A fun surprise

Today my mom and dad stopped to collect some cement blocks from the farm for a project that they have going on and while they were here they dropped off a rain gauge for me.  Mom called it an early birthday present and it is so cute.  I have for a long time had a collection of black and white cows in my kitchen.  At one time I had a lot of them but right now I am displaying only a few.  So the black and white cow on the rain gauge is similar to many others that I have.  Isn't it cute?

I placed it in the corner near the door that we always use to come and go from the house.  Hopefully it is far enough away from the house and trees for an accurate reading.  Last year we removed all the plants that were there and relocated them.  We added some dirt to correct the grade so that it ran away from the house and added the border.  Nikole and Brad brought out a pickup load of wood chips when they were out earlier this spring.  This is the area that will hold my herb garden.  My herbs will be in large pots sitting on top of the wood chips.  I have to admit that my mom has a knack for finding great gifts and will usually buy them when she sees them but a little bit of trouble waiting to give them at the appropriate time. :)  I am glad to  have it even if it is early and hope that she remembers when my birthday rolls around that she gave me this very cute rain gauge.  Thanks, Mom and Dad!!

Speaking of rain, we did have a nice downpour of at least a half inch of much needed rain.  I was even glad to give up on the mowing once the rain got started.  Tomorrow will be soon enough to get back at it.