78:365 IWU Walk

When Laurie and I bought our home, we were very specific in locations we were looking... Near Illinois State University or near Illinois Wesleyan University. Eleven and a half years later we're thrilled that we bought just east of IWU... Because now one of my favorite things to do is walk around IWU's campus with the kids.

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77:365 Go Fly A Kite

Was doing a little cleanup today around my desk and came across a sketch tablet that belonged to my oldest sister... Her name was Caryl Beth. I had borrowed the tablet from my parents back several months ago to scan a few of Caryl's pieces, but my intentions were better than my actions, and I never got the pieces scanned. I remember so vividly sitting and watching her work on her drawings and watercolors... I always wanted to be artistic like her. Silly me... I'd be better off to just go fly a kite.


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Chicago Flower & Garden Show 2012

I ran my iPhone battery completely down to 0% while taking pictures at the Chicago Flower & Garden Show on Tuesday... Below are a few of my favorite pictures I took...































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My Garden Happenings

Here's a peek at what's happening in my gardens right now (and probably yours, too):

Daffodils are in full bloom

Garlic Chives (ornamental, non-edible)

Peony eyes are starting to show

Iris foliage of all types are growing like its the last half of April

My oriental poppies never really died back this winter... I'm hoping for a good show from them this year

I'm taking advantage of our out-of-the-ordinary high temps to start some of my summer bulbs (dahlias, non-hardy anemones, and brodiaea) outside in some nursery containers
Hydrangeas are also really leafing out ... A lot less dead stems this year on all of my hydrangeas.
If you haven't yet, walk through your perennial beds today and see what's happening... And make sure day lily and iris plants are uncovered and free of leaves and other debris.
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76:365 Friday Bloomers

March 16th and there are some beautiful flowers, trees, and shrubs blooming here in Central Illinois. I can't remember when it's been this summer-like in mid-March... LOVE IT!!!

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Show Time

75:365 Making the Unnatural Natural

When I run, my natural tendency is to run (say for three miles) the first mile too fast, my second mile slower, and my third mile somewhere between my first and second. I've been trying to create a ladder with my mile splits, starting slower and more relaxed, faster my second mile, and third mile fastest. And although my first mile was slower than I wanted, I accomplished what I wanted. Now... To learn how to do this unnatural running naturally... And figure out what to do with a fourth, fifth, and sixth mile.

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74:365 Anemone Anyone?

Planted a few anemones today at a client's house... Can't remember when I've planted summer bulbs in mid-March and not been concerned about weather.

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Had to Share A Video

My brother-in-law emailed me a link to this YouTube video tonight... I just HAD to share it on my blog because it just cracked me up...

PG-21 Elevator

Sooooo... What would cause an elevator to be rated PG-21??? Or... Do I even want to know???

;-)


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73:365 Chicago Flower 2012

I made my annual trip to the Chicago Flower & Garden Show today... But, a detour to a Chevy dealership in Joliet delayed my arrival by about four hours. And can I just say KUDOS to Bill Jacobs Chevrolet... What an excellent service department!!! I can't say enough THANKS for their assistance and work. Oh... And the flower and garden show was pretty awesome, too :-)

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72:365 Happy 100th Birthday

My two girls celebrated the 100th birthday of the Girl Scouts by sporting t-shirts today - Savannah also wore her Girl Scout sash all day. What an amazing organization for girls.

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