This shade planter is done!  I have since this photo put in a couple of ferns.

 All it needs now is mulch!

So many irises, these bulbs have definitely doubled.

Getting ready to finish this bed.  Just bought 2 more plants and I'm going to put thyme as a ground cover, mulch and I'm calling it done!

So surprised how well the lavender did in this spot.

So happy with this find!  Found this little vase(s) at TJ Maxx for $4.99.

Added some sweet little flowers and VIOLA!

I know it seems like I've been planting forever, but the end is near...........maybe ;)

I'm still struggling with a couple of the planters out back and this Fall I will be moving some of those bulbs.  Seems like I just can't get it right, I need a master gardener by my side to tell me what to do.  I read, read, read and experiment, experiment, experiment.  I'm hoping all the new additions make it, that's another thing, sometimes some stuff doesn't make it! 

The big stuff we planted in the "big" planter is doing well, although a couple of the things she had on the plans (some small stuff), I think I will adjust next Spring.  They are not making the impact I want!

Also, next Spring, I want my damn new mulch!  I hate that stuff out there and Pete said "not this year."  But "this year" definitely - grass in the backyard - yeh!



Memorial Weekend 2012

Jedidiah Smith State Park

I booked in January and what a great spot.  We really loved it, but loved the one across from us even better; it had a river view, so come next year, I'll be booking that one!

The weather was coool, no rain so thankful for that!
We were a 2 minute walk from the river, so walked down there a couple of times a day and let Annie run and swim, she had a great time!

We pretty much relaxed, relaxed, relaxed.  I started reading "Catching Fire" and just about finished it. Audrey, you have to read it!!!!!

We ventured out on Sunday and drove over to the beach in Crescent City, for a nice little walk and a good run for Annie.

All in all a great Memorial Day weekend!

New glasses

So excited to get new glasses! 

 I decided I wasn't going to play it safe anymore! 

These are the new frames I selected!

Can't wait until they get here!!!!

An update on Rocky

Rocky is still in school, he will finish on June 12, at which time Pete will be going and moving him back for the Summer.

He's rented a house with his buds, Noah and Uri for the Fall, he's very excited to be living with his buds.

He will be looking for a job, but coming home late and the state of the economy, it looks like he might not be finding anything.

He has had a GREAT year, great grades and he has enjoyed Eugene.

He's already registered for the Fall.  

Lots of new things this past year for Rocky,

1)   He's exercising!

2)  He's taking vitamins!

3)  He's learned to eat different things!

4)  He learned how to play the keyboard!

5) He's playing ultimate frisbee!

He's done such a great job being on his own, cooking, washing his clothes, studying hard and getting great grades.  He's learned how to manage money very well and has been frugal as far as spending.

He's made wise choices and if he wasn't sure about something I'd get a call.  

We're proud of our son and look forward to having him home this Summer!    

New Project

The sewing room makeover continues!!!!



Too many fun things going on now, so this one is on the back burner!

I am changing the rolling office desk chair in my sewing room. 

I've seen this on "pinterest," the Krylon Fusion for painting the bottom and back of those chairs, you know the typical office rolling chair.

Also saw that I can pull that back off, paint and recover the fronts!

Found this cute fabric at Joann's!

I'm trying (when time allows) to go to the "Habitat for Humanity" Re-do store.  Checking for cabinets, I can re-do and put in my sewing room.  So far no luck.

Plants

I've been taking the coleus in for the Winter, it's out now ready to enjoy the sunshine!

I am trying to stay away from annuals and thought I would make this a perennial pot!  A little bit of thyme (lower level) and stonecrop sedum, hoping this baby takes off!

I had a mesh type cylindrical basket and I stuffed it into the middle of this pot to achieve two levels.

I think these are starting to multiply - yeh!

Last, but not least my "lenten rose".  It's been a tought couple of years for this one, last year I was thinking of pulling it out, it was so ugly.  The ugly duckling has paid off, I guess this one needs a couple of years to get established.  I'm so happy I waited. 

This one is in the only "real" shade bed I have.

The planting continues, filling in a couple of beds and trying new stuff where some of the old stuff didn't make it.

Rethinking some of my bulbs too, so there will be changes this Fall!

May 17-20 Retreat

the cropping area

The breakfast Anita and I put together.....

Anita putting together the cranberry/orange mimosas

Our weekend motto

the view from the house

a little gift from Lisa

the entry into the house

Lisa and Audrey's dessert (Friday night dinner)

Evening view

daytime cropping space

New Place!  A great backup place between Medford and Jacksonville.  

We had a super time, there was only 8 of us, this time.

RETREEEEEAT!

Retreat is upon us (me) again!!!!

And it starts today!!!!! 

A new location since our new, old location double booked and kicked us out!

We have not checked this location inside, it was an VRBO find.

It will only be 8 of us, so we'll be missing 3 of our gals! 

Not all of these gals will be there, actually just 4.

(I had to go with a photo I had on my work computer, since I can't upload at home)

Anita and I have decided to break away from our traditional meal; this time we're doing brunch!

I am trying 2 recipes I've pinned (Pinterest) and I'll let you know how they turned out after the retreat.

We'll also be serving be serving Cranberry, Orange Mimosas - yummy!

We're excited!!!





My Mother's Day 2012

I thought I would share my Mother's Day, minus photos.  Not a flattering photo of me anyway, so I was just going to post the breakfast. 

Pete made me breakfast in bed.  He asked what I wanted, I thought about for a minute, should have thought longer.....

I said "pancakes."

I told him where my little breakfast cookbook was and he proceeded to make my pancakes.

After putting it all together, he yells out (I was still in bed), "this looks runny......."

Runny it was, he used confectioner's sugar instead of flour.  We have been using the same tupperware container for flour since year ONE!  I told him which container and he said, "it looked brown." I said, "that's whole wheat flour, the one next to it is white." 
So, he added the flour and made me confectioner sugar pancakes.

I don't recommend these.

I ate about 2 1/2 cakes with my fruit salad and then I couldn't do anymore.

Well, it's the thought that counts.

Ran out and got more plants (am I craZy?), did some planting and Pete did make a great dinner.

One of two - good!



Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day all, especially to my dear, sweet mom!

Internet not working...........again

I'm sorry for not posting, but my INTERNET is still not working well, so I can't upload photos.
I do have a few things to blog about so look in about a week.
We did find out the problem is our new "virus protection" and Pete's been trying to get them to fix the problem.  I guess it's updating automatically ALL the time and it's eating up our monthly download!
Ugh, I told Pete if they don 't fix it, get RID OF IT!  
I'm done with this problem!

On another note I'm going to NY!   Can I hear a whoop, whoop, in July.  I know - horrible time to go, but it's a reunion.  Don't these people know what the humidity does to my hair!!!!  Well, it's one of the reasons I've let my hair grow long, so I can put it up.

Time passes too quickly......

There are places I'll remember

All my life, though some have changed

Some forever, not for better

Some have gone and some remain

All these places have their moments

With lovers and friends I still can recall

Some are dead and some are living

In my life, I've loved them all

On Saturday, April 21, a dear friend passed away, Harold P. Foster, although we knew that it could be any day, it still didn't make it easier.....

Pete and I went to Vegas Friday night for Harold's memorial service and reception on Saturday.

Harold battled a long illness with Linda at his side, nursing him for the last few years.  He was born in Henderson 72 year ago and died a resident of Henderson, Nevada.

Harold lived a great life, he and Linda celebrated 52 years of marriage!  

Here is his obit  http://obits.reviewjournal.com/obituaries/lvrj/obituary.aspx?n=harold-foster&pid=157223694&fhid=12183

P.S. I took this photo on April 2011, Harold, Linda, grandchildren, Dylan and Eva.

Old friends.......

Old friends, are the best friends.............

It was a quick trip to Vegas for a funeral of a old, dear friend, but I managed to sneak in a quick coffee and pumpkin muffin at Panera Bread Company - yum, Sunday morning with Cindy, Margret, Diane and Bert.  

It's like I never left.......