I can't wait to play outside, Nature is watering for me again, Sweet voice

1. I'm continually thankful for these cool spring temperatures. It makes gardening pleasurable. So far there are no gnats, which is a miracle.
2. I trimmed our six, huge barberry shrubs to be a bit more eye appealing. Last year I had to chop them to hideous shapes in order to eradicate a tent caterpillar. They've made a great comeback and I'll be on the lookout for those disgusting caterpillars this year.
3. After all the mowing, weeding, trimming and enjoyment of the garden today, the rains have come again. I like this timetable.
4. When Claire phones, the baby babbles and talks in the background. When Claire stops talking, the baby stops. I've never heard such a vocal baby!

American composer, There they are!, Special order

1. My music to drive by is Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring. I like to imagine it was written in the sun and shadow of our beautiful mountains because it captures their essence perfectly.
*The audio I've highlighted includes only the Simple Gifts portion. I've written more about it here.
2. I've begun searching in Ancestry.com to create my family tree. When the 1930 census image comes into focus, I see my dad's name listed and I get goosebumps.
3. Everyone's gone out and I'm alone for dinner. So I make a frittata for one, throwing in broccoli, red bell pepper, onion and pepper jack cheese. Yum!

Treats for teachers, Multiplied, Fields of green

1. Moms come and go, dropping off baked goods at the school office. On my way out, I pass a dad carrying in a pan of bar cookies. He leaves a wake of nice aftershave among the typical school smells.
2. Sharing perennials from my beds with a friend who is starting out in a new house. Plastic pots from previous purchases get refilled with my plants and loaded into the car, heading to their new home.
3. No need to hurry home, so we stop by the soccer fields to watch a friend play. It's a beautiful evening to sit outside on the green grass and visit as we watch the game.

A storm clears,Feeling small

I walk up the hill to see the mountains and clouds. This view is to the north, past the vineyard to the Peaks of Otter, which are still shrouded in clouds.

I particularly like this view because it makes me feel small. When life crowds in and details bog me down, I climb up the hill and look out over the earth. It's like stepping away from an Impressionist painting; when you step back from it, you can see the overall composition more clearly.

All shapes and sizes, Like Alice after the rabbit, Thank you Mother Nature

1. Removing my gardening gloves, I pour the seeds into the palm of my hand.
2. The crazy trumpet vine sidetracks me as I search for the source of its elusive, underground runners. I'm digging up gravel and clay, crawling around on my knees, yanking on vines and overall just playing in the dirt.
3. By evening the rain comes to water all that's been planted today.

I would love to see their garden, Hunting, A conversation

1. The old gentleman pushes a cart overflowing with colorful plants. His wife isn't far behind. She scans the greenhouse to see if there's anything else they should have.
2. I kneel on the ground, checking under tables for the yellow tomatoes I like. Bingo! There are four left hiding under here. I have dirty hands and knees, perspiration clings to my shirt, my hair freaks with the humidity, but oh what fun!
3. My mom has the amazing ability to recall lyrics or play any song by ear, even if she's only heard it once. She recites the lyrics to this song from 1949 for Claire, who has said how much she likes being a stay-at-home mom.
I wonder if this could be a hit on the radio today? Homework by Irving Berlin

Must be the weather, Hearty and good, Entertained

1. Nothing to do but give in to the laziness that has settled over our house today. Read all afternoon.
2. Split pea and ham soup is one of those "make something out of practically nothing" meals. It was delicious and satisfying.
3. A good drama aired on PBS tonight called South Riding.