tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63656119083595815652024-03-27T02:38:03.499-04:00Happy@HomeHappy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.comBlogger782125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-75424126249773182812024-03-25T15:01:00.000-04:002024-03-25T15:01:01.328-04:00To Florida and Back<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8EbbGK8Ggf9mZrz5U_26Y4CHZCE_glRbIiww2OYM3ZY17-xqOxyG9w8F4EzK2kBvIdNbk5teEkNsfDxUMlpgR_8nePd5QXyez5wVgiltMQjbcpLPY07ZVhJ26Wv9mPTqdAnk7PhLXuGRktGBMri4BQbuHoGDg2YxebbZx4W4CgMDK0tNApNjWDeTtLIS/s4032/IMG_3291.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8EbbGK8Ggf9mZrz5U_26Y4CHZCE_glRbIiww2OYM3ZY17-xqOxyG9w8F4EzK2kBvIdNbk5teEkNsfDxUMlpgR_8nePd5QXyez5wVgiltMQjbcpLPY07ZVhJ26Wv9mPTqdAnk7PhLXuGRktGBMri4BQbuHoGDg2YxebbZx4W4CgMDK0tNApNjWDeTtLIS/w480-h640/IMG_3291.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last week we travelled to the Sunshine State.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first few days we visited Brett's mom. She will turn 95 later this year and is starting to show signs of dementia. Brett and his sister went through her storage room while I spent time going through photos with her. A lot of time was spent reminiscing about these photos. Often I had no idea who the people were and she couldn't remember, yet she was reluctant to toss them. I tried to explain that the younger generation isn't typically interested in these old relics so if they didn't have meaning to her, it wasn't necessary to keep hundreds and hundreds of them. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile in the storage room, Brett and his sister dealt with tax papers from the 1970s to the present and every brochure for every piece of furniture, appliance, etc. that they had owned. Once done they had 400 lbs. of paperwork to be shredded.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't say this to be critical of my in-laws. Instead, it was a reminder of how much has changed regarding keeping photos and paperwork in the past few decades. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczMXNYiYvt2nVg9LJzCT-IciWW7o1K8TuBw075MXS0k2glyXN2nSTjuXuk5klZJPdZuBO_Dg5vYThvrKJJkXLOByalM3jgI_0fEHhpp3F9AL6GbiUQggQF3QR3lJ3UmMfUAeh6Gj1UCKEpLgodWYkR0GE70rir-uffJhjV0-PkXNN-mAaI8XfUgHrDTda/s4032/IMG_3284.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczMXNYiYvt2nVg9LJzCT-IciWW7o1K8TuBw075MXS0k2glyXN2nSTjuXuk5klZJPdZuBO_Dg5vYThvrKJJkXLOByalM3jgI_0fEHhpp3F9AL6GbiUQggQF3QR3lJ3UmMfUAeh6Gj1UCKEpLgodWYkR0GE70rir-uffJhjV0-PkXNN-mAaI8XfUgHrDTda/w480-h640/IMG_3284.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">After the work was done, we enjoyed a nice lunch overlooking the water.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The boating activity and pelicans were entertaining as we dined on fresh grouper sandwiches.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rL9FS4MBsmO0o1xj5MK6usVa5wpFcfCtOXHJdNUVYpx0qhOw2Y2GP-7nGMZr4EtKVz_znNIOjwS0R9qLXTPYw3X0decrt6Q3MKcxCqzzr33aFKLDcwJueWPhJuLG76acCWoPYIJLuvqTAl5rVVYB_tDMwH9ovRLFUE90oVG_6k2Th5ROVpH-vPi4t7M7/s4032/IMG_3307.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rL9FS4MBsmO0o1xj5MK6usVa5wpFcfCtOXHJdNUVYpx0qhOw2Y2GP-7nGMZr4EtKVz_znNIOjwS0R9qLXTPYw3X0decrt6Q3MKcxCqzzr33aFKLDcwJueWPhJuLG76acCWoPYIJLuvqTAl5rVVYB_tDMwH9ovRLFUE90oVG_6k2Th5ROVpH-vPi4t7M7/w480-h640/IMG_3307.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Then it was on to visit our son and his family for the remainder of the week. Jaxson was on spring break so there was lots of time for science experiments and many, many board games.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcS7ejkTdSLy3YAIPPTu5pNSefYS23qxWXTBNFcpsxPSyyikj-hU5QA7emBTBmN9HUN8oJbalHz9-7Si4Q3TPSXt4EaF9x5trkeR5pL6uk6xBS6kxmeQuRGT-f11RoFoHAXMxLyD0_UjZqH8GrqxnfrJPAUu7ZQNRnOKCxznL_a7Un3QYghx79YebGrNa/s4032/IMG_3313.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcS7ejkTdSLy3YAIPPTu5pNSefYS23qxWXTBNFcpsxPSyyikj-hU5QA7emBTBmN9HUN8oJbalHz9-7Si4Q3TPSXt4EaF9x5trkeR5pL6uk6xBS6kxmeQuRGT-f11RoFoHAXMxLyD0_UjZqH8GrqxnfrJPAUu7ZQNRnOKCxznL_a7Un3QYghx79YebGrNa/w640-h480/IMG_3313.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">We brought our very old tennis rackets and introduced Jaxson to the game.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8-8cWjL5BYZuasc4nE4L7XBoN3G1i6_NczYo9jqvFaFUrpj3BeLv9TD7vDa5WmrNZgEC9OhJe1WuvOvyEVJiRSaFZaoObboS8686WxYx-OpDoxSBVDemZnAv82cfDWkm0DlxTe64gMNdKaIk9NKXxc2RvIKJoMXrpIryHTFfjlEX7aEK48uqLPT_FN3D/s4032/IMG_3318.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8-8cWjL5BYZuasc4nE4L7XBoN3G1i6_NczYo9jqvFaFUrpj3BeLv9TD7vDa5WmrNZgEC9OhJe1WuvOvyEVJiRSaFZaoObboS8686WxYx-OpDoxSBVDemZnAv82cfDWkm0DlxTe64gMNdKaIk9NKXxc2RvIKJoMXrpIryHTFfjlEX7aEK48uqLPT_FN3D/w480-h640/IMG_3318.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Somewhere in my own old photo collection I have a similar shot of my dad with his two grandsons on the tennis court holding their rackets in this same position. My parents loved the game and wanted all of us to love it as much as they did. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6f-744BMsFSuNFPFxYL3Ve-63rBQiWprq5vObvH4uQ0FcE_9077ziGEtKspcU5Nf84cUbo41VNc-Dn0IG8GHAhuEG1IjwJk_3yQjin715DSPzUe8NWEaMoA_WGD-EyLu05L1sOOL7m_65cR1C4WDd_3rrFbJQ0wgM6AJu02oS6XBLYCXNP518G-6dEp6g/s4032/IMG_3325.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6f-744BMsFSuNFPFxYL3Ve-63rBQiWprq5vObvH4uQ0FcE_9077ziGEtKspcU5Nf84cUbo41VNc-Dn0IG8GHAhuEG1IjwJk_3yQjin715DSPzUe8NWEaMoA_WGD-EyLu05L1sOOL7m_65cR1C4WDd_3rrFbJQ0wgM6AJu02oS6XBLYCXNP518G-6dEp6g/w480-h640/IMG_3325.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">All too soon the week was over and it was time to head home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I never like that part and neither does Jaxson :(</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good memories will tide us over until the next visit.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">🌞🌞🌞<br /><br /></span></div>Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-90195231637668738632024-03-13T14:48:00.000-04:002024-03-13T14:48:33.561-04:00Decorating for Easter and a Quick and Delicious Cake Recipe<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgVc9z1yVE6QAhvJrZvtCcwyDzXuRi2PWZxRpSioU63uMqXfFNphdiYjR9JbvFQzGnXX20fodC6sVRFKQO10IFo0fjiy-5d03KJUMepAbtVhT8jDhRwFaFS9OlOBi1Yeje3tj27FONXTDwNc-Ry2axC29C6oBb1F8KYFNLFezYmxqnERbolAkKPwZRBvI/s4032/IMG_3232.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgVc9z1yVE6QAhvJrZvtCcwyDzXuRi2PWZxRpSioU63uMqXfFNphdiYjR9JbvFQzGnXX20fodC6sVRFKQO10IFo0fjiy-5d03KJUMepAbtVhT8jDhRwFaFS9OlOBi1Yeje3tj27FONXTDwNc-Ry2axC29C6oBb1F8KYFNLFezYmxqnERbolAkKPwZRBvI/w640-h480/IMG_3232.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last week I was inspired to pull out the bunnies, colored eggs, chicks and tulips to set the stage for Spring's arrival (one week from today) and Easter at the very end of the month.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpWiySDVdVkZQhVHzeZcu8yUpn5sK6f9gya9FI7k4eD7IXkOWzI-pzmnVgd-O4eQAJMhZVdZ9m3hah1egnElRs6R_H4PNfvZq03ErWp1TqBLHnkR4y_wkS2gZEWgBMv8p0dW89HZSvM07aSrSe-2CmhCL9QKUxjdDwWxL5oS_nFrWdmjST4D-o073qScM/s4032/IMG_3245.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpWiySDVdVkZQhVHzeZcu8yUpn5sK6f9gya9FI7k4eD7IXkOWzI-pzmnVgd-O4eQAJMhZVdZ9m3hah1egnElRs6R_H4PNfvZq03ErWp1TqBLHnkR4y_wkS2gZEWgBMv8p0dW89HZSvM07aSrSe-2CmhCL9QKUxjdDwWxL5oS_nFrWdmjST4D-o073qScM/w480-h640/IMG_3245.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The cotton branches adorning the top of the hutch were a gift from a friend. I once mentioned to her how amazed I was the first time I spotted cotton growing in a field along the country road I was driving on. Not something one sees in my home state of Michigan. The next time I saw her she presented me with a huge bundle of cotton from her brother's farm. At Christmastime I put it up there thinking it looked a bit like snowballs. Now I am letting it morph into cottontails for the Easter season.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_k6SBdY_e_dkunugIj2aIDdBTZYh3_Dq1XhBorQzvrMfngyAPzkE1RQ0kyQ_8aryb5rKFcK_0Pbf6kr7A3sGEigr7zo3iAYw8jB8he9YKUAUmJQzCjY4kMsXEL33ca_StLHXj6fJ-WqBrw3j0k_GwgVNBhNDEVdZ4UjrWSQTfHdOe739-4cTOnnbAsiG/s2145/IMG_3249.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2145" data-original-width="1732" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_k6SBdY_e_dkunugIj2aIDdBTZYh3_Dq1XhBorQzvrMfngyAPzkE1RQ0kyQ_8aryb5rKFcK_0Pbf6kr7A3sGEigr7zo3iAYw8jB8he9YKUAUmJQzCjY4kMsXEL33ca_StLHXj6fJ-WqBrw3j0k_GwgVNBhNDEVdZ4UjrWSQTfHdOe739-4cTOnnbAsiG/w516-h640/IMG_3249.heic" width="516" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">See?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One little cotton ball that broke off has turned this bunny into Peter Cottontail.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtg5K6xaF8bAVwLRelK1wDpw-KSuFGVMfH13OLsvGcYU5nwdhxMxm_AbpNHALwTYbZqCSSI7P4t3zpvkx-f5Lqs7fY_m_TsOXvzKxwjMcoJxOND5VpzTm_OD0f6cYtnsX0lOhbSOJLLvSqnqKpjz9-grlPXPXMOv1DBsyZ4JXqYh7VXrAsT13OXmmFrvb/s2834/IMG_3244.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2581" data-original-width="2834" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtg5K6xaF8bAVwLRelK1wDpw-KSuFGVMfH13OLsvGcYU5nwdhxMxm_AbpNHALwTYbZqCSSI7P4t3zpvkx-f5Lqs7fY_m_TsOXvzKxwjMcoJxOND5VpzTm_OD0f6cYtnsX0lOhbSOJLLvSqnqKpjz9-grlPXPXMOv1DBsyZ4JXqYh7VXrAsT13OXmmFrvb/w640-h582/IMG_3244.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday I had a guest coming for an impromptu dinner.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wondering what I could come up with for a quick dessert, I remembered this recipe for<a href="https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/king-arthurs-original-cake-pan-cake-recipe" target="_blank"> King Arthur's Original Cake P</a></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/king-arthurs-original-cake-pan-cake-recipe" target="_blank">an Cake.</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It goes together super quick with ingredients that I generally have on hand. Perhaps this is one of the reasons that it is one of King Arthur's most requested recipes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjwpfclMxVHf_EZt-cvV5zcRl-INtqRnVzlT3al-2HT_FP67XGK2eA2LCBO7z9o09GFl4WJTXBbIh3JPekZYxNADkM8X8KFhxRhJXXjuQJCHTTM68jrYLe1M5E9Orp9bLdRGMbSJ84-gvIu2kgcFJp31JOva3NnLm38eQdXogWRC4mwUH3u-3QridgwQ0/s4032/IMG_3255.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjwpfclMxVHf_EZt-cvV5zcRl-INtqRnVzlT3al-2HT_FP67XGK2eA2LCBO7z9o09GFl4WJTXBbIh3JPekZYxNADkM8X8KFhxRhJXXjuQJCHTTM68jrYLe1M5E9Orp9bLdRGMbSJ84-gvIu2kgcFJp31JOva3NnLm38eQdXogWRC4mwUH3u-3QridgwQ0/w640-h480/IMG_3255.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Wondering what else I had on hand to fancy it up a bit, I opted for a dollop of whipped cream and a fresh raspberry. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Moist, chocolaty and they'll never know how easy it was.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-54117022581797917312024-03-01T11:02:00.000-05:002024-03-01T11:02:06.608-05:00March Make It's Arrival<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpkWodoGcmLO5kspt0hJA7t6GAlo4ImOc_0MLVKPn6Z2oJRNBmAx6USzCTB8a-ImbhUvLBmoTSlwKvf3D9G1rd8hly3clSuerTHb19YDu3110Xbj4Kb602rhH2Vk_fQSHOeLhZjWQ5gILi9F0_yfI71EJLRITjxziaq5EvYxalS0ktFTQbyXAssTY3EiI/s4032/IMG_3209.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpkWodoGcmLO5kspt0hJA7t6GAlo4ImOc_0MLVKPn6Z2oJRNBmAx6USzCTB8a-ImbhUvLBmoTSlwKvf3D9G1rd8hly3clSuerTHb19YDu3110Xbj4Kb602rhH2Vk_fQSHOeLhZjWQ5gILi9F0_yfI71EJLRITjxziaq5EvYxalS0ktFTQbyXAssTY3EiI/w480-h640/IMG_3209.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">~ Welcome March ~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The rain is falling outside my window on this first day of March.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Along with the raindrops I see an abundance of Northern Cardinals and Mourning Doves combing the ground for seeds that have fallen from the feeders. The daffodils are beginning to bloom. Their brilliant golden hues a bright spot on this otherwise gray day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today March has made it's arrival.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">Hooray!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Spring is right around the corner.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Something new to see each day as the temperatures slowly begin to rise. I love the colors of Spring. So welcome after the drab shades of winter.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This year March also brings Easter. I love the pastel colors of Easter decor, candy and flowers. Soon I will decorate the house for Easter and put away the few lingering snowflake themed decorations that are loosing their luster at this time of year.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">How has March arrived in your corner today?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rain, sunshine, wind, or (heaven forbid) snow? Unless, of course, you love the snow <span style="color: #3d85c6;">;-</span><span style="color: #e06666;">)</span></span></div>Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-6886270979676947972024-02-14T10:10:00.000-05:002024-02-14T10:10:22.442-05:00Happy Valentine's Day, Sweetie Pie<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAu2_CH8NezcemwRAJ6Mn6QlHIGaQpRdiBOFwXAUiDk3K2Abm5eerMOLWtrPK_lhPmWl7jQBIHCb3Y9S9tdTmqB7H24WR54d4LEWQXxUChZNBEDPrOWo1UtxPgpV4dKg_lB2xixItMZG-AhEtzyEdWUcerTcwuulAg0X3e0x7mv-xwvqE4H5U00NcQC-pA/s3203/IMG_3170.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3203" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAu2_CH8NezcemwRAJ6Mn6QlHIGaQpRdiBOFwXAUiDk3K2Abm5eerMOLWtrPK_lhPmWl7jQBIHCb3Y9S9tdTmqB7H24WR54d4LEWQXxUChZNBEDPrOWo1UtxPgpV4dKg_lB2xixItMZG-AhEtzyEdWUcerTcwuulAg0X3e0x7mv-xwvqE4H5U00NcQC-pA/w604-h640/IMG_3170.heic" width="604" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Happy Valentine's Day to You, Sweetie Pie!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sending my vintage Valentine greeting and a virtual slice of cherry pie to you today.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uAp0qLOnZsuJ1b0mljWTIY72PX3fhX06BIp0K3zz900hZjGmo8salUhpk6jl8zdwYgQA5hC1-heAzwLIwFpKo-q-DWa7aGKYZdQohuW8LmVtLhSrJae5qFjhJMa6RGge2x1MlqPC0xFhy787DEU0potAs3AVtwFS5MQJCetvbPS6M6AgwPtUMYOLBBMh/s4032/IMG_3175.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uAp0qLOnZsuJ1b0mljWTIY72PX3fhX06BIp0K3zz900hZjGmo8salUhpk6jl8zdwYgQA5hC1-heAzwLIwFpKo-q-DWa7aGKYZdQohuW8LmVtLhSrJae5qFjhJMa6RGge2x1MlqPC0xFhy787DEU0potAs3AVtwFS5MQJCetvbPS6M6AgwPtUMYOLBBMh/w300-h400/IMG_3175.heic" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Awhile ago I gave my toy stove and other vintage kitchen items a new home. Right inside my pantry. When you open the door there is a little space before the shelving begins. I think it is meant for tall things like brooms. One night when I was having trouble getting to sleep I formulated an idea...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mMjsTllxrUa4hVbFgYA7EiXuJCby-nfU6Y4VsQBAvuMmObHErQuk5vEQSsyBVATgSDYiHu8A61hxVg5ptp30iifKWTXmEydqkJL8hSqfEYmTIqVRE6_jXsAxekrDlpR7cCGXZqmiHq7ro0SY_tbJZv7hGmWbyAVhxsJbj7K7Khi2TrDHmBUa6uRBSlbb/s4032/IMG_8609.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-mMjsTllxrUa4hVbFgYA7EiXuJCby-nfU6Y4VsQBAvuMmObHErQuk5vEQSsyBVATgSDYiHu8A61hxVg5ptp30iifKWTXmEydqkJL8hSqfEYmTIqVRE6_jXsAxekrDlpR7cCGXZqmiHq7ro0SY_tbJZv7hGmWbyAVhxsJbj7K7Khi2TrDHmBUa6uRBSlbb/w480-h640/IMG_8609.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The next morning I got up and gave the broom a new home in the garage. I emptied out a tall, narrow bookcase I had. It fit into that space perfectly with room to still access the light switch.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now when I turn on the light my treasured vintage collection greets me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFVrDTPdh4UR5Lv9snoCeSLOcBn3TJpnnfW45MJtXga_ErSWzA0wYDoD_NnQ0Ga1Q-iGFg4QWqVV26iSOOu7QqB611yGy9Ri0arlxO3O1TZ8y9wHpE2MAI-zKB7CL0Hsoo6yFXIrLU2RfCXy1HAuMcGOhyphenhyphenU7OH7aCpPkswBDE6mx2VxtG1fLCAKmVFfL1/s4032/IMG_3173.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFVrDTPdh4UR5Lv9snoCeSLOcBn3TJpnnfW45MJtXga_ErSWzA0wYDoD_NnQ0Ga1Q-iGFg4QWqVV26iSOOu7QqB611yGy9Ri0arlxO3O1TZ8y9wHpE2MAI-zKB7CL0Hsoo6yFXIrLU2RfCXy1HAuMcGOhyphenhyphenU7OH7aCpPkswBDE6mx2VxtG1fLCAKmVFfL1/w480-h640/IMG_3173.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">When I moved to this house, this collection didn't look quite right in my more modern kitchen. Now I can still see and enjoy it in my secret hiding spot. The stove still makes it's way to the counter at Christmastime. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hFn0nSWSOIBRffAZSlzjB_AOaA_WZPOEJn0OJVJHFxTesp2BxOLhycjkxGSRx5Opqs-z-EMvPI-CZ6U7YAl0MKavSMhcEIyf2UUwrlL6Lnnh2gPP04856sTxxWy5JOyDiWSbQbzlfAkkNf7n75KbqmUA48FqAnPlTfEymtcuNkPeapcS7cAhtxSt2iUO/s3723/IMG_8514.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3723" data-original-width="2889" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hFn0nSWSOIBRffAZSlzjB_AOaA_WZPOEJn0OJVJHFxTesp2BxOLhycjkxGSRx5Opqs-z-EMvPI-CZ6U7YAl0MKavSMhcEIyf2UUwrlL6Lnnh2gPP04856sTxxWy5JOyDiWSbQbzlfAkkNf7n75KbqmUA48FqAnPlTfEymtcuNkPeapcS7cAhtxSt2iUO/w496-h640/IMG_8514.heic" width="496" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Another night when sleep was slow to come I formulated a new home for my cookbooks. Until that point they were housed in various cupboards where the weight on some of the shelves was concerning. What can I say, I love to browse through cookbooks. Sometimes I even use them for their intended purpose. Ha!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tonight, for example, I will be cooking and baking a special dinner for my Valentine.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">Wishing you a day filled with love and a special treat or two.</span></div>Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-23463080333052441202024-02-12T14:51:00.002-05:002024-02-12T14:54:26.625-05:00Outside on These Mild Winter Days<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoVxw4bRaTzZbHlYcUtG4RZauiV_-4JY4wksUa7ucReyjDqlfKJMKZkYTsQ0sok5cbZjbyXckod0aj7BRTmjCFY7iOF7wyJ6epCA5RXjK1M_pvHl4g3y3zcA9WrRlroMi0GnbeVqiYwwIbaNRTXggDSCd8zj_JPOg_sXdXiYwlCu4gcED1CIJVemtNBrE/s4032/IMG_3043.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoVxw4bRaTzZbHlYcUtG4RZauiV_-4JY4wksUa7ucReyjDqlfKJMKZkYTsQ0sok5cbZjbyXckod0aj7BRTmjCFY7iOF7wyJ6epCA5RXjK1M_pvHl4g3y3zcA9WrRlroMi0GnbeVqiYwwIbaNRTXggDSCd8zj_JPOg_sXdXiYwlCu4gcED1CIJVemtNBrE/w640-h480/IMG_3043.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The snowdrops that I planted a few years ago aren't multiplying like I had hoped. Still, they are a happy little sight to stumble upon in the garden at this time of year.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHCmqt1Ev2cV4tjimUpiIg-DYU1_H7NTm-zxIAzX-3pXyvLpLNSpnrxiFw5JVB2IxRRs652K1bDUyBiNJrdS5bWIpI6F8B2Rghr3KHeEH2X_tl4Z8JblHgdOrn7WUryMATuTXlQzqPMiGpPbL1lMvEfjyZJ2IsYE0aUsGCIwJCWUWq7OL2X4n9d7wI6E3/s1976/IMG_3100.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1623" data-original-width="1976" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHCmqt1Ev2cV4tjimUpiIg-DYU1_H7NTm-zxIAzX-3pXyvLpLNSpnrxiFw5JVB2IxRRs652K1bDUyBiNJrdS5bWIpI6F8B2Rghr3KHeEH2X_tl4Z8JblHgdOrn7WUryMATuTXlQzqPMiGpPbL1lMvEfjyZJ2IsYE0aUsGCIwJCWUWq7OL2X4n9d7wI6E3/w640-h526/IMG_3100.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">On one of our recent mild days I spent some time on the patio.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A nice variety of birds kept me company.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A few different woodpeckers enjoyed the full feeder and the suet that Brett had recently put out.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2yKGWUfwu9vh_w1wj-RCKqq3F7taj8ImgDbiekqAiB4z7uv4vJtJIy-c9sIxQKe5pVpqrQtoDBb5vV0LIqi4aKylNDP16k8VZhfsxAxa7A2D5GTIgpYa3CZNnJaZzglHCasvs7pvTSQWGvSdEkBzAJnLgPNOgrLIGSD-J_f-kB46cYcwH02NVIGaSN27/s4032/IMG_3113.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2yKGWUfwu9vh_w1wj-RCKqq3F7taj8ImgDbiekqAiB4z7uv4vJtJIy-c9sIxQKe5pVpqrQtoDBb5vV0LIqi4aKylNDP16k8VZhfsxAxa7A2D5GTIgpYa3CZNnJaZzglHCasvs7pvTSQWGvSdEkBzAJnLgPNOgrLIGSD-J_f-kB46cYcwH02NVIGaSN27/w480-h640/IMG_3113.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The tree outside my office window has been visited often by the Eastern Bluebirds. They looked especially lovely with the brilliant blue sky background.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zVd5j5a0I9lD1hkog5fjBglR1mjqoG0pZq4kCHnviCse1lZonP8LOV_mpH2yH6aJvdzhR44ww4GU1uxXiA-V3iOIsZD7khaeJwsI6c-ivPFIaHxOw1Eydn9Inn5GmZht6m74NYgoevM_reeLnChNBDrmNQIUN7RdLgFQmtfPM2OAH_lxaV3mbl5Zfr2B/s4032/IMG_3156.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zVd5j5a0I9lD1hkog5fjBglR1mjqoG0pZq4kCHnviCse1lZonP8LOV_mpH2yH6aJvdzhR44ww4GU1uxXiA-V3iOIsZD7khaeJwsI6c-ivPFIaHxOw1Eydn9Inn5GmZht6m74NYgoevM_reeLnChNBDrmNQIUN7RdLgFQmtfPM2OAH_lxaV3mbl5Zfr2B/w480-h640/IMG_3156.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Over the weekend I was at my son's house. While the guys were busy assembling something in the house I decided to take advantage of our 70 degree day and go for a walk around his neighborhood. The first thing I noticed were daffodils in bloom at many houses.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">At my house they are well out of the ground, but not close to blooming yet.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I got back to my son's house I took a stroll around his yard to see if there were any spring bulbs sprouting. The previous owner liked to garden. In a patch of iris (I think) I noticed something sticking up.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UpjnN-xqxiOCtmfMIHJChMqB-WZJejpbU5ltd0MrLFJDCbH_scSE5OjGluqLGqru6RiDWE7F0LHG-g42uiCfNt1yIsYJijhf5mNrMGEKRlvx3FnVfCk2yob9ZHsveVvU_nBAFh7nWOSJY8oTaQfBE3DrSZgWWnnTJ5K1RW5Hy2og2rAojABNfxQI95Aq/s4032/IMG_3158.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UpjnN-xqxiOCtmfMIHJChMqB-WZJejpbU5ltd0MrLFJDCbH_scSE5OjGluqLGqru6RiDWE7F0LHG-g42uiCfNt1yIsYJijhf5mNrMGEKRlvx3FnVfCk2yob9ZHsveVvU_nBAFh7nWOSJY8oTaQfBE3DrSZgWWnnTJ5K1RW5Hy2og2rAojABNfxQI95Aq/w480-h640/IMG_3158.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">When I pulled it out, a ceramic goose greeted me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After brushing off the decaying leaves, I gave him a new home near the daffodils. I think he will be happy once those pretty yellow flowers start popping out. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZy6wxyf7gSs8H9wQNfHAtBeJ4rdXQoKApt0Gnn-GYHbF0-uzIYsJbcYEo7mkJX1h4Nmh5EDMGgVcgNlw1VKZC7iPSoCTp4Lmb0khe2JjHQQZnaGJQrA5Ar2e140XM8ha_A7r0hVDb2PMd2OAI7it2zM2MVzkAFH91jguEUMvMhsOfXMd5qGzVuQfyS5Ep/s4032/IMG_3161.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZy6wxyf7gSs8H9wQNfHAtBeJ4rdXQoKApt0Gnn-GYHbF0-uzIYsJbcYEo7mkJX1h4Nmh5EDMGgVcgNlw1VKZC7iPSoCTp4Lmb0khe2JjHQQZnaGJQrA5Ar2e140XM8ha_A7r0hVDb2PMd2OAI7it2zM2MVzkAFH91jguEUMvMhsOfXMd5qGzVuQfyS5Ep/w640-h480/IMG_3161.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Around the corner from the daffodils and iris I discovered a few well marked hyacinths awakening from their winter slumber.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think the former gardener's grandchildren enjoyed painting rocks. I've found them here and there throughout the garden.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrD5bM-2uQlzyG8vfavNmaQXlVXSMoEZS9_oAP-mb-3kb9ZTsmZbR2pWleQbBFHdOoBktmy8XqohM-Jlm4LjELEH2HRRUSBVVy0MxWI5dWx2tUXn1VeDYsdvD2E1yuLgxEs4wf3fLftUJPr1s7dKXFSMAvW2mv88L1vhIdjYdgotbonphN2u9dh8LHjVZ/s4032/IMG_3122.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrD5bM-2uQlzyG8vfavNmaQXlVXSMoEZS9_oAP-mb-3kb9ZTsmZbR2pWleQbBFHdOoBktmy8XqohM-Jlm4LjELEH2HRRUSBVVy0MxWI5dWx2tUXn1VeDYsdvD2E1yuLgxEs4wf3fLftUJPr1s7dKXFSMAvW2mv88L1vhIdjYdgotbonphN2u9dh8LHjVZ/w480-h640/IMG_3122.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Back home, the window feeder has been another popular spot with the birds. This sweet little house finch was patient enough to pose for a picture. A very fitting visitor for this <span style="color: red;">Valentine</span> week.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">💝</span></div>Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-51199943182881073112024-01-27T16:18:00.002-05:002024-01-27T16:18:53.274-05:00January Garden Club Meeting<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojf1O7lH-HLDLa9VqQlepZoPBp7vMXLzCeV_fRCKJMci3hvdRBfqpN5vr1ZkKA_kAgF_z4yrZKoOZTYKcaYWakpf5iCMkDDGhEYZPHAcWjYnNeap6L2Ce-UJs_OkmIOFhien4vlNss6YWQejOT1WERzClwNNfPPGwR81weefE3lFZCpEfX3eiwHDSLNKQ/s3627/IMG_2985.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2041" data-original-width="3627" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojf1O7lH-HLDLa9VqQlepZoPBp7vMXLzCeV_fRCKJMci3hvdRBfqpN5vr1ZkKA_kAgF_z4yrZKoOZTYKcaYWakpf5iCMkDDGhEYZPHAcWjYnNeap6L2Ce-UJs_OkmIOFhien4vlNss6YWQejOT1WERzClwNNfPPGwR81weefE3lFZCpEfX3eiwHDSLNKQ/w640-h360/IMG_2985.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our neighborhood garden club had the first meeting of the year this week. A master gardener and the local extension agent gave a very thorough presentation on gardening in our area of North Carolina along with timely tasks like the above.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6nZe1ABKsFBoKkAVmHq0EmN9hIe_-yKfXImQkxiFm8VIAbY3fCnYaaa1eD-P5UXvINWnmDD4Wxf5fONi0qGyRhz9JRRKBjsluxaALKyyIiieZsDTzObPl8GbE0Pr7mq2c-GkCdfzCZKRUyPCVCgz45z8JdURLMeoGcK7PxjpFssmJgOZsjBaNnTm-5Db/s4032/IMG_2990.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6nZe1ABKsFBoKkAVmHq0EmN9hIe_-yKfXImQkxiFm8VIAbY3fCnYaaa1eD-P5UXvINWnmDD4Wxf5fONi0qGyRhz9JRRKBjsluxaALKyyIiieZsDTzObPl8GbE0Pr7mq2c-GkCdfzCZKRUyPCVCgz45z8JdURLMeoGcK7PxjpFssmJgOZsjBaNnTm-5Db/w480-h640/IMG_2990.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">They brought lots of seed catalogues and garden related books for us to peruse. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3I8fhdMrZaG-WpF9p9L40Ly-vyEF21dPCWXT8OovtWnf3SnFRFL4OItTO0_l4tKlj4gKx7BCNXgCSFe79SdVnkqvyESYU6SNCh2G9fCZ4qvf7LNDnIejCErXgyuDTeaS1duUFlo8vrMt5GbnyXiJ-HSXyDY0jPe9jlj95hacX5JuWSN2JEBEad4td_4W/s3024/IMG_2991.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2609" data-original-width="3024" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3I8fhdMrZaG-WpF9p9L40Ly-vyEF21dPCWXT8OovtWnf3SnFRFL4OItTO0_l4tKlj4gKx7BCNXgCSFe79SdVnkqvyESYU6SNCh2G9fCZ4qvf7LNDnIejCErXgyuDTeaS1duUFlo8vrMt5GbnyXiJ-HSXyDY0jPe9jlj95hacX5JuWSN2JEBEad4td_4W/w640-h552/IMG_2991.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">This Green Prints magazine is new to me. Are you familiar with it?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It looks like it would be appealing to anyone interested in gardening.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Particularly at this time of year when we are doing more dreaming and planning than actual gardening.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7ZvozqmEQSi_Eo4hjfX6ewp51V_jlk0-wDM4mk2NepG9ovdhLrovkab23RtG4Muc0IaLGUflCYjLo6YllsSchAuAvZ5Zet1BZS9bgOEfDHlCLtd0fhdOh-puN0WtIyEnOLBf_BTYEFToNOuxvIRuc4COWiftIF3ooph_Gq4R6fWh_tUOOQCOSDEzea3U/s4032/IMG_2537.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7ZvozqmEQSi_Eo4hjfX6ewp51V_jlk0-wDM4mk2NepG9ovdhLrovkab23RtG4Muc0IaLGUflCYjLo6YllsSchAuAvZ5Zet1BZS9bgOEfDHlCLtd0fhdOh-puN0WtIyEnOLBf_BTYEFToNOuxvIRuc4COWiftIF3ooph_Gq4R6fWh_tUOOQCOSDEzea3U/w640-h480/IMG_2537.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Our garden club established and maintains a Monarch Waystation.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Volunteers (like me) take turns tending to it throughout the season.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is how it was looking last September when I was on duty.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMhVuR5n-kTypelUiEdRWxJoo0J-NuRSupkDmJeXisJBs_E-rDpoXIRG3uvzE4TL6msGV1vCvf04hxeHSl5Snci4qriy7CY7C6ROJDT_DV9DRnifzVlQuTRVp3JhDvwhdn6f3M5wQUZcjlojP9W3NBoDFHWBYQ6YFkZzlYBouTIXHMov6Ny0vCx1sVlx1/s4032/IMG_2993.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMhVuR5n-kTypelUiEdRWxJoo0J-NuRSupkDmJeXisJBs_E-rDpoXIRG3uvzE4TL6msGV1vCvf04hxeHSl5Snci4qriy7CY7C6ROJDT_DV9DRnifzVlQuTRVp3JhDvwhdn6f3M5wQUZcjlojP9W3NBoDFHWBYQ6YFkZzlYBouTIXHMov6Ny0vCx1sVlx1/w480-h640/IMG_2993.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Houseplants were being raffled at the meeting.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My number was called and I chose this Christmas cactus.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a generous sized clipping with a few buds on it. I am thinking they are going to be white. The clipping was wrapped in paper with a bit of soil attached. On the way home from the meeting I stopped at the garden center for potting soil and a new pot to put it in.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Came home, potted it and gave it a drink of water to settle the soil.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I noticed it didn't have any roots and decided to check online for instructions for potting a clipping like this. It seems the preferred method is to put it right into soil and not water it for a week or until the roots develop. Hmmm... hope I didn't cause a problem by adding water when I did. Luckily it wasn't a lot of water. I guess you can tell when the roots are forming by giving the plant a little tug. If it seems firmly planted, there should be roots growing. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Time will tell how successful this little project will be.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So far it's looking just fine.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever propagated a holiday cactus? If so, what was your experience like. Enquiring minds would like to know <span style="color: #3d85c6;">:</span><span style="color: #e06666;">D</span>.</span></div>Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-28148334839205934862024-01-15T14:32:00.000-05:002024-01-15T14:32:55.984-05:00A Reading Challenge for the New Year<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkufUNsMAlYDnt2Zdcp38XWFyfWrif4RBSIwpRwCm5D5gU48Vy2mIYVWFWh1gScuzX1sppKhpFE7m3xZexXHcaqVcnVEvCDlMpg4HpFhxJDsdUTmKEM9YcSw-ZaY-wp5rMDjCr8vUnv4-j68UwgQuDsFueW4UMjtKetVP5ZJdXVipNPBEHewupkLFzGIn/s3142/IMG_2973.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2534" data-original-width="3142" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkufUNsMAlYDnt2Zdcp38XWFyfWrif4RBSIwpRwCm5D5gU48Vy2mIYVWFWh1gScuzX1sppKhpFE7m3xZexXHcaqVcnVEvCDlMpg4HpFhxJDsdUTmKEM9YcSw-ZaY-wp5rMDjCr8vUnv4-j68UwgQuDsFueW4UMjtKetVP5ZJdXVipNPBEHewupkLFzGIn/w640-h516/IMG_2973.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Snow is not in the forecast here, but very cold temperatures are. It will be going into the teens a few nights this week so I have a pile of drop cloths all ready to cover up my potted plants and star jasmine when the time comes. Last year I came close to losing the jasmine and my potted gardenia to extreme cold weather. I am hoping that covering them through the worst of it will allow them to survive the winter.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">How are you all faring in this harsh winter weather?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">I must say I have been enjoying the snowy photos so many of you have shared. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtq5d7QfNCQbE-Veguop7vTUWtKgpjatyNdlKYA0t8whll6RMV2R0scHIPt7VATamp4k7QUcrqHU52zewjye4ya7yqbhy2TAKzGpc3JJQK9rglBvVRwnC0Pg_VLJq-5F3x_JQcZchfEB7ondLhEDjFnXKv9xAQtkeXAoDSy8RVi_O3VyZFSA597BQpNL8X/s4032/IMG_2964.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtq5d7QfNCQbE-Veguop7vTUWtKgpjatyNdlKYA0t8whll6RMV2R0scHIPt7VATamp4k7QUcrqHU52zewjye4ya7yqbhy2TAKzGpc3JJQK9rglBvVRwnC0Pg_VLJq-5F3x_JQcZchfEB7ondLhEDjFnXKv9xAQtkeXAoDSy8RVi_O3VyZFSA597BQpNL8X/w480-h640/IMG_2964.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">While filling the bird feeder this morning, I noticed a few pansies in bloom. The landscape is predictably barren now so the pops of color attracted my attention.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TZwu7Cu67_unkySbsdUihjuNWRx2M67tBpAh1cMklKJ0XANTk2KaEFr2TqgMVlerYjEFWWB8Um6W9NyPwEepzpSS8GO6WjvGFSc9JbGEIV3doxzUlh3tdU_VoVj7gYY6f9_JzPAKchHk5N2md5J7fHVw7h0_n0SmXg3_EC64-9qC4FAypxi6XztC3l7u/s4032/IMG_2968.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-TZwu7Cu67_unkySbsdUihjuNWRx2M67tBpAh1cMklKJ0XANTk2KaEFr2TqgMVlerYjEFWWB8Um6W9NyPwEepzpSS8GO6WjvGFSc9JbGEIV3doxzUlh3tdU_VoVj7gYY6f9_JzPAKchHk5N2md5J7fHVw7h0_n0SmXg3_EC64-9qC4FAypxi6XztC3l7u/w480-h640/IMG_2968.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">I snipped a wee bouquet for the windowsill of my home office.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">A pretty reminder that spring will be our next season.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTClevaMfvhosfOWdVZ6nVNVqfDhNJHRVH7JliXXLx95ebQyEiWzkWxt-5w5rZRHq8SfvlyxaXnri5uvoecLF7coqEnbTFx-P0go76Ps-NEZyCRxnq0Tiv2JmkvS5mqY1-YC-kVnd5hbCUARipLPnuv_6DDt2PkJB1yQu_eBJTphKlGa3pbckimWgMkouu/s4032/IMG_2979.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTClevaMfvhosfOWdVZ6nVNVqfDhNJHRVH7JliXXLx95ebQyEiWzkWxt-5w5rZRHq8SfvlyxaXnri5uvoecLF7coqEnbTFx-P0go76Ps-NEZyCRxnq0Tiv2JmkvS5mqY1-YC-kVnd5hbCUARipLPnuv_6DDt2PkJB1yQu_eBJTphKlGa3pbckimWgMkouu/w480-h640/IMG_2979.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">I've been in the reading mood since the new year began.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">I just finished these three. The Susan Wittig Albert series is one I have been making my way through for years. I now have one left and have just ordered it. Can't wait for it to arrive.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFrhOuQuihZxVvQAGL32EjKyDVuAgYuKuGfL4P60KGJ7LvTYYSLBVImDf8tUYsYytcjyDYL5SR6R58YdOA1GJO8Xk2PWTDJbev47esijCW0uhoNraSn8Iqn48m2g4WmfYvEZ3LUjPd3QOY9OwqHB7vmBCDJrbQO-HrL647vxGierDhD67LWJgMWKen0Ei/s4032/IMG_2977.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFrhOuQuihZxVvQAGL32EjKyDVuAgYuKuGfL4P60KGJ7LvTYYSLBVImDf8tUYsYytcjyDYL5SR6R58YdOA1GJO8Xk2PWTDJbev47esijCW0uhoNraSn8Iqn48m2g4WmfYvEZ3LUjPd3QOY9OwqHB7vmBCDJrbQO-HrL647vxGierDhD67LWJgMWKen0Ei/w640-h480/IMG_2977.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">These were read years ago. I have them displayed in my bookcase for their winter theme (and colors). I'm thinking I might read that center book again while I'm waiting for my book order to arrive. The author, Maeve Binchy, is sadly no longer with us. I believe I have read all of her books. I don't re-read many books as there are so many that interest me and only so much time. However, her books about small town life in Ireland are just the sort that I am apt to read more than once.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Once I finish a book I enter it into Good Reads to keep track of what I have read and what I want to read in the future. I noticed they have a reading challenge for the year and decided to take them up on it. I have no idea how many books I might read in a year so I came up with what I thought would be reasonable yet still challenging.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">I settled on 40 books. It will be interesting to see if that is even close to realistic. If I keep up at the pace I've been reading, I think I would far surpass it. As I know there are other times of year when other things get in the way of reading, I tried to take that into consideration.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Time will tell.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">❄❅❆</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Stay Warm ~ Stay Safe</span></div>Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-76031277307344784632024-01-02T15:07:00.000-05:002024-01-02T15:07:17.650-05:00Settling In To A New Year<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29QFX8aGZQHGCfD2gB_ztjnMPPQJgjY6xNaEktaLVbAKL3OPlmMYf1kua4X-mVBG1LsztSz-b2r6xtpP1Ojb7gZJnOAyNXIxLjzB82j-auaKAR00lUB1EuPx899IGmjUBqfWhKdg0now8tHtkdm2bJZHV-8RB0Wd3VwxxdTPeCGYzm1N9_0EYttUzKZxK/s4032/IMG_2879%202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29QFX8aGZQHGCfD2gB_ztjnMPPQJgjY6xNaEktaLVbAKL3OPlmMYf1kua4X-mVBG1LsztSz-b2r6xtpP1Ojb7gZJnOAyNXIxLjzB82j-auaKAR00lUB1EuPx899IGmjUBqfWhKdg0now8tHtkdm2bJZHV-8RB0Wd3VwxxdTPeCGYzm1N9_0EYttUzKZxK/w480-h640/IMG_2879%202.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The scene on my calendar looks nothing like the scene outside my window. Here the sun is shining and the temperature is 50 F. No chance of snow anytime soon. I always hope for at least one snowy day per winter. Last year we had none. It remains to be seen what will happen in the new year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiav4QN-kj35W_lAv-t8mLCDdM7LrEnu6hdn0OGn_e4KBU8tHHVGVjPQTC7_fNOTr3feJDpJq8K00uitkUux23WsZbsMry3tu3TPW_1P04SP-xf_S30UoEBqwBiHd_At9NNi2TipLwlN_IbRkgixdVqdOSWWSJOCKh0DqENUOF_waEdUiojx0DfIEviSiJf/s4032/IMG_2882.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiav4QN-kj35W_lAv-t8mLCDdM7LrEnu6hdn0OGn_e4KBU8tHHVGVjPQTC7_fNOTr3feJDpJq8K00uitkUux23WsZbsMry3tu3TPW_1P04SP-xf_S30UoEBqwBiHd_At9NNi2TipLwlN_IbRkgixdVqdOSWWSJOCKh0DqENUOF_waEdUiojx0DfIEviSiJf/w640-h480/IMG_2882.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">For the first time ever I had all of my Christmas decorations taken down and put away on New Year's Eve. Usually it happens in early January. For some reason this year I was ready to move on and have a fresh start on the first day of the new year. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now the house is clean and in order once again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I left a few snowy touches in the hutch just in case the snow decides to fly.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWp709s4QSDHbXxRJWMQc1-KRW8JZuaJJRo52_8SHeDXWWvLSYJYMgkkzKcmh5jOF6bUtgAUOv5lDZMGq0xX4wIasCEbhyphenhyphenktSl0V7f2NMFPku7J3gNFIayQDLqNfnM450uVhXHreyk2v-3oWV5_tuxNSVYE87t3ZsyjhKTrpAtQxEYbGQG-jJFSzW9EcC/s4032/IMG_2884.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWp709s4QSDHbXxRJWMQc1-KRW8JZuaJJRo52_8SHeDXWWvLSYJYMgkkzKcmh5jOF6bUtgAUOv5lDZMGq0xX4wIasCEbhyphenhyphenktSl0V7f2NMFPku7J3gNFIayQDLqNfnM450uVhXHreyk2v-3oWV5_tuxNSVYE87t3ZsyjhKTrpAtQxEYbGQG-jJFSzW9EcC/w480-h640/IMG_2884.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not one to make resolutions or select a word for the year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Instead I tend to reflect over the year past and pull together my best plan for improving the areas that could benefit from some improvement. After the excesses of the holidays, eating less and healthier always factors into my plan. Moving more is addressed (over 10,000 steps yesterday and all 3 rings on the iWatch closed). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps my biggest area to work on this year will be to step aside from certain situations that I know are beyond my control. I am reminded of Doris Day singing "Que Sera Sera" (whatever will be, will be. The future's not ours to see). It really is so true. I need to do better at remembering this.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With each of the areas I plan to work on, I hope to work towards them daily knowing that some days will be better than others. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">How about you? Are you a word for the year or resolution maker?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't think it matters how it's done, but perhaps the important thing is to use the new year as an opportunity to take note of what is working well in one's life and what could use a bit of improvement.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">May your 2024 be a year of good health and happiness!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-28145755923262419252023-12-20T15:36:00.000-05:002023-12-20T15:36:13.324-05:00Christmas Blooms and A Cookie Recipe<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uKbDUFDHTgl8f1SqCp298knatIop1QosU6Bh05Agn3Z6r_Ruzl85V6ihmKtq6rXUz2AjcegHeJBNW4mRLFzeSNO1EvXol_pyMrvZiqpuszQYSGz_wxFJ9zCrgvDdQIc9HldsK3D2bYdKpbaL3pktSxsS6IDSCN_qP6sSSHenrslT7QKkJI5v3fva1ttO/s4032/IMG_2830.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uKbDUFDHTgl8f1SqCp298knatIop1QosU6Bh05Agn3Z6r_Ruzl85V6ihmKtq6rXUz2AjcegHeJBNW4mRLFzeSNO1EvXol_pyMrvZiqpuszQYSGz_wxFJ9zCrgvDdQIc9HldsK3D2bYdKpbaL3pktSxsS6IDSCN_qP6sSSHenrslT7QKkJI5v3fva1ttO/w480-h640/IMG_2830.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My amaryllis bulb rewarded me with five beautiful blooms on one stem. The tiny leaves near the base have another bud forming so I am keeping my fingers crossed for another bloom or maybe five. So different than the bulb I planted last year which sent up several leaves that grew and grew, but never did send up a bloom.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCW2RnPsoslxedr5sXQjEF5WDXo7JNe63hp_5-jMK6G5rzxJIbkCj00u_mXNK4ywv-mFCD5Lx8ADG-oNeGcocnJIJ0Wpb6zehCScatY-jOA1HCcphyMAfQ99FsYzomcHNlMv6UHK7IDXUti4qENqPF4WmDVQS0ocOfj9sy8CP_vY-hsE69pcDAuLFjecXC/s4032/IMG_2845.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCW2RnPsoslxedr5sXQjEF5WDXo7JNe63hp_5-jMK6G5rzxJIbkCj00u_mXNK4ywv-mFCD5Lx8ADG-oNeGcocnJIJ0Wpb6zehCScatY-jOA1HCcphyMAfQ99FsYzomcHNlMv6UHK7IDXUti4qENqPF4WmDVQS0ocOfj9sy8CP_vY-hsE69pcDAuLFjecXC/w480-h640/IMG_2845.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">A pretty poinsettia on the kitchen island.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With all the time spent working in the kitchen at this time of year, it makes the tasks a bit more pleasant. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In my last post I mentioned a new-to-me cookie recipe I had made. Lorrie asked if I would share the recipe and I am happy to do so. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgjnQTsd_f49qvOYBAo0XgEbZGfPBtNLSO6LDIPE5uo1LCoOzqS9I5E2ge_XqX9ueNuyig8mM2_Zo28Qo_AR1fVIaBVtx05INvYdi4jT5DaUEx-et_HWdjCSVia3gofTgugZErkesmY06RqjeNjKG0WiH7UjM43cjreWEJBwQtDkIpH_vlyekjH-1ZG6J/s3600/IMG_2847.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="2372" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgjnQTsd_f49qvOYBAo0XgEbZGfPBtNLSO6LDIPE5uo1LCoOzqS9I5E2ge_XqX9ueNuyig8mM2_Zo28Qo_AR1fVIaBVtx05INvYdi4jT5DaUEx-et_HWdjCSVia3gofTgugZErkesmY06RqjeNjKG0WiH7UjM43cjreWEJBwQtDkIpH_vlyekjH-1ZG6J/w422-h640/IMG_2847.heic" width="422" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">recipe from Gooseberry Patch Holidays at Home cookbook</span></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A note on the recipe: If you don't care for rum extract, these are also good with maple extract as a substitution.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">🎄🎄🎄</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I rather doubt that I will be posting again before Christmas, so I'd like to wish you all a very <span style="color: #38761d;">Merry Christmas </span>and a most joyous holiday season.</span></div>Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-37356834199724592332023-12-10T12:47:00.001-05:002023-12-10T12:47:10.157-05:00A Few Thoughts at Christmastime<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ilc9ddDebI6YlaT6VZyV2QXJR8Kfs1ht3CA3-o1ycafPKkaKqzmYEp76YgNupZflgoOHrnV86BfYUq2Kp_LqCiNOYnxDZKlTBs8l61kgE_cEPlyshqfXhNkSF67WoRhx2LMmb6Bc2b1UBqmdMMv_pzPfwzqg_UsfqwtKSR8eY2bOw7KRqewvYT3Fmbcl/s4032/IMG_2762.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ilc9ddDebI6YlaT6VZyV2QXJR8Kfs1ht3CA3-o1ycafPKkaKqzmYEp76YgNupZflgoOHrnV86BfYUq2Kp_LqCiNOYnxDZKlTBs8l61kgE_cEPlyshqfXhNkSF67WoRhx2LMmb6Bc2b1UBqmdMMv_pzPfwzqg_UsfqwtKSR8eY2bOw7KRqewvYT3Fmbcl/w480-h640/IMG_2762.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After Christmas last year I took advantage of the 50% off sales and picked up a Christmas tree for my living room. Perhaps I should call it my reading room because that is what mostly takes place here.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When trying to decide how I wanted to decorate it, I settled on using the very old ornaments that belonged to my parents. Many of them are Shiny Brites and all of them are very delicate. Worrying about them getting broken almost stopped me. But, when I thought about how long I have had them I decided it was best to put every last one of them on that tree and enjoy it to the fullest. Which is exactly what I have been doing. Each morning and most evenings I make myself comfortable in my reading chair and this is my view. Such a pretty and peaceful way to start and end the day in this busy time leading up to Christmas.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FslEA6wUuvH8gn5XXBUbZHejpHSWzYi7zt2cABvEsxoTZee6KA5C0MuyAhpFqD84CmpzArgUGFVnROwcGw6p6rmZ89IS5gHGoKoX4rOoccrP7C81bsmYfkW7kR-5_l5neaRG1XG_SCgCrz6VacvEbYKPYpezSNRF6YJNZj1gj8HjA1UozQfCjKvY-dVH/s4032/IMG_2718.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FslEA6wUuvH8gn5XXBUbZHejpHSWzYi7zt2cABvEsxoTZee6KA5C0MuyAhpFqD84CmpzArgUGFVnROwcGw6p6rmZ89IS5gHGoKoX4rOoccrP7C81bsmYfkW7kR-5_l5neaRG1XG_SCgCrz6VacvEbYKPYpezSNRF6YJNZj1gj8HjA1UozQfCjKvY-dVH/w480-h640/IMG_2718.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">When I think of how old and fragile these ornaments are, it's rather amazing that there are still so many of them intact. This Santa is one of my favorites.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwGg2Al7sONA-3WgukvQKF87VD9O6dpetmCbr7NlARSbnnK4mWFDYPwYFX58Hlp9z-67SRtyVSkRrL3BUslhXOnJtqa67Tmzxc0VWJKH_yRF8y76ZdMTEVHlQzo_rmXOeS5tSx9cMwMXjIJpc08TN_2OuByYZv8wY9tVB-4GEoJvFOgzt2yzMsG1N3GxK/s4032/IMG_2784.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwGg2Al7sONA-3WgukvQKF87VD9O6dpetmCbr7NlARSbnnK4mWFDYPwYFX58Hlp9z-67SRtyVSkRrL3BUslhXOnJtqa67Tmzxc0VWJKH_yRF8y76ZdMTEVHlQzo_rmXOeS5tSx9cMwMXjIJpc08TN_2OuByYZv8wY9tVB-4GEoJvFOgzt2yzMsG1N3GxK/w640-h480/IMG_2784.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Last week I was invited to meet a few of the neighbor ladies for lunch.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After lunch I invited them over for dessert. I decided a variety of bite size choices would be best and baked pecan tassies, chocolate cherry cheesecakes and a new to me recipe, nutmeg logs.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the morning I set the table with my Christmas china so that everything would be ready when we returned from lunch.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of our topics of conversation was that the younger generation, for the most part, has no interest in owning sets of china. When I got married 42 years ago I thought having a full set of china was such a thrill. It made me feel so grown up and elegant. Many years later I dreamed of owning the traditional Lenox holiday china. When it became possible, I enjoyed setting the table with it for our Christmas celebrations. In my mom's later years she gifted me four sets of it. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Her last visit to my home was a Thanksgiving visit many years ago.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I decided to decorate the house for Christmas early that year and set the table with the Lenox china. I know it brought her great joy and it still stands out as our last happy holiday celebration together.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Although both of my parents have been gone for many years, the memories old ornaments and out of fashion china evoke make me glad I still own them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIDHdQ-Yt2eXh30003wv1eTDTppPLDedUzApLKqxXj3M0O2cOO2idwjz6KzuiTeNEh7wBjW17kCnDtKnaEVj1cgDI2gKpTNU_LUeqtowEAbktL2w0wHyM8LzOy0Oat2dOVM5cJdtDPD_fG1nrP5D02bQoZppWOusPjNc33m7sqvi4Qh0JaNe6RhIDY1in/s2769/IMG_2746.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2769" data-original-width="2122" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIDHdQ-Yt2eXh30003wv1eTDTppPLDedUzApLKqxXj3M0O2cOO2idwjz6KzuiTeNEh7wBjW17kCnDtKnaEVj1cgDI2gKpTNU_LUeqtowEAbktL2w0wHyM8LzOy0Oat2dOVM5cJdtDPD_fG1nrP5D02bQoZppWOusPjNc33m7sqvi4Qh0JaNe6RhIDY1in/w490-h640/IMG_2746.heic" width="490" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our weekend weather has been damp and dreary.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Extra thankful for Christmas lights on days like this.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today I'll be tackling the Christmas cards.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Probably another old fashioned tradition. Yet one I will most likely be carrying on until it's obsolete.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Wishing you </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">JOY </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">for the season.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br />Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-15655200014234935512023-11-29T13:24:00.000-05:002023-11-29T13:24:42.710-05:00Post Thanksgiving ~ Pre-Christmas<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MK3co9L8NgSl4PPW6Y5a6a2_I1yguI3ERUllGKE7zVY7LcDhiBuHYI3263vD7K-VeeavRaLNp2ZnLeo2yqY30aqGW9idM1ByA1sy3yKubOJ38ehrCIw9c-W7IL9mw29P9A0fbRhh3cDAfvmLyqy1PPxVM1QpQ0OQKyiyqfKcwjWaTwPDBJ-aTkNfsfw8/s602/IMG_2709.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="293" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-MK3co9L8NgSl4PPW6Y5a6a2_I1yguI3ERUllGKE7zVY7LcDhiBuHYI3263vD7K-VeeavRaLNp2ZnLeo2yqY30aqGW9idM1ByA1sy3yKubOJ38ehrCIw9c-W7IL9mw29P9A0fbRhh3cDAfvmLyqy1PPxVM1QpQ0OQKyiyqfKcwjWaTwPDBJ-aTkNfsfw8/w312-h640/IMG_2709.heic" width="312" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Christmas decorating is underway at my happy home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Before I get too immersed in that, a brief documentation of the Thanksgiving that was. . .</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVDX4DF32nY0zCL2CyvbCoBa-hQkWZyRZDisi9Aeh_Da3oHeDEMV1LIS9tQVGsBnT3jthimH204fQeQ9qai4gqb7ocJiI0ulCZvS0yOOb28kAQVaTfJ7fqgJnYCFzXcS_rBcsjn-Iug6GePLJ_6om-82CGKA3wcfSHTgkpGASWenHotIzPlTEX7T5XL7f/s3090/IMG_2700.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3090" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVDX4DF32nY0zCL2CyvbCoBa-hQkWZyRZDisi9Aeh_Da3oHeDEMV1LIS9tQVGsBnT3jthimH204fQeQ9qai4gqb7ocJiI0ulCZvS0yOOb28kAQVaTfJ7fqgJnYCFzXcS_rBcsjn-Iug6GePLJ_6om-82CGKA3wcfSHTgkpGASWenHotIzPlTEX7T5XL7f/w626-h640/IMG_2700.heic" width="626" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanksgiving was different in many ways.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My son offered to be the host in his new (to him) home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One drawback to that is he doesn't cook.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">He did offer to provide Costco's version of a pre-made turkey dinner.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">That idea was shot down quick by his cousins.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I said I would be happy to help in any way. But, I decided to let the younger generation come up with the plan.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is new to me and I found it rather fun to wait and see what they came up with.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I did bring over a few fall decorations and my sister-in-law brought her table cloth.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I felt right at home seated around our old dining room table.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoGG6XfyDoMYOYv6VUKVn3atd5nvkbviM_zJOFfewV2wZU1FMINh2mEEOp7d37FlSCy3fNB4tVPxa6F3uVkKELXYaoU9Bvr5gGq3IsAvgX9jl1rxaOUavb4ZGJvaUwIs31JDBlTaVWXMZj3_gwsXjgfauLteR7oLf6MjjzObNHS_uusbADIvWFkEuRIjz/s2995/IMG_2702.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2094" data-original-width="2995" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoGG6XfyDoMYOYv6VUKVn3atd5nvkbviM_zJOFfewV2wZU1FMINh2mEEOp7d37FlSCy3fNB4tVPxa6F3uVkKELXYaoU9Bvr5gGq3IsAvgX9jl1rxaOUavb4ZGJvaUwIs31JDBlTaVWXMZj3_gwsXjgfauLteR7oLf6MjjzObNHS_uusbADIvWFkEuRIjz/w640-h448/IMG_2702.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once the plan was in place, we all brought a few dishes to share.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I guess I should say the females brought the food <span style="color: #3d85c6;">;</span><span style="color: #990000;">)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My son happily provided the "shelter" (as he called it) and the beverages.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll say one thing we had no shortage of food.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's been tradition for my sister-in-law to bake the pumpkin pie and I bake the apple. New this year, her granddaughter baked a chocolate cream pie. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;">Yum! </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Yum!</span><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Yum!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wUEOB1IOWIlfV4VHvZwHykzBPFX0i4rFagyMDVEro_BJWxdlXj4LVXFUOHlTnGIqr1tYXe8IInVioMSHq_37K6s8JtiQYCVAhtKGKnmYcJgMcrWSDUnC0ZM_ZOKICS5qOCpOFjpSYWnB5XwK8DKZ7CWp75vybkA7krmQnYv1rjtoLsItmFcPXdaEkNoY/s4032/IMG_4722.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wUEOB1IOWIlfV4VHvZwHykzBPFX0i4rFagyMDVEro_BJWxdlXj4LVXFUOHlTnGIqr1tYXe8IInVioMSHq_37K6s8JtiQYCVAhtKGKnmYcJgMcrWSDUnC0ZM_ZOKICS5qOCpOFjpSYWnB5XwK8DKZ7CWp75vybkA7krmQnYv1rjtoLsItmFcPXdaEkNoY/w480-h640/IMG_4722.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Hats off to the younger generation for a most successful Thanksgiving celebration!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now, back to the Christmas decorating.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">🎄🎄🎄</span></div>Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-27763075730489956932023-11-14T15:46:00.005-05:002023-11-14T15:48:44.189-05:00Houseplant Love<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhhh2TFZYu9XXIliov1PPQPGcsMsUF3QrulyeLX6I5Fq_YAkqeaK9dql0GV978763x5DZ7LCM8wNkMDaTRBeUMXlfY4VYb_ylCFBeREp78_kR7U0Ls8BHdXGPbpuPZqOJUz2by7L-SULJ_1OaysDcFHuxHBeBXT8q8sMokG07gTt7b8AwVanU8jnkyZUu/s4032/IMG_2659.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhhh2TFZYu9XXIliov1PPQPGcsMsUF3QrulyeLX6I5Fq_YAkqeaK9dql0GV978763x5DZ7LCM8wNkMDaTRBeUMXlfY4VYb_ylCFBeREp78_kR7U0Ls8BHdXGPbpuPZqOJUz2by7L-SULJ_1OaysDcFHuxHBeBXT8q8sMokG07gTt7b8AwVanU8jnkyZUu/w480-h640/IMG_2659.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With the gardening season mostly over for the year, I enjoy a different kind of slower paced gardening in the form of tending the houseplants. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Although I've been documenting this for years, it is always such a fun surprise to see all of the buds on my Thanksgiving cactus when it comes in from it's summer vacation on the patio.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">After watching <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C07g7uywyGw&t=268s">this Lisa Emeterio video</a> I was inspired to elevate the look of my cactus. Instead of the normal pot it was in I chose this Wedgewood bowl that has been gathering dust in the cupboard. Some moss on the top to hide the "mechanics" and I think it looks pretty good. Now to watch as the beautiful blossoms unfurl.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozX6qOfsfVmnjhmKOTKTWkpFScUaobOoMYzPI8xlOlChQwqxFbjRwqgMoRZiPYvixvTqmtc98ZiSr1Qkuqbo1OxKfNa3PSS-s0iVJERZfSvq1B26Wl4CBqyM57vae58GUzZHGxnTaO0CMhiEdcKA3yCea0fLpRJpz3_u5rMsRfKhE6bVSXHwhVduL9MBI/s4032/IMG_2665.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozX6qOfsfVmnjhmKOTKTWkpFScUaobOoMYzPI8xlOlChQwqxFbjRwqgMoRZiPYvixvTqmtc98ZiSr1Qkuqbo1OxKfNa3PSS-s0iVJERZfSvq1B26Wl4CBqyM57vae58GUzZHGxnTaO0CMhiEdcKA3yCea0fLpRJpz3_u5rMsRfKhE6bVSXHwhVduL9MBI/w480-h640/IMG_2665.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My Norfolk Pine always responds well to a summer spent outdoors.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every year I think I should decorate it for Christmas.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps this year I will actually follow through.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorobpojR7qCACAnUd5OrKDcgfZKDUEmnBRfNpwNl-V2sjDu5hzGg7EoYSsaeJkk_WtPgW-_1dvWjIjbUhxIySpM3MQ56u3Toxjp5JbFxQiT5Y1ngCWT2Yz4V1aP5C0dRp0Yndt_vDGdIXJ364-iYa-qfqVNletcDv-rqoxKlOylCB-FO5t-Hcw-IDBhXI/s4032/IMG_2654.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorobpojR7qCACAnUd5OrKDcgfZKDUEmnBRfNpwNl-V2sjDu5hzGg7EoYSsaeJkk_WtPgW-_1dvWjIjbUhxIySpM3MQ56u3Toxjp5JbFxQiT5Y1ngCWT2Yz4V1aP5C0dRp0Yndt_vDGdIXJ364-iYa-qfqVNletcDv-rqoxKlOylCB-FO5t-Hcw-IDBhXI/w480-h640/IMG_2654.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pothos is such an easy plant to grow.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The bright shade of green on this one caught my eye in the garden center last spring. I think it's called a neon pothos.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I particularly like when the sun hits it in the morning drawing attention to it's beauty next to my favorite chair.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkaU5lUIrgX-D8u4jsRnnwwGSoyAlgPYI1-5tLYzLBoYjXgD4YoSpyOobi6QvnTl5t9spmIvCWfsaq4_IHgrnf8lFgMnQKmm2c76MLEY5oyL9z6Z-JxvrZ6e0TYxB-oTQD23DKaLxThE0R2ggXVHICQdoieHjjvtW7PrUzJsnUyZfoDpb95Zkwg_SKkKU/s4032/IMG_2660.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkaU5lUIrgX-D8u4jsRnnwwGSoyAlgPYI1-5tLYzLBoYjXgD4YoSpyOobi6QvnTl5t9spmIvCWfsaq4_IHgrnf8lFgMnQKmm2c76MLEY5oyL9z6Z-JxvrZ6e0TYxB-oTQD23DKaLxThE0R2ggXVHICQdoieHjjvtW7PrUzJsnUyZfoDpb95Zkwg_SKkKU/w480-h640/IMG_2660.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Wanting a new plant for low light conditions I recently purchased this sansevieria. Yes, the good old "snake plant" or "mother in law's tongue". I am still a bit surprised that I made this purchase as I used to think they were not something I would ever want in my house. Ever since I was a kid, for some reason, I associated them with "old lady" plants. I know they have recently become popular again. Perhaps that is why I am seeing them in a new light or perhaps it is because now I qualify for the "little old lady".</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">:</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">D</span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In reading about their care I learned that they are one of the better plants for purifying the air inside one's home. They are supposed to remove formaldehyde and provide oxygen in it's place. With the new rugs and furniture that sounds like a good plant to have around.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I may have to apologize to this plant for all of the bad thoughts I've had about it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_o4XbwXCW3Ba1_DzMVAk_4AplBDukVp1x3pm0l4murGNiRxVmpr70kS_yyN7JKqVTpGXb3Vw6UYA1Brlw-Pe8kOp_RPPQjyNn5TXe8UHxbo5ABdu3inTXt_G-3LzpRR4AwDKABdTO2tLBAP4FaX0Ie2BK0sf5ndKiDMJz6Ldh3TETM9j4pHmp9OiWkTOn/s4032/IMG_2668.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_o4XbwXCW3Ba1_DzMVAk_4AplBDukVp1x3pm0l4murGNiRxVmpr70kS_yyN7JKqVTpGXb3Vw6UYA1Brlw-Pe8kOp_RPPQjyNn5TXe8UHxbo5ABdu3inTXt_G-3LzpRR4AwDKABdTO2tLBAP4FaX0Ie2BK0sf5ndKiDMJz6Ldh3TETM9j4pHmp9OiWkTOn/w480-h640/IMG_2668.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My anthurium did well on the patio until an early frost caught me off guard. After bringing it in, most of the leaves have turned brown and I've been clipping them off one by one. It is looking kind of pathetic at the moment.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mvNv5Ykbpi0viY5K6ocE-SBtFM1KUls5p02U4cT0rQEZe-CMVkRP7r59Ug3Xsw7mKZbxyJRg-r5w-no38amjbYX0ZIY9fzHlv5SC7od7jgEHBY6OrRisEErfJFLH3YzNwFejb67B9vwUD3hyphenhyphenDRik0lO2lUukXyFWLqUHBCu9uNUrhgW2rsEX6whrUf24/s2973/IMG_2669.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2973" data-original-width="2664" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mvNv5Ykbpi0viY5K6ocE-SBtFM1KUls5p02U4cT0rQEZe-CMVkRP7r59Ug3Xsw7mKZbxyJRg-r5w-no38amjbYX0ZIY9fzHlv5SC7od7jgEHBY6OrRisEErfJFLH3YzNwFejb67B9vwUD3hyphenhyphenDRik0lO2lUukXyFWLqUHBCu9uNUrhgW2rsEX6whrUf24/w574-h640/IMG_2669.heic" width="574" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">It almost found a new home in the compost heap until I noticed this new leaf and upon closer inspection there are a few more getting ready to unfurl. So now I will spend the fall and winter months tending to it with hopes that in time it will once again be strong and healthy. I am going to start by finding a slightly larger pot for it as I think it has outgrown this one.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqME7dhrewzySS4WyYKeeIeEdSbA7Nu_Zj4JcCK3rynDK0aP4T6rhyphenhyphenYZ3s0yL0whYookLHZfX7vnQ2mWKFI9gAfknXvQ9etscbU9iCIheXEombRH5SpJ4dG2I1ujTEc9o8zqo_KgX4OhKs79fATcJYAQwG_3wQtbYkUp0HpZNVS8fSDk3zX7ajEVhkyYhS/s4032/IMG_2673.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqME7dhrewzySS4WyYKeeIeEdSbA7Nu_Zj4JcCK3rynDK0aP4T6rhyphenhyphenYZ3s0yL0whYookLHZfX7vnQ2mWKFI9gAfknXvQ9etscbU9iCIheXEombRH5SpJ4dG2I1ujTEc9o8zqo_KgX4OhKs79fATcJYAQwG_3wQtbYkUp0HpZNVS8fSDk3zX7ajEVhkyYhS/w480-h640/IMG_2673.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I can never resist growing an amaryllis or two at this time of year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last year's bulb turned out to be a dud.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have high hopes for this one.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">⚘⚘</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-91861169243607420182023-10-31T11:08:00.000-04:002023-10-31T11:08:16.311-04:00Sweet and Spooky Surprises in the Garden<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHm9mH_sQUsW8G7immh753b8QiFtOBmnkBS7c6lyE0CO1mQMtvjoiTXf1lZBv70JeQyh6duCtyaq7skVzO11PPTWwLCyBi6Hw1X5FnOD2IR23jr-O7fc5N3mQEy_0FY5135U6R-Av3_FxGHtTLmzsYmOKqBBVoxn3eY2_DJlV982wQRp3WChR3IgOqLCYU/s4032/IMG_2621.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHm9mH_sQUsW8G7immh753b8QiFtOBmnkBS7c6lyE0CO1mQMtvjoiTXf1lZBv70JeQyh6duCtyaq7skVzO11PPTWwLCyBi6Hw1X5FnOD2IR23jr-O7fc5N3mQEy_0FY5135U6R-Av3_FxGHtTLmzsYmOKqBBVoxn3eY2_DJlV982wQRp3WChR3IgOqLCYU/w640-h480/IMG_2621.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Over the weekend I spent some time working in my son's garden.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">There were a lot of weeds that needed to be taken out before our anticipated frost later this week. While the guys were busy tackling indoor jobs, I made it my mission to eradicate (nearly) every weed I came in contact with. Brett thought I was over calculating when I requested one tall yard waste bag to get started. By the time I was done, five of those bags were filled to the brim.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I saved the largest weed patch for last. It was in full sun and the temperature was 83 degrees. There were many water breaks in the shade. I nearly gave up before I finished, but I persevered.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">As I was working on the final stretch, something bright red caught my eye. Growing at the base of the fence it looked like a tiny strawberry. Even the leaves look like strawberry leaves. Strawberries are a spring/summer thing around here so I was mystified by this discovery. Thanks to the plant identification feature on my phone I was able to learn that it is a mock strawberry, Indian strawberry or false strawberry. Apparently the strawberries are edible, although not as tasty as a true strawberry. Either way I think they are adorable and let them stay right where they are. A sweet little surprise at the end of my weeding session.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WstL53JZs9vCxErqmpUT9THlDVIzT3KFRbdSMVU9jqXfmJnSO8_pjYIz2o5ktnTVkSG4i1SqDuTwgsqB7ProQeOpyQdaFn58MrbgwpPEVkjpHlnMgSP7d4cpktCV3Ig-sPfvzk_mjt4JdY-rtc360whkoYIbLJ8WEOUoN28MS7ncbO9FtX_ltAJAk-DT/s1731/IMG_2627.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1731" data-original-width="1636" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5WstL53JZs9vCxErqmpUT9THlDVIzT3KFRbdSMVU9jqXfmJnSO8_pjYIz2o5ktnTVkSG4i1SqDuTwgsqB7ProQeOpyQdaFn58MrbgwpPEVkjpHlnMgSP7d4cpktCV3Ig-sPfvzk_mjt4JdY-rtc360whkoYIbLJ8WEOUoN28MS7ncbO9FtX_ltAJAk-DT/w604-h640/IMG_2627.heic" width="604" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Back at home I was engrossed in tugging my zinnias out of the pots they had been growing in all summer. I'm not sure who was more surprised when this little guy flung out of the pot. Although they are on the creepy side, this one was the tiniest I have ever seen. He clung to the side of the pot watching me finish the job. I wouldn't think this would be the time for wildlife to be breeding. Between this little fella and the baby snake that was slithering into my herb garden as I was removing the basil, I guess they are still having babies. Oh goodie, more snakes in the garden. Ugh!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DhsO7lLAozE7oQQTDhUOKop8ollSUExJ35NLANnuwdmfY_OCnEyVqzQ4wbYjff3i8lkoG-JsGkMn_TQH5L9Im4nWOUFkvashvGH-rGKsGzHtT96V05kg0B99cUyezHh3tNxnAPQCRZje1IkhrntI92aLcdtqSjur_uPdm3XVAGmolkRDkcfKlFVgIVdC/s4032/IMG_2626.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DhsO7lLAozE7oQQTDhUOKop8ollSUExJ35NLANnuwdmfY_OCnEyVqzQ4wbYjff3i8lkoG-JsGkMn_TQH5L9Im4nWOUFkvashvGH-rGKsGzHtT96V05kg0B99cUyezHh3tNxnAPQCRZje1IkhrntI92aLcdtqSjur_uPdm3XVAGmolkRDkcfKlFVgIVdC/w480-h640/IMG_2626.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This face about sums up my feeling on that topic.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Actually this is kind of a funny discovery made while moving black eyed susans to new homes. We get these weird fungi that emerge up from the soil and look just like round balls. They can be hard to spot at first in the soil and mulch. I thought this one rather distinctive with his creepy face. Just right for Halloween.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">🎃💀👻🎃</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Happy Halloween!!</span></div>Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-89436534708028156912023-10-26T16:31:00.000-04:002023-10-26T16:31:32.790-04:00Documenting October<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqvkPxmX2W0r-mTd0mENR4fubrfuSuGN9sptWZaZk2VXPUCp6O1PTb36HndDUaMdhr6v6fzNtJx0lUlvnpU0MFSCgmOEcmLvEN35qJDdWcOpt4aVxIf73K8bCyzkKKGRE3vJRCPxD1jxnE3Ulka3N3tgO00JdOOESJ0Czaew371A8Crpc2ZpaflDEA1-T/s4032/IMG_2553.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqvkPxmX2W0r-mTd0mENR4fubrfuSuGN9sptWZaZk2VXPUCp6O1PTb36HndDUaMdhr6v6fzNtJx0lUlvnpU0MFSCgmOEcmLvEN35qJDdWcOpt4aVxIf73K8bCyzkKKGRE3vJRCPxD1jxnE3Ulka3N3tgO00JdOOESJ0Czaew371A8Crpc2ZpaflDEA1-T/w480-h640/IMG_2553.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">October has been such a lovely month here this year. One sunny day seems to follow the next bringing with it the highly anticipated autumn leaf color change.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It occurred to me this morning that I haven't done a single post to document the month. By this time next week we'll be into November.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So, before the last few days slip away, a few notes to remember October...</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEedQ08zzmBYFuUdit4J8uYuwTKBLfr4uqGijLnkUEMpZ0bly-BVFDhhy9l9NRi1zns8GbOZENYA3SZhyphenhypheng2axZFuf66CMufs0PGSUjiHMi2Bqsc8zJECS7CAkMJtbJcDkHTa8S6RDkRMn58VcQksysnGl1oJ1x1mJ6GPFToeRmLYGwlHZU_Oi6jRH4tPH/s4032/IMG_2591.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEedQ08zzmBYFuUdit4J8uYuwTKBLfr4uqGijLnkUEMpZ0bly-BVFDhhy9l9NRi1zns8GbOZENYA3SZhyphenhypheng2axZFuf66CMufs0PGSUjiHMi2Bqsc8zJECS7CAkMJtbJcDkHTa8S6RDkRMn58VcQksysnGl1oJ1x1mJ6GPFToeRmLYGwlHZU_Oi6jRH4tPH/w480-h640/IMG_2591.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I don't do much in the way of Halloween decorating, but this small display houses the pieces I have held onto through the years. The little ghosts are Gurley candles that were from Brett's childhood. The others were things I bought when my own boys were kids. Looking at them brings happy memories.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHldYRPnooHRsVVQaLsLlhEL0Ywsp6Lc3bNVEawbAQ23JurzDUL-7QhwjUfRIkQDlXAg9E_1_8FXkSW_3bwEo6xHs9CmQQObJLt5Qxfc-cewPzpaE_O3qH_haFzgO98Kth_29y1M1YqYYiN6hxoyqC7Zy4QahlacxMZYD0Uxy8YyWFdtLhrw5P_SXLdPM/s4032/IMG_2580.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYHldYRPnooHRsVVQaLsLlhEL0Ywsp6Lc3bNVEawbAQ23JurzDUL-7QhwjUfRIkQDlXAg9E_1_8FXkSW_3bwEo6xHs9CmQQObJLt5Qxfc-cewPzpaE_O3qH_haFzgO98Kth_29y1M1YqYYiN6hxoyqC7Zy4QahlacxMZYD0Uxy8YyWFdtLhrw5P_SXLdPM/w480-h640/IMG_2580.heic" width="480" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The other day I went looking for a few hydrangeas to dry.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Most of them looked well past their prime. I was pleasantly surprised to find a few on the backside of one plant. They were at the bottom and pressed up against the house. Once I wrangled them out of there, I was rewarded with four large blooms sporting pretty autumn colors. They are now on display on the foyer table.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EDiDy8faadWwblIpIqpz2kBhNf2Ta6sgLXmyM6e-mJKDBPPROFTj2lRDvju3XUjcUTiHGDR2XoRD9FJxIkCNBrktJKibEQNP_E2aylwQnbVSuv_5bt2QXLLI5M-KyPNLhZsZ5PY-6eQ9FEsCqc33FXssAe9YR3qIpfDbFXNjJYqjbyfSrVJF24sQaCdU/s4032/IMG_2609.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1EDiDy8faadWwblIpIqpz2kBhNf2Ta6sgLXmyM6e-mJKDBPPROFTj2lRDvju3XUjcUTiHGDR2XoRD9FJxIkCNBrktJKibEQNP_E2aylwQnbVSuv_5bt2QXLLI5M-KyPNLhZsZ5PY-6eQ9FEsCqc33FXssAe9YR3qIpfDbFXNjJYqjbyfSrVJF24sQaCdU/w480-h640/IMG_2609.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">While I was out there I took a look at all of the plants.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another nice surprise was a few raspberries ripening.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Somehow knowing that the frost will be coming anytime now makes these berries even more precious to me. I will be watching them closely as they ripen in hopes of eating them before the birds find them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9YHcwjl-2M7iy2dcMMQr_koVpGQPU9lsViLkwafOz4dftMuH9uTPMjtxxzCIhPkbYw0-KPESTpquprum88F7ie2ca6zjnKu-LVUZaWOqUfLhLJ_VqsXMS-eCrhrJWTp0-CMaS9kI6mVbtBnKDzXeRZRufNHhVoM6ON9jpZrGJ1KOFWJSKyW2JXsf3RcD/s4032/IMG_2614.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9YHcwjl-2M7iy2dcMMQr_koVpGQPU9lsViLkwafOz4dftMuH9uTPMjtxxzCIhPkbYw0-KPESTpquprum88F7ie2ca6zjnKu-LVUZaWOqUfLhLJ_VqsXMS-eCrhrJWTp0-CMaS9kI6mVbtBnKDzXeRZRufNHhVoM6ON9jpZrGJ1KOFWJSKyW2JXsf3RcD/w480-h640/IMG_2614.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When we brought the lemon tree back to the patio in April it had five green lemons on it. They have only recently turned yellow.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Soon it will return to it's winter home in the garage. This time it will have 8 green lemons and many blossoms.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtuABjd73xUUC-XIzXrTZGXtsSjPD8XISTns2dh0k5NL_xpmutsOKKoxLYE_43hRIiSmLfj7E9Yu2pZJ5SA0p7SJ4bI3sRTH7CbFFbSZS7s-GQ5q-MtuiBvpprXg7Tbaqw_O4ucW0hindH9Aiur7nSPlrW6JZPoJzPhP8LwPT7vkvVonM_1oKmrVWMhTs/s4032/IMG_2595.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtuABjd73xUUC-XIzXrTZGXtsSjPD8XISTns2dh0k5NL_xpmutsOKKoxLYE_43hRIiSmLfj7E9Yu2pZJ5SA0p7SJ4bI3sRTH7CbFFbSZS7s-GQ5q-MtuiBvpprXg7Tbaqw_O4ucW0hindH9Aiur7nSPlrW6JZPoJzPhP8LwPT7vkvVonM_1oKmrVWMhTs/w480-h640/IMG_2595.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The last of the furniture arrived this week.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It will be so nice to all be able to sit at the table for the holidays.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtSBMPWAbnmWo9PvOrxnvwpMgy-cQLkBTgANzWyJfBmAqZR8YzreerbQKjpdiz4S8ZbfVqhgkC5InHMahyV2QZb9J1ZMowFzAnILs4FXTq_M5JfecaQPuVUbTNZuDcbFBZY09dy4ywiYo11q3whHa2fkg8h5TZOP-FGoYJJ0ffywGPBRYhC7pwE7SIM3s/s4032/IMG_2599.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtSBMPWAbnmWo9PvOrxnvwpMgy-cQLkBTgANzWyJfBmAqZR8YzreerbQKjpdiz4S8ZbfVqhgkC5InHMahyV2QZb9J1ZMowFzAnILs4FXTq_M5JfecaQPuVUbTNZuDcbFBZY09dy4ywiYo11q3whHa2fkg8h5TZOP-FGoYJJ0ffywGPBRYhC7pwE7SIM3s/w640-h480/IMG_2599.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">In celebration I made cauliflower ham soup and a batch of pumpkin muffins. Brett and I gave it a test drive and declared it all good.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ready to head into November and the holiday season.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-45744893074426967372023-09-27T13:52:00.000-04:002023-09-27T13:52:24.665-04:00The Nesting Season Has Arrived<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJzXCfans1wQy2hjNKJbXNACPsHcr1AJ2E2zjyYYYYj9WwkK7G6aGKyk7W83pG3LRFPCkWLgNIdWfqD__J2lITCD6b0lSy60L2VGgj8ScaJP5mdOjroj3gFN1jiXw7UeSgPOGME7Zy2X1H_VszeU3SKU9O8RUdGwnB3xQ9z_J4QDjS7u7CaWeNpGLR_PE/s3024/IMG_2522.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2965" data-original-width="3024" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJzXCfans1wQy2hjNKJbXNACPsHcr1AJ2E2zjyYYYYj9WwkK7G6aGKyk7W83pG3LRFPCkWLgNIdWfqD__J2lITCD6b0lSy60L2VGgj8ScaJP5mdOjroj3gFN1jiXw7UeSgPOGME7Zy2X1H_VszeU3SKU9O8RUdGwnB3xQ9z_J4QDjS7u7CaWeNpGLR_PE/w640-h628/IMG_2522.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Another Autumn season has arrived.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A season for warm drinks, soft throws, good books and . . .</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNICDL6EMulxJmgt5XqNu692LmDvgKo45x2C_T7uUtldAuNx5CBPtJYFJ6VkytMHP9SnVYb-fl4lWZxQPfhBnwgOgBXzIbgUYtIPOH7ldLbZADoUMX_zvWHkk6MEFXH4q7z6C09u122FjANn6NUsAT9VHgwBidcyXk4SGOuq1vuWis1CA6sRsnnhoLirt5/s4032/IMG_2517.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNICDL6EMulxJmgt5XqNu692LmDvgKo45x2C_T7uUtldAuNx5CBPtJYFJ6VkytMHP9SnVYb-fl4lWZxQPfhBnwgOgBXzIbgUYtIPOH7ldLbZADoUMX_zvWHkk6MEFXH4q7z6C09u122FjANn6NUsAT9VHgwBidcyXk4SGOuq1vuWis1CA6sRsnnhoLirt5/w480-h640/IMG_2517.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">nesting. Plenty of feathering the nest to make things cozy for the cooler months ahead.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As the family room furniture continues to trickle in, it has been fun to come up with some new fall vignettes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have done away with a coffee table in favor of two ottomans.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I like the versatility of being able to prop our feet up on them or move them around for additional seating, if necessary.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXTN-hl_p_e_GFpftXZFBxZWypcKR3FfwotFgG5vNyM9MnUVTUadfA1zGZsAhuC3UFBb72UsuF729dBe1ngdE7tlRw63v86SJ3P4Sk-P7sokKy34dMrAur_4cl38pANOcD24vDE9LFw2AStj4xw0BLOv845wlxH8MoV-Cdcx7NdfAkWWeb9sDkL-h1p7I/s4032/IMG_2469.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXTN-hl_p_e_GFpftXZFBxZWypcKR3FfwotFgG5vNyM9MnUVTUadfA1zGZsAhuC3UFBb72UsuF729dBe1ngdE7tlRw63v86SJ3P4Sk-P7sokKy34dMrAur_4cl38pANOcD24vDE9LFw2AStj4xw0BLOv845wlxH8MoV-Cdcx7NdfAkWWeb9sDkL-h1p7I/w640-h480/IMG_2469.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With the days getting shorter, it was time to pull out the candles and put the batteries back into the battery operated candle lanterns.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So nice to warm up the evenings or the cloudy days, like today.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMww6hAkJc04GZi_QUda-nHPFtl7msOwyPgvwDSXyb98EmhOkQZxx9x3Ddg6k_Bb3S-vAFjWflmRxx0fVxH0U8m0QgBwoVyNgnx_zIE0p0iKZ0umfkIfCTEC8xYfHuLbow8LilTPW2ZxCdi_mwHTT_j3d4A2Je1XO7HoO4f5VO-YhQKCSF_MF_r0xfC4f3/s4032/IMG_2545.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMww6hAkJc04GZi_QUda-nHPFtl7msOwyPgvwDSXyb98EmhOkQZxx9x3Ddg6k_Bb3S-vAFjWflmRxx0fVxH0U8m0QgBwoVyNgnx_zIE0p0iKZ0umfkIfCTEC8xYfHuLbow8LilTPW2ZxCdi_mwHTT_j3d4A2Je1XO7HoO4f5VO-YhQKCSF_MF_r0xfC4f3/w480-h640/IMG_2545.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I enjoyed rearranging the hutch a bit.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've ordered a new dining table that will better suit our needs in this house. No more pulling odd chairs from here and there when the family is all here. The table is supposed to be delivered in a couple weeks. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5lkeWlXanPDAt9Q6tpP3WsOwlPKRi2J_BwKGr_vwwrMdDPwoRI0jos0IpSnG9ej3-Mov5ThMKezwr68unxqiVLEv0_IATWHHHK_Iv_A56UrT0acm1QmrndV9dQhrBALM5d3LCwWskfl9CDlzxo0J8RvUAV4FRwfX5fqOBe3aKpQtjkGutdPSQizcoPF4/s2700/IMG_2544.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="2700" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5lkeWlXanPDAt9Q6tpP3WsOwlPKRi2J_BwKGr_vwwrMdDPwoRI0jos0IpSnG9ej3-Mov5ThMKezwr68unxqiVLEv0_IATWHHHK_Iv_A56UrT0acm1QmrndV9dQhrBALM5d3LCwWskfl9CDlzxo0J8RvUAV4FRwfX5fqOBe3aKpQtjkGutdPSQizcoPF4/w640-h426/IMG_2544.heic" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">While waiting for the table to be delivered, I've been playing around with how I will set it for the fall season.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I found the prettiest plates at the thrift shop recently. It's hard to tell in the photo, but they have a bit of leaves, corn, gourds and acorns on the border. Made by Pfaltzgraff and only 49 cents a piece was a deal that I couldn't pass up. The glass turkey, pumpkin soup bowls and candle holder were also thrift finds from previous years. To me the fun is pulling them together to make a coordinated, collected table scape.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nesting at it's finest.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">:</span><span style="font-size: large;">-<span style="color: #990000;">)</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFv7rid6tYJuwGdantlnnlwAMWINpiVEtlOR3UlNY0tOMlsFmpESzPX1aatcs-Y-wgNPH1RL3oeuOPgS_XA2S__o1zRNrjG7w_iKrzl5mUGjERoANZblN5Z1oruSnDYbpL4Qp3MJrtk1tAOl3RD1tyiXgSnPMMnFX6_cVJ_Gl-smwL537rSIApLoyh4X2Y/s4032/IMG_2519.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFv7rid6tYJuwGdantlnnlwAMWINpiVEtlOR3UlNY0tOMlsFmpESzPX1aatcs-Y-wgNPH1RL3oeuOPgS_XA2S__o1zRNrjG7w_iKrzl5mUGjERoANZblN5Z1oruSnDYbpL4Qp3MJrtk1tAOl3RD1tyiXgSnPMMnFX6_cVJ_Gl-smwL537rSIApLoyh4X2Y/w640-h480/IMG_2519.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">My nesting instincts often spill over to the thrift shop.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">While there last week I overheard someone say that a tree had fallen over the road I needed to travel to get home. It landed on a car and brought down the power lines with it. Traffic would be stopped both ways for hours. Oh dear! To pass the time while waiting I went around filling the cart with fall themed treasures from the past.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">These two yellow ware bowls with the brown bands weren't right for my house, but I will always love them. I think they lend themselves to beautiful wood furniture, gourds, pumpkins and sunflowers. All things that could be found there on that day. I set up a little vignette and snapped a picture. It satisfied my fall nesting interests while passing the time. It still took me an hour and a half to get home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thankfully nobody was injured in the car that the tree landed on.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have no idea why that tree fell as it was a lovely evening.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I rolled down the car windows, cranked up the radio and enjoyed the (long) ride home. By the time I got home it was dark. So nice to have the cozy candle light to greet me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;">Happy Fall, Friends!</span><br /></span><br /><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br />Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-80275606502438819202023-09-12T15:24:00.000-04:002023-09-12T15:24:12.594-04:00Busy Moving<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZxSk8Qm0STiMBFou8T5oZQbhBqVADc7HHADqQ8-U0s2CWs0o2ebtr8MAELKauWzLgQB3s9vGkdmCZiyj5hUB9xcahnpydLBSOD1ASQrEvmWhCTGvwlxODM-uDw1rJzdP1k7_q61iGYM2wDD9Uj99OHcqrCfvnWd1R7Z5t9WDRdiFRLCWvtHIUsP_7q3j/s4032/IMG_2365.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZxSk8Qm0STiMBFou8T5oZQbhBqVADc7HHADqQ8-U0s2CWs0o2ebtr8MAELKauWzLgQB3s9vGkdmCZiyj5hUB9xcahnpydLBSOD1ASQrEvmWhCTGvwlxODM-uDw1rJzdP1k7_q61iGYM2wDD9Uj99OHcqrCfvnWd1R7Z5t9WDRdiFRLCWvtHIUsP_7q3j/w400-h300/IMG_2365.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Big changes have been taking place here.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaeChTU_Z2WeY6HlVm8kr6iu_euXiRpZn3BKdYUGjOoUlTdJeirTDgDxHC4DqTO-4EhHJcj2CKFWFxukJNTktSCeEU2ru9Tm4lrybiAHdtIaVQ2zwMO2JI2N1paEvCCeeV22DzCbXScRUKSD91otuHXibRIm-gv7DGj_PGpv5K4ZwJad9PIt3W-BFCDj_k/s4030/IMG_2364.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4030" data-original-width="2610" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaeChTU_Z2WeY6HlVm8kr6iu_euXiRpZn3BKdYUGjOoUlTdJeirTDgDxHC4DqTO-4EhHJcj2CKFWFxukJNTktSCeEU2ru9Tm4lrybiAHdtIaVQ2zwMO2JI2N1paEvCCeeV22DzCbXScRUKSD91otuHXibRIm-gv7DGj_PGpv5K4ZwJad9PIt3W-BFCDj_k/w259-h400/IMG_2364.heic" width="259" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">A large portion of our furniture made it's way into this moving truck headed to our son's new home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmgKc46yDe7bYgLcvhoPdYnCp1PVj5MGg8_atMcxXhbc7ofOBy9xjNZDRRJvGTVqp9OEitfb3lTrvit95OTammLR1q-BVnUXpP9zKhmGLBzMHAcFcqI4iPDlQiah6fZDEaanPI9ein2TeCubqKq4ovXSxiGu5-HLRRXGtGemB3IULudn7SBubsdpu6P4Y/s4032/IMG_2389.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdmgKc46yDe7bYgLcvhoPdYnCp1PVj5MGg8_atMcxXhbc7ofOBy9xjNZDRRJvGTVqp9OEitfb3lTrvit95OTammLR1q-BVnUXpP9zKhmGLBzMHAcFcqI4iPDlQiah6fZDEaanPI9ein2TeCubqKq4ovXSxiGu5-HLRRXGtGemB3IULudn7SBubsdpu6P4Y/w300-h400/IMG_2389.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">We've been getting by without family room and dining room furniture. It was a wonderful opportunity to give the floors and baseboards a good cleaning. New furniture has been ordered.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMVxr8J_YjEwa4igYiu-FzrQhJRa9LifkfpO2h6XoylSskrGwaLfU2s8dJ3G8_hOXcxD9i_ITzZ5LMzRUJNvLPB-9yvs21cZ7MwZ1RuIGbZMCwYOE5rdM6fmGJFWKDtgSdE9Ov3xYEboKYdoe_wyP5fzcNnC7XvKlf7AFLDjn9RP6bQfi3-2XygNQrMTX/s4032/IMG_2486.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMVxr8J_YjEwa4igYiu-FzrQhJRa9LifkfpO2h6XoylSskrGwaLfU2s8dJ3G8_hOXcxD9i_ITzZ5LMzRUJNvLPB-9yvs21cZ7MwZ1RuIGbZMCwYOE5rdM6fmGJFWKDtgSdE9Ov3xYEboKYdoe_wyP5fzcNnC7XvKlf7AFLDjn9RP6bQfi3-2XygNQrMTX/w480-h640/IMG_2486.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Once we got everything moved to his new home, we helped him get his condo in the city ready to sell. He moved here after graduating from college and starting his career. That was 12 years ago.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once the place was empty, I felt a bit nostalgic thinking about how much has changed since he first moved here. Another one of those "where does the time go" moments.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZb7qC1RxsotHnxIDxov6oaFvM3mNRtGyIJofdfVIUuS6AyKxOJrtE9upiQGIux2jmcLhOfTA5qNzUojEb9Xzyu2EYCntMPhFdir4thBDKz8VCNfEQjiR904Wi19XPIkQjBhy3g1hzS8jq4OSCxjHAIfN20Ob21o4TyERXk-qj3Mfs4C9hZwyCg9VQKDR/s4032/IMG_2471.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZb7qC1RxsotHnxIDxov6oaFvM3mNRtGyIJofdfVIUuS6AyKxOJrtE9upiQGIux2jmcLhOfTA5qNzUojEb9Xzyu2EYCntMPhFdir4thBDKz8VCNfEQjiR904Wi19XPIkQjBhy3g1hzS8jq4OSCxjHAIfN20Ob21o4TyERXk-qj3Mfs4C9hZwyCg9VQKDR/w300-h400/IMG_2471.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Even though he is now a grown man, I asked him to let me get one last picture with the city in the background.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAF4yDPO6PBKJWE3Fv8sEB1gOguF8gfLT5XpFkj9xJ7S9r01hcvbTyqVDiS2Kv6sX2dyge05Crtawb95LBRHQv7RaMLaOsm9W4t4-U4w8H6PaW8YqoWXxYK3ZBUINaUnIoPxi-iy9cGd_u6cSLqzQGgp6LmdKCFRmDnUV9kdfSURXZLYTIQ-WJfjblJSb/s4032/IMG_2390.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAF4yDPO6PBKJWE3Fv8sEB1gOguF8gfLT5XpFkj9xJ7S9r01hcvbTyqVDiS2Kv6sX2dyge05Crtawb95LBRHQv7RaMLaOsm9W4t4-U4w8H6PaW8YqoWXxYK3ZBUINaUnIoPxi-iy9cGd_u6cSLqzQGgp6LmdKCFRmDnUV9kdfSURXZLYTIQ-WJfjblJSb/w480-h640/IMG_2390.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">The new furniture has begun to trickle in.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So far I am very happy with how it looks and functions.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If I ever get nostalgic for the old furniture I know where to find it.</span></div>Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-21888236979354391072023-08-27T14:39:00.003-04:002023-08-27T14:39:52.555-04:00Fall Inspiration at the Furniture Store<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKViUPHK3GzhVjuHFmkQC9cjAy16fNsVyBZHBXIboCeemqBUZp8cEnRsDkEakUO4clivNj3F9KPP7RiLkEsKX-86PlIf3Hlen8-zN0u_EjggXUE8hywwRhrvHD34jp0cSKOW69eyFRbjAGLE-WVk0mc_1cP3fSn3nFEwY57SMk6WP61X7CWuD96YfmC8A/s4032/IMG_2407.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKViUPHK3GzhVjuHFmkQC9cjAy16fNsVyBZHBXIboCeemqBUZp8cEnRsDkEakUO4clivNj3F9KPP7RiLkEsKX-86PlIf3Hlen8-zN0u_EjggXUE8hywwRhrvHD34jp0cSKOW69eyFRbjAGLE-WVk0mc_1cP3fSn3nFEwY57SMk6WP61X7CWuD96YfmC8A/w640-h480/IMG_2407.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well, it's still HOT here. The kind of heat that has worn out it's welcome as far as I'm concerned. So, while I have nothing against summer, I am just yearning for the cooler temperatures to arrive. I want to be enjoying the outdoors without melting. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday we escaped the heat and spent a few hours in the air conditioned Hickory Furniture Mart. One of my favorite stores to visit is an Amish made furniture shop. The craftsmanship of the furniture is so impressive to me. I also enjoyed how they had decorated for the fall season. This large dining table with seating for 12 greeted us when we first walked in. I could just picture each chair filled with family members enjoying Thanksgiving dinner together. A fire would be crackling in the fireplace and, perhaps, the snow would be falling outside the windows. Ha! On a blistering hot day, one can dream.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DQNOS7hSIKcnO2VQgT8vnW-Evvlnnyvb6by4iV3bjeVHoY2D8OV7M_JHUTxq8JmK2rnL3IE9BMaIDft5zWmwm-9NVv8iIXwnpSqQueP8FIRwNEmMXIR6Rz8rFyBiVxOOM2dYytUV2ADB33cz_hdqLH-CcStYwTlzpRoWdRdCShWfwnOOV39YIOBEPAyN/s4032/IMG_2398.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DQNOS7hSIKcnO2VQgT8vnW-Evvlnnyvb6by4iV3bjeVHoY2D8OV7M_JHUTxq8JmK2rnL3IE9BMaIDft5zWmwm-9NVv8iIXwnpSqQueP8FIRwNEmMXIR6Rz8rFyBiVxOOM2dYytUV2ADB33cz_hdqLH-CcStYwTlzpRoWdRdCShWfwnOOV39YIOBEPAyN/w480-h640/IMG_2398.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I would love to curl up in this bed with a good book.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately the scale of this furniture was too large for the guest room we are trying to furnish.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjIJ7OkHFPEVkWX2uQrplYuRMiP36sTniQrkFdzQi6vBrXI8bSw6t8aloSK34P8DdzY4RV7FhOKvrwh1AR06aPmu-vjK3dfHg4nTz2sYVsEdf-y4PyoGtSDCVfzFZggEHrvxcRJh4yKrZiVPqRQS00ia852TBEhf4S-4gcMDOdKSi-Qbpb9U3zxXGlFaH/s4032/IMG_2410.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjIJ7OkHFPEVkWX2uQrplYuRMiP36sTniQrkFdzQi6vBrXI8bSw6t8aloSK34P8DdzY4RV7FhOKvrwh1AR06aPmu-vjK3dfHg4nTz2sYVsEdf-y4PyoGtSDCVfzFZggEHrvxcRJh4yKrZiVPqRQS00ia852TBEhf4S-4gcMDOdKSi-Qbpb9U3zxXGlFaH/w480-h640/IMG_2410.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not quite ready to decorate for fall. I did, however, enjoy gathering inspiration for when the time comes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihffm8AavcMaSkg03yuPOUcaLxicyiz47MPs_1Pq_nyFFeGZ7qZSQYGWwbLbC6Np1lMeLhyrUqa-1V9Qzow2BQAQRyTEaUWIWLrqOx0AFTX8YSzSERAs4ISrFReJMxYaTbSwFp3d0i4MKeJn-K-FNiEGBgQIB6wTZ8tUZRvdUOO1t1e8g_uYs-8CxgrCIb/s4032/IMG_2411.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihffm8AavcMaSkg03yuPOUcaLxicyiz47MPs_1Pq_nyFFeGZ7qZSQYGWwbLbC6Np1lMeLhyrUqa-1V9Qzow2BQAQRyTEaUWIWLrqOx0AFTX8YSzSERAs4ISrFReJMxYaTbSwFp3d0i4MKeJn-K-FNiEGBgQIB6wTZ8tUZRvdUOO1t1e8g_uYs-8CxgrCIb/w480-h640/IMG_2411.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Sitting by a campfire on a cool, crisp evening sounds heavenly right about now.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUjrSgtifgMCqTO-QziJXbz2_xNDDtIhZ_2jPPf5_T_ixkO9bTO7CdzY3mMuQcDyr1UOMsSyel9fB-M21PLoiZ5hgrd_FJCfKk1xXlOBg67AGVJBeXnbS4UoMRHWcYjgGwCCPTw17o9etg1lLyyxBkJNkZC5Q47NeNQjFi3b-NL7c_1FYriPn5I-Ahgjp/s4032/IMG_2404.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUjrSgtifgMCqTO-QziJXbz2_xNDDtIhZ_2jPPf5_T_ixkO9bTO7CdzY3mMuQcDyr1UOMsSyel9fB-M21PLoiZ5hgrd_FJCfKk1xXlOBg67AGVJBeXnbS4UoMRHWcYjgGwCCPTw17o9etg1lLyyxBkJNkZC5Q47NeNQjFi3b-NL7c_1FYriPn5I-Ahgjp/w480-h640/IMG_2404.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">This display makes me anticipate fall baking and those delicious fall flavors. <span style="color: #ffa400;">Pumpkin Spice, </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">Apple Everything, </span><span style="color: #990000;">Cinnamon, Cloves & </span><span style="color: #b45f06;">Nutmeg.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuySjxCSvF7DwnG18myUEqo7N9Ot4WsKI9bMhobFUtd8O72Rf8s87U42hvC2khTnzTcCQlHoUm9EJDiWcE1_YWbU-wgEkwDRgRfrVCCJBa6t7mQgT0gs-FL7mbF2rFwZJkEMlXoaCNnGlL6H_dYB54SpMcz5W3YpiIjnRKtC_UajquTIFH1a4tcBtzJ9I/s4032/IMG_2401.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuySjxCSvF7DwnG18myUEqo7N9Ot4WsKI9bMhobFUtd8O72Rf8s87U42hvC2khTnzTcCQlHoUm9EJDiWcE1_YWbU-wgEkwDRgRfrVCCJBa6t7mQgT0gs-FL7mbF2rFwZJkEMlXoaCNnGlL6H_dYB54SpMcz5W3YpiIjnRKtC_UajquTIFH1a4tcBtzJ9I/w480-h640/IMG_2401.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br />All of these pretty fall decorations are getting me in the mood to start adding a few touches to my own home. This week our temperatures are forecast to drop into the 80s. One day the high is only supposed to be 79. Woo Hoo!!! I think that might be all that's needed to start the decorating process. I may begin with the hutch. I like the simple way they decorated the one above.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugJeCEcRtJKTINiup4j6LFBTioNmUB1D4GH9FnrcIMIs3IR1RhtNTJWzrV6HW-mfbSSdQh7fiPnDRJ_9EiSfNLyzOF-aLFg2fvuWN2lihuaGCtvvUZEFZOMz-l_ILufqQ_jWDFleCpXnKgYiXSr1u0ZNjKyOupKnmDQbvWikrH01Bp3TfE203E_7kplrX/s4032/IMG_2397.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugJeCEcRtJKTINiup4j6LFBTioNmUB1D4GH9FnrcIMIs3IR1RhtNTJWzrV6HW-mfbSSdQh7fiPnDRJ_9EiSfNLyzOF-aLFg2fvuWN2lihuaGCtvvUZEFZOMz-l_ILufqQ_jWDFleCpXnKgYiXSr1u0ZNjKyOupKnmDQbvWikrH01Bp3TfE203E_7kplrX/w480-h640/IMG_2397.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I'm nowhere near being ready to see Halloween decorations here as they look out of place to me when it's full on summer outside. When the leaves start to change and cooler temperatures are here to stay, that will be the time for jack o' lanterns.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I did have to laugh at this display in the Amish buggy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">While we didn't find furniture at the Amish shop, it was fun to wander through and be inspired. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We did find what we were looking for in one of the other shops. Awaiting furniture delivery will be a pleasant way to pass these late summer days. My son has recently bought his first house. We have donated some of our furniture to him. I now feel right at home in his house <span style="color: #3d85c6;">:</span><span style="color: #e06666;">D</span>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Enjoy this last August weekend!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-53609880257523148362023-08-16T10:39:00.001-04:002023-08-16T10:53:52.439-04:00What Happens in the Courtyard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YXd83P6ZiqZqMhpOguV6RL-ZEwrGQte52Hxh-N9ZMkeuvT_6WvytpnhEFLnOId8gPt5kkyTEfsFzUliIez8OIjMWiLp2xmEHjQRFo3W4_IHcKm1V1mtMfu2baC4gnGMfgHqBj-CoCCwqNy_O3p4fZHoC3Rc_sYnlPPDMr2iwszT6wZ3CXHz8k6rASCDn/s4032/IMG_8909.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2813" data-original-width="4032" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YXd83P6ZiqZqMhpOguV6RL-ZEwrGQte52Hxh-N9ZMkeuvT_6WvytpnhEFLnOId8gPt5kkyTEfsFzUliIez8OIjMWiLp2xmEHjQRFo3W4_IHcKm1V1mtMfu2baC4gnGMfgHqBj-CoCCwqNy_O3p4fZHoC3Rc_sYnlPPDMr2iwszT6wZ3CXHz8k6rASCDn/w640-h446/IMG_8909.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When we created this courtyard patio space, we planted jasmine at the base of the trellis and watched it grow and fill in nicely. Just what we had in mind to offer privacy from our close proximity neighbor :<span style="color: red;">)</span>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is how it looked last summer.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A late winter freeze threatened to do it in. In fact when spring rolled around it was totally brown. It was a bit devastating to lose it after watching it thrive for a few years. Brett was set to dig it up until I noticed a few green leaves at the base of each plant. Rather than surrender it just yet, we decided to see if in time it would rebound.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Knowing that it wouldn't look too impressive this season, I planted a row of morning glory and moonflower seeds along the base of the trellis. For some reason only the seed on each end germinated.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As summer has evolved we have been watching these vines climb up the trellis. Not quite as pretty as the jasmine, but at least it's green and growing.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since they haven't bloomed, I'm not sure which flower to expect.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The other evening I went to see if there were any buds yet and was surprised to see this:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg-gfwHXAuv9gww3yHJVROjkBu4dCD8lO1pAenlNrvn4p6pzWooP71dCqGF5dhMO46FgaBsrPnSd-mXMVBtYiprx1nJyms6QLcq7hlAaPVmvaCxstpNJjGZXqARpsz3RsryIlMZH6ZEdLNTOEtuBPgI0Tjx-AGFcHDee_DHw9LlO5dSqV6LJDG2UaSSRY/s4032/IMG_2351.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg-gfwHXAuv9gww3yHJVROjkBu4dCD8lO1pAenlNrvn4p6pzWooP71dCqGF5dhMO46FgaBsrPnSd-mXMVBtYiprx1nJyms6QLcq7hlAaPVmvaCxstpNJjGZXqARpsz3RsryIlMZH6ZEdLNTOEtuBPgI0Tjx-AGFcHDee_DHw9LlO5dSqV6LJDG2UaSSRY/w480-h640/IMG_2351.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">~ Ipomoea Alba ~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One big beautiful moonflower.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCK5yKfGSVUZpE_jHofgzEwZ8F2BizO2yZ5JbMjL8uA1dzM5Svd5qDc8wYuF-7eyakG7JSeJxl0HoOYxiNR7_f-PEnPPw_UlkZbtSinG_e9h7FNiD5HsDkdCBUUlBYnWd-swQtZW6HWCQ4UGL0-KRRdNwkeBqq0y3QOelWE-WqLnOApz9A-SHk38NMGp1X/s4032/IMG_1994.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCK5yKfGSVUZpE_jHofgzEwZ8F2BizO2yZ5JbMjL8uA1dzM5Svd5qDc8wYuF-7eyakG7JSeJxl0HoOYxiNR7_f-PEnPPw_UlkZbtSinG_e9h7FNiD5HsDkdCBUUlBYnWd-swQtZW6HWCQ4UGL0-KRRdNwkeBqq0y3QOelWE-WqLnOApz9A-SHk38NMGp1X/w300-h400/IMG_1994.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">For a relatively small patio situated so close to the next house, a lot goes on out there if one is paying attention. In the spring this cardinal was a daily visitor. Flying from window to window banging his beak into the window, it was easy to tell when he was here. Oftentimes his mate would be out there with him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ld6DIoBv7iqBM7CtAzFms6MZ0Nj6FnU8AXzNIHPWvT3RWp5WBbS7nUwJ6SOgofg8NAZAPCNK8r4WyIW26q0tMUoFi8kBYP1xGg_zeDv5fhs5UQZqWC7vYR7S-WeznI9tWLryAfZ_VKKwTMlwrvS0MHWAzn0NSnorRSkJCUx9KUH6YMcc8Xr0dBZ-OPTZ/s4032/IMG_1991.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ld6DIoBv7iqBM7CtAzFms6MZ0Nj6FnU8AXzNIHPWvT3RWp5WBbS7nUwJ6SOgofg8NAZAPCNK8r4WyIW26q0tMUoFi8kBYP1xGg_zeDv5fhs5UQZqWC7vYR7S-WeznI9tWLryAfZ_VKKwTMlwrvS0MHWAzn0NSnorRSkJCUx9KUH6YMcc8Xr0dBZ-OPTZ/w480-h640/IMG_1991.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">This sweet little chipmunk has discovered the bird feeder.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I enjoy watching him along with the birds while drinking my morning coffee in the living room.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-253W1X3xGQtItXR38qmWHx9TQpCj8Y4UDmVvfAxSFoZY6AFrr46ZfegLaup2P48NQGSfudil9CiQp8UAmiJcMQpH-ReNHLcHYoMwWkPF0vHg5H3u_EoBQSu4JMVnaHYJXVd2oYJ52n6E-DOYKxnEVTRgQtoHSTLzFl01mdE_0dWWXPIEhxFdwqnCkXBK/s2051/IMG_2324.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2051" data-original-width="1520" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-253W1X3xGQtItXR38qmWHx9TQpCj8Y4UDmVvfAxSFoZY6AFrr46ZfegLaup2P48NQGSfudil9CiQp8UAmiJcMQpH-ReNHLcHYoMwWkPF0vHg5H3u_EoBQSu4JMVnaHYJXVd2oYJ52n6E-DOYKxnEVTRgQtoHSTLzFl01mdE_0dWWXPIEhxFdwqnCkXBK/w474-h640/IMG_2324.heic" width="474" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Apparently someone else is visiting the patio during the night.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">On a recent morning the feeder had been knocked to the ground and I spied the little chipmunk wondering where his food source had gone.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QYs4LzUT0Ypkst19TsR7IiDd7kdJYgKHLbb6ysrCXVTFXJF-O5CSXR0mOGXomeKGCO7TeoaN81cUMJ83T0reYcGuZKY2zpkVTguPcShlFcYT9JvlqfIbKZaiDaw2hzLAMEzUVQSMDKXFCDrvU4YgmEx28cKKzyGpUoHQBEJAT51iRYYqj3zOGNNxgcql/s1897/IMG_2325.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1897" data-original-width="1617" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QYs4LzUT0Ypkst19TsR7IiDd7kdJYgKHLbb6ysrCXVTFXJF-O5CSXR0mOGXomeKGCO7TeoaN81cUMJ83T0reYcGuZKY2zpkVTguPcShlFcYT9JvlqfIbKZaiDaw2hzLAMEzUVQSMDKXFCDrvU4YgmEx28cKKzyGpUoHQBEJAT51iRYYqj3zOGNNxgcql/w546-h640/IMG_2325.heic" width="546" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Standing on his tippy toes for a closer look.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Behind him grow our two tomato plants.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Upon closer inspection I found the night visitor had helped himself to several tomatoes along with the bird food.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATAWI2RbWEO3H5MQTz5LJrjrRjvktiQ-8qpw3aCWmXN8kfSBgbryBxHliLe38MVVroK-2FjeB4yowuu0aeiATTjCXUFrP0Q894jyxuLYNTgAHsIrP_Tr-6CMhXm0Fu1kQfPEaEc8MkguQnWkJQnlfARQvm13ctFeWFPrTGZJYCKpcbka7EYXrMQRNCmsI/s3270/IMG_1963.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3270" data-original-width="2317" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATAWI2RbWEO3H5MQTz5LJrjrRjvktiQ-8qpw3aCWmXN8kfSBgbryBxHliLe38MVVroK-2FjeB4yowuu0aeiATTjCXUFrP0Q894jyxuLYNTgAHsIrP_Tr-6CMhXm0Fu1kQfPEaEc8MkguQnWkJQnlfARQvm13ctFeWFPrTGZJYCKpcbka7EYXrMQRNCmsI/w454-h640/IMG_1963.heic" width="454" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">This visitor is my least favorite.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">You have to really be paying attention to spot him there hiding between the patio and the siding on the house.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know that snakes have their place. I just wish it was nowhere near my place. One day I was stepping onto the patio from the house to water my plants and nearly set my foot down on him or one of his many, many relatives. EEK, I'm not sure who ran/slithered away faster from that close encounter.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">🐍</span></div>Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-60872081604957824182023-08-08T12:40:00.000-04:002023-08-08T12:40:17.799-04:00Summer. . . So Far<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV59yRx_jdAu0o_WK3hyf6KTnVBsV9ifaGqX7mzBJprqzIXWuyMAukZlPcOcWmCWSdnGMFufEQkPYEf4ENIOOV4P4MjilADy2FRwtP0u4feJzzTzK5TF2jCyyeeiEEV8RjTqg0atlMWZ-by8Od3e7iICViq5UdY_feAzmqmn4_Ch44chK6DF_q0q0FXETf/s4032/IMG_2104.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV59yRx_jdAu0o_WK3hyf6KTnVBsV9ifaGqX7mzBJprqzIXWuyMAukZlPcOcWmCWSdnGMFufEQkPYEf4ENIOOV4P4MjilADy2FRwtP0u4feJzzTzK5TF2jCyyeeiEEV8RjTqg0atlMWZ-by8Od3e7iICViq5UdY_feAzmqmn4_Ch44chK6DF_q0q0FXETf/w400-h300/IMG_2104.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This week my grandson will be heading back to school which has made me realize that despite the soaring temperatures outside, summer is beginning to wind down. Before it's gone for good I thought I'd take a moment to document some of the highlights. Like, for instance, finishing my first 2000 piece puzzle :<span style="color: #cc0000;">D</span>. It was a challenge that was well suited for those summer days when the heat and humidity made being indoors much more desirable.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSkD3RuwzHy6wHTwzR8mvGHlsiwIMQ7skkWjRFCKB1Q6ouXJlefpaZpITv2RDA3Ty7WnYh-y3ltBV81fWSAPcebA9Mr_YuwTSEiS8SPox8xwA12yZ73VGSh2Oo1fizAyvuwJiudIgBNw_Ri2WDvlIGl3ZJd31Q0YKic_dygi2oxBjIGfv6PUmi3Q0P_4o/s4032/IMG_2151.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSkD3RuwzHy6wHTwzR8mvGHlsiwIMQ7skkWjRFCKB1Q6ouXJlefpaZpITv2RDA3Ty7WnYh-y3ltBV81fWSAPcebA9Mr_YuwTSEiS8SPox8xwA12yZ73VGSh2Oo1fizAyvuwJiudIgBNw_Ri2WDvlIGl3ZJd31Q0YKic_dygi2oxBjIGfv6PUmi3Q0P_4o/w300-h400/IMG_2151.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In July we travelled to Michigan to meet the newest member of the family. Our nephew's first child is such a happy little guy. We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know him.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nLJnA2huMO9qR8kclpOyZzj21LXlwSj4v3dMtFhDzD1z1uf3YzHk-jH3n_uxzbJrQSjgkVDmJ9B_usS71zPNDTpQXn3_fOMgZF1gbXPwKN7OAmKQ69AuVMHelBJNO4tYMD605eKDcWTQ3MkkgmUtENsrpacU8OXz0RcwslFSIo6d2lV0QjSLcTNlsWi2/s4032/IMG_2253.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nLJnA2huMO9qR8kclpOyZzj21LXlwSj4v3dMtFhDzD1z1uf3YzHk-jH3n_uxzbJrQSjgkVDmJ9B_usS71zPNDTpQXn3_fOMgZF1gbXPwKN7OAmKQ69AuVMHelBJNO4tYMD605eKDcWTQ3MkkgmUtENsrpacU8OXz0RcwslFSIo6d2lV0QjSLcTNlsWi2/w300-h400/IMG_2253.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">With family spread around the country, it makes seeing one another a bit more challenging. When my sister and brother-in-law organized this family reunion, we couldn't wait to go.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7Mn_ZBTcML63QykAx6p07FJ4mRMSyxCWQNg2oDhovgR0xm76BqMpkpLcLRTO3VBp544oYA1DPN1KmI7dN_k0PydvIkp-0po4zXaS7UHwtVOm5eD7W68weXSwVRkq0nkKmMGDLxGrwWyGPpIhdEwxbiCsG8vL0yTjEBCTtJZANdxvPhO4MxJqJ6jC-6VW/s4032/IMG_2148.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7Mn_ZBTcML63QykAx6p07FJ4mRMSyxCWQNg2oDhovgR0xm76BqMpkpLcLRTO3VBp544oYA1DPN1KmI7dN_k0PydvIkp-0po4zXaS7UHwtVOm5eD7W68weXSwVRkq0nkKmMGDLxGrwWyGPpIhdEwxbiCsG8vL0yTjEBCTtJZANdxvPhO4MxJqJ6jC-6VW/w400-h300/IMG_2148.heic" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">My brother and sister-in-law flew in from California for a few days.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not the best picture, but apparently the only one I took.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdxtOludfjPznatRHsXtTN-xeTeTBqiL--BvLORMnmQ6Spwjhg8jx2QRXXMDqp2jF5BolXYmko06D3X8OO-FB4aASp-PZYuc_SsZV8D9nqN1H_CHG8FALFZ6IRap8Yrzq5Zuc4EhyK15efijZREz-rHJAzYH4yObqEgqLzNCYqQIVN7hIISDlda6G3pqx/s4032/IMG_2202.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdxtOludfjPznatRHsXtTN-xeTeTBqiL--BvLORMnmQ6Spwjhg8jx2QRXXMDqp2jF5BolXYmko06D3X8OO-FB4aASp-PZYuc_SsZV8D9nqN1H_CHG8FALFZ6IRap8Yrzq5Zuc4EhyK15efijZREz-rHJAzYH4yObqEgqLzNCYqQIVN7hIISDlda6G3pqx/w480-h640/IMG_2202.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As a child our summer vacations were often spent in Ontario, Canada. My Dad was born there and although the family moved to Michigan when he was very young, he had many cousins still living there. Crossing the border via the Blue Water Bridge always seemed a bit adventurous to me back then.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FnVwVaPqjDZNK8wLMiR-UCB9Bjmt1VvQCq-me-lwj8w10w4aBax6k9_lzschZ4VMVtDvXIPeOLHMrQ2BcpgWhUEcP_rql-AUXidzDprWcb-Nlm0eFVXtTvVVjdbul4MmKnLo7wWW6WLi5qorpEAn7JkwKjZgksZ8Sjkca-oIBviwoUvkjHYpojjp0Ysw/s4032/IMG_2230.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FnVwVaPqjDZNK8wLMiR-UCB9Bjmt1VvQCq-me-lwj8w10w4aBax6k9_lzschZ4VMVtDvXIPeOLHMrQ2BcpgWhUEcP_rql-AUXidzDprWcb-Nlm0eFVXtTvVVjdbul4MmKnLo7wWW6WLi5qorpEAn7JkwKjZgksZ8Sjkca-oIBviwoUvkjHYpojjp0Ysw/w640-h480/IMG_2230.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">One day we drove to Port Huron as my son wanted to see one of the great lakes while in Michigan. Port Huron is located on the Michigan side of the US/Canadian border and runs along the St. Clair River. Here you can see the Blue Water Bridge in the distance.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpHswCL19Va23xTiUt_xm2zPvIZ8vjh60pHOVFHOFyJUi5XnV5UhoWyd7oOsT-bYWkzyBCKn_GYKb0vHqqihECd3l3aIFWWulssNWkbBeuCB_08sKXYMXcfonuGrczoJxinPVn3qrOrokKLm_vKrb1cH_5pHO9JBy1WL2k0VBw6TwLEY1_kt8KV6RebsJ/s4032/IMG_2189.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpHswCL19Va23xTiUt_xm2zPvIZ8vjh60pHOVFHOFyJUi5XnV5UhoWyd7oOsT-bYWkzyBCKn_GYKb0vHqqihECd3l3aIFWWulssNWkbBeuCB_08sKXYMXcfonuGrczoJxinPVn3qrOrokKLm_vKrb1cH_5pHO9JBy1WL2k0VBw6TwLEY1_kt8KV6RebsJ/w640-h480/IMG_2189.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The St. Clair River connects to Lake Huron here which provided an opportunity to walk along the beach and listen to the waves hitting the shore. I was transported back to childhood days of enjoying long summer days in that water.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTSqbQs4Evjm04RbBhu04qMV7awP6bvu0ad_GI2LDHrZybYKPDSxoG5TyWasXMKCaFgBayGw4qCipF_z0cK1DcfbpfK5Fh4tjmDUhIfwOLxW4hV4LADJwZJ461USNmWde2rKZtSdfwI-_nbCI1bJKlX9CyqzhBsGweJvOF7m2z58tfMj9JJcCQJ-Anca7/s4032/IMG_2214.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTSqbQs4Evjm04RbBhu04qMV7awP6bvu0ad_GI2LDHrZybYKPDSxoG5TyWasXMKCaFgBayGw4qCipF_z0cK1DcfbpfK5Fh4tjmDUhIfwOLxW4hV4LADJwZJ461USNmWde2rKZtSdfwI-_nbCI1bJKlX9CyqzhBsGweJvOF7m2z58tfMj9JJcCQJ-Anca7/w480-h640/IMG_2214.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">We enjoyed a long walk along the river enjoying the sights and the periodic signs and statues providing historical information. Apparently Port Huron is the boyhood home of Thomas Edison.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOA8qG0Z9jqBu2-UGlxo1tL8uq6PFntsxVR7BZB0YSWRwIuRpWPG5qN0yT1x00Lg5R1vdITvQx8_xteld9xPVZdpYIM-H2UPsza5fiweJLtO_qebiRmIM_p-mZq-WRNBg488SxZDbGpRz4lTFJ2IytlYmW-u_MviFaEreKlArN2l8zKdJcWVwrHls6DesZ/s4032/IMG_0607.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOA8qG0Z9jqBu2-UGlxo1tL8uq6PFntsxVR7BZB0YSWRwIuRpWPG5qN0yT1x00Lg5R1vdITvQx8_xteld9xPVZdpYIM-H2UPsza5fiweJLtO_qebiRmIM_p-mZq-WRNBg488SxZDbGpRz4lTFJ2IytlYmW-u_MviFaEreKlArN2l8zKdJcWVwrHls6DesZ/w300-h400/IMG_0607.heic" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Soon after returning home from Michigan our Florida family came for a visit. Brett's brother and our sister-in-law joined us for dinner one evening. One day Jaxson made an innocent observation about my aging neck which prompted a conversation among the ladies about what the heck happens to our necks during/after menopause. Ha Ha! This would explain why we are using his arms to camouflage our necklines. <span style="color: #0b5394;">:</span><span style="color: #e06666;">D</span></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqphvxMPwLmC04gjKGRXZDbq2lS_n8ZdUbYIbtRh0Dudg8uyhNSyGXD62IfUpKBLhpVKkr55ujJJT5bdCp2xMUJdBXaYx-wjY42cU8YhU_uQRyX5zN_9_n16ujNadouVBif73ORmHp6Gb7NNBfP9P4WY2YK3iocyfBAvBthI5W9PJpEoYwbLIxeouTsSR/s2554/IMG_0623.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2344" data-original-width="2554" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqphvxMPwLmC04gjKGRXZDbq2lS_n8ZdUbYIbtRh0Dudg8uyhNSyGXD62IfUpKBLhpVKkr55ujJJT5bdCp2xMUJdBXaYx-wjY42cU8YhU_uQRyX5zN_9_n16ujNadouVBif73ORmHp6Gb7NNBfP9P4WY2YK3iocyfBAvBthI5W9PJpEoYwbLIxeouTsSR/w400-h368/IMG_0623.heic" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Here the timer feature captured all of us bare necks and all.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">***</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">During much of this time I wasn't checking in much with blogging.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I took the time to catch up on things, I was so sorry to learn of a great loss to our blogging community. Vee of <a href="https://ahavenforvee.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Haven for Vee</a> was well known to many of us. She was one of the first to leave a comment on my blog many years ago and has been a faithful commenter ever since. Her blog was one I always enjoyed reading. She had a love for home and family and was gifted with putting her thoughts into words in such an interesting way. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">While I don't think the blog world can ever be the same without her in it, I know that she is now at peace and reunited with her dear husband, John and, if blog reading still happens in heaven, I send my love and thanks to you dear Vee for your friendship through the years. You will be missed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">💕</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-90999533972646790202023-07-18T15:21:00.000-04:002023-07-18T15:21:16.629-04:00A Row of Roses<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLqazJwO5HRtML3V9OqiRYoR-bq0bmC0zCw1LzZxmK9bMLsudQTSPcda3PBbQfMr92OkYp3jjQ2_D5CSTjsOzEDCV8VcRMEarTX2rIR_rYBjFnuJRwYPWCjkD_Sd_vZ-1dGgSfPNuPdX419OUzAnvDYw0m51sT8d-1GxTGqI-OFvtAR_E7jxo5gLVyTi7/s4032/IMG_2169.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXLqazJwO5HRtML3V9OqiRYoR-bq0bmC0zCw1LzZxmK9bMLsudQTSPcda3PBbQfMr92OkYp3jjQ2_D5CSTjsOzEDCV8VcRMEarTX2rIR_rYBjFnuJRwYPWCjkD_Sd_vZ-1dGgSfPNuPdX419OUzAnvDYw0m51sT8d-1GxTGqI-OFvtAR_E7jxo5gLVyTi7/w640-h480/IMG_2169.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">H</span><span style="color: #8e7cc3; font-size: large;">e</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">l</span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">l</span><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">o</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm dusting off the blog (once again :) today.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Are you enjoying your summer? Is it hot where you live?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last week I was back in my home state of Michigan where the weather was delightful and such a welcome reprieve from our high heat and humidity.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHf6JlT3yzmF-OcW7hX9VXbPANk5gy9tFT1i8MiNu3ujyk1LelKGvlp92FmuJlR_4dBlyJ9y5aixw-6HPR6-H-Ym9gBcevDS2PHpaQFF9wKpx9iKCDrZplKODeJEgmaI8b9pHiyq5um3WC4-s2tjATt1yfBk50tLpbu4IHLPcBIW68s7oet0SXBp1g170U/s4032/IMG_2048.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHf6JlT3yzmF-OcW7hX9VXbPANk5gy9tFT1i8MiNu3ujyk1LelKGvlp92FmuJlR_4dBlyJ9y5aixw-6HPR6-H-Ym9gBcevDS2PHpaQFF9wKpx9iKCDrZplKODeJEgmaI8b9pHiyq5um3WC4-s2tjATt1yfBk50tLpbu4IHLPcBIW68s7oet0SXBp1g170U/w480-h640/IMG_2048.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Before vacation and before the heat set in, we tackled a little garden project.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It involved roses...Drift Roses to be exact.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just when I had come to the conclusion that there would be no room for roses in my garden, the drift variety presented itself.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I didn't know much about them until reading an article on their special attributes, in particular disease resistance and maintaining a small size. In fact, they are considered ground cover roses.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDNITqsV0UWvFbkGbq5DiQlUe5HryVHfxqUQH9b00LOujC26r2higzE3ITDkcZL_8llZGhFSF1v3lBSFQDY34cu2U6qNXvot7PkW_ppMb3eEuOJAsPkeYsHPx59jj97LaFEHC4BywIfjr1FJzqVW7Qe0cuDJ6C43-N8xT62Y_k4m4UYMogTYeUMD10yKS/s4032/IMG_2051.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDNITqsV0UWvFbkGbq5DiQlUe5HryVHfxqUQH9b00LOujC26r2higzE3ITDkcZL_8llZGhFSF1v3lBSFQDY34cu2U6qNXvot7PkW_ppMb3eEuOJAsPkeYsHPx59jj97LaFEHC4BywIfjr1FJzqVW7Qe0cuDJ6C43-N8xT62Y_k4m4UYMogTYeUMD10yKS/w480-h640/IMG_2051.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We purchased four of the Peach Drift roses and planted them in a bed behind the house. This spot receives full blaring sun all day which is something these roses will thrive on.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRAkdPIDCCR1p1x9ZCt0zc4UjQdJyt6bHLmbIJME_9RQWk-zweTRMH-5HjU8YYaJT9KIUFWX8rOMWyRtxn-ZkpjlQ7WO7cqVPLBn3M8kKwaREo6Nu5p4Iqp2ncGZUhdAyKRnw14JiuWKHdC18p36SYLcbhaehj9xzH8dbrJBLXGm_BsxfSIYsH4l6QNA2/s4032/IMG_2049.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRAkdPIDCCR1p1x9ZCt0zc4UjQdJyt6bHLmbIJME_9RQWk-zweTRMH-5HjU8YYaJT9KIUFWX8rOMWyRtxn-ZkpjlQ7WO7cqVPLBn3M8kKwaREo6Nu5p4Iqp2ncGZUhdAyKRnw14JiuWKHdC18p36SYLcbhaehj9xzH8dbrJBLXGm_BsxfSIYsH4l6QNA2/w480-h640/IMG_2049.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Between the roses I planted a lavender plant.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I received it for Christmas a few years ago and didn't have high hopes that it would survive in our climate. It was a pleasant surprise to see it blooming this spring.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWScjT2nuHDlqMWM0ylNX10hEuA6RQpieWLZ430haCf4UNnaVfp1eGG_Ek4LRUARtao05YS3zoYnh7durc0KXIMZrvDPdSz956CySdWNiBxqkjdHRZKrJPsiNUUe3etDnCvvchuz4SGk5bxhkEz1RxnliXm-R9v4s1Xk0fUkqybaaGiulIFDsZc6FPXuy/s4032/IMG_2045.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWScjT2nuHDlqMWM0ylNX10hEuA6RQpieWLZ430haCf4UNnaVfp1eGG_Ek4LRUARtao05YS3zoYnh7durc0KXIMZrvDPdSz956CySdWNiBxqkjdHRZKrJPsiNUUe3etDnCvvchuz4SGk5bxhkEz1RxnliXm-R9v4s1Xk0fUkqybaaGiulIFDsZc6FPXuy/w640-h480/IMG_2045.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">With plenty of room to fill in I think these roses will be ideal for completing this bed. Originally there were hydrangeas planted here.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">They were receiving way too much sun and have since been relocated to the side of the house where they are much happier.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Behind the roses is a row of Otto Luyken Laurels and under the window is a purple clematis. Once everything is established and in bloom, I foresee a beautiful combination of colors.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">A real bonus is that the roses also have a lovely rose scent.</span></div>Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-43483075936248293052023-06-05T09:49:00.002-04:002023-06-05T12:31:02.915-04:00A Productive Weekend<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqP7PyEoJ5Oo2AjdarpB2xqWs5oPvE6aQMRZdWVNpo6cCott9J5_huAF4nihQkftrzKiDbyXP0zz2Pf83FhphYBKP3oNBBUIRxZnQ3pb5xp7Gf7jwCWYRYWCLT1ryPDRKzjdMuDltcQPh6SW4msc0_5mwfHANK9hQ8RrnFJJOP5A0BuEakbYvX_aaDg/s4032/IMG_1969.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqP7PyEoJ5Oo2AjdarpB2xqWs5oPvE6aQMRZdWVNpo6cCott9J5_huAF4nihQkftrzKiDbyXP0zz2Pf83FhphYBKP3oNBBUIRxZnQ3pb5xp7Gf7jwCWYRYWCLT1ryPDRKzjdMuDltcQPh6SW4msc0_5mwfHANK9hQ8RrnFJJOP5A0BuEakbYvX_aaDg/w300-h400/IMG_1969.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Now that the pollen has settled, it was time to take action to make the patio a more desirable place to relax.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fTrc-8Olj-JM9CCIpYzSMVwJqsoXRC5mQZwcj2m350ZvKtW-Ww2VBwnRBWbnecnE5O7ScUHtbVmZI4KH0tDQZ0HzwOQ1p6GLKva5eaK6JF5GpTgYxS7eoe9buTM6Nf4BzDW7IrB-YRf9UI0dhCmwF6BzYahlgagDg2gUdJGu6Q4DVNHwhwFd7J-fQg/s4032/IMG_1957.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fTrc-8Olj-JM9CCIpYzSMVwJqsoXRC5mQZwcj2m350ZvKtW-Ww2VBwnRBWbnecnE5O7ScUHtbVmZI4KH0tDQZ0HzwOQ1p6GLKva5eaK6JF5GpTgYxS7eoe9buTM6Nf4BzDW7IrB-YRf9UI0dhCmwF6BzYahlgagDg2gUdJGu6Q4DVNHwhwFd7J-fQg/w300-h400/IMG_1957.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Here you see a pile of pollen that I swept from behind the patio chairs in preparation for power washing time. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3ieNL-SpYksWmXgrY5ORy9JkNsnqjSdy4Lh9nybf29WWOLCsXb6Oz49Ynvyr3ZkVprJyNut1uMVK-TguXH_FZKGzdKLDbf608LOQ_xtP_x7Kc5mCNjbW3t-SgApoe_S9aZnfnkhGqT6_tlo9Pf4RrwQBRRjssYzRlITBXjM35QaLnWQWAFrOXtpIXw/s4032/IMG_1974.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3ieNL-SpYksWmXgrY5ORy9JkNsnqjSdy4Lh9nybf29WWOLCsXb6Oz49Ynvyr3ZkVprJyNut1uMVK-TguXH_FZKGzdKLDbf608LOQ_xtP_x7Kc5mCNjbW3t-SgApoe_S9aZnfnkhGqT6_tlo9Pf4RrwQBRRjssYzRlITBXjM35QaLnWQWAFrOXtpIXw/w400-h300/IMG_1974.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Brett in action.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">He power washed the patios, all of the patio furniture, the screens and here he is blasting the rocks in the fountain. They get coated with a black film during the winter. That is all gone now and everything is looking so fresh and clean.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqu9ZQ0ec9MPmVMayol1HRrcKAaFIcCvmNxfrjSTdHUpLjJ6iGIIkE9pnsGS44-NDoDsdQ_YbNFpWeweT6xtghNrKaJTFHTydjgnFnsURdVMNz6Ltd6s7XNtc7ff-lq1pt8nVTr3BQLYFSgOznsktKroFql3u987_LG7l8dc6G4AaDUnRawffSrCKPXw/s4032/IMG_1959.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqu9ZQ0ec9MPmVMayol1HRrcKAaFIcCvmNxfrjSTdHUpLjJ6iGIIkE9pnsGS44-NDoDsdQ_YbNFpWeweT6xtghNrKaJTFHTydjgnFnsURdVMNz6Ltd6s7XNtc7ff-lq1pt8nVTr3BQLYFSgOznsktKroFql3u987_LG7l8dc6G4AaDUnRawffSrCKPXw/w480-h640/IMG_1959.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">While he was doing all that, I was inside cleaning.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dusting, vacuuming, washing floors, laundering and tidying.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sounds like a fun weekend, doesn't it? ;<span style="color: #e06666;">D</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">To lessen the drudgery I started by cutting a little bouquet for the kitchen. My hydrangeas are just coming into bloom along with the coneflowers.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSqkjp579j2o4XHehoI-h2eSfZbJwc1qCSgjtQAWwCtcD1rZA9YgD1xW9CHgSGrI6LW9UtOJEnItfxcsqkvU7f2BnTbM5EKo3Ow7IqEJV9MqVZr5dtLgPtqxPqeCTb23YR-FKhOdxKwvPeWe5W9GD2MVdniB6NQDEY-E7ZsyGFtr4Y81SXjnJwcmY9A/s4032/IMG_1983.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSqkjp579j2o4XHehoI-h2eSfZbJwc1qCSgjtQAWwCtcD1rZA9YgD1xW9CHgSGrI6LW9UtOJEnItfxcsqkvU7f2BnTbM5EKo3Ow7IqEJV9MqVZr5dtLgPtqxPqeCTb23YR-FKhOdxKwvPeWe5W9GD2MVdniB6NQDEY-E7ZsyGFtr4Y81SXjnJwcmY9A/w640-h480/IMG_1983.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Before the work began we visited the farmer's market.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The local strawberries are still in season so we purchased a quart along with a delicious cantaloupe. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was able to pick a small bowl of blueberries from the garden and snipped a sprig of spearmint while I was out there.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5518yThzWoSZ7etQuh4rkaCkg513RkBc7BtDjVBO2igndFsIoo8PNxfO-ZoSQRfv3V8W-B_ZoTd1b-B6dV5f9M7u-WscWH6N9W9BSM9KgvW03EbsiOyL8CSz3C-dTV9Y-wehyzwUj_I9SdB3SLwZD6uJiMDq93upAKvlrOeGuiCHma_o-vGQJ8JSlng/s4032/IMG_1984.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5518yThzWoSZ7etQuh4rkaCkg513RkBc7BtDjVBO2igndFsIoo8PNxfO-ZoSQRfv3V8W-B_ZoTd1b-B6dV5f9M7u-WscWH6N9W9BSM9KgvW03EbsiOyL8CSz3C-dTV9Y-wehyzwUj_I9SdB3SLwZD6uJiMDq93upAKvlrOeGuiCHma_o-vGQJ8JSlng/w640-h480/IMG_1984.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It all came together for a colorful fruit salad.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUw1iNQnSwLrE3QuIshfJTAzBdnFoDS0rlsslAX8rxwLWoJTLplfwOxac3HKouPg8w4SszmW5FVeblp2vXYuFVRA5vL-NU7pJfKYeGcFL9XEMF6ZPJGiQYixdSIfUxNe143Q6dDXRFNZIcqmXLeuyvFZPf1tYPFu4LoaJa5B2uVtkUDrRXI5CcqlZnPw/s2791/IMG_1986%202.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2292" data-original-width="2791" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUw1iNQnSwLrE3QuIshfJTAzBdnFoDS0rlsslAX8rxwLWoJTLplfwOxac3HKouPg8w4SszmW5FVeblp2vXYuFVRA5vL-NU7pJfKYeGcFL9XEMF6ZPJGiQYixdSIfUxNe143Q6dDXRFNZIcqmXLeuyvFZPf1tYPFu4LoaJa5B2uVtkUDrRXI5CcqlZnPw/w400-h329/IMG_1986%202.heic" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">While at the farmer's market we also purchased a tomato pie.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Filled with eggs, cheese, tomatoes, onion and basil. Yum!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It paired nicely with the fruit and was a fairly effortless dinner at the end of a busy day.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBdzxY3AYnmdp12eCc3kARNoN3tSKWtZJtr3yGRcK3fq_WN_qz0dr5aXwPGlOW_m-DQKnndWLQkbf7wPNvTGpFQB7ov7NeEF17BT7kDThHlVXwLLMT57_FtD72D2W4noVR08wd9c-xgWQ9p_PlRht4i8Fw1qRqLn3ZmPnuselHe3N2RUjaNoOBqOohw/s4032/IMG_1987.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBdzxY3AYnmdp12eCc3kARNoN3tSKWtZJtr3yGRcK3fq_WN_qz0dr5aXwPGlOW_m-DQKnndWLQkbf7wPNvTGpFQB7ov7NeEF17BT7kDThHlVXwLLMT57_FtD72D2W4noVR08wd9c-xgWQ9p_PlRht4i8Fw1qRqLn3ZmPnuselHe3N2RUjaNoOBqOohw/w640-h480/IMG_1987.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The pie was loaded with tomatoes and soooo tasty.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It seems to me that a meal tastes especially good after a productive day, particularly if most of the ingredients are fresh and seasonal.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br />Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-72283938955991618802023-05-09T12:40:00.000-04:002023-05-09T12:40:09.566-04:00In The May Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGvQgHi46CaozWfGANL7gHrvJ-Wan1atUKRpI04fXsGW9anh4TE47E7lcViuU6zJ4VYUzkpFrZpEC3d6MmIypTBfBrGqFE06k-kQBxGd2wswSwjF8SV05tHQpUab5z1KdyDWql07EyD1oBWdSzTO7zZxOxfNPXU-NkueIF_LJkBi7xo9hbfVK4H6Cdw/s4032/IMG_1690.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGvQgHi46CaozWfGANL7gHrvJ-Wan1atUKRpI04fXsGW9anh4TE47E7lcViuU6zJ4VYUzkpFrZpEC3d6MmIypTBfBrGqFE06k-kQBxGd2wswSwjF8SV05tHQpUab5z1KdyDWql07EyD1oBWdSzTO7zZxOxfNPXU-NkueIF_LJkBi7xo9hbfVK4H6Cdw/w480-h640/IMG_1690.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The azaleas in my garden have come and gone with nary a picture taken to document them. I suppose that had to do with lacking energy while they were in their prime. The past week has been fairly productive on the gardening front and a few times the camera came out. It's nice to have documentation here on the blog so that I can compare from year to year what bloomed when.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here the clematis are still putting out blooms, although they will soon be done.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYWYS62uIAUmRNZMwnKrjRlKiD75XPDA06vRwiAo1DQ7sY0DG_jDlFE3rIqEV3_Do28Mzzb7fRy1xrz-2d576UhsCyVljsbbdoM6ZFa-Pe7u3DBbD9aKb_UGUTZlLoU4_O3_S-_AoR2aWya5A3u_JfsR0UgbF3evSVQJ4QXJdiRoCpnIM3ooNZt5QiA/s4032/IMG_1767.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYWYS62uIAUmRNZMwnKrjRlKiD75XPDA06vRwiAo1DQ7sY0DG_jDlFE3rIqEV3_Do28Mzzb7fRy1xrz-2d576UhsCyVljsbbdoM6ZFa-Pe7u3DBbD9aKb_UGUTZlLoU4_O3_S-_AoR2aWya5A3u_JfsR0UgbF3evSVQJ4QXJdiRoCpnIM3ooNZt5QiA/w300-h400/IMG_1767.heic" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">While I wish I could say this basket of strawberries came from my garden, the truth is they were the first of the locally grown berries from the farmer's market. The day we bought them our son was coming for dinner. We picked up an angel food cake and whipped cream and had a delicious seasonal dessert. Brett and I went on to enjoy that dessert every evening until the cake was gone. Our rationale was that after waiting all winter for the local strawberries to arrive, we have to take full advantage while the season lasts.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcDIp0TGBTN9Qc-PzGeSNPOFxx-66Dl0gbwaQH8cLdjcrdsl3Xl6av3T5pugiwjJtQmNZbdFCl3xdbHfDAa0IjBHTOv4aVusyacKwmYIqC9e-AD6RWXZn5qmlQ04dQVaJK3u5jdxYCWwguHe-A-SyELJTaiVUiOO2CVLi7ZDx0BQCWDL6lmf18uflHQ/s4032/IMG_1797.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcDIp0TGBTN9Qc-PzGeSNPOFxx-66Dl0gbwaQH8cLdjcrdsl3Xl6av3T5pugiwjJtQmNZbdFCl3xdbHfDAa0IjBHTOv4aVusyacKwmYIqC9e-AD6RWXZn5qmlQ04dQVaJK3u5jdxYCWwguHe-A-SyELJTaiVUiOO2CVLi7ZDx0BQCWDL6lmf18uflHQ/w480-h640/IMG_1797.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love how the garden centers offer these drop in planters. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think they did such a nice job with this color combination of coleus.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">They should be well suited to the mostly shade situation on the patio.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Keeping my fingers crossed that I can keep them looking this lovely all summer.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6812Yv_l1gAZ4nfD5RFjANAav5H8P8Y3fUqh_xHKKTMeObTRRIcV9V433NHxSF3uxuzq20StHS-gshW0J4O0VSylceiVzN_Gn_Ris9MoexVVJpoeruuwAWf3m7CcBFhQTV-UiTrXde-0GRkOuzglV04GtF71e-QQGKEcu1gu85UxdPqwp2vcHppUZ1Q/s4032/IMG_1814.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6812Yv_l1gAZ4nfD5RFjANAav5H8P8Y3fUqh_xHKKTMeObTRRIcV9V433NHxSF3uxuzq20StHS-gshW0J4O0VSylceiVzN_Gn_Ris9MoexVVJpoeruuwAWf3m7CcBFhQTV-UiTrXde-0GRkOuzglV04GtF71e-QQGKEcu1gu85UxdPqwp2vcHppUZ1Q/w480-h640/IMG_1814.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of my favorite places to be at this time of year is the garden centers and nurseries. Looking at all of the beautiful plants is so enjoyable and it seems like people are in good spirits as they plan their gardens and landscapes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't resist this mushroom to add a bit of whimsy to the pot of impatiens on the patio dining table.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our weather today calls for rain most of the day, yet the sun is shining. I hope there will be at least one good soaking so that I don't have to drag out the hose to water the seeds that have been planted here and there. We did receive a lot of April showers. Since my seeds weren't planted then, there will be no May flowers unless I keep them watered.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">🥀🥀</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-60642723823224399742023-04-26T13:56:00.000-04:002023-04-26T13:56:54.179-04:00Saturday's Stormy Start<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Long before I was planning to get up this past Saturday morning, a large clap of thunder boomed and jolted me into wakefulness. Trying to sort out what just woke me up so suddenly, I could hear the rain coming down in buckets and realized the source of this unwelcome alarm clock.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Moments later an emergency vehicle raced down the street with sirens blaring and red lights flashing.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not the sounds one wants to wake up to.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKkquc8qlplDTNfVr1q2KrUbADtdeX1ylyVLyz1sPMMtpGXIwPXBKmr8F1izLwI_QJqQipOtZ8EBAEmpR2lWJOU1Rzbwim7iN1z7_5T9SwvyjaxHo3mVs2neIWpU1yL-MlWSPFcs_cKqwgPLVZDTADuQT32mWvJzvwjXtvP1GTZJzueG_lNr6ytCWYA/s4032/IMG_1054.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKkquc8qlplDTNfVr1q2KrUbADtdeX1ylyVLyz1sPMMtpGXIwPXBKmr8F1izLwI_QJqQipOtZ8EBAEmpR2lWJOU1Rzbwim7iN1z7_5T9SwvyjaxHo3mVs2neIWpU1yL-MlWSPFcs_cKqwgPLVZDTADuQT32mWvJzvwjXtvP1GTZJzueG_lNr6ytCWYA/w640-h480/IMG_1054.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Later in the day the reason for that early morning siren was revealed.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">This home is located at the other end of our street.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is rumored to have been struck by lightening that hit a gas line.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fortunately it was unoccupied at the time.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thanks to the prompt response by our local fire fighters, the fire was extinguished before it could spread to the house next door. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the afternoon the sun came out and all was calm. In fact it was so pleasant that I had to wonder if this was just a bad dream.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Each time we come and go from the neighborhood, the house serves as a sad reminder of how things can change drastically in an instant.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-35157484135142144402023-04-24T19:31:00.001-04:002023-04-24T19:31:48.838-04:00Another Year Older & Feeling Better<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ya_LBrx5A_qP-29_1uLMRCbBWh_o6JdH8WuHOpBjnYRMsfrOOZd6mJcV6pjCIA6MM7iU8yBvAUXxOd_YXUQAvJTi_V332_Ruo9nFdpTK-l4JyMQjXWf1P13WzG-WtsaaQVcjwX5AHlYUdLfbrSV7MhRjo2nlAOYHcGpPxdv0wE0El8JoTYYt2k58HA/s4032/IMG_1765.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ya_LBrx5A_qP-29_1uLMRCbBWh_o6JdH8WuHOpBjnYRMsfrOOZd6mJcV6pjCIA6MM7iU8yBvAUXxOd_YXUQAvJTi_V332_Ruo9nFdpTK-l4JyMQjXWf1P13WzG-WtsaaQVcjwX5AHlYUdLfbrSV7MhRjo2nlAOYHcGpPxdv0wE0El8JoTYYt2k58HA/w640-h480/IMG_1765.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My 65th birthday will be memorable for two reasons.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. Medicare</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">2. Covid</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Boy, birthdays hold a lot of excitement in the senior years.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ha Ha Ha!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Despite the above, it was still a very nice day. The weather was beautiful. There was cake, flowers, cards, gifts, calls, emails and texts. The only thing lacking was my energy, which I'm happy to say has now returned. Hooray!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for your kind comments in my previous post. Fortunately none of my family members caught it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">April seems to be flying by and I am finding it hard to believe that we are in the last week of this month. I need to get busy in the garden.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Feeling a bit behind on that front. Our sunny days with mild temperatures should be ideal for getting out there and digging in the dirt.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What are your plans for this final week of April?</span></div>Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6365611908359581565.post-82743294758383451702023-04-17T14:05:00.000-04:002023-04-17T14:05:29.365-04:00Under The Weather<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPK2AVeySdoDQa1az3PPig3h6q1mZopa0bf1ni_al2zkryhBUq4s8Xd6fbqpdfM1KmG6RIO4DAywahk_9tUk64xNWV6fb_omYbh7xj7QUeb8kuOQuiF8UIWP9PZch0znRW76QVIaC44y5tvugIqYs5dsGCCKjt0io4s3NvSdqWNv9hVK3YcpO7NLeWqg/s4032/IMG_1718.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPK2AVeySdoDQa1az3PPig3h6q1mZopa0bf1ni_al2zkryhBUq4s8Xd6fbqpdfM1KmG6RIO4DAywahk_9tUk64xNWV6fb_omYbh7xj7QUeb8kuOQuiF8UIWP9PZch0znRW76QVIaC44y5tvugIqYs5dsGCCKjt0io4s3NvSdqWNv9hVK3YcpO7NLeWqg/w480-h640/IMG_1718.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Morning Coffee View</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shortly after my last post we made an impromptu decision to drive down to Florida for a few days to spend Easter with grandson, Jaxson, and his family. It's rare that we get to see them for Easter and we thoroughly enjoyed our time together. Lots of games of Clue and Monopoly were played. Sunday we enjoyed a nice Easter dinner together.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Monday morning we loaded up the car and headed home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">As the miles went on all I could think was that I wanted to be home in my own bed with a soft blanket.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It seems the virus that I have escaped for the past few years has found me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">While I now feel quite a bit better, I'm still testing positive and lacking energy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Keeping my fingers crossed for a negative test by Wednesday as I've got a birthday to celebrate that day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm hoping to muster up enough energy to do a little blog visiting this afternoon as all this sitting around is getting rather BORING.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Happy@Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15748146424809856063noreply@blogger.com9