Mother's Day Wishes

In honor of Mother's Day I brought out some of the china that is normally hidden behind the closed doors of my china cabinet.

When my mom and mother-in-law downsized I inherited many pretty cup and saucer sets.  It seems many of them were bought in Canada many years ago when a favorable exchange rate enticed these two moms to purchase one new set every time they crossed the border from Michigan.  My dad was born in Canada and our summer vacations usually included a trip there to attend his family reunions.  As I recall one of our first stops was at a little china shop where my mom would carefully select her cup and saucer.  Through the years she would use them often when she entertained.

Although they aren't used much anymore, they are something I will always cherish. 

I couldn't resist showing you the mums that are blooming on my patio ... in May.  I can't recall ever seeing them bloom this early.  

My dad used to say "mum" instead of "mom".  We found this to be endearing and assumed it was because he had been born in Canada.  So, whether you are a mom or a mum I wish you a



Happy Mother's Day. 



Decisions, Decisions ...

This morning I was outside early tending to my garden.

I picked some lettuce and radishes, watered all of the plants in containers, filled the birdbath and did a bit of deadheading where needed. 

Once that was done I headed inside for breakfast. 

As I was washing the berries I was faced with a tough decision.

It went something like this ...

eat them at the kitchen table that was presently filled with newspapers, crumpled napkins, a magazine and a few coupons or ...

head back outside where the peonies are blooming, the birds are singing and the breeze is blowing.

Hmmm. . .

What would you do?

I thought so ;-)

The peonies won't be blooming very long so we'd better enjoy them while we can.

Won't you join me?

Playing With My (Vintage) Vegetables

I was planning to head outside this morning to tend to my garden, but about the time I was ready to get started the sky turned black, the wind kicked up and the rain started coming down in buckets.

While my vegetable garden isn't big, it has been providing us with fresh salads every night and it won't be long until those peas will be ready for picking.  Not long after that the tomatoes and cukes will fill that little garden and the fresh veggies will continue to appear on the dinner table.

Right now, before the heat becomes unbearable and the bugs try to devour my produce patch, it's an exciting time in the garden.  Lots to look forward to. 

Since I was disappointed to not be able to play in my vegetable garden, I decided to do the next best thing ... play in my vintage vegetable garden.  On my way home from work yesterday I stopped by the thrift shop where a half off sale was in progress.  Woo Hoo :)

That little tomato can lamp was calling my name.  I like little lamps in the kitchen.  I think they really warm up those corners, especially on dark, rainy days.

I put up my umbrella long enough to snip some thyme which is currently in bloom.

It seemed like what was needed to put in these little vintage veggie planters.  The platter was something I picked up at a yard sale last summer.  Not a bad find for a quarter. 

My vintage vegetable vignettes are now complete and the rain has stopped so I best get out there and get to work.  The garden has been well watered and the weeds will be easy to pull, so it's all good as they say.

Hoping that your Thursday is shaping up nicely.

@ Home & Happy

Today is an @ home day for me.

After a busy week it's been nice to stay home and get caught up on things.  I don't know about you, but when I'm busy running in and out, the house starts to suffer.  Piles here and there needing attention.

While I'm not the type who has to have an immaculate house, I do better with a certain level of order.

On an @ home day I like to start by making the bed.

It seems to set the tone for the day and makes me feel like I've accomplished something right off the bat.

Next I like to go from room to room tidying things as I go.

Once the bits and pieces are where they belong, it's time for a swipe with the Swiffer duster.  I like how they get in all of the nooks and crannies quickly as this isn't the time for moving objects.

Next comes the vacuum.

As I go I pick up the rugs and take them out for a good shake.

It was a chilly shake today as our temperatures have dropped into the low 60s.  Last night we faced the possibility of old Jack Frost coming to nip at our plants.  For good measure I moved my newly purchased tomato plants into the garage and draped a sheet over my hibiscus tree.  Luckily the frost didn't show up.

Once in a while I really get my act together on an @home day.

Today was just such a day.

Before I began my cleaning, I filled the crock pot with the ingredients for dinner.  Now once I'm done with my work I won't be faced with the age old question of  "what's for dinner?"

I don't know who invented crock pots, but I think I love that person.

I don't use mine nearly as often as I should.  However, when I do I love that feeling of having dinner taken care of so early in the day.

By the way, I'm still using the crock pot I got as a wedding gift in 1981.  I tend to keep my small appliances as long as they continue to work.

 

So now that order has been restored and the smells of Garlic Pork Roast are filling the air, I'm off to read a few chapters until dinner time.  I guess you might say I'm adding the Happy to my @Home.

***

Speaking of Happy, I want to share some of the happiest news I've received in ages with you.  On Sunday I called my sister and was so elated to hear her say "Happy Birthday" to me and from there she was able to say several more words.  In talking to my brother-in-law I learned that he has noticed this change in the last month.  In June it will be 3 years since she had her stroke.  I'm so encouraged that her hard work is paying off.

Because many of you have been so kind to remember Norma in prayer, I wanted to let you know how your prayers have helped.  As I've mentioned before, the recovery from a stroke is a slow process.  This is the most encouraging sign I've seen in a while that brain connections are being made once again for my dear sister.

Now that really is something to be HAPPY about.

:-)

April Note Card Party

It's time once again for Vee's Note Card Party.

The time when we bloggers get to search through our photos and choose four that we think might make nice note cards.

The Spring season has always been one of my favorite times of the year.  So, for this April Note Card Party I thought I'd share some of my personal favorite things about the springtime.

~ Simple Springtime Pleasures ~

 

*** Clean, Sparkly Windows ***

 

~~ Garden Whimsy ~~

~~Bike Rides (preferably with a basket full of blossoms :)~~

**Iced Tea on the Patio**

Thanks for stopping by.

Stop by Vee's blog to join the party or just hop around to visit .

Click the button on my sidebar and it will take you there.

Thank you to Vee for hosting this fun event.

Wishing you all a springtime filled with simple pleasures.

 

I Spy Something (s) Pink

Things are looking very Pink in my garden right now.

Soon the dogwoods and the azaleas will be done blooming, so it seemed a good time to get out there and capture it on camera.

See those dianthus flowers at the base of the angel?

They were planted elsewhere in my yard in an area that was beginning to get quite a bit of shade.  I thought about digging them up and tossing them, but instead I relocated them to a sunnier spot and they are happily spreading their beauty all across the base of the azaleas.  I wish you could smell the air near them.  They give off the most delightful spicy, sweet fragrance.  If you own them, you most likely know what I'm talking about.

At the base of the Crepe Myrtle trees these pink flowers are in bloom.  I think they are called Japanese Primrose.  They spread a lot and some people find them to be a nuisance, but I just yank them out if they pop up in places I don't want them.

The Crepe Myrtles won't be blooming for awhile yet.

However, when they do bloom would you care to guess what color they will be? ;-)

Ummm, well, look what's blooming near the Japanese Primrose... a pink rose.  Imagine that!

Any day now the pink peonies will be in bloom.

Won't this ant and his large extended family be happy?

I'm off to the garden center now.

But first, I'll be having lunch out here by my freshly potted centerpiece.

Not sure what all I'll be looking for, but I think I'll take a detour from the pink aisle as it seems I've got that covered already.

~ Happy Monday ~

Joyful Gardening

The pleasures of an early spring day will always bring joy to my heart.  Before the heat of summer descends upon us, I find it so satisfying to be out in the fresh air planting flowers as the songbirds serenade me.

As I was busy tending to my garden today this momma Chickadee was caring for her little family in a nearby nest box.

Or should I say her big family ... eight little birdies all piled on top of each other in their cozy, fluffy nest.

When I spend the majority of the day outside in the garden, I'm not interested in spending hours in the kitchen cooking dinner. 
While watering the vegetable garden I noticed the radishes were ready for harvesting.  Thoughts of a simple, yet fresh salad began to take shape. 

This year I planted romaine and red leaf lettuces.
I snipped some lettuce and  a few sprigs of parsley to add to the radishes for our dinner salad.
If  I had a big garden I would love to plan most of my meals around what the garden was producing, but since I have a little garden I'm happy to supplement my menus with fresh, seasonal produce. 
With the first course of dinner planned, I knew there was one more thing I needed to collect from the garden.

The season's first bouquet of Knockout Roses.
Food for the body and food for the soul.
Two important gifts from my garden.

As for the blog break ...
For the most part I missed it ... missed you ... missed the inspiration I receive from all of you talented, creative people.
I think after nearly four years, blogging has become a big part of my life and added so many good things to my days that I couldn't possibly walk away from it.
However, scaling back a bit has proven to be a good thing in many ways.  So, for now I am working at a better balance.

I'd like to thank those of you who left comments on my last post.  I do appreciate your kind words and also felt good to know that I'm not alone in having to step away from it all once in awhile.
A few days ago I had zero interest in taking pictures or trying to create a post.  I decided that if I never felt like doing it again I'd give it up and then today, like magic, I saw that radish popping out of the ground and ran for the camera.  Ha ha ~ the life of a blogger.

Happy to Be Back Here
&
Wishing You All A Joy-Filled Weekend!!

~ Kim