The GREAT Outdoors! (I think...)

I am SOO, SOOO, SOOOOO excited about today.... it's going to be WARM, actually borderline hot, but I don't care!  I LOVE summer and warmer weather!  If all goes as planned and the wind cooperates I'm hoping to actually have dinner under our new pergola tonight.  Looking at it right now, I'd say it's a long shot to have it cleaned up and looking presentable by this evening with everything else I have to get done today, but never fear, it's nothing "Super Mom" and her trusty side-kick "Chaos Chloe" can't handle!  LOL!!!

In addition to the fun of planning an "al fresco" dinner, Chloe and I have our weekly trip to the grocery store today, as well as a "quick" trip to Target... if such a thing exists in my world!  I'm hoping the extra energy the Starbucks gives me will keep me moving faster and more efficient!  It's worth a shot right??? Ha! 

I'm slowly but surely still coming around to living out 'yonder and I can't find words for how peaceful  it is when you can go outside and hear nothing!  I honestly can't remember the last time that happened for me because I always seem to have a child hoovering, but for a quick second yesterday evening when I stepped on the back porch I heard NOTHING!!!  Amazing!  Then I was quickly reminded that we are currently being held "hostage" by a variety of random stray animals.  There is a really let's just say 'special' looking dog that is desperate to find a home here and even though the ENTIRE street has tried to woo him with treats, food, etc., the only place he wants to find refuge is in our yard.  Seriously????  I'm not one for dogs, and especially stray ones.  We have enough bugs around us as it is, I don't really need a transportation source to import more in.  Add to that we now have a kitten that showed up (about 4-6 months old) that thinks our house is its home too!  Literally we have to open the door just enough to get in/out or it tries to get in the house.  In fact, poor little Madeline's hand got smooshed in the door last night because it was trying to follow her in.  One night it was so bad we had to sit in our house with the windows and blinds all closed so the two would go away!   I'm hoping they become friends and go off on some sort of "Milo & Ottis" adventure. 

The flowerbeds and gardens have really started to flourish over the past few weeks.  The kids have loved taking turns picking the strawberries as they ripen and the first thing on Chloe's list to do every is to check on the blueberries.  I'm thinking they should be ready some time later this week.  It's so exciting for all of us to see things grow and change!  Oh, and I actually picked some basil from the garden last night for my spaghetti sauce!  YUM! 

Speaking of dinner, I'd better get going.  It's going to be a beautiful day!