...lately

a few things I have been enjoying this week...

finishing a birthday layout of M's...I made the Happy Birthday title
with my new Cameo Silhouette-it is so much FUN!

making smoothies for the freezer...why do bananas go bad so quickly?

I finished my last chair...I'll post a pic of
everything I did in the dining room soon...

my azalea plant that never ceases to amaze me with so many blooms,
this is the plant that died several years ago and I finally got a small stem to take root, now it will not stop growing-I've started so many new plants off of it, I've lost count...this summer I gave one to mom and one to Jamie-I hope their plants flourish for them like mine has for me...

I started another table top quilt...

and last, but not least-this is a current pic of Marley and her wild hair-
guess who gets to go to the Spa today? I hope everyone has a joyful week...

Colors in my yard.....

Some of the perks of having a summer vacation are

slowing down enough to enjoy my flowers.

I love having perennials in place to look forward to each season.

Most of the hard work has been done,
even though maintenance continues.

And....it's a good thing most of my blooming flowers are in the

front yard--because Marley is learning how to dig!

Hopefully, we can get that under control soon.

Flowers make me happy!

Enjoy your summer!!!

...some sure signs

Here's proof that summer must be on its way. I'm ready.

I finally got to work in my yard again yesterday, cleaning out more flower beds.
I still have a ways to go.
Thought I might do some more today after work.
Nope, not gonna happen.

It came a sudden downpour and there is standing water everywhere.
Oh well, maybe I can scrapbook.

Happy Tuesday!!!

Fresh Air....

Coleus

(04-21-09)

Each spring I look forward to it being warm enough to put plants back out on the screened-in porch that I have been protecting inside the house during the winter months. Today was the day. This coleus plant was big and full last year and almost died down to nothing during the winter. I kept it watered and setting in front of a sunny window to see if it would "hold on" until springtime. Well, it looks like its coming back! Happy! Happy!

My spider plants also found their way back outside, returning to the same spot where they hung last year. I just think they just look better outside, don't you?!

Azalea Time

In Bloom

(04-14-09)

Finally, some blooms opening up! This certainly won't be the most spectacular season for my one lone azalea bush---but at least it's adding some color around my front door. With the freezing spells and high winds we experienced the last couple of weeks, I wasn't sure any of the buds would even survive. I covered it up the nights we were predicted to have freezing temperatures---I guess it really does help. I'll be enjoying while it lasts!!!

....signs of spring, really....

Azalea Buds

(04-02-09)

Flower Border

(04-03-04)

Wildflowers

(04-04-09)

Spring, oh what a tease. I thought we were finally in the clear, and I just heard the weather report for next week. Another freezing low----I hope they're wrong!!!

Photo of the Day

Budding out...

(03-07-09)

My hydrangea plant is working hard.....soon I will have big, bright, fluffy blooms!! Well, maybe not soon, but they are beginning to bud out. I started with 2 small plants given to me for Mother's Day from the kids, a couple of years ago. Accidentally, I killed them. But, not wanting to totally give up I cut the tops off and replanted the roots in my front flower bed. To my surprise, the roots took hold and the plants began to grow. They were still pretty small by the end of the fall season, but they were still alive! Last summer they grew into large bushes with tons of huge blooms--so I can't wait to see what they do this summer. I even started 2 brand new plants last summer from the original two--so I'll have 4 bushes, if they all make it, that is!!! I'll post photos of their progress as they begin to grow and bloom.