Hi! My Name is Becky and I am A....

Host-a-holic!

I have soooo many Hosta plants!
Even so, the other day I saw some for sale
and was sorely tempted to stop.

Do you know how many varieties of Hosta there are?
Me either.
But there are many.
A lot, I tell you.

I have these...



and divisions from them here


and here.

Don't they look great with lavender?





I thought so too.
More from the Momma plants
which came from the neighbor's
yard....yes, she knows!


Then for a change in looks there are these little ones.
They were brought as division from Mom's house.



Truly, no hosta is safe.
I'll be splitting and dividing
it before anyone knows what is
happening.



And then I have my favorite.


Is that allowed?


Look, just look, at the brilliance of the color.
Do you see it?
Do you love it?

Maybe it is just me.
An illness.

I need a 12 step program
or there will be hosta
taking over every
flower bed
we own.

Amazingly enough there are more still
showing themselves this Spring.




Here they come!

What perennial are you hooked on?
Do you tend to move it to more places in your
yard rather than give it away?

Oh, dear.
Well, hopefully someone will relate to my
addiction to the Hosta family.
I am linking in to Susan's Outdoor Wednesday Party.
Hope you'll check out the other posts having to
do with things you can find outdoors.
You'll find links HERE at
A Southern Daydreamer.

Thanks for stopping by.

From Our Yard - Outdoor Wednesday

I love to look across the road to this
grove of trees. The cows like to find
shade here.



My baby pink hydrangea.
This was a sympathy gift
when Warren's Dad passed away.
It came from his employer.
I am sooo happy that it survived
the move from pot to garden.



The Bee Balm is crowding it somewhat
so I need to move something.
I'll figure it out early next
Spring...



And then there are Mikey's massive
blue hydrangea flower heads...




This is only its second year
here in Mikey's Flower Bed,
but the flowers don't seem to
know how young they are.



Just as our chihuahua, Chloe, has the
attitude of a very large dog, these flowers
have the attitude of a large
hydrangea bush.
So full and sure of themselves.



Outdoor Wednesday...June 24, 2009.

Hosted by Susan at A Southern Daydreamer.

Pop by here to see more Outdoor Photos and
Projects.

Happy Outdoor Wednesday to you!
Please stop back soon.

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Outdoor Wednesday - Horse Rescue

Outdoor Wednesday is hosted by Susan at
A Southern Daydreamer.
Thanks, Susan, for your willingness to host!



We weren't sure of what we were getting ourselves into,
but Chelsea and I wanted to support Grandma Georgia by
attending the fundraiser at the Horse Rescue where she loves
to spend time.

The farm was beautiful.
The weather was very hot.



I took these pictures looking over at the event immediately
after we parked.



The first animals we came in contact with were these two dogs.
They were super friendly and sweet.
We enjoyed giving them attention.


This is T-Bone.
She was dropped off at the farm by
an unknown former owner.



She is simply one of the nicest dogs
I have ever met. She is fine around the
horses and loves every visitor that comes
around.


Georgia took us to the barn.
This was a treat!
What an old barn.
Check out this wood...
It just doesn't do it justice to
see it in a photo.
Awesome!



Meet Buddy!
Buddy had never been ridden until
the day we met him. He was a western
Mustang who was rescued
and is blind in one eye.

Before Chels and I arrived the two Amish
horse experts had worked with him for
a while. He had allowed one of them
on his back after much gentle contact
and soothing.

When I met him for the first time it was
after that and here in the stall.
He was wary but calm.

Later I watched as he was worked with
more and allowed himself to be ridden
again.


Another sweetie pie.
This horse is one that Georgia knows well.
She was so happy to show us her equine friends.






Part of the event was a clinic to help horses and their
owners work through various issues...such as bucking, not
wanting to go in their trailers, authority issues, etc.

These are some of the saddles owners had brought in for
use with their horses.

I was so impressed with the way
Sam and his partner, both Amish, knew horses and really made
progress on these issues. Seeing the owners with their own
horses was amazing. You could see the relationships. You
could see changes being made.
Great idea, this horse clinic!

An owner and participant in the clinic.
I don't recall what issue her horse needed to
work on but she was very nice about posing for
me. It was neat to see how this horse's mane was
braided so neatly.
Alas, I guess you can't really see that in
this photo.





This horse wanted to be the boss.
His owner was a petite lady who had to
learn to be more assertive with this
giant. He was huge.

I watched her
learn and practice over and over again
subtle but effective techniques to keep
him in check.



If Georgia had not been so interested in
horses and found this way to be involved
I would never have realized the good work that
people are doing all over the country as it relates
to these magnificent creatures.
This particular rescue is in Lancaster County, PA.

I'll bet there are rescues near you.
If you have any experience with horses,
a willingness to learn or some blankets
to share...contact them.
See what you can do.

In these times of a shrinking economy there
are more horses than ever that are being
surrendered.
You can make a difference!


I am not so naive as to think that
everyone can and will get involved
with horses,however, giving back to something
is one of the best things we can do to
raise our own spirits in the midst of
hard times.

I hope that you have found
your niche when it comes to giving back.
It makes one happy!!!

♥♥Becky K.♥♥

Outdoor Blogger Meet

An Outdoor Wednesday Post hosted
by Susan at A Southern Daydreamer.
Thank You, Susan!!
I do hope you'll stop by her blog
and see more great links having to
with anything outdoors.


I post so many photos from Longwood
Gardens that I should be on staff.
Some fellow bloggers had commented
that they would love to visit the
Gardens but hadn't been there in years.

I talked to Mrs. Rabe and Kelly about
organizing a meet.

They were in favor...and so it began.

Sadly, when the time drew closer Kelly
was unable to join us but now she can
...in a virtual way.

Others of you were with us in spirit,
which might have been nice for you
given the weather.



This was the sight that welcomed us.
We were driving through the clouds...
with a mist that was constant.

We wondered briefly how we might
recognize each other but...

It turned out to be no problem
since I have posted recent pictures of
Chelsea and Warren on my blog.

JD, Jim and Karen found us.

Mrs. Rabe, Lindsay, Emily, Rachel
and Kyle soon joined us and we were off!

Jim and Karen with their cameras at the ready...


We talked and laughed our way
through all of this beauty...




































The five bloggers present tried to pose
but it was so wet and we were so busy
getting to know each other that I don't
think we have one photo of all of us where
no one is talking.
Here you see
Mrs Rabe from Creekside Cottage.
My daughter Chelsea who writes Its About Friends.
I am in PINK.
JD from Ribbon Challenged.
Karen from Nittany Inspirations.



The guys complained at us just a bit
as they attempted to get a decent photo.
Sorry men!
Not going to happen!




Mrs. Rabe had to leave first.
This made Chelsea sad since
the girls are all such
dear friends.
But the idea of lunch
cheered her up.

It was at lunch that
Karen and I discovered that she
knows my brother and his wife.
She was at their wedding.
Small world!!!



It was delightful to meet these
wonderful people.
We are beginning talks about
another "meet" next year.

Hope that works out!

Thanks for checking out the
fun we enjoyed.

♥♥Becky K.♥♥