Bleeding Hearts

The Bleeding Hearts are blooming-- they are one of my favorite early Spring perennials, second only to daffodils. As you can see, there is a pink one and a white one. The pink one is more dramatic, but the white one is beautiful too. They look so delicate, but if you touch them, you see that they are actually quite sturdy. Please maximize photos to take in the full awesomeness.

I'll be away at the beach this weekend, so no updates until Tuesday or so. I can't wait to get out of land-locked Tennessee and see the ocean again! People who've never seen the ocean make me sad, as an aside.

Clean Closet

I cleaned out my closet and arranged my shirts according to color. Oh yes, I am so organized. Actually, I'm the kind of person who only APPEARS organized. Like everything on the surface is clean and put together, but I am really bad about keep drawers and closets clean. But no one is perfect!

Banana Split Ice Cream

This ice cream is SO good. It's like you're too lazy to make a banana split, so you just scoop out the ice cream instead. I love it. I think this brand may only be available in the South, because I never remember seeing it up North.

(Tuesday April 15, 2008)

My Keychain

You know I love owls, which is why I have this owl keychain! Isn't it cute? Yup, you know it is.

(Monday April 14, 2008)

R.I.P. baby groundhog

Tonight, Beignet brought me a special gift. I looked outside and saw her on the deck, but then I noticed she had something in her mouth and it appeared to have feet. I freaked out, went out there, and told her to drop it. She was all too happy to lay it at my feet-- she was obviously QUITE proud of herself for bringing it to me.

It looks like a baby groundhog, probably one of the babies of that big groundhog I saw in the yard the other day. I can only hope that Beignet didn't kill it and found it dead, but I seriously doubt that to be the case. When I picked it up in a towel to dispose of it, it was still pliable and warm. It was disgusting and sad all at the same time. Poor little baby! I cried a little bit. I feel like I should be mad at Beignet, but it's not her fault...she was just following her instinct. Sad. It just makes me wonder if the mama groundhog is out back, trying to find the baby...great, I'm starting to get teary again.

This is the first time Beignet has ever brought me an animal. One time she brought me a skull of an animal, but it was obviously really old and therefore not as gross and disturbing.

Strawberries

For dessert last night, I cut up some delicious strawberries and had them with whipped cream. Mmm, so good. I love fruit-- I think I could probably go on an all fruit diet and be ok with that.

(April 12, 2008)

New Orchid

This is a new orchid. I bought it to liven up my bathroom. I think the buttery color of it is really interesting.

(April 11, 2008)

NYT Crossword Puzzles

About two years ago, I was on a big crossword puzzle kick. At the time, I got the paper every day, and S and I would do them together daily. I also bought a bunch of New York Times crossword puzzle books, which sadly, Beignet decided to chew apart. After she went on her book-eating spree, I lost interest for a while. I've gotten back on the horse though and am really enjoying it. It stretches my mind, and is relaxing at the same time-- much better than watching TV!

(April 10, 2008)

Impossibly Green

I love this time of year, when the leaves on the trees are starting to unfurl and the blooming trees are in all their showy glory. It's been raining a lot lately, which has made the landscape look even more green and lush.

(April 9, 2008)

Owls and a cat

I made a little sitting area in my bedroom by the windows by propping up a bunch of throw pillows and my mini-collection of stuffed owls. I thought I would sit there and read and do crossword puzzles, but as of this writing, Louis has made more use of the little nook than I have.

(April 8, 2008)

New Carpet

I had to have the carpets replaced because the cats/dogs had completely ruined it, especially upstairs. Here is a picture of the new carpet in my bedroom. I'm only letting the animals in there at night and I've put up gates to the upstairs so they can't ruin up there either. Hahahaha, I win!

This photo also showcases my new IKEA duvet cover, which I bought when I was in Philadelphia visiting Andrew and Chad.

(April 7, 2008)

Katie Boo

Time for another sleeping animal picture! I promise, after this week, I will do my best to cut down on these...but seriously, aren't my animals the cutest? Katie, in her old age, loves to just nap all day.

(April 6, 2008)

Louis loves logs

I often wonder what the cats do outside during the day. I didn't intend for them to be indoor/outdoor cats, but they kept whining to be outside and eventually I gave in to their demands. They are definitely safe from cars, since we live on a cul-de-sac far far far from a main road, but I do worry about them getting into fights with other kitties or turkeys and the like. Luckily, nothing has happened as of yet. I peeked outside yesterday and saw Louis perched on a log in the woods.

(April 5, 2008)

Serviceberry Trees

My Serviceberry trees are in full bloom and they are GORGEOUS. They look very similar to cherry trees, only the shape is different and the blossoms last longer. I love it when the blossoms from trees fall and it looks like snow on the ground.

The tree with the bird house in it is a Gingko tree, which has yet to unfurl its leaves.

(April 4, 2008)

Special Kitty

Louis is more snuggly and will actually stay with you if you pick him up to pet him, whereas Winston will not tolerate being held and pet, but loves to be pet if he comes to you (which is often, because he is a whore for attention). Here is Winston, napping on my bed. Special Kitty!

(April 3, 2008)

Unknown Animal

One of the great things about living in the middle of nowhere is the variety of fauna that grace my property. The other day I spotted some strange animal outside my kitchen window. I believe it was a groundhog. I ran to get my camera, but by the time I snapped the picture, he was bounding off. You can see him running away in the back of the picture behind the blooming tree and directly to the right of the large woody vine. It's much easier to see if you maximize the picture. Can you spot him?

(April 2, 2008)

Allergy Season

Spring means lots of wonderful things-- the prospect of getting out into the garden, gorgeous Spring bulbs, warmer weather, and longer days. But for me, Spring also means insidious allergies. Not only do I take 3 allergy medications daily, but I also have my drops for my eyes. I try to take them with me wherever I go, so I take them out of my pocket when I get home and put them wherever. Thus, I have probably about 6 droppers littered throughout my house at any given moment. Good times.

(April 1, 2008)

Sleepy Kitties

I admit that I am absolutely OBSESSED with my cats. I think they are just too cute, especially when they sleep together, play together, or groom one another. Here is a picture of Louis and Winston taking a little nap on my bed.

(March 31, 2008)