Picture Time!

Everyone loves a good picture story...so I'll do my best to have a lot of
"Picture Time!"

Once upon a time...

-just kidding-

But I will start from the beginning...

I drove the first 9 hours, even through Chicago!
It was beautiful driving weather, notice the clouds through the sunroof?
Just perfect...

Don't worry, you can't see that my eyes are actually on the road!




James drove the rest of the trip
...and he couldn't resist wearing "the bug glasses"
(I first put them on without him noticing, so when he looked up at me beginning to tell me something, he got caught of guard and just laughed!)




Driving day two was just as nice as day one!
Except I did get antsy to drive a few times...but I mostly just read.
Oh, how I love road trips!
We even stopped at the Art Museum in Cleveland..
(sorry no pics from that, we didn't think to bring the camera)



Because of the extra stop we did and staying at a hotel it took us a total of 38 hours!
...and still I love road trips!

At this time last year the field looked like this (you'll have to scroll to "Strawberry Field Week 1")



AND NOW:



Can you believe it looks so good?
Very few weeds...
...perfectly tucked in straw -to keep the dirt from getting on the berries, when they do come!

Most of the plants have what are called bud clusters.
There are at least 4 buds forming in that cluster...and that's just the beginning! : D

We have a few Early Birds, I mean Buds, a few Early Buds.
Not too many, but they sure will be a treat when they become the first berries of the year!

And here are the two rows of blueberry plants!
We didn't get any last year, because the dear at them right off...
...we're miracle growing them every week, that should help.

They are forming buds too!



AND WE HAVE GUESTS!!!

Here are the first of 70,000 {sorry mom that's a correction} purchased lady
bugs for $130.00, who thought you could do that??

I know you've all seen lady bugs before, but I'm sure you've never had them delivered
to your house and crawl out of a sack!

Here, even a close up for you! ; )



It's the Lady Bug Army! Look out, here they come!

James was covered in them! Just looking at him made me cringe!



Lady Bugs are already working! Eating up many of the bad bugs! It's the Natural Way!

This is the beginning of our Smith's BerryWorks Stand for NYC!

I've... been re-finding my love for weeding - really I do love it. It's very relaxing and I like to "perfect" a row, by taking out all the weeds, working up all the surrounding ground, and tuck the straw into between the plants.

I've... already started my tan for the year...with a burn to the ears and the hands. Strange huh? It's been quite cold so I've had long sleeves and pants on most days.

I've... gotten settled in even more - since it was raining today. Everything is rearranged as to how I want them and they are stocked with all my things. I only have a little bit of decor that's left packed as I don't seem to have a place for them. I love being organized!

I've...even missed home a few times, remembering where things sat in my room or what I'd be doing on a "normal" Sunday.

and

I've...got to be done with this post because now that the sun is shining, I'm going to Miracle Grow the blueberries - plus it took FOREVER (by that I mean 2 hours) to upload the pictures and write this post...so I'd say it's about time to be done.
...for now.

NOTE: Take a moment to cast your vote on the poll in the top right corner of the screen!

Settled, You Would Think...

I am not quite settled yet. After a week you would think I have everything unpacked and in it's place, but I don't yet. I still have decor, pictures and not day to day things still in boxes, three of them at that. Most everything else is close to finding it's new home, here in Rodman, NEW YORK. There are still a few things I need moved to it's (in my mind) proper location - dressers and bookcases. Also I'm waiting for a shelf to be hung and hooks to be nailed...then I can finally unpack my remaining three boxes!

So far, I have done a lot! After driving 20-some-thousand miles I got right to work.. at likes I like to think so. I've been sleeping in just about every morning - WELL it's hard to get up early when I'd been used to sleeping in until 12 or so! We've picked lots of weeds already - mostly grass and dandelions, moved lots of furnature around - for both us and grandma on the farm, cleaned (vacuumed and dusted) several times already - working on a farm brings in a lot of dirt and dust apparently. We (by that I mean James) has bought two hives of bees and they seems to be doing very well! We have played a game of scrabble - I won by 5 points! : ) We've gone grocery shopping - that was fun! I mowed the lawn...push mowers are quite fun...but I couldn't imagine using that at home! I gave the blueberries some Miracle Grow food, hopefully we get some of those this year! ...and last night we were laying frost blankets down until 9:30 - yes it was very hard to see anything.. but it had to be done! - just in case it would be too cold for them lil bud clusters starting up!

(my internet just got hooked up to my laptop this morning...so I should be able to update more often then I have this past week)

And as a tribute to my mom - since yesterday I didn't get on here to tell her and all those who read how much I love her!

Here's a video I saw in church about moms and I am sure I've heard almost every single one of those lines - maybe in a different variations, but I've heard them.

Thanks, mom for being the MOM you've been to me! For everything you're done and all the sacrifices you've made for me and the rest of the family!