Day after is good for sales and planting

Today is one of my favorite days. It is the day that all the leftover Easter candy goes on sale. All those chocolate bunnies, sugary Peeps and egg shaped candies taste so much better when they are on sale.

 This is one of the few years that I haven’t indulged in Peeps before Easter. I have loved them since they came in only yellow and pink. Now they arrive in a rainbow of colors and even flavors. There is nothing better than biting the head off a yellow Peep chick to shake off the worries and responsibilities that come with being all grown up. I’m sure there will be many reduced-price chicks and bunnies on the shelves as there are actually people who don’t like the marshmallowy confections.

The return of cheap candy will help fuel the annual planting spree. I had some great grocery coupons this week and saved more than usual. I used half of the savings to buy a new plant. I was looking for a hosta but ended up with a toad lily, Tricyrtis formosana.

I chose it for its leaves as it looks similar to a hosta but a bit more upright. It is a fall bloomer and the cashier promised that I would be surprised at how much the blossoms look like speckled orchids. I just hope the rabbits leave it alone as they reportedly find it to be tasty. Thankfully, there was nothing in the description that said it attracted squirrels. According to the Chicago Botanic Garden website, “As the days grow short and the shade deepens, their undaunted bloom keeps spirits bright.” Only time will tell if that proves true or not.

I don’t indulge in as much cheap holiday candy as I used to. It has been years since I made Easter baskets and picked out the black jelly beans for myself. I reasoned that nobody else liked them, even though they were my favorite.

These days a single chocolate bunny or small package of Peeps is more than enough to satisfy my sugar cravings.

 After I get the toad lily and its new friends nestled in their new homes it will be time to begin the search for a birthday present for the youngest grandson, Nicholas. He wrote me a very nice letter saying he wanted me to come and make “bredd” with him. He also drew a picture of what I assume is an alligator named, “Ally.”

I was surprised that his letter was legible. He has mastered the art of writing big so he doesn’t have to say much to fill the page. Even though he is is kindergarten, there were spaces between the words. His siblings used to insert spaces at random when they were his age.

This is the same kid who found a toad during this year’s Easter egg hunt in his backyard. Not a toad lily, a real toad. One would think that as many times as they have been caught, that the local toads would steer clear of that area. Add in the noise of dozens of cousins and other assorted children and adults and I would expect a reasonable toad to flee or stay hidden until things quieted down. I can only conclude that Texas toads aren’t very bright.

Cheap Easter candy signifies the end of winter and the beginning of planting season. The sky has color again. Toads venture out and children pick them up. I am in search of a birthday present for Nicholas and a chocolate bunny for myself. Life is good.