Spring At Last!

Spring has finally arrived and everything is blooming and putting out new growth. In the last week or so, the trees have really greened up and the air is so sweet. The mornings are comfortable, but not hot or muggy feeling and I'm so happy that the cold seems to be behind us now.
I've not felt too good over the past couple weeks, but I've slowly but surely started cleaning up the yard and have been planting a few things, and even got most of the bushes in the front trimmed and shaped as best as I can do. It's amazing what a bit of color can do for a yard. It just makes you feel good!

There are a half dozen wrens that hang out in the back yard and this one was sitting in the drizzling rain, waiting to see if it was safe enough for it to mill around under the birch tree for something to eat.

When I took this picture, a few more wrens showed up and were happily foraging under the bird feeder.

If you look at the upper left-hand corner of this picture, there's a speck of red.......that's actually a rose. You can see the cane to the right of the tree. I'm guessing it must be about 12 feet tall!

Here's a closer look at that rose. Isn't it gorgeous?! 

This is a hosta that was here when we moved in last year. I planted another one a few feet away, but it isn't up yet. I'm trying to fill in this area at the corner of the house and I'm off to a good start!

A nice bit of color peeking over our fence from the neighbor's yard.

We're getting some much needed rain today. Nothing hard, but a nice drizzly rain and something to wash the thick coating of yellow pine pollen off of everything. The pollen counts are really, really high right now so the rain is a welcome relief. I don't really suffer with allergies myself, but my nose and throat still get a little irritated when I'm outside. I'm thankful it's not any worse because I know how some folks suffer during spring.

It's good to be back blogging again, and will be posting more pictures as my yard progresses and more of what I've planted comes up.

Hope you're having a wonderful day today and wonderful weather wherever you may be!

Burritos!

One of my favorite go-to meals is, burritos. They're quick and easy to put together and everyone loves them.

Everyone has their own ways of making them, including what seasonings they like to use, but I thought I would share my recipe and hope you like it.

First thing I do is cook the ground beef and chorizo sausage. I use about 2 1/2 lbs. of the ground beef and one tube of the beef chorizo. I don't use packaged seasoning any more, and much prefer the flavor of the chorizo to anything else. It also comes in pork, and even vegetarian!  

Meat, cooked and drained.

Re-fried beans.

A bit of lettuce, tomato, and onion...

I start with the beans, then meat. Sour cream and onion; lettuce, tomato, and shredded cheese. I like to add some chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, as I do like spicy things. Last thing to do is to roll it up and that's it!

There's often enough leftover for another meal, so all you need to do is put the meat and beans in containers and keep them in the freezer until you're ready for them. We also like enchiladas, but that'll be a recipe for another day.   :) 

Sad News.......

My husband's mother passed away earlier this afternoon. It was very peaceful and for that I am grateful as she had been in poor health for quite some time. God is a merciful God, and He decided it was time for her to go home.
I loved my mother-in-law very much. She danced to the beat of her own drum and was quite the character! She was full of wisdom and we spent many hours over the years, talking on the phone, and shared many of the same interests.
Bill was on his way to Virginia on a work-related trip and ended up changing his flight plans after talking with his Dad. Sadly, he didn't make it to the hospital before she passed away, but it looks like he'll be spending the next few days with his Dad, and I know my sister-in-law and her fiance are there as well.
I'm going to miss her but I know she's in a much better place, and I'd like to think she's running through a meadow of pretty flowers.......healthy, full of life, and bursting with joy.
That's what I believe, and that's what helps me deal with her loss. But one day I know I'll see her again, and others that have gone before her.

I love you, Mom, and you'll be in my heart forever.......