The Perennials Time to Shine

 The first of these lilies....Many more on the way.

 

A Baby

An Adolescent

A teenager....

  The Echinacea is just outside our door.

We have watched it open...ever so slowly but

with interesting stages to observe.

 What I traditionally think of as Easter Lilies

are at their best.  They smell so amazing!!!

 These were a part of a large group of plants purchased

after Easter a few years ago.

A florist had donated their Easter leftovers to a group

to use as a fundraiser.  It was a wonderful purchase.

They have spread in an area that is very hard to work 

in because of tree roots.  I am pleased.

The little mallow flowers have spread throughout the 

perennial flower bed.  While in other years they used to be very 

tall and overpowering they have come in shorter

and more intermixed with everything else this year.

I like it.

This year I planted NO annuals in this bed.

I am letting the perennials do their thing and plan

to get Shasta Daisies to fill in any empty spots 

for next year.

Then that garden will be complete.

I don't think we will mulch it anymore either.

Once the daisies fill in it will pretty 

much keep the weeds down on its

own...with just a little help from us.

The black eyed susans are ready to 

open.  They have their little yellow petals all 

curled up and each day get a bit more ready to 

burst.  It's going to happen and then

this garden will be at its absolute best.

For those who expressed an interest 

in my new camera...

it is a Canon Powershot SX130 IS.

I love it!

The size is perfect to go everywhere with me.

The color is true.

I am still learning about it but 

I do very much recommend this as an

option if you aren't ready to go to the SLR.

Have a wonderful day!

Mom and I are off to do some thrifting.

.

Awaiting the Bail Bondsman

After a discussion about what they were each "in" for these thugs

have decided to just look cute

in case that works.

I've Been on the Fence....

About sharing the results of my neuro appointment

yesterday....but I think I will.

Overall it was good news.

After a very thorough exam and very lengthy

discussion with the Physician's Assistant the 

conclusion is that my last episode, nearly two

years ago now, was a complicated migraine.

This is good news as there was concern that 

it was a mini stroke.

Not surprising to me she noted that I still have 

weakness on my right side.  Stunning how these 

effects remain.  

I am beginning a course of steroid treatment and

will take a medication to attempt to ward off any 

future attacks.  I would be very opposed to taking

meds for this if it weren't for the lasting effects of 

the last one.  I am concerned about what another 

one could do.  So, I am going to try this.

The longer I have gone since the last migraine the 

more I experience dread and fear.  Stress is a 

trigger for me and these headaches so I could actually

bring one on with all of the worry.

The PA also told me that the nearly daily headaches

I experience are also a form of migraine.  So I haven't 

necessarily been migraine free either.  

I might be a new woman before long.

If I lose the pain....look out people!

I'll be so full of energy you won't be 

able to keep up!!!!

Hugs.

Thanks for listening.

I like to document these things here because

I look back for dates and details that I would

otherwise forget.

It Is All Coming Together....

Home Education coming to an end....

A new camera.....

The Etsy Shop.

I think I just might know what is going to fill my time.

This way I get to create.

Find vintage goodies that others will love.

Take photos in creative ways.

This little pitcher is soooo cute!

About five inches tall.

I thought that the little stems would be great

for fruit salad, pudding or even a mini ice cream sundae.

Whatever...they are just adorable!

And they are now listed in my shop.

Creating, exploring and sharing

with others.

It really doesn't get any better than this!

The Beautiful Evening.....And an Introduction

Good riddance to the heat and humidity that had

settled in and driven me indoors.

Other than taking the dogs around the yard every

few hours I have not spent much time breathing in fresh

air or enjoying beautiful views.

Until last evening.

Oh.my.

We decided on a whim to visit a local park

that is new to us.  A friend recommended it

and we searched it out on the internet.

Even from the map you could tell that finding

it would be a challenge.  There is a point when 

approaching this park that you feel as if you 

are reaching the point of no return.

And then you are there....

A stream, beautiful green surroundings and the 

smells that took me straight back to my childhood.

I grew up on the banks of Penn's Creek.

The gurgle of slow moving water 

layered with the 

whoosh

as the water rushes over rocks, 

bubbling on the other side.

The water snake swimming to and fro

with only his nose peeking out.

Tall trees that make you feel small and 

safe all nestled in the heart of 

a green wood.

These were all things that took me back
to a simpler time.

Chloe got to go along.

This made her whole week.

She loves a road trip.

This was even better because we were

the only ones there so she got to run free.

And apparently sniff a dandelion.

Actually this was a team effort

but it kind of looks like she is sniffing it....

But run she did....

with Chelsea.

Until she flopped down fully 

spread out against the cool ground.

I took a lot of photos with my new 

camera....so much fun!

The sky and trees reflected in the water.

This smooth water is just before a small line of rocks that interrupt the serenity.

Speaking of the friend who introduced us 

to this park......

I know that was way back in the beginning
of this epic length post

but I have been trying to figure out how to 

get you to go and check out her blog....

I'm just going to ask you to do so.

Susanna Musser is a very dear lady.

She is currently the mother of ten, 

but in God's timing this is changing.

In her heart she is the mother of eleven.

One of these children is in another country.

The Musser's youngest child is Verity.

She has the blessing of an extra chromosome....

resulting in Down Syndrome.

Susanna said recently that she feels badly 

that everyone doesn't have the opportunity

to have one of these special children in their lives.

Verity is such a happy little girl who will 

turn one year old on Sunday.

We are thrilled to get to be a part of her life

through our church family.

Katerina, the child who is to come

and join the family also has Down Syndrome,

is nine years old and is very tiny.

She has spent her life in an orphanage crib.

God has provided miracle after miracle on

the road to this adoption.

Our prayers are appreciated as the Musser 

family heads into the home stretch which 

will require two trips to Bulgaria and

time away from little Verity 

and the rest of the

children.

If you would be so kind as to visit Susanna and

let her know you will be praying it would mean so

much to her and to me.

Thanks!

I think you'll get sucked in and have to visit

again and again.

It is a very special place...

The Blessing of Verity!

A Colorful Dinner and Colorful Sky

Last evening we enjoyed a family dinner

at Miller's Smorgasbord to celebrate my 

husband's birthday.

We had coupons which allowed us 

to pay half price.....

making us quite happy!

Then we came home and gave Warren 

his birthday gift....

a combined effort primarily funded by

the Moms.

It is a Keurig Coffee Maker.

This led to cups of coffee at 10 pm.

Which in turn led to some of us being up until 

12:30 am.

Yikes!!

And yet, here I am.

6:21 am and I've been up since

5:45 am.

I'm no fortune teller but I foresee an

early bed time or a nap in my future.

Night before last was quite colorful around here.

Chelsea had requested 

kebobs.

So while we were out getting Warren's 

birthday gift we also picked up a 

fresh pineapple.

We already had chicken, green pepper, onions

and cherry tomatoes.

Served on a bed of seasoned rice this 

made a perfect light Summer meal.

In the interest of full disclosure...

this is NOT my plate.

I detest cantaloupe!

lol

But Warren just happens to love it

and this was a very good one,

or so he says.

Then to continue the theme of colorful

things that evening....

I was sitting on the sofa with my back to the 

window when there was a distinct change 

in the color of light coming in my window.

When I turned to look I knew I had to 

get the camera.

 

I enjoyed that end of the day

golden glow while it lasted.

Have you enjoyed a sunset lately?

We Have A Problem....

His name is Mister.

We were hoping to find a way to 

get him out to his owner in Missouri.

Did I tell you what happened?

She has cancer and has gone out to 

her sister's to finish her chemo and plans to stay there.

She had Mister and another dog, Charlie.

When she got to the airport she was missing 

paperwork that was necessary for taking the dogs

on the plane.

We got a phone call very early on a Sunday 

morning that he needed a place to go.

Of course we said yes.

He has been here before when R was in a bad spot.

The other dog was taken by a worker

at the airport.

At the time I had hopes that R would be 

close enough to Branson that if someone was

headed there for Sight and Sound they could

perhaps take him there.

Unfortunately, she is hours from Branson

so I don't see this working.

R called and left a message while we were

in Kentucky.

I returned the call when we got home.

Now I haven't heard back from her.

What to do?

Is she still his owner?

Is he ours to do with what we will?

I want to find him a permanent home...FAST!

If you can believe it he and Michael are bonding.

Michael, with whom there was mutual hate

the first two times Mister stayed with us.

Now they just adore each other.

It is wrong, I tell you.

A scheme on Mister's part.  

Somehow he just knows that this is his one way in.

Add to that the fact that he is fitting in so much 

better.  He loves Bandit and Chloe....

No........I don't want three dogs!!

Anyone interested if R doesn't get back to me?

He is a dog who needs a relatively quiet

home.  No children.  He takes too long

to warm up in new situations and with 

a lot of noise.

Any takers?

I'm about to call R. and tell her that 

if we can't find a way to get him out there 

he will be given away.

I don't know if I'll hear from her again.

I heard she has a new dog.

Our initial instructions that Sunday morning were

to keep him or take him to the Humane League.

I was the one who was trying to keep 

them together.....

What would you do?