I bought myself a treat today.

It’s called a Knock Out Rose, and its supposed to be really easy to grow and maintain.

I just think it looks pretty, especially with the raindrops on the petals and leaves.
(and it reminds me of my grandma – her middle name was Rose)

Strawberries are starting to blossom. Too bad they’re not the edible kind.

And the violets even hold the raindrops ever so prettily.

And the day wouldn’t be complete without the dog, who I swear knows that camera = cute pose… even when she’s a little wet from the rain.

I bought a 3-variety pack of blueberry bushes today, too, but they’re not blooming or anything for me to share. But I’m excited, nonetheless, because I just can’t wait for blueberry jam and muffins and pancakes and so much more. I also snatched up some books to read that I’m thrilled about. We made a trip for the very first time to a Half Price Books store. There was far more that I wanted to get but ended up putting back, but I did come away with a copy of Julia Child’s The Way To Cook, a hardback copy of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, William Makepeace Thackeray’s Vanity Fair, and a few other paperbacks to read. I was really searching high and low for the Julia Child books, though. I’m dying to have Mastering the Art of French Cooking and My Life in France. But this will tide me over for now and maybe on our next trip one will turn up.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go grab a cup of hot tea and maybe go sit on the back porch and enjoy the somewhat warm but drizzly weather and peruse my new books.

What started out as me trying to get a new picture of myself…

Turned into the puppers climbing in my lap wanting to be included too…

And that turned into kisses…

Before finally settling for a lousy photo with mama.

I made/canned a strawberry-lemon marmalade yesterday, along with baking homemade bread, which was absolutely heavenly for breakfast this morning. Like a sweet taste of summer on a dreary, cold, and rainy Sunday morning.  As I write, though, the sun looks like its trying to peek out behind the clouds. I really wish the warmer spring weather would hurry up so I can plant my garden… The local places are already getting their summer flower bulbs in and even their berry plants, and I’m trying to patiently wait to get my blueberry plant – I’m worried if I get it and plant it now that the fickle Ohio weather will kill it off.

But today…. I guess today I’ll have to settle for my little taste of summer, and probably our last pot of hot chili for dinner tonight that we’ll have until fall.