I'm waiting to hear from a co-worker who keeps track of HR type things (namely used and unused vacation days) to find out if I will have enough vacation days for Courtney's wedding, David's marching, and our Ireland trip next June. I'm really needing to have a couple of spare ones that first full week of August so we can make a trek up to the 'bill - gotta teach Etta about canoeing and I need a little rejuvenation that only my Sawbill family and the glory that is the BWCA can provide. I think that I should have enough for everything, I just don't want to overshoot and have to cut anything shorter than necessary.

Today it is more difficult than other days. I can't tell when these times will come. Today, though, I am thinking of the 'bill, of the Hartmanns and of the Bodeaus.

It just looks so much better large: Clematis climbing the trellis on our garage.


Etta's favorite activity


Peppermint in our garden

Scooter!

Scooter!
Originally uploaded by v.buzzkill

Say hello to our second vehicle. It's a lovely little SYM Mio that we picked up at Blue Cat Motors in St. Paul. It's just a 50 cc motor so we don't need additional motorcycle licenses to ride it, but it's got enough get-up-and-go to get to around 40+ mph. Averaging around 100 mpg isn't bad either.

50th post

More of a plant update than anything else:


We're pretty sure these are day lilies, but by the looks of it, we'll know for sure pretty shortly. They're almost a foot tall now. We've had rain the last couple of days and it's amazing how much everything has really greened up around here. We were driving down the street and looked up to a wonderfully fresh green glow. Happy!


And I think we're going to go with peonies. I'm actually enjoying all of the uncertainty of this little garden patch - having no idea what's going to come up just waiting.


These just started to show up today - I'll wager on hostas here. Please also note the worm in this photo. I like it.


Sedum - though it remains to be seen what flavor they'll be.


Something new! This little bush all of a sudden showed up all bloomed! And we thought it was just a weed (though it may well be... it's awfully cute though!) Any ideas on this one? Below is a closer up shot of the blossoms - they're about the size of my thumbnail.



Raspberries are coming right along - lots of leaves now and I can't wait for the berries!

And of course, we'd be remiss if we didn't have a status update on Etta, our wonderful little mutt of a puppy. She's really growing on me, and I think she's going to end up being a really great dog.

a little help?

I was out cleaning up the little patch beside our garage today and found the following plants were already starting to sprout. Only problem is, I'm not sure what they are. Anyone out there in blog-land have any ideas?

mystery plant number 1:


mystery plant number 2:


mystery plant number 3:


mystery plant number 4:



buds on the raspberry stalks in the new backyard.

new house.

new dog.

new commute.

new routine.

i need a nap.