Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Birthday

PJ asked for a birthday picture since I will be 50 on Friday. This is a picture of me on my 6th birthday, in grandma and granddaddy's kitchen. The cake was from Blackhawk Bakery, of course. I remember that dress. The top was purple velvet and I loved it. There's the old stove where grandma would warm our clothes in the mornings. The hot water heater was there in the corner. And you can see a little bit of one of her kitchen chairs. They were red and you could rock in them--very fun to sit in when you are 6. (Actually they would probably be fun to sit in when you're 50, too.) Mike's high chair is right behind me. He would have been less than a year old. Grandma always had plants in the windows. That doesn't look like an african violet, tho. Ivy wallpaper. I don't remember the picture that's hanging on the wall--it looks like a kitchen towel, maybe? Anyway, thanks for asking for the picture, sis. I even found one of grandma's letters while I was looking for this. It was fun to remember.

 Life Changes
Just a few minutes after I posted this fun little birthday musing, I received a call from Todd with the bad news that Clayton had died earlier that day. My 50th was a very sad birthday as we went down to mourn with Judson and Isaac and the family. . .

Monday, February 27, 2006

Tulip

This is the first blushing lady tulip that I've found. These are PJ's favorite tulips. Click on the picture and take a look at the enlargement. Looks like a rabbit chomp to me. . .

Saturday, February 25, 2006

Friday, February 24, 2006

Growing!

The forecast says 58 degrees today! Lots of daffodils are coming up. No signs of the tulips yet, but it won't be long.

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Red

I started a camera class at the adult education center this week. I'm going to ask the teacher why my camera does this to reds. The pictures of very red or very orange flowers look blurry and it's hard to see the detail. Well, that's one of my questions, anyway. These were both really pretty orchids. I have a bet with Mark that I am going to finish this class. He calls me adult ed drop-out, since I didn't finish the flower arranging class or the welding class. But really, the welding class was a mistake.

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Spider Flower

Doesn't this remind you of an insect? I had thought spider at first, but there's not enough legs. But something like that anyway.

February 21st

Mark made the observation that February is more than half over. So we're that much closer to spring!

Monday, February 20, 2006

Sandy

Sandy was also known as Sandra, Sandra Jane (when she was being stubborn), Sannie, Sanniedog, Sanniegirl, Sanner, and in general, just the best dog ever.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Wednesday

Isn't this a great orange? It was 50 degrees here yesterday, and today is supposed to be pretty nice too. Tomorrow's forecast is for dropping temperatures with some more winter weather to follow. I'm hoping to start some seeds tonight--delphiniums and tomatoes. . .

Monday, February 13, 2006

Saturday, February 11, 2006

Contrast

There was an orchid show at Washington Park today. The park was just beautiful in the snow, and the orchids were wonderful. After a half-dozen pictures, my battery pack went dead. It's so nice to have colorful blooms for the blog, so I'm going back tomorrow with fresh batteries. Watch the blog this week for more blooms!

It's Really Coming Down

Those are big snowflakes out there! There's probably 4-5 inches, and it's still going strong.

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

A Little Snow

Just enough to make everything look a little better. . .

Monday, February 06, 2006

Larkspur

Lots and lots of little larkspur seedlings are coming up. I hope they make it through February!

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Natural Bird Feeders


Purple coneflower seedheads. . . The finches have about emptied them. And the squirrels don't seem to compete for these seeds.

First to Bloom

Found this little snowdrop yesterday when I was out hunting for the first signs of bloom.