Spring And Dogs

The winter has been a long and cold one. In time the days get warmer and it's time to shed the layers.

It's not spring just yet, but it is time to get ready for spring.

For starts, its spring cleaning. Dusting, washing walls (well that one is an every few days kind of thing with kids), decluttering, etc is on the to do list but there is also the itch to start growing things from seeds.

March 18th is when I've set up a spot in the living room for Frankie and I to start our gardening journey. I love doing this with the kids as there is so much to learn about gardening. It is my hopes that they know more than me at this point as I've only started to grow things about 2 years ago. This will be our 3rd year.

I let Frankie do the work that all kids love doing. Getting in the dirt that is! She had a great time filling in the pods with soil.

With a little bit of help, Frankie quickly learned how to plant seeds. She is a quick learner.

The seeds sprouted much faster than I anticipated; the first ones to sprout were the beets. Then the broccoli and the zucchini and so forth. The last to sprout were the tomatoes.

During this time I have already dealt with white mold. I was careful to not over water the seedlings and sprouts, waiting for the soil to be dry before watering. I only watered once before there was mold. Ends up, there just wasn't enough air circulation in the indoor greenhouse. So I leave it open every now and then, and with the help of a small fan, the mold started to die off.

When I checked the plants today, I noticed the broccoli is coming along nicely. Strong stems pushing through, some are nice and tall!

The other plants are doing well, but are growing at a slower pace than the rest.

Starting with a nice variety of vegetables, cabbage, spinach, beans and peas along with what I already mentioned; I am thinking of planting the same seeds again in about a month so that we can continuously have growth, some for eating some for canning.

As I have mentioned earlier; spring means that we shed some layers. Well that's not just for us humans. No, it also goes for the mutts. I should say, this mutt. My other dog, Moe. If the name 'Moe' makes you think of the character from The Simpsons, well, you should. He has the almost the same matching personality; sketchy, can have attitude, grey hair, runs from conflicts etc.

Except my Moe cleans up nicely.

See this mop of a thing?

Ya, that's a dog. That's what a mini Schnauzer mix looks like when the hair grows and wont stop rubbing himself on everything. Even with a good brushing, this guy manages to get his undercoat matted. He would go on his back and wiggle like a mad man on the floor, outside in the snow, on the chair, on my sons beg and he does for what seems like 15 minutes, multiple times a day. He's itchy, I know, I'm working on it.

I tried taking a better before picture of the old man but he knew what I was doing and tried hiding from me under my son's bed. I managed to bribe him out of there with a belly rub. Can you see his smile? Yes, dogs smile....

Just wait though, he looks all cute and charming after the grooming.

So here is the real Moe, trying to avoid the camera once more...

Just like siblings, Piper can't let Moe get all the attention. Jealousy rules in this moment.

But in my son's room, this is the only place Moe will defend. Just like Moe and his bar in The Simpsons.

Kids will be kids though, as Piper gets back at him for his nastiness.

Once again, Moe rules this room and wont let her get away with it.

So much for getting a nice shot of Moe and his new hairdo. Notice how I can call them kids. They act the same way as my kids do.

With shedding fur comes the melting of snow. More people go outside for walks including us. It was nice to take Piper out for a walk without freezing my butt off.

Why didn't I bring Moe? Well he would be swimming in some of the puddles and then he would freeze. He is such a small dog.

And one of the most welcoming images to see....

Pipers paw print in the mud! MUUUUUUUUUUD! WOOOHOO! Be gone snow, be gone! :D

Has spring hit where you are yet?