So here we are...

with spring in .... winter out... and now the work begins... I see bright flashes of yellow everywhere as the forsythia bushes bloom. Carpets of brown are turning green... Learning curve is in full swing, maintenance on machinery is new to me but I know now how to change the battery and the oil in my 184 International tractor. I have let the chickens out of their pen so they are roaming the property in the quest for a tasty treat. Now the dogs have tasty treats to hunt in the wake of the chickens, gross, licks from the pup's are here by suspended until further notice, YUCK!

Cleaning out the flower beds is accomplished and the job of re mulching is in full swing, half done.
I removed an eye sore fence this weekend, stacked wood, cleaned and removed small junk piles.

I took Friday last week off from work and took the kids on a short road trip to Howe Caverns and the Iroquois Museum for the day. They never cease to make me laugh and this trip was no acceptation. Many jokes about how mom didn't have to duck in the caves or in the boat, they were reminded if they kept it up that Mom didn't need to pay for lunch either.... We all were fighting to get the cave kisses for luck... We had a newbie tour guide that really had a hard time controlling the boat, so we kept slamming into the cave walls, I ended up in the front... umm well it was kind of unnerving, I kept looking for the brake peddle to slam on.... yes, that thumping noise was me trying to slow the dang thing down, Sam kept elbowing me, "Mom, knock it off", I couldn't help it normal reaction, the guy behind me started chuckling, but chimed in when he almost had a rock ledge for lunch!

The blue heron is back, scoring his tasty treat of little orange goldfish from the pond, there are ton's of goldfish, they made huge orange swirls in the pond as they came up to sun themselves this weekend, doesn't look like he has put a dent in the population over the last two years, to think it all started with six little goldfish from the county fair.... I told the kids what ever you do, don't win any fish,(i hate cleaning fish tanks, smelly, pukey) your not going to keep them so what did they do and despite their SCREAMING protests, it was in the pond with their little golden treasures and their little tearful speeches about how they will never survive, YA, RIGHT!

So some hard work and fun mixed in... next more wood to stack, more mulching, maybe I will get a moment to sit on the deck to enjoy the scenery for a moment with a nice glass of wine...