers, shallots, haricot verts, radishes, and cucumbers. Those are all items we buy regularly (or can't find locally - shallots!) and I'd love to take those off my grocery list for a season. I had prolific gardens in Tennessee, maybe the third summer is the charm here in Maryland.

I'm trying little Muncher cucumbers in hanging pots this year. I've seen others do it with success, so why not give it a whirl?

They'll trail over the sides and probably dangle just low enough to delight the groundhogs I mentioned earlier.

The grass in the backyard seems to have given up. Last year it looked okay. I know Mickey has fertilized and seeded. Apparently we can't have everything doing well at the same time. Whatever. The single garden success that is bringing me absolute JOY , is this...

My Grandma Ethel's irises are blooming! They came from her yard in Idaho via my sister, and they mean the world to me. Ethel's gardens were as special and sweet as she was, and her irises were always a sight to behold. She died just shy of her 99th birthday which is in May, so it's fitting that these opened up on the first day of her month.

They look so pretty next to the climbing rose, she's just opening her blooms too.

See that little lilac bush in the background? She's putting out an amazing fragrance for such a little gal. Heavenly! Won't that be a pretty spot when the lilac is bigger? I haven't planted anything in that spot behind the lilac because that's where the grandgirl sets up her fairy town. As long as she believes in fairies that spot will stay vacant. It's all under a white blooming crape myrtle tree - providing the beauty I need in my world. Well, almost. As always, I have a plan. There's a spot in the corner of the backyard where the grandgirl has a swing. It's shady, and she enjoys swaying under the trees after a dip in her summer pool, or swinging as bright autumn leaves tumble down around her. Here's the spot - that corner looks weedy right now, but it's not - that's actually milkweed, cornflower, cosmos, and all sorts of thigs that will hopefully bloom and make that spot pretty.

The swing has faded, so I'm thinking of giving it a coat of spray paint. I"ve done that in the past with outdoor cushions and it works! Anyway, I wanted to make it more fun, and definitely prettier (anyone else seeing a theme? I need to be surrounded by PRETTY!) so I ordered some oilcloth. You know, that fabric used for outdoor tablecloths and stuff? It's waterproof, hopefully a bit UV resistant, and perfect for what I have i mind. Wouldn't this be fun??

If I make an outdoor bunting and we string it along that big limb holding the swing, you might not even notice the patchy grass. I can hear Mickey groaning right now. I don't care. I think it will be fun! When I started shopping for oilcloth all of the patterns that I liked were in UK stores and shipping/tariffs made it too expensive for a little backyard in Denton. I was able to find some on clearance in a U.S. store, but had to adjust my vision. It'll be fine.

I'm mixing cherries with strawberries, and I would have preferred a floral motif - but I'll bet the little girl who swings under those fluttering flags won't care. I can probably complete the entire project for about $20, a few dollars more if I paint the swing. We all know I'll probably paint the swing. That's a small price to pay for happiness. Creative projects make me far less homicidal and really, that's good for everyone. I've been working on a few cards...

Nancy is my name, snark is my game. At least I make it pretty.

I should probably wrap this up and go putter in the yard. I'm a fan of soaking up vitamin D and talking to birds and squirrels. Some chickadees have moved into one of the birdhouses by the kitchen window and there are finches renting out the house that hangs beside the porch. I only charge them a song. Mickey keeps the feeders filled and I make sure they always have clean water. There's a cat that lives down the street (I call him Stanley) who plays in the birdbath. He's too slow and chunky to catch anything,but he sure likes to play in the water. Must smell like bird butt to him. I hope you're filling your day with whatever makes you happy, or as much of your day as you can. Little things add up - little pleasures, little bits of pretty, little treats, they can make life bearable. If I have to be lonely, at least I'm surrounded by things that give me pleasure - blooms and birds! The cats are offended and waiting for me to mention them, so yes, the cats make me happy too. With that last bit of silliness I'll bid you adieu. Take care and be kind to yourself. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

Spring has Sprung

There's color everywhere! Trees have unfurled new leaves, tulips and daffodils made a spectacle of themselves, and now the next wave of color is arriving. My clematis has offered up a beautiful first bloom and the vines are full of buds.

The irises are putting on a glorious show too.

I've been pulling things out of my little greenhouse and giving them pep talks before putting them in the ground. That's right, I'm breaking the don't-plant-before-Mother's-Day rule. I looked at our long term forecast and I think I'm safe. I have two tomato plants in the ground, but kept two in the greenhouse just in case. I've still got cukes and a few other things in there staying toasty. I put the Mammoth sunflowers under the kitchen window which might have been a mistake. If they do well they might block the window. Oops. I transplanted the Speedwell too, and I have high hopes - it looks great! Zinnia seed has been sprinkled, the Zepherine Drouhin climbing rose (thornless!) has a new trellis, and yesterday I hauled home eight big bags of soil...

and created a new bed back by the fence and tree line. That will be the new home for these precious babies!

A few weeks ago I sprinkled seeds in a tray full of soil, stuck it in the greenhouse and, boy howdy, I've got a bumper crop! Crossing my fingers that they do well now that they're out of the greenhouse and in the dirt. I scattered Cosmos seed in that bed as well, we'll see what happens. If I end up with a strip filled with Bachelor Buttons and Cosmos I'll be a happy camper.

I've got a lot of blue and purple going on because bees love them and I am trying to make this place a pollinator paradise. Adding lots of pinks and whites will break it up a bit, and of course the zinnias are always just a riot of color. I won't be on the cover of Southern Living, but it'll be cheerful. Bored yet? I could talk all day long about dirt and flowers. Not everyone's cup of tea, of course. Let's move on.

With soup season at an end all of the comfort food from the colder months is unappealing now. Well, it is to me, and I'm the cook around here. I'm craving brighter, zingier flavors. Last week I made these Honey Sriracha Salmon Bowls, loosely based on a recipe I saw and made with what I had on hand. Rave reviews from the mister. It was quick to make, which is a bonus. I marinated the salmon for about an hour and did a quick white wine vinegar and sugar pickling of those cucumber strips. They were just what the dish needed. The combo was delicious.

I also made this yummy Lemon Basil Chicken Thighs w/CousCous dish - again, I was kind of winging it from a Bab's recipe, using what I had. Mickey loved it!

It was loaded with flavor and finishing it with a squeeze of lemon created magic. It's all cooked in a single dish so it's pretty quick and easy. Mickey ate the leftovers tonight before attending his photo club meeting. Winner! Other than gardening and cooking I have filled my soul with the joy of cleaning....said NO ONE EVER. I do the chores that have to be done, then I fill my days with nonsense. Recently I've been playing with the Google AI image generator - you know, you describe what you want and it creates the picture. If I type, create a picture of a cupcake with pink frosting and white sprinkles with a candle in the middle, it gives me this.

You could get much more specific and say that you want the cupcake sitting on a desk in a library...

you could even add a mouse.

You get the idea - you're only limited by your imagination. You can tweak it as much as you like. I could add eyeglasses to the mouse, or request that the library have cobwebs and a ghost. So what do you suppose I experimented with while getting to know the tool? CATS, of course!!

That's Peggy. She's up before dawn every day to get those biscuits made. She's a hardworking single mother of 36 (last count).

This one was inspired by our orange girl, Molly. She knows exactly when dinnertime is and starts complaining a full 30 minutes before, as if she's dying. Molly is a stout girl and will eat her dinner and yours too if you're not looking, but she puts on a pitiful act just before mealtime.

For someone like me, this tool will provide endless amusement. No doubt it's meant for more meaningful work, but there are no credentials requested or IQ test required before using it, so it's fair game for knuckleheads. I mean, who's gonna' stop me? Not this guy.

I should probably wrap this up before it gets weird. We're chugging along, embracing spring and all of the yard chores that help make our patch pretty. The mister built me a wonderful raised bed, so I'm hoping to get a bountiful harvest from that. He's going to put up a barrier this week, just a little flexible fencing - I've spotted a groundhog next door and I don't trust him. Crossing my fingers that Mickey gets there first. Our only other task is picking a fall vacation spot. Mickey was lobbying for a return trip to Ireland. I'd love to go back, it was enchanting. However, with things the way they are, the dollar weakening by the day, markets crashing, doom and gloom... I made the push to stay stateside this year. I think he's in agreement, but we need to narrow it down. We may end up just doing a repeat Maine trip. We've done it so many times, we know our favorite spots, I could squeeze in a day in Salem, and it's really glorious in autumn. For the price of one round trip to Dublin we could get two round trips to Portland and a week of rental car - the cheapskate in me loves that. If we book now we can lock in an inexpensive Air BnB. I also floated the idea of a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. Flights were affordable, lodging was very inexpensive, and it's a beautiful, safe spot that has always intrigued me. There's a huge ex-pat community there and I'd love to pick their brains. Besides, the end of October provides some fabulous Dios de la Muertos festivals. I'd love to see that! All things considered the odds are good that we'll be tooling around in Maine. That's it, I'm outta' here. Sending out love and hope tonight, I think we all need it. Planting a garden is an act of hope. Planning a trip is an act of hope. The bad actors in this country want to snuff our hope, they want us swimming in despair and unable to function. They've made a terrible error by underestimating us, don't you think? ""The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We're going to help bend it. Keep up the heat, don't be quiet, get out there and make some good trouble. March if you like, write letters and postcards, just don't give up. I almost made it through a whole blog post without getting political. Not even a little bit sorry. Love and hope, babies. LOVE and HOPE. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

Shopping

Is anyone shopping? I'm not. This time of year I'm usually throwing money around like confetti - pretty items for the porch, garden fun, and (a moment of silence, please) Sephora's spring sale. I wait for that Sephora sale for months in order to get 30% off my favorites. Over many decades of painting my face and searching for the perfect skincare regimen, I have whittled my list down to a handful of products that I love. Few of them are cheap, but they work, they last, and I'm worth it. Fast forward to the felon's ridiculous tariffs on our allies and now the prices of cosmetics (hardly any are made in the U.S.) are through the roof. The mascara that I have worn and loved for years normally costs $29. That's steep, but it lasts me several months. It never flakes, doesn't irritate my eyes, it's lightweight, one swipe delivers fabulous coverage- length and volume! It's basically the cost of a pizza delivery (which provides happiness for about a half hour), and I purchased it about every 8 or 9 months. That $29 mascara is now $48.

I won't do it. That's ridiculous. It's the same case with my foundation. Look at this price- are you kidding me?

I will never, ever pay those prices. I will embrace becoming a haggard swamp witch and reminisce about the good ol' days when not only was there a chicken in every pot, but a lipstick in every purse. Now eggs are $5 a dozen and we have to be ugly too. If you see me out on the street looking like Shrek, thank a Republican. I'm pretty frugal, I don't splash out on handbags, salon visits, wardrobe, or entertainment (dinner out, movies, concerts, anything...). It takes me forever to use a tank of gas, and I plan our meals to stay within a budget. Even my hobbies are pretty cheap. Cosmetics were my little treat. A new lipstick or nail polish would thrill me. Now that's gone too. It's shallow, truly a first world problem, but it's just one more thing in the steady drip, drip, drip of bad news.

Yesterday I made my weekly grocery run. I went to Aldi so it wasn't painful.

I added a few more things after I snapped that photo, but this haul will provide dinner for five or six nights, breakfast and lunch are there too(supplemented by the pot of vegetable soup I made from previous groceries). I added one unnecessary item for $5.99 which brought my total to $68.76.

That pork roast will feed us twice, the two pounds of ground turkey will become stuffed peppers and taco bowls, the salmon will go in the oven with roasted broccoli., and so on. I still have a chicken breast in the freezer that will probably top salads. I brought home tons of good produce - brussels, broccoli, green beans, cucumber, zucchini, bell peppers, sack of onions, etc. That bag of mandarins was $2.99 last week, $3.59 this week. Ouch. Still, nearly the whole cart is healthy stuff, so I don't feel bad about my total.

Can you see what my unnecessary item was? I was weak, couldn't resist it.

A pink cutting board! My cutting boards are okay, but they've seen better days. It's made of 100% recycled and recyclable materials, so i had to save the Earth, right? That new cutting board made me awfully happy while making breakfast this morning.

It's the little things that make life pleasant. A little, pink cutting board...another little kitten....a little flock of hens....a little cottage somewhere...a little Swiss bank account, see? Maybe a little apartment near the Eiffel Tower.

Really, I don't need much. Know what I do need? Flowers! Although we had a cold snap a couple of days ago, my flower beds are determined. I've got a few tulips blooming...

and the irises are days away from opening. This clump is especially dear to me because they're from Stoner Creek Elementary, where my boys went to school and where I worked for many years. I made my dearest friends through my work in the school system. When a tornado whipped through Mt. Juliet and destroyed Stoner Creek Elementary, two of those dear friends took the time afterward to save the mass of beautiful irises that had always bloomed in the median in front of the school. My sweet friend, DIna, sent some to me and every spring they fill me with joy.

Around the corner I have more irises and they're from my wonderful Grandma Ethel's yard in Idaho. My sister had them and divided hers to share with me. It means the world. They're incredibly healthy, but haven't bloomed yet. This is the year, right? When we sell this house, all of the irises are coming with me. My greenhouse plants are thriving and I'm so excited. I'll have Speedwell again! I've missed having it in my gardens, mostly because the bees love it so. They like Salvia as well, and I have a couple of those - I just don't think they're as pretty or prolific as Speedwell. These are stock photos, because I was too lazy to dig through my old garden pictures.

It's a low maintenance perennial that gets better every year and pollinators love it. That ticks every box for me. Anyway, I've rambled long enough. This was really just a proof of life posting so my few faithful readers know that I haven't driven off a cliff. Honestly, I just can't find one. I'm passing my days embracing every sign of spring and getting uglier. I stopped coloring my hair because the closest Sally is 40 minutes away and I'd been reduced to buying black market salon products. Now I'm saying goodbye to my favorite mascara and foundation. I guess it's a good thing that I don't go anywhere.

Maybe I should start a GoFundMe. That's enough nonsense from me today. I'm 100% sure that no one is interested in what was in my grocery cart this week. Crossing my fingers that something happens soon that's worth writing about. Lottery win or tornado, either one would make life more interesting. We may take a day trip over the border into Pennsylvania and visit some of the Amish greenhouses, they have fabulous plants and Mickey likes their peach preserves. It's just a couple hours and a wonderful change of scenery. I'll go put the thought in his head and wait. Works every time. Sending out loads of love today. I hope you're finding small joys in your days. Cling to those. Life is hard right now, but we can still find tidbits of happiness. A pink cutting board, a beautiful iris, even if it's just a warm cookie from the oven - all of those small joys add up. It'll keep your heart from breaking. Stay safe, stay well, seek joy. XOXO, Nancy

[nancypullen]

I'm an April Fool

The last half of March trickled right through my fingers, and I'm okay with that. She came in like a lamb and went out with a lion's roar last night. Thunder shook the house and rain soaked my gardens. Delightful. April arrived this morning with blue skies and bright sunshine, making all sorts of promises we know she won't keep. Spring is fickle, but we love her because she's pretty. After months of gray winter we start to see dazzling color. In our backyard the forsythia was the first to announces itself.

We also have a couple of little Jane Magnolia trees that are showing off.

My greenhouse pots and flats are flourishing, soon to find homes in flower beds and veggie gardens. Even the shallots I planted are doing well! I'm ridiculously excited about the thought of harvesting shallots (and yes, I probably just jinxed myself by admitting that).

I stuck the seed bulbs in and sang them to sleep, hoping to see green shoots by spring. Lo and behold, we've got a bumper crop. When the green shoots appear, each shoot signifies a new bulb - you can see that most of them have about three shoots. I'm going to be eating a lot of shallots. They'll keep for about 2 months in the frig so it looks like we'll have a lot of summer quiches and sautées this year. I hope so. My tulips and irises are up, but not blooming yet. The lilac is covered in new green leaves and the baby hydrangea has unfurled a few green leaves as well. Reliable bee balm is popping up in a nice, thick patch and the steadfast salvia is making a strong showing. I'm trying to lure pollinators to my yard and crossing my fingers that it works.

This time of year fills my heart with hope. Well, 90% hope and 10% anxiety. I really rely on my gardens for summer joy and the last couple of summers here have been frustrating. With my greenhouse, raised bed, and composter- I'm feeling lucky. I've searched local nurseries for two summers for Speedwell without success. The pots in my greenhouse look full and healthy! I'll transfer it to my flower beds by the end of the moth and hope it takes off. No one can say I haven't tried. Besides playing in the dirt, I"ve been working on a couple of home improvement projects. You see, the mister has been out of town since March 22 and I absolutely love to work without supervision. If you see me with my pink tool kit in hand and my ear buds in, just assume that something major is about to change. Do I have a plan? Usually. Do I have the skills to complete said plan? Absolutely not. Thank goodness that has never stopped me. One of the changes that I made was stripping and staining the banisters. Two and a half years ago we changed the flooring in this house and it has bothered me every day since then that the banisters remained a yellowy-orange tone. With Mickey out of town, I tackled it.

Those stairs are long and steep, it was not fun. I protected the walls with garbage bags hung with painters tape. It was ugly, but it worked. No more orange wood clashing with the floors.

I loathe the carpet on those stairs. It's awful. The plan is to rip it up, stain the treads, and paint the risers white to match the spindles. I'd rather sell the house and give the new owners a carpet allowance. It was in bad shape when we bought it, but the grandgirl was so little I wanted to keep the stairs padded. I suppose we could do it now and just add a runner, but that seems counterproductive. I also fixed a missing rail (visible in the first pic, third rail from top). Meet my little friend.

Anyway, the stairs are slightly less ugly now. The fun part will be seeing how long before Mickey registers that it's different. I haven't said a word to him. I've barely cooked a meal for two weeks and it's been utterly lovely. I made a big pot of soup and that sustained me for a while. Kale, carrots, onion, couscous, chicken sausage - all healthy and yummy.

Another day I ran down to the Cousin's lobster truck and had an out of body experience.

Worth. Every. Penny.

I made a quick skillet of taco meat - just ground turkey and seasoning, and that made four meals. It went over salads and also over riced cauliflower for a yummy bowl.

Hey, did you notice the pretty copper receptacle in that photo? It was a gift! Remember when I swooned over the Megan Markle(Sussex) show and how beautiful everything was? One of the items that I admired aloud was her copper countertop compost bin. Functional and lovely, just toss your scraps in and then either feed them to your hens or add them to your garden, compost pile, whatever. Anyway, hers was pretty. Seems that the mister has been missing me while he's away and this was delivered to my door.

I might be the only 61 year old still called a princess. We all know I'm firmly in the crone category. But if he wants to call me princess and send me a copper bucket, who am I to argue? I LOVE it! This blog post is sort of all over the place, my apologies. It's awfully hard to get in the mood to write about my daily nonsense when our country is on the verge of collapse and I'm powerless to stop it. The daily headlines are gutting and we're not even three months in. I resist in as many ways as I can. I write to my elected officials enough to put myself on a watchlist. I email and I send post cards. Post cards make it through Capitol security much faster than sealed letters, so I've learned to write small and be succinct. I also write my grocery lists on these cards and then leave them in the cart.

These are some of the postcards I print and send to politicians.

Packs of already perforated postcard sheets are inexpensive and sending them off is good therapy. Try it! The big Hands Off march is this Saturday in D.C. and I'd really like to go. Rep. Jamie Raskin will be speaking and I think he's wonderful. I've made a sign, just in case we go.

Here's the catch - it's my beloved's birthday on April 4th (Friday). We'll probably have a family celebration on Saturday (the 5th), which means the logistics of getting to and from the march would be a hassle, and probably not how he'd like to spend his birthday. He's also been gone for two weeks and sent me a copper bucket so I kind of have to be nice. Will my presence or lack of it have any effect on Trump and his clown cabinet? No. I've been marching and waving signs for years and here we are, watching a Russian asset destroy us from within. I use my voice every single day in a variety of ways, if I miss a march then that's just one day out of a year. My time is probably better spent writing postcards in support of Dem candidates and trying to create a blue wave for midterms. A march is showy and would make me feel better for an hour or two, but I think I'm better at the daily nitty gritty. So I'll probably be home baking a cake and throwing a party, but if you're marching here's my sign tip: Take advantage of your local Walgreen's photo department. Get on their website and upload your design, then choose to print a board print. There are a variety of sizes, choose the one most comfortable for you to carry. Walgreen's ALWAYS has a photo coupon available. Right now if you use the code  PRINTGR8, you'll get 50% off. That means that for 10 or 12 bucks you'll get sign that will stand up to any rain or wind better than poster board will. Duct tape it securely to a yardstick and you're good to go. You'll want that yardstick about halfway up the sign which still give you plenty of a handle. Feel free to right click and use the poster I made, the more the merrier. Send them a message - not that they're watching or care. Yikes, that took a turn. Let's try to end this posting on a cheerful note. I have selected my Kentucky Derby horse. Unless he scratches between now and race day, my money will be placed on Final Gambit.

He's a dappled gray and I love his name. It helps that his stats are pretty good and he's had a couple of recent outings that were impressive. The negatives are that A) he's never raced on dirt and B) his big win was on a 1 1/8 mile course, the Kentucky Derby is a 1 1/4 mile track. Both could be trouble. Nothing suggests that he wouldn't last for the extra distance or that he'd have any trouble on a new surface, and I'm guessing that his trainers are taking care of all that. So, Final Gambit is my final answer. I'm probably about to lose five bucks, but what a fun way to lose it.

That's it from me. I've been AWOL while taking a deep dive into spring prep around here, so I thought I'd post this as proof of life. As awful as our current situation is, we have to find joy - whether that's the first yellow blooms of forsythia or tackling a project to make our nest prettier. Copper buckets and beautiful race horses, yummy dinners and summer's bounty being birthed in a greenhouse, it all matters. We can't control everything, but we can look for and create happiness. Go getcha' some. Have a treat, read a good book. Don't let the bastards get you down. That's advice from a wise old crone. Sending out so much love. Stay safe, stay well. XOXO, Nancy