A Good Weekend...

Things are a bloomin' here in the Valley.  This sunflower plant was a gift from my friend Jane, raised from seed in a raisin carton.  Penny and I planted it back in our circle garden.  The bees are loving all the blooms.

 My visiting Monarch keeps coming back to the milkweed.

 It's a male, but I hope to have a female come and lay some eggs and raise a new flutter of butterflies.

I tried sharing my bumper crop of Annabelles with the neighborhood.  Not much foot traffic on a Sunday but a few were taken.

We visited several garage sales, one Christmas in July sale that was only Christmas decorations, (I could seriously have my own sale with all I already have ;-) and visited the thrift.  I found some great books, one by Tricia Foley.  It's called The Natural Home: Living the Simple Life.  Right up my alley.  Several other books that I fancied including James Beard on Bread, Cottage Style...

...and some instructional booklets and an Ideals.  Ideals are filled with poetry and beautiful photos and inspirational quotes and stories. I have quite a few.

 This pepper shaker in happy green glass.

 Some fabric.

My favorite find, a parson's chair.  I've had several slipcovers but have never seen a chair that I would bring home. (You know, the soiled fabric you wouldn't dare bring into your home.) This one is faux leather underneath, but easily cleaned and a perfect fit for my slipcover.  The price was right at $5 and honey easily tightened the legs on this well made chair..(The scrim was attached with Velcro for easy access to the leg hardware.)

We had a family birthday dinner for our little bird, who is seven years old.  A little bird no more.  It was the first birthday party that Penny could attend of her cousin.  We filled a large wading pool for the girls and they really enjoyed themselves. Then the mosquitoes came out and chased us indoors. All in all a good weekend.

Storms woke us this morning and more storms are predicted for this afternoon.  I hope to get some sewing and crafting done in the cool of the house.  Thank you so much for stopping by and for your kindness.  That you take the time to visit and read what I have to say here is amazing to me and I appreciate each and every visit. ;-)  Enjoy this beautiful day.

Visit Northwind Perennial Farm!

 Northwind Perennial Farm 7047 Hospital Road, Burlington Wisconsin 53105.  Just Go!

 Serenity...

 Beauty...

 Inspiration...

 Abundance...

 Reflect...

 Search..

 Gather...

Collect...

 Admire...

 Wonder...

 .

 Imitate...;-)

 Oh, you know I will!

 A little vacation for the soul...

 Balm for the heart...

 Silence for the mind...

 A joy to behold...

Go, you'll thank me later.

Enjoy this beautiful day.

Simple Pleasures

A walk on the beach when the Lake is churning.  The air was so cool and crisp, much more like October than July.

Even high up on the beach the waves lapped at our feet.

 The sound of the surf and the wind...

 and the setting sun... If you don't steal a kiss or two, you waste a perfect evening.

 Walking back to the car we checked out the Wallace Bowl and found a dress rehearsal in progress.

We sat down and enjoyed the performance, not sure what we were watching until...
the princess started to sing the song, Shy.  We had just watched a show on PBS honoring Carol Burnett. One of Carol's first jobs was on Broadway starring as Princess Winnifred in Once Upon a Mattress. They showed a clip of her belting out the song,  Shy.  So now we knew...  (Doing a little research I learned that Glee did a show with Carol and this very musical.)

The singing was great, the costumes lovely, and the sets were perfectly royal.  What a treat to have this performance all to ourselves.

As we headed home in the dark, a doe and it's fawn stepped out onto the road, thankfully far enough ahead of us so we could safely stop and admire them. Magical moments and simply pleasures, there for the taking.

Thanks to my sweetheart for a romantic evening.

Enjoy this beautiful day.

Making Dreams Come True

We had a happy holiday weekend, with a cookout on the third with the family.  Our girl Penny came and stayed for the weekend.  This is where the dreams come in.  See, every year we'd be at the fireworks and make a video to send off to Penny in New York.  Someday, she would be with us, and what seemed like an dream is now our reality.  We saw not one but two fireworks displays together and attended our very first parade in our town.  (We've now lived here 21 years and this was the first time we attended.)

Hometown Pride!  We live in a great town, and everyone came out to celebrate Independence Day.

One of my Guild Sisters was marching, and I screamed like a teenager, Theresa!  I was waving and laughing and really getting into it.  Of course I had a lump in my throat when the vets came by...  Did you know that the Shriners now drive segways and wear helmets instead of fezzes!?  I guess it's been a while since I was at a parade.

We were met by the cousins, reason enough for a celebration.  Penny loved the big animal costumes but wanted nothing to do with all the candy treats thrown by the people on the floats.  (foreshadowing...).

Polish ingenuity.  I often think, what would Martha do?  (She wouldn't have thought twice about buying a second flagpole, but since I paid .99 for the flag I couldn't justify spending 20.00 for a new pole!)

 It was a great weekend weather wise

 The garden is so pretty in July.

I did do a little decorating, and it was appreciated by the small one, exactly why I decorated.

Now for those squeamish, skip this part...

This is just for the record books.  Kris was sick on Thursday (She thought it might be food poisoning), but came to the festivities.  It was the beginning of the take down of the entire little family.  Next Doug went down and then Penny.  She was "barfing" all day on Sunday.  The strange thing is that after each barf, Penny was fine, dancing, jumping on Grandma and Grandpa's bed, climbing trees, taking walks.  What a trooper! Penny's week started out with a 103 degree fever and a ear infection, so getting this bug  was the capper to a heck of a week.  The good news, this morning the little family is much better and Grandma and Grandpa are hoping to avoid this particular family misfortune.

All in all, a good, safe holiday.  Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind comments.  Enjoy this beautiful day!

The Holiday Weekend Forecast...Chilly!

As I sit here in my long jeans, socks and sweater, it sure doesn't feel like the fourth of July.  Still I have some of my decorations out.  Now that my babygrand is old enough to notice, and notice she does, I like to wait for her to comment.  "I like that Grandma, that looks nice Grandma, you changed that Grandma..."  Really anything that includes " Grandma" is  fine with me, I love to hear her say it..

 This holiday is a  celebration I love, especially the fireworks.  Hope this cooler weather puts the big chill on the mosquitos!

 I love our flag,

 especially this one my Mom crocheted so long ago.

I sewed on each and every star for her and now, it's mine. I wonder if Penny will want it someday.  Great traditions and memories I hope to share with our girl.

Our dear Charlotte's Grandmother also named Charlotte is very ill.  At 96 years old she is sharp and funny and strong willed.  I have had the pleasure of meeting her and know just what she means to our Charlotte.  My thoughts and prayers are with the whole family.  God bless Charlotte the first!

I hope you have a happy and safe Independence Day.  Happy Birthday America!

Enjoy this beautiful day.