Yesterday (Friday) was a warm, sunny day. The wind was high and chilly, but spring is most definitely here. We dropped husband off at work, parked on our own driveway when we came home (the road end is drying up well. The house end is still a sticky mess), and spent a few lovely hours outdoors doing needful chores.

I found a plant in the pasture area a few weeks ago that may or may not be mountain laurel; aka Sheepkill. Until it flowers, I won’t know for sure, but as that is an incredibly toxic plant (deadly to sheep, goats, cattle, horses), I am not waiting around. I eradicated two patches of it. From what I read, once cut it doesn’t come back. So while there is a lot of it, it *should* be a one-time job.

We have a bit of leftover steel from the build, which I intend to use to make garden beds. I spent some time measuring and marking those, ready to be cut to size in the next week or so.

I did barn chores.

I measured again the length(s) of pipe I would need for the stove.

Little jobs, but ones that felt productive.

In the afternoon, the kiddos had a play date with another homeschool family. Trampoline and seesaws, dump trucks and sand scoops. Swings, slides. Happy kiddos. Campfire and snacks, and before we left, they gifted us a high-power, long-range walkie-talkie. In theory, it will communicate with everyone in the homeschool group.

After that, we headed to hardware store to see if we could FINALLY get the necessary stovepipe. Assuming I understood the instructions correctly, the inside pipe segment(s) needed are currently in the barn, awaiting a work day.

Last evening, the child next door biked over for a shortish playtime before dark. They all played outside for a wee bit and then put a puzzle together. Kiddos had a great time.

Today, we had birthday party day. This isn’t the actual birthday, but it was when we could gather to celebrate.

Decorations and a meal, laundry and baths, park hike and playtime, presents…just what a birthday needs. And cake, of course. Must have cake.

We got home just before sunset, but as we arrived at our driveway, a neighbour we met last week pulled up beside us and asked if we had a few minutes to spare. Would we come to his cottage property a few minutes away? He had some stuff to give us. The property used to be a small private campground that a few families shared in the summers. When they sold it, they left a bunch of toys behind. As our neighbour does not have young kids or grandkids, he was pleased to find a family to donate them to.

And then on top of that, when he discovered today was birthday sort of day, he promptly emptied his pockets of change. Gifts on gifts.

Just before bedtime, I got a text from a loved one, asking my email address. Not too long after that, I recieve an e-transfer for a considerable amount. “We are buying your stovepipe. Love you.”

Some days, one is simply drowned in blessings.