From snow to sunshine.

What a difference a day makes. Not 24 hours ago it was snowing and yet today I think I may have got a new shade of pink on my skin from all of the sunshine.
I ventured out this morning with a lively bunch of ladies who have created their own little hiking group. I've been putting off invitations for years but caved in today and decided to join the gals......the promise of lunch at Friesen's may have helped me a little.
I thought I'd share some pics of the hike so that all of my non local readers can see what a beautiful place I get to live in.

 

We hiked down to the shores of Kalamalka Lake to Cosen's Bay. I've ventured down here many times before with friends and family however on the hike back up we took a different route than I usually do.

I'm also usually carrying a child, a picnic basket and pushing a stroller. So today it was just me and my water bottle.

There's not a lot of green yet, but it's coming. There were a few varieteis of wild flowers out to make me happy. Along with some deer carcass and dog poo!!!

There were about 10 of us hiking today. Ladies of all ages and fitness levels. I think I was the youngest but I have no doubt in my mind that these ladies will be kicking my butt on more intense hikes.

I'm so glad I packed along my camera today, I would be kicking myself right now. It really was so nice out.

One last look back at the lake before the climb back up the hill.

Tootles.

Kj

SPRING????? Where did you go?

Things were looking so good, the grass turning green, the snow all melted and the sun shining like no-ones business. So I dug out the shorts from the back of the closet, dusted off the gum boots and got to it!

My peonies breaking through the surface like red hot pokers.

The sedum bursting to get out there and put a smile on my face. I can always count on the sedum to be one of the first to show up at my garden party.

My old friend Mr garlic....wakie wakie rise and shine!! Getting ready for the long growing season ahead.

Time to invite some veggies to join the party!!! Bush beans, zucchini, squash and pumpkin all in the ground, along with the dahlia tubers that have been hanging out in my house all winter long oh so patiently,

It was looking so promising..........and then......DUN DUN DUUUUUUN!

GGGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

Off to the store to buy more seeds!!!!!

Raise it up.

My husband has decided that due to the deer smorgasbord made of our veggie patch last year that he wants to build a greenhouse to keep our tomatoes, peppers and misc veggies protected.
I agree but while we're at it why not put in some raised beds for the stuff the deer don't take a fancy to. We love gardening but with the amount of exterior home reno we have taken on there just doesn't seem to be time.
I think the hubby and I are on the same page this year and we both realise we need to make time, there is something to be said for the work = reward when it comes to gardening. It really is very therapeutic, not to mention educational especially for the kids.
I have been drooling over some of the fantastic work out there online, proud gardeners who have taken time to share their ideas and knowledge with others. I don't know what I would have done without the Internet when it comes to gardening.

Just look at this layout by The Modern Gardener. It reminds me of wandering down the aisles of a supermarket, everything laid out so perfectly in a row.

Here are some more images from the net, drool! Patience my child, all in good time.
I must remember and constantly remind myself that every year I bite off more than I can chew and end up feeling deflated about my gardening abilities.

 Anyone out there have great success with raised beds and want to share their wisdom? I'm your student!!!

In the meantime, I will continue to browse through my seed catalogues and continue to plan what we are going to grow this year. Nothing frivolous, just the basics...I have plans to can my butt off this year, with the cost of basic food items raising at an alarming rate I really think it's time to consider what is a necessity and what is not.

OMG...I'm in love

I woke up this morning thinking about the blog entry I was going to do this morning about my new pressure cooker, well, new to me ($10 at the thrift store). It was to be more of a plea of sorts as I've never owned one let alone cooked with one and I have no idea how to use it. I was hoping my readers out there could pass on their recipes, techniques or tips.

But then I stumbled across this....SWEET PAUL. It had been reviewed on another of my usual stalks Simply modern mom.

It's a digital magazine, I guess all the cool cats are doing them now. And the creator Paul is my new hero.

There are a few back issues on the site for you to drool over, they are seasonal so Spring, fall, winter etc. His latest one is a special kids issue and it is the most inspirational adorable thing I've seen in a while.

AND total do-able, there's nothing in there that we ordinary folk can not make, bake or create.

So if you have a few minutes or a whole afternoon take a look, I promise you won't regret it. I'm planning on getting my "stuff" done at turbo speed today so that I can kick back with a cup of tea this arvo and go over every lovely page.

Happy gardening

There is so much going on at the Simpson ponderosa these days, I wanted to snap some pics of what has sprouted and bloomed in the garden recently.

 

We managed to get the veggie patch rototilled, ready for planting and the raspberry patch is manicured, my girls are almost salivating at the promise of juicy sweet raspberries to come.

Dace is heading back to work after two gruelling weeks off, hanging Hardy plank, timber framing and house fixin'. We are absolutely pooped. Hope you all had a great long weekend.

Spring is in the air.......

....or is it? Check out the fog at about 8 o'clock this morning, very sleepy hollow wouldn't you say? Zoe is up at the ski hill for her last cross country outing with her school today, she has really enjoyed the experience and I think we will have to try to squeeze some more trips in somewhere before the end of winter.

I had a little wander around the yard after taking this pic and noticed some little tulip friends peeking out of the wet soil.......I'm starting to feel a little spring fever now.

Checked on Mika, chopper and diesel (our goat family), if they could talk I'm positive they would say "Isn't there anything else to eat around here other than hay?"

Poor little guys...glad I'm human!