Springtime in Northern Illinois for Former City Dwellers

The month of May is one of our favorite times of year. We open the windows, breathe in the fresh air and smile as our two cats begin to enjoy sitting in front of the screen door off the kitchen, or in an upstairs window, eyes bright and tails twitching as they watch the birds and bunnies out in the yard.

The dandelions are out and I will attempt to keep them under control while also attempting to maintain a chemical-free "lawn".  Until we get the landscapers here, I will continue to use parenthesis around the word, "lawn"!

I planted some daisy seeds outside in a pot a couple days ago on the back porch and am waiting for them to sprout. The garlic I planted last fall came up earlier this spring, and although my partner knocked a few down with the weed whacker last weekend, several are still standing and should be ready for cooking in about a month. I wonder if I can salvage the others... 

Since moving out of Chicago and into a far northwest suburb two years ago, life is just different. Yes, I miss my condo, my old Chicago neighborhood, Andersonville, the restaurants, the stores, and the activities... but I must admit, the fresh air and gardening have a certain charm. So as the old saying goes, "Grow where you're planted"!

I think our cats more than agree with that sentiment!