Friday, March 14, 2014

the thaw


The thaw is on!  Spring is finally at our door which means that my mind is full of ideas and plans for our garden.  Piles of books and my trusty notebook have overtaken my nightstand as I stay up way too late working on this seasons doings.


Some of my most recent color order......"Cherry Queen" zinnias, "Bluesette" dahlias, "Salmon Queen" zinnias, "Cafe au Lait" dahlias  





flower photos via ~Eden Brothers.com~

Our backyard currently looks like it has a large river running through it with several small wading pools of water.  There is an overwhelming amount of work to do back there which only makes my eye twitch slightly!  So while doing some basic assessing this week of what has to get done, the beans were busy making nests from the many twigs (and logs!) that have fallen throughout the winter.  I worked on plotting out a new area for more crops this season.

what's going in so far this year.....
~tomatoes
~cucumbers
~carrots
~peas
~greens
~peppers 
~basil
~raspberries
~strawberries

And some this and thats.

a pretty potting shed...

~source unknown~

Vintage sports calendars that this guy and I found at a resale shop...


He picked out his 2 favorites for 4 bucks which we will be using to decorate his room.



A new blouse for me....



A pot of happy flowers for my daughter.  The most fantastic woman works at our local Trader Joe's.   Every time she sees my daughter she let's her check out all of the groceries from our cart while taking the time to teach her about being a cashier.   She makes her feel so special and on this particular day she let her pick out flowers because my bean had fallen earlier that day and had a bad scrape on her face.

There really are so many awesome people in this world!  



Happy Friday Friends! 



62 comments:

  1. So glad it is warming up there! I have been working all week cleaning up my yard and it is looking fabulous. I think the cafe an lait dahlia is going to be amazing - I need to order one too! I love shopping with my son too. He wanted to buy some plants (melt my heart) and we brought home pansies. I can't wait to see your garden this year. You always have wonderful ideas to share. Have a great weekend, Nicole!

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  2. Gorgeous flowers you have picked out. It sounds like you have a ton of clean up work to do-so will we when that time rolls around for us. We are a good two months away from that. Ummmm...we aren't going to see you on the news when you wear that beautiful shirt shopping with no camisole under it are you?;>) xo Diana

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  3. Sorry one of the beans got scraped up.

    Yes, there are plenty of wonderful people in this world. I love our checkers at Trader Joe's. They are so friendly to everyone - much different than the checkers at our Vons markets.

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  4. Hi Nicole,

    Beautiful post you have shared and how lovely that the cashier let your daughter pick out some flowers.
    There are kind and beautiful people around. Sounds like it will be fun planning your new vegetable garden.
    The dahilas are really pretty.
    happy weekend
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  5. Planning is so much fun. I hope it all works out wonderfully for you. Glad the little beans are having fun. Can I mention the story of the cashier and the flowers on my goodwill blog? Such a good example.

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  6. What a lovely lady, the world needs more like her I think. You've chosen some beautiful flowers, and I love the names they have. And that potting shed, oh wonderful. I have a similar list of things I'd like to grow, along with maybe some beans, sweetcorn and squashes. But will there be enough room..? I've got so many plans I'm starting to wonder where I will put everything. But it usually all squeezes in somehow. I hope you and yours have a lovely weekend Nicole. CJ xx

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  7. Love the calendar finds, and the blouse is gorgeous. Can't wait to see what Spring brings to your garden xo

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  8. Poor little bean. Love the flowers and that potting shed, mine is all falling down and cobwebby but that one is lovely :)

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  9. I always find it is best not to think of all the jobs that need doing and just take one step at a time - you will get there eventually. I love the seed sowing season - anticipating what the garden will look like for the next few months. Your choices will certainly brighten up a dull day. The colour of the flowers in the last picture is stunning. Have a good weekend.

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  10. This post is all parts lovely, no parts anything else!
    I would kill for an entire white winter, just to know life in the real chill. I'd love to rug up every.single.day. I'd love to make snowmen in my front yard with the kids, i'd love to see the snow fall…..arhhh I'll keep dreaming. But you who live through it seem to be keen it's over, so i'm guessing the chill is constricting at times, particularly with little beans?!?!
    Your fella's calendar idea is gorgeous, I framed 6 calendar months for my own bedroom a while back, looks great.
    And i'm a tad jealous of your top…just beautiful. Lucky girl.
    And lastly , Yes, there are so many lovely giving people in the world. This week a lovely blogger said she would make me a fabric Roo because i commented on her own! So i'm going to pop a treat in her mail box too. Giving makes the world a happier place.
    I hope you have a beautiful weekend Nicole x

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  11. Shed envy!!!!
    We are hitting the plots hard today with so many plans it's just crazy. Love your flowers, I've gone for lots of dahlias this year too - we have great taste ;) Hugs and thanks for the smile you put ponmy face this morning. X

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  12. ✿⊱°•

    Passei para uma visitinha.
    Flores maravilhosas, fotos maravilhosas.

    °º。♪♫Bom fim de semana!°。♪♬
    Beijinhos✿♫° ·.
    Brasil⊱°•

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  13. Wow, what a nice lady!
    I see an Oregon State peakin' out there - our house's rival team. Did you get a University of Oregon one? Go Ducks. :) What an awesome find!
    That blouse is too stinkin' cute.
    So glad you guys are finally headed toward spring. I die over that potting shed. I was just staring at our ugly metal one this morning, brainstorming ways to make it less hideous.
    Have a fantastic weekend! We have a kid birthday party at 4:00, so after my couple cups of coffee, I think I'm going to disappear into the garden until I'm forced to get ready to go. :)

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  14. The beautiful blooms has me wishing for summer! Your backyard sounds very much like mine after the winter thaw...hopeful for spring:) I hope your daughter feels better and the bruise heals quickly. The first picture where the sky meets the land is so gorgeous....thanks for sharing with us. Happy weekend~hugs, Poppy

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  15. great zinnias... and the golden world there begs to be painted!!! the shed is tre charme

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  16. Glad you've having a thaw and loving all the pics and picked up some treasures too, Ems xxxx

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  17. You are certainly getting a spring in your step. I love that blouse, it is right up my street - I love a bit of folksy embroidery. Looking for to seeing your plans. I am super-out-of-this-world busy so I am blogging in about two weeks time. Jo xx

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  18. Love to you from my hospital bed... I adore your Blog so, but especially when there is a photo of one of the Beans. Tell them my dad has captured and relocated over a dozen squirrels in the past 5 days - he dislikes them, just like The Beans do. XOXOXO

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  19. Your flower colour combos are very grown up and sophisticated - it's going to be gorgeous!

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  20. I love reading about your gardening plans, you have a real talent for this stuff. I always look at those campanelles in TJ's when I shop, how nice of that lady! That is truly the best store on earth. I love the idea of vintage sports pics in your son's room, that will be really cool. I hope you're having a great weekend!

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  21. Those flowers are a wonderful colour.
    Merle................

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  22. Your garden is going to be beautiful

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  23. Have a nice full of spring weekend!
    http://mygenerouslife.blogspot.it/

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  24. It sounds like you are going to have alot of wonderful things to do in your garden this year. Can't wait to see it. We are redoing our raised garden bed this year too.

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  25. Wonderful post, Nicole. The pictures are so pretty and that potting shed makes me want one just like it in my back yard. Those calenders were a great find and your blouse, too! I am so sorry your little one had the fall and hurt her face. She picked out some beautiful flowers. The picture of your little fellow is adorable!

    Have a beautiful Sunday tomorrow!

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  26. Yah for spring! How exciting to be planning your garden! Sounds like it's going to be a yummy summer at your place :)

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  27. Most definitely in awe. We went and purchased garden things yesterday to try and make our yard a bit prettier. Thing is I am grim reaper of plants and flowers so I don't buy any because I don't know how to take care of them. Are there any really easy, pretty flowers that I can plant in tubs and planters and don't need loads of care?

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  28. what a sweet lady! We are finally starting to thaw here as well *knocks on wood* and I feel a lot less silly about the wee seedlings popping up in a few flats on the windowsill!

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  29. Don't you just love this time of year?! The sky's the limit! Planning is so fun. Enjoy it and hope your little girl feels better with her special attention!

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  30. You always lift my spirits with your optimism! I was intrigued by the name of the 'Bluesette' dahlias - they're nice, but not really blue, are they? Enjoy preparing for spring!

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  31. So glad you are thawing out! I love to see what magic you do in the garden!! And that blouse is gorgeous!! I want!!! Just my style! Hope your little bean heals her ouchie! And how cool would it be if she is working at TJ's as her first teen age job!!! I will keep reading until that day!! ;-) happy spring!

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  32. I am so glad it is warming up there! I know you are itching to get busy outside! The garden planning is exciting!! I love the shirt and your son's beautiful eyes!! That garden shed pic has my mind churning!! I need to do something with my chicken coop and I have so many old, rusted tools!!!

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  33. What a lovely lady at your supermarket, she sounds fantastic! I'm glad for you that your snow is finally melting, I hope that the water runs away very soon and that you can start to get out there and starting gardening again so that your eye stops twitching!! xx

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  34. Your purple flowers are just gorgeous and only equal to those lovely blue eyes of your little guy. What a sweet story about the cashier at Trader Joe's. So nice to see that people slow down long enough to be friendly and make the day special for others.
    Garden on Nichole!
    Cindy

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  35. That first picture is what our yard still looks like....I'm excited for when something out there is green besides the weeds :). Great find on those sports calendars--so fun!!

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  36. Such a dramatic sky in your photo. Can't wait to see your summer garden - I adore zinnias and dahlias. What are the purple flowers?

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  37. That supermarket lady so nice to teach your daughter and the flowers your daughter got. There are indeed great people in this world, fortunately. Your Zinnias and Dahlias are a beautiful colourful choise, I love them too.
    Wish you a lovely week with spring round the corner.

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  38. Yes to the thaw! So much goodness in this post! It sounds like you have your work cut out for you in the garden but the results will surely be worth it :) Hope you enjoyed your weekend and have a fantastic week Nicole!

    Rowena @ rolala loves

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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  39. Oh, that first photo is awesome, Nicole - I just love how you have captured the light! It is discouraging to see the work that winter leaves us with, but your plans sound wonderful and it will be so nice to finally get out and play in the dirt once more. What a darling photo of your sweet little bean - those blue eyes.....! What a dear lady to teach your daughter what true kindness is. Your blouse is very pretty- it has a beautiful bohemian, vintage vibe. I love anything with embroidery. I know I am a little late in my commenting lately - my laptop has been 'in the shop' (at techie son's house, an hour away) for almost a month and I am relying on my old desk top tucked away upstairs in the 'bird room'. I must be careful when I go in there as to not disturb Mr. Cockatiel at times or he will shriek until I take him out - very inconvenient sometimes. Anyway, I missed your link last Friday and I am kicking myself - I will try and make the next one. Thank you for your sweet comments and your dear friendship. Hugs xo Karen

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  40. Love looking at your garden progress, I'm planting seeds soon, can't wait to get growing!

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  41. Yay for Spring time at your end. Such an exciting time for any gardener isn't it? Your little man is SO cute! And I love the pretty blouse you bought. The lady who works at Trader Joes is so sweet to your girl. She must love children and have lots of patience...

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  42. There are some many good people in this world! You are one of them! It is exciting to think spring is actually coming! The last few days here have been very springish, but it is cold windy and little snowflakes are flying around right now, really?!! I can't wait to see what you do in your yard, you are so amazing! I love the vintage sport posters, how fun for your little guy! I hope you shelving in the dining room is coming along, been thinking about you! Have a great day!

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  43. Me gusta todo lo que has mostrado, esos calendarios vintage son hermosos.
    Las flores preciosas, qué bueno que ya va a llegar la primavera. Acá esperamos el otoño y el invierno, que es muy lluvioso pero nieve no tenemos.
    El bebé hermoso, esos ojos serán peligrosos para las mujeres cuando sea grande, jaja.
    besos
    Maru

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  44. Oh what lovely eye candy for this winter-weary heart. The thaw is finally on here where I am as well and I couldn't be more delighted.

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  45. i really do adore your beautiful garden. we don't have a backyard and we tried several container gardens last years but they were all a flop. we hope to do some this year again!

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  46. What a lovely cashier!! Gosh that would make your girl's day! Love love those flowers - two of my favourite types xx

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  47. Love the blouse! So romantic and pretty... I kinda want it. ; }
    Also, the dahlias are gorgeous and I love what you're putting into your veggie garden. We ordered our veg seeds a while back and I can't wait to get digging! I tend to choose things on their prettiness or novelty so there's plenty of odd eggplants and cute turnip-shaped tomatoes in our plots. As long as it's cute I'll eat it!

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  48. Beautiful, beautiful pictures! How exciting is must be to be planning out one's garden. Your son is gorgeous, and what a blouse! Trust you are doing super, dear friend :)

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  49. beautiful post-there really are good people in this world-our weather here is still so up and down-this week mostly very strong winds-so I am indoors cleaning -sigh beautiful flowers-and love your new blouse-have a good week

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  50. So many things to brighten the day! We just had a March snow yesterday:( Everything is melting and muddy now. So ready for spring!

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  51. Those calendars are a great find! make sure you share some photos when you've finished decorating. Love to see the finished product :)

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  52. I love that first photo Nicole!! It's great :-)
    Your little boy is adorable! Have fun with your garden! I've been planning our vegie plot these past few weeks xx

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  53. Gorgeous blue eyes. You're training him right - first steps should be in a thrift shop!

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  54. Planning is very important to do any work! All the best for your garden work! Love all the colorful blossoms!

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  55. Hi Dear,
    thank you for the colorful flowers, so bretty as your little doughter! She's a princess.
    All the best from Austria
    Elisabeth

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  56. Happy Friday Nicole! Can't wait for a full thaw... that was one long winter

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  57. The sun is out here, but it is still darn cold. I love your story about the Trader Joe's cashier. I agree: this world needs more people like that. Sounds like you have a great harvest of flowers and veggies planned to go into the garden. Have a great weekend Nicole!

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  58. There is mystery in the sky in that first photo...almost like spring trying to come out. The flowers from the nice lady are so pretty and so are the zinnias. Happy spring and weekend!

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  59. Welcome spring! and those BLuuuuuue eyes!!

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  60. Hola, gracias por pasar por mi blog. Sí, yo escribo, como digo, soy una escritora frustrada. En mi blog hay muchos poemas, cuentos, reflexiones, etc. Si quieres leer más, sólo busca en las etiquetas.
    Un abrazo.
    Maru

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  61. For every jerk we meet, there are more unjerks out there to make up for them. I love it when people take time out of their day to be wonderful just for the sake of being wonderful. It makes all these trips around the sun so much easier. Spring will come, the garden will dry, and life will be good.

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  62. You know I have notice that the people at trader joe's are ESPECIALLY friendly! - what a lovely assortment! I love zinnias... I haven't quite figured out yet what I plan on putting in the gardne this year. Some of the cabbages and zuchinis seemed to get a lot of bugs...and i'm wondering what plants are more hearty... like the cucumber. Can't wait to see how your garden develops!

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