Reopening The Outdoor Office

We put the tarp portion on our backyard shelter over the weekend and I spent a lot of time beneath it reading. After the winter we had (yes I'm still mentioning it) being outdoors is the best! I didn't get a chance to blog on the weekend but I'm looking forward to borrowing John's laptop soon so I can enjoy the outdoors and write at the same time. I love it. I'm not used to laptops, so I am already reminding myself to keep it plugged in, as I pay zero attention to the battery life and it always dies on while I'm in the middle of typing.

The office from last year

We are supposed to get some rain over the next few days, so I might keep my office activities indoors until the weather's nicer, but I'm really looking forward to outdoor summer writing time.

Soft Serve Ice Cream #FoodPicFriday

They are selling soft serve ice cream at the corner store for $2. You can choose between vanilla, chocolate, or swirl. I always get swirl. It is so good. There is something about soft serve that just tastes like being a little kid. I just love it.

Every time I go to get a cone (I've been three times this season already) there are always at least five other people sitting out front eating soft serve too. It is definitely a community thing, and for only $2 for a pretty high cone, why not?

2014 Garden Taking Root

We had a few rainy days earlier this week and it has really gotten our garden growing.

John built a neat little fence around the plants, which I think makes them look great.

Green beans

Tomatoes

Earlier 2014 Garden Updates
2014 Beans and Tomato Garden
2014 Garden Planted

On Repeat: "This One" by Paul McCartney

I've had Paul McCartney on repeat for pretty much my whole life. I loved the Beatles growing up and branched out into Wings/Solo territory when I was in my teens. I have loved and obsessed over other musicians/bands over the years, but ever present was Paul McCartney.

Today is McCartney's 72nd birthday and I thought I would mark the date with a song I had on repeat often in the mid '90s. "This One" is still a favourite that I don't mind hearing more than a few times in a row.

Constantly Up and Down

I've had some muscle strain in my lower back for the past few days and I can't believe how disruptive it's been. I'm a tall girl, so my lower back often gets the short end of the stick, but this week it has really been getting in the way of being able to do things. I am trying to find the balance of moving the muscles enough, but not too much. It's most painful when I stand up or sit down, lean over, do dishes, or any movement that forces me to use those muscles. It has made me realize that I am super forgetful and constantly have to get up to get things: my tea, my book, my iPod, the phone, the remote... I'm constantly up and down.

While resting over the past few days I marathoned True Detective (only 8 episodes), which was pretty good. I also got a few books from the library that I am hoping to finish over the next few days as well. I'm trying to do fun things that don't rely on my lower back. I'm also trying to suppress any and all urges to bake yummy things. It is hard. Yesterday I made buns and did all the kitchen clean up and probably shouldn't have. So today I am reading and listening to my body and asking for help when I need it.

Pile of books to read: currently reading 'The Hunter' by Richard Stark