Hi.  Yes, it is way past my bedtime (11:30 p.m.), but my husband just called from the hospital and the md is  “concerned” about a couple of things, so I’m sitting here kinda sorta waiting to hear back from him. I figured I’d post a few photos from my gardening today…

One of the peonies, just moving  full speed toward blooming!

Peonies along the stone wall out front.

I’ve finished my own little garden corner with one of my favorite annuals, impatiens.  And a rock, gotta have the rock.

Thought I’d see if one impatiens would grow out of the spout on this old tea pot.  I hope it does…how cute will that be?!

Lastly, here is one sad little Brittany Spaniel, pining for her favorite master. Those are his clothes on the floor next to her so she can sniff them whenever she wants.  Poor pooch.

I hope your Saturday was a good one.  Night.

Oops…forgot!

Hi again...pardon me for forgetting to post this earlier.  (I must really be preoccupied.) Anyway...if you get a few minutes, check out my daughter's blog,  Back at the Farm.  She's crazy in love with her job at the farm stand.  Someday, she wants to have her own greenhouses, grow her own stuff, and have her own farm stand, along with farm cats...gotta have the farm cats!

She worked the farmer's market at 5:00 a.m. today and is headed to work the regular stand for another 8 hours.  The best part is that she loves it!  It is such a gift to not only be darn good at your job, but to love it as well. 

She’s still working on putting her photos on, as well as posting more regularly, but I love that she’s finally started.  :) 

Hope everyone’s Saturday is going smoothly, and that the breezes coming in your window are as gentle as the breezes coming in mine.

Raise your hand if... you did a whole load of laundry this morning, thinking of what a domestic goddess you are under pressure, but FORGOT to put any detergent in! Sheesh.

Quick Hospital Update

Hi there. Thank God my husband's surgery went well...the md was able to do the "more optimum" of the two procedures, which has a much better chance for success. He needed at least one or two units of blood, however, as he lost a bit more than they liked. He's also running a fever and we're not sure why. But, we can hear a pulse in his right foot which hasn't happened in months! So, all things considered, we have success.

Our poor dog is going to need therapy, though. Since we got her 4 years ago, she has not been separated from him for one single night. Now he's going to be gone for about a week...can you say "howling animal"?! Sadly, we'll be one of those families that has the dog talk on the phone to the master...how pathetic is that!?



Oh yeah! The kids are here with a pizza for the family so I don't have to cook. (they also made breakfast for each other, the boyfriend washed the dishes, and they folded all of the towels!) Time for supper, a hot shower and bed.

And may I say, walking out of that hospital smell into the wonderful springtime flowers smell....aaaahhhhhh.

Age is a State of Mind

Raise your hand if... you ate one of the new sour Skittles today in school and the kids laughed uproariously at your sour face!!


Well, my husband's big surgery is early tomorrow morning. It's an odd thing...we've been together 31 years, married for 25 of those years, and "suddenly", here we are at the "in sickness and in health" stage, ALREADY! It seems so sudden, although I know how much calendar time has passed. I think this is an example of age being a state of mind. We certainly don't feel "old" enough to have this stuff going, but here it is, staring us in the face. All I can say is....yikes.

As we have to be at the hospital for 6 a.m., I guess I'd best start getting organized now...ya think?

And may I say that this time of night, dusk, is one of my favorite times. I can hear all of the birds starting to quiet down out there, just a few singing, while the others have all headed back to their nests to hunker down for the night. Such a peaceful time.

(Cranky) Daybook Entry

Just for today...I would like some emotional peace.
Outside my window...gray skies, chilly air, the smell of rain~my favorite.
I am thinking...how shallow and smug people can be sometimes.
I am thankful for...my children.
I am wearing...capris, t-shirt, denim work shirt and warm slippers.
I am creating...angry thoughts.
I am going...to bed early tonight.
I am reading...Edgar Sawtelle (just starting).
I am hoping...to feel rested tomorrow.
I am hearing...the television, unfortunately.
I am wishing...I could escape to the lake.
Around the house..."droppings" of my family.
One of my favorite things...the promise of rain.
A few plans for the rest of the week...husband's surgery on Friday.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

...the lake I wish I could escape to.

Yard Walk Photos

Hi again and what a gorgeous day.  I meandered around the yard earlier and wanted to share these photos of the “flora” with you.  Enjoy.

Peony~soon, real soon.

 

Purple iris.

 

Massive yellow iris near the old willow.

Close up of the yellow iris.

Black raspberry blossoms.

Our newest blueberry bush.

Look!  One of our 300 pound pumpkin plants!! 

(I think I can. I think I can.)

And lastly, my mini blue gazing ball.

Parental Pride

Well, it’s over and it was a grand success.  Our oldest daughter is all graduated now with a dual degree in English and Philosophy.  We all made it through the hot-as-hell day and she’s all moved home now.  I am so glad!

While driving home after all was said and done, I had one of the moments of sheer perfection.   Have you ever had one of those? You know, it may only be a second, but it’s a second of perfection.  My husband and I were in the front seat and all 4 of our kids were in the back seat, laughing, teasing each other, and loving each other.   It made my heart sing.  Having all 4 of them together is rare these days, so it was extra joyful!

For a moment in time, life was perfect….see above. :)

What’s my graduate doing now?  Why, watching The Lion King, what else?!  All “growed up”, aren’t they?

Raise your hand if…you went to Costco today (local ginormous warehouse store)and walked past the book section withOUT buying a new book!! So did I!!   Bummer, though.

Sigh.  I really do need a couple of new books though.  Next Friday, my husband is having a 4-hour long surgery, with at least 2 hours of recovery before we can get in to see him.

I'll be bringing my colored pencils and drawing pad with me, but I'll need a book or three as well.

Anyone have any good suggestions?  At this stage of my life, I lean towards mysteries.  I love the Alex Cross series by James Patterson, the Lincoln Rhyme (sp) series by Jeffery Deaver, and most recently, the Cork O'Conner series by William Kent Krueger.

(Are you noticing how deftly I’m sweeping over this surgery thing? That would be me, in denial, acting like it’ll be just another day!)

On a wonderful note, Sunday is our oldest daughter’s college graduation…she’s graduating CUM LAUDE from Mt. Holyoke College with a dual degree in English and Philosophy.   At the age of 11 she set her sights on this school, and here we are with graduation.   “Proud” doesn’t even begin to express what we feel!

Well, it’s time to end this day, time to crawl into the shower and into bed, letting the tape of the day play for awhile in my head.  Good night everyone…sweet dreams.

You know it!

Weary Thursday

Hi there.  I just can’t believe how darn tired I get by this time each week!  I think it’s the mental exhaustion from working with middle schoolers that does me in.

All I wanted to do today was come home, put my feet up outside on the patio, and “be”.   I did get to “sit a spell” and with the soft breeze blowing, I thought I’d snap a few photos to share with you. 

These are so pretty…we don’t even eat them, we just like to watch them grow!

A simple little buttercup looking like a tiny sun.

A (slightly blurry) peony bud.  Soon….probably within the next two weeks…they will be gloriously huge and fragrant!

And what are these adorable little babies? I have no idea,but they are so sweet.

Aaaah, the softness and gentleness of spring!

Good Morning

'Morning. Got up early today, which I seem to be doing more and more these days. I crave some quiet time and this seems to be the only time I can get it. The only others awake here are the birds and Lucy, our pooch. Actually, I sometimes have to wake her as she likes to sleep in. She's kind of weird that way, for a dog.



As I sit here and look through the trees, I can see the sun rising ever-so-slowly. It's quite peaceful, to say the least.

My husband and I spent over 2 hours at his pre-op appointment yesterday going through all the paperwork, bloodwork, ekg, etc., that is necessary for his upcoming surgery on May 29th to bypass severely blocked arteries. I'm still in the "business mode" for it, dealing with paperwork, appointments, etc. I haven't let the "emotional mode" kick in yet. If I do, I'll be a blubbering idiot and we all know that a blubbering idiot can't function that well! So, as the battle cry of most of us mothers says...."Tally ho!"

Ok, off to get ready for work. Only about 23 more days til school's out...yay!! Have a sparkly day all!

Hi all.  I’m just wanting to stare at “happy stuff” and not really think about the “serious stuff”, so I’m doing just that.  Thought I’d share some “happy stuff” with you.

This photo was taken in 1966 or so…that lovely creature on the far left is me with my two best friends Annette (a nun now) and Debbie (living in Michigan with horses), and Lady, my beloved first dog. Apparently we all thought it would be a grand idea to go on a picnic in the middle of winter!  God bless our mothers for packing us all cold lunches that day and sending us on our way!

This is me and my favorite (only) son on his 30th birthday last year.  Hard to imagine I have a son that old!  He and I “have come a long way, baby”….I was a single mother at 20 years old, way back before it was so sadly common.  Back then, I had no idea how good my life would turn out, but it has.

I absolutely adore this photo.  It’s my son and my granddaughter, his daughter, walking on the beach in Maine one chilly winter day a few years ago.

This photo was taken in northeast Vermont during February of 2007.  See anything rather mystical in it?  Kind of gives me the chills when I look at it. You know, the more I look at it, the more awe-inspiring it is!

I could go on and on, but I won’t.  I’m sort of on overload with all that’s going on these days, so these photos allow me to “travel elsewhere” for a little while.  I hope you’re all in a good place.

Just for today...Monday, I ate thought-fully.
Outside my window...dark, clear, cold night.
I am thinking...about my husband's upcoming surgery.
I am thankful for...my mom.
From the kitchen...quiet hum of the frig.
I am wearing...rolled up jeans, sleeveless top, denim shirt and slippers.
I am creating...colorful mini-signs in my head.
I am going...to crawl into the cocoon that is my bed soon.
I am reading...Red Knife by Wm. Kent Krueger.
I am hoping...to feel emotionally calm soon.
I am hearing...sleeping-house sounds.
Around the house...family "droppings" everywhere.
One of my favorite things...thoughts of the lake in Vermont.
A few plans for the rest of the week...trying to refinance!
Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

A rose, taken by my brother while he was in Arizona.

A Day in My Art Cottage

Raise your hand if…you got to spend hours in your art cottage today, painting.  Yeah, me too.

My friend and her husband have a “man-cave” with a Jimmy Buffet theme, so they asked me to paint a sign for the door.  I threw a palm tree in the corner just for the halibut (get it? halibut…har-har…a little fish humor!)

I also started playing around with tiny little signs, about 9 inches long and 2 1/2 inches wide.  They have only one or two words on them…and…AND…instead of painting, guess what I’m going to try! Give up?  I’m using my 4,126 colored pencils!!  Cool, huh? Well, we’ll see, but I hope it works because it’ll be a lot easier than painting three coats.  I’ll keep you posted.

Crazy weather here today.  The temp never got above 50 degrees with a chiiiiillllllly wind blowing all day.  Personally, it’s my kind of day, which would be lots better with a woodstove behind me and a lake in front of me, but we can’t have everything, can we?  Or can we?  Perhaps it’s time for me to put The Law of Attraction to use.

I’m curious.  Has anyone out there actually used The Law of Attraction and had it materialize?    I know it works, so why don’t I use it?  Hmmm….am I afraid that I just might (GASP!) succeed??  Now THAT’S another whole story!

I hope everyone has a safe, sparkly Monday. See you soon.

Lovely Blog

Hi there. I just discovered a new blog by the name of Rimrock Creations.  I love it!

The artwork there is absolutely beautiful, as is the story of how Rebecca arrived at where she is now. It's so inspiring and shows the promise and hope of finding that it's never too late to "figure it all out", to find and follow your dreams.

Stop by and visit if you get a chance...the colors alone are gorgeous! 

Speaking of gorgeous colors, my granddaughter and I went shopping today for one thing and one thing only.  She needed an adorable pink basketball to leave at our house, which we got, but of course, once at the store, there were tons a few other things I needed.

One of those “necessary” things was a purple gazing ball.  Oh my…I adore it!  I put it in my new garden, right in front of the lavender plant.  I still have more space for plantings, which I’ll get to.  In the meantime, I looooove the color of this gazing ball and can’t wait til the sun shines on it and brings it to sparkling life!  (please note the teenage daughter’s reflection!)

Looks like rain is headed our way…nothing like an afternoon rainstorm to soothe my soul!

TGIF

AMEN.

I finished a book yesterday that was quite compelling, to say the least. Perhaps you've read it...The Shack.   Has anyone else read it?  After reading the back cover and seeing that it was about a little girl that was kidnapped and murdered, I said "this book is NOT for me!"

Well, a good friend of mine convinced me to read it and I'm glad I did. The bulk of the story is about the father's spiritual trip toward recovering from losing his little girl. The little girl herself plays a part in her father's recovery, as does God, Jesus and The Holy Spirit, only in "human" form, so to speak. It's very very deep and quite moving, but worth reading. So if you're like me, unwilling to read stories of this kind, give this book a try.

Just out of curiosity, how do you choose a book? Is it by the author, the genre, the colors on the cover?  I admit, there are times that I use the colors or the picture on the cover!

Happy Friday everyone…and enjoy your weekend.

Yard Walkabout

Hi all.  This gorgeous weather… mid 70s, sunshine, soft breeze…has me wanting to be outside, so my husband and I took a little “walkabout” in the yard.  Don’t you just love that word?  Walkabout.  It sounds so ambitious!

These two are of our brand new blueberry bush.  My mom bought this for “our” birthdays as they are both in early February.   We have 14 other high-bush blueberry plants.  Can you say blueberry jam?

 

 

Here we have a couple of our 30-plus peony plants.  They are such magnificent  beauties.

Here we have some of the bleeding hearts…talk about a perfect name!

Oh, what do you know!  Someone who’s house is messier than mine! :-P

Hope the weather where you are is just as beautiful and that you have much to enjoy in your own little piece of Heaven.

The Victory Gardener: Great Victory Garden Give Away!!!

The Victory Gardener: Great Victory Garden Give Away!!!

Hi everyone...Take a trip on over and visit this really cool giveaway, not to mention a great blog as well. :) I would love to plant a few heirloom flowers! Can you just imagine how beautiful they would look??

Daughter’s Blog!

Good morning everyone.  Guess what?  My oldest daughter just started her very own blog!! She's graduating from college on May 24 and is following one of her dreams...working at what she lovingly calls The Farm.  I'm so proud of her!

Feel free to visit her if you're so inclined.  She’s a darn good writer!  You have probably realized that I am terribly challenged when it comes to inserting links, so I’ll do my best.  Here goes nothing! 

Ugh.  Well, the official name is Back at The Farm, but the web address is:  www.greenhousedoor.blogspot.com.  Perhaps you can cut and paste it as I am clueless!

Have a sparkly Monday! 

 

 

Mother’s Day Peace

Raise your hand if...you finally feel as if you've accomplished something around the yard!!  Me too!

I was finally able to get some things planted today and the best treat was that my youngest daughter got herself down and dirty to help!  She actually planted a lot of the veggies...eggplant, broccoli, sweet peppers, onions, cherry tomatoes, and Italian plum tomatoes. The peas are already coming up after being planted a few weeks ago by my middle daughter.

(Yes, that IS  a gas pump by the barn…we do love our antiques!)

I also started my very own flower garden!  I know, it's sad, but I've never had my own flower garden. Last fall I planted black-eyed susans, stone crop, and purple turtleheads. Today I planted cleome, verbena and bluebells, along with a giant lavender plant.  There’s a sundial in the middle that I have to “set” when the sun shines.

I'm also lusting after this gorgeous amethyst geode that my brother put in my mother's garden...I just may sneak in after dark and confiscate it.  Shhhh....don't tell. Look at it, though; do you blame me?

Here's a picture of my mom...she's 88 years old! She is my best friend and my inspiration for every part of my life.  She and Dad were married 62 years before we lost him, and still she carries on. A true gem, that mother of mine.

This is another special little corner.  We put the fountain in to honor all of our family that has gone before us. It brings great peace, especially when everything’s in bloom. Did I tell you we also collect sleds?  We have upwards of 22 or so.

And lastly…they thought they were sooooo funny slapping this hat on me and snapping away.  Please note the “old woman” glass chain and the double chin.  Ahem.

I hope everyone had a beautiful day today, mother or not.  Have a sparkly Monday! See ya!