Sunday, May 1, 2016

A Blogging Update and semi-Holiday

I finished my fourth A to Z Challenge yesterday.  It was an enjoyable, if rather hectic, trip this year.

I had most of my posts figured out and roughed-in in advance of April 1.  But then I found my self re-writing and revising all month.  But more of that when I write my reflections post.

Meanwhile, I had also been busy with Charlie and his second birthday party.  Does this look like a train?  I tried my best.


Then we had a few days of good weather, so I tried to do some yard work.  I laid a few rolls of sod to fill in an area where I killed grass last year.  Bent grass has invaded my bluegrass lawn and I cleared out about 40 square feet of it from the front yard.  I may just eliminate the grass on the side where all the storm water drains from the property.

I've also decided that those yews I trimmed back last year need to be completely removed along with two others around the deck.  I am waiting for my garden helper to come this week and start cutting. He has already ripped out a lot of cotoneaster.  I'll show before and after photos later this season.

I've been busy in the kitchen cooking too.  I had some recipes to test for America's Test Kitchen and I also started receiving food from Blue Apron.  I'll blog about that later this month.

Inside the house, I have only one orchid plant left after getting rid of all my others.  I got tired of fighting the scale invasion and just tossed everything.  I still have my beautiful hoya plant that is now more than 40 years old.  It has decided to send out a bunch of new waxy blooms and the scent is heavenly.

There is still lots of stuff going on this month, so I will likely only blog once a week.  I'll try to keep up with all the blogs I follow so I'll still be online.  I'll let everyone know if and when I discontinue my blog.  Thanks for stopping by.

11 comments:

  1. OMG that train is SO cool...you did a great job!

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  2. Good job with the cake. I wrote most of my posts the night before. Some a couple of days before. I don't want to do it like this again. Being ready in advance is much better for me!

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  3. Congrats on finishing the Challenge! I love your choo-choo cake! Great job.
    Enjoy life and being free!
    ;) Barbara
    Visit me at
    Life & Faith in Caneyhead

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  4. Yes that does look like a train! You did a great job with it! I usually only blog once a week to 10 days unless during April; I find it more enjoyable sometimes to read blogs than to actually blog myself :)

    betty

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  5. Love the train Denise, clever girl. I am sure Charlie liked it. Pretty flowers wish I could smell them.

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  6. Great job on the cake! My husband and I have considered trying out Blue Apron. I will be anxious to hear what you think! Good job making it through the Challenge

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  7. This cake does look like a train for sure! I bet he loved it. I remember this plant of yours from last year because it is so unique looking and wish I could smell it.

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    1. I looked it up and it bloomed at the same time last year. My son walked in with Charlie yesterday morning and said "What is that sweet smell?". He said it smelled like the local florist.

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  8. That cake looks so awesome. Fabulous work, Denise. Little Charlie must have been thrilled. If my kid ever asks for a train cake, I'm going to come back to this post for ideas.
    This was the first A to Z challenge that I wasn't able to complete. I had scheduled my posts up to W so they were uploaded like clockwork. But I had a problem accessing my email as I went out of town to attend to a family situation. I could neither check other blogs nor see to my own.
    I hope to be better prepared next time.

    You are a wiz with that cake.

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    1. Thanks for the kind words about the cake. I wondered where you disappeared to in the challenge. Glad to know you are OK. I read several blogs where folks were behind or skipped letters. One blogger had some personal issues and had to quit half-way through. It's called Life. I too have had some computer issues so I know how irritating that can be.

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