The Numbers for March

Keep the comments about my feet to yourself! Daddy, no need to make jokes..remember, they're O-SEN feet.

0: Salads eaten since returning from Honduras
0: Times we've run since returning from Honduras
0: Average number of times we cook fresh veggies each week
1: Week until the Crescent City Classic (All 10 kilometers of it!)
4.5: Pounds Erin's lost since January 1
0: Pounds Charlie's lost since January 1

Ok, so things have been rocky since I went out of town. It is hard to get back to the routine. With April beginning, we'll have to turn over that new leaf (again).

Congratulations, Ryan and Katie

Wishing you the very best!

Monarch Madness

They are getting bigger...



and bigger...



and bigger. Which isn't surprising when you see how many leaves they've devoured in the last 24 hours.



They've started at the top of this stalk and they are making their way down, one leaf at a time.



As I watched the caterpillars, a butterfly flitted around. No matter how patient and still I was, I couldn't get a picture with the wings opened.

What Do You Think?

I am thinking of framing some of my garden pictures...

An Embarrassing Fact About My Husband

The man *LOVES* CSI: Miami. He often stays up way past his bedtime enthralled by the reruns. He'd watch it every day if he could.

Flowers in the Front

Roses in bloom...




The irises have some buds...


This weekend I'll pull the weeds, and try to get some ground cover established in these beds.

Plant it and they will come

I've got monarch caterpillars!! The garden is working...well, the milkweed is working.

This morning I found FOUR caterpillars munching on the milkweed. The plant isn't that big to sustain many more. I imagine the stalks will be leafless in a few days.

I am so excited about all of these little developments in the garden. It truly amazes me...nature, as well as my wonder with it.

Anyway, I literally took over 40 pictures to get this one. Not the exact image I wanted to post, but it'll have to do. I wished I could capture their hanging from the underside of the leaves and munching away, but I can only do so much with the point and shoot camera.

Hopefully I'll be able to get some butterfly photos!

To Sell or Not to Sell

We are landlords. Being a landlord never seemed like it would be much work. I thought it actually sounded like a rather good deal...someone pays the mortgage on a house and you earn the equity. Well, the key word there is "earn".


This picture was taken when we were living in the house, so the house doesn't look quite so cute now, but I imagine in few days we could have it back in shape.


Our house on Harding has had two tenants in the time we've owned it. Both have been good tenants, and for that we are lucky. I have heard tenant horror stories, and definitely took that to heart when selecting potential tenants. We haven't had any major repairs to make, but never the less, being a landlord does take time. It is also stressful.

This stress, in addition to our concerns that the rising insurance prices will cause more out of pocket expenses for us, we are considering selling. First Harding and then Jena.

We still feel wishy washy about it. I am concerned about not selling it for several months and having to pay the mortgage each month without a tenant living there. And then how much are we willing to accept? We'd like to make a little cash to pay off some debt and boost our savings, but we don't want to get greedy and put ourselves in a predicament. And then if we don't get any reasonable offers and decide to return it to rental, we've got to go through the hassle of finding just the right tentant.

I emailed the tenant last night just to feel her out and see what her plans are because for all I know she may be intending on moving next month (we're now on a month to month lease). She is really the best tenant you could ask for, the only other thing I could hope for would be that she cut grass. Surely if she isn't planning on leaving, she'll start looking when we put the house on the market. Hell, she might leave since I told her we were "considering" selling.

So that's the big question that dominates our dinner conversation right now...sell or not?

The little things make him happy...

All projects have taken a back seat to the latest project: a jockey box (it makes beer from a keg cold and pours it from a tap). Long story, but it all started with my sending him a Craigslist ad (I send him lots of them), and now we will have the means to serve beer from a keg at each and every event.



And today he scored a tap handle from a very nice lady who works for Abita... he'll probably snuggle with it tonight before drifting into dreams of ice cold beer in his man shed.

A Pair

After realizing we had another chick on the way, Charlie did some research and found that doves usually lay two eggs at a time. He predicted she wasn't finished.



He was right, of course.

He also informed me that they mate for life, have several broods each season, and the father sits on the eggs all day, and then the mother takes over at night. Sounds fair.

We watch the activity at the nest each morning and evening. And the mama watches us.

The Grape Vine

Yes, grapes! Itty, bitty grapes. Last year we got several bunches of small, sweet grapes.

They're Taking Over

My lessons on nasturtiums this year:

1. They need more room.
2. Plant seeds in January.

Spring Break: The Agenda

Spring break is next week and I am *really* looking forward to it. If you don't believe me, ask Charlie, he'll tell ya.

I hope to garden some, paint some, as well as make it the Notarial Archives to see if there are any neighborhood plans which are relevant to our house. If so, I hope to add a trip to the frame shop to the spring break agenda.


Click on image to enlarge

It seems as though many advertisements to sell properties from the 19th century are archived and can be reproduced. Hoping we can find one of our neighborhood!

Full Bloom

I wanted this photo to be in a bud vase on the counter, but the stem has another bud on it, so I couldn't cut it.

Garden Trellis

One week's time has allowed the trellises to fill in considerably, and this is only the beginning. The yard already smells of sweet wisteria and is full of big, buzzing honeybees.

Happiness is...

Five buds and no blackspots on your rosebush!

I have been spraying them once every week and it seems to be paying off. Last year I lost one in the front due to bar patron negligence, I'm sure. Hopefully that won't be the case this year.

It's Spring, Part II

Three weeks ago we were watching the chicks in our hanging baskets. It wasn't but 10 days later that we were having empty nest syndrome. Charlie even commented that "they grow up so fast." We were both surprised by how quickly the mama stopped coming around, and how soon after that they were gone.

Last week I noticed two adult doves back at the nest building routine, and then she was there wating.


Can you see her in there?

So today Charlie gave me a lift to see what was going on...



No more empty nest!

Sick

Friday night I went to bed with a headache and tummy ache and had a restless night's sleep. Saturday morning wasn't pretty. The bucket was placed beside the bed, along with some 7up, in an effort to prevent a major clean up. We've had one of those in our relationship, and it was certainly enough to last a lifetime.

I was to co-host a wedding shower in the afternoon, and thought after I got some sleep, I'd be able handle it. Wrong. With my fever hovering around 101.5 for most of the morning, it wasn't going to happen. Not only did Charlie "step and fetch" for his whiney woman, he ran around town picking up hors d'oeuvres and made a delivery to the shower location. What a guy. He did take great care of me, and I can't blame him for his relief that he had to be away from the house for a lacrosse game!

I slept off and on throughout the day, and managed to sleep some more with the help of Nyquil last night. This morning the fever seems to have subsided and I am able to make it downstairs. Surprisingly, I felt so bad, Internet withdrawal was suppressed.

Today will be spent in bed, again. I am already feeling a bit weak from too much activity...the trip to NY Bagel may have pushed me over the edge! I hate being sick. I haven't accomplished one thing on my list of things to do this weekend.

Flower Power

Each day, there's some new development.

The wisteria blooms get fuller.



I like this nasturtium. The flowers seem to peek up from behind the green foliage. We'll have to try some on our salads.



The angel trumpet flowers hang towards the ground, so have you ever looked at them from the ground?



My camera can't get the true color on these...they are actually purple and not blue. I don't know what it is, but it is full of buds.

Let the Festivals Begin

The Jazzfest flag is up.

Jazzfest will bring us into summertime and the festivals of Louisiana. I hope we manage to make it to a few in south Louisiana.

Springtime

New decorations adorn the door.



Jazzfest flag is to go up this weekend! It's really spring, and only 8 more weeks until summer vacation.

African Daisy

I love this flower! Unfortunately my camera isn't able to pick up the details and colors of this flower (so I am working on getting a new camera and a photography class!), but it is looks so delicate. I am curious to see how it will do in the garden.

It also must be noted that this plant was acquired on our last Lowes' trip. The conversation always goes a little something like this:

"Don't you want to go to Lowes' with me?"

I pause and think...I don't really want to go, so I respond...

"Will you buy me a plant?"

He sighs, smiles and says, "I suppose."

So everyone is happy now! We head to Lowes', chat in the car, and then seperate upon arrival...he heads to plumbing or lumber or electrical and I wander the garden center until he comes to make me decide on a plant.

Nasturtium

Yesterday it looked like this...



And this morning...



Next year I will seed in a sunnier spot and maybe a little earlier. Many of the "cottage style" gardens I admire in the neighborhood have nasturtiums that have been blooming for weeks.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

My wrinlke cream gives me pimples.

Thnk about that.

I am noticing the signs of aging on my skin. I really first noticed this getting older when looking at my hands. But, it's the face too. Fine wrinkles and age spots. Not to mention the "O-sen" neck sag is starting to set in.

So I've decided to try some cream with Retinol for a few weeks to see if helped, even just a little. Well, now I have a chin full of pimples.

I just don't get it.

Leftover Solution

Day 1:

Rotissere chicken from Sam's club (3 lbs and $5, you can't beat that). Add a starch (usually potatoes) and a salad. Cheap and easy, especially when Sam's is on the way home.

Day 2:



Leftover chicken transformed into a delicious quesadilla, complete with beans, cheese, cilantro from the garden. Add a side of sour cream, pico de gallo, and maybe some spanish rice and we've got a meal!

Quelling a Craving

Last night we had to do it -- he was tired of hearing me say it ten times a day..."I want a mudslide daiquiri." Yes, a mudlside daiquiri. Weird. It's been a month long craving of mine, so last night we set out to Veterans' Blvd. because there seems to be at least one shop every other block.

As we pulled off on the West End exit and crossed the parish line, there it was...Daiquiri Bay Cafe.



Thankfully there was a drive thru so we didn't have to make small talk with the other patrons.



Charlie got a bit antsy while we waited in line because he wasn't sure of the drive thru etiquitte outside of McDonald's...would there be a menu? should he tip?




After a short wait it was our turn to quickly peruse the menu before finally ordering a medium margarita and a small chocolate kiss, the best alternative to a mudslide.

We sucked 'em down and watched some TV, before sleeping very soundly.

Craving quelled.

Bind the Blog

I finally found someone to turn my blog into a book! Blurb looks like it should work. I'm off to download the software and give it a try.

The Garden, Before

Charlie tore up the garden to dig his trench.

Today, he finished his preliminary electrical work, and filled in (for the most part) the trench. So the yard is left looking like this...



So, other than the area where I planted my butterfly graden, I have an empty canvas. It is a big area and I am not sure what I'll do. I already miss the pink jasmine that grew on the fence, despite it taking over. I did buy some passion vine today, which is equally as aggressive, but I am not sure if it'll go in the ground or in a large pot.

I have also included a "before" picture of the arbors before they fill in. It amazes me how lush they become as the weather warms.



So there is lots to be done, which I think is exciting. I am a bit disappointed, because I don't know how much time I am going to have to work in the yard over the next two weeks.

The Luck of the Irish

We must be really lucky to have a package delivered right on St. Patrick's Day. I think JD might have a special arrangement with the USPS because her packages always arrive on the day.



A bag full of clover shaped sugar cookies arrived around noon and is already half gone!

We also got festive with our weekly cake baking.



That was about it for our St. Paddy's Day festivities. We opted to skip the parade and green beer to enjoy the sunny weather working around the house.

Almost Overnight

It's really spring. Each morning when I walk out into the garden new things have happened.

Today's developments include...

Wisteria barely has any leaves, but it's covered with tiny blossoms.



Last year we didn't have any blossoms.




I think they need to be established for two or so years before blooming.


The cosmos are blooming various shades of pink. I thought I had planted yellows and oranges, but I guess not.



The bougainvillea has burst into full bloom.



I know the picture doesn't reflect it, but the nasturtiums have lots of buds.



Bromeliads are finally blooming, too.



And the devil's trumpet's buds have opened.



I would love nothing more than to putz around in the garden all day.

Special Delivery

Evidently, all of Uptown got a delivery today.



No, it's not Oscar the Grouch! It's our new trash cans.



They are 96 gallons and can handle two of me in weight (that would be 125 x 2 = 250 pounds). Each address got one and they are to be picked up by "semiautomated" garbage trucks.

Many Uptown residents are already complaining about them. My first thought is New Orleanians need to get over it and keep up with progress. I also think it'll help out in our neighborhood where not everyone is as trash courteous, becuase people, in theory, will be forced to use the can to have their trash picked up. Many neighbors like to keep trash on the curb constantly, stacked up in bags, and often the trashmen don't take it all because it gets scattered by animals before trash day.

I am a bit concerned as I drive around town and see many people have opted to leave them out in plain sight rather than wrangle the monstrosity to the back yard or alley way. I know there is a city ordinance that is designed to prevent this, but let's see if anything gets done about it.

First pick up is Tuesday. We'll see what happens!