. . . And July

Mama's birthday was in June but we went to celebrate with her over the 4th.  We picked raspberries in her garden, read books on PJ's back porch, and ate lots of PJ & Jeff's good cooking. 

 

It was good to visit with Jordan again.

This mama cat was so sweet during our visit.  But she waited til we were gone to have her kittens!

Terrible picture, but this was maybe the brightest full moon I've ever seen.  They called it the supermoon.  Not sure why.  I should have googled it to find out.

And then we got to see our Betsy and Kyle :)

Kyle wouldn't let me take his picture this time.  He was exercising his independence!  But our Betsy was willing to model.  She's so smart, so pretty, so sweet, growing up so fast.  Can't believe it's almost August. . .

It was a lovely June...

Betsy & Kyle went to the beach.

We got to visit Betsy & Kyle at their house.  Mark said if he had had any more fun, he would have had to take something for it :)

We had MelloCream donuts one Sunday morning.

Betsy's orange report from her kindergarten year.  She's reading so well!

And the garden is beautiful, as always. 

We're ready for July now :)

Book Reviews

Keep Quiet--Quick read.  I really liked the kid who tried to get his dad to do the right thing.


She's got my vote.

 
The Goldfinch:  Yes, it's long, but I still loved it.   I kept thinking about how we adopt beliefs and stories that are meant to help us cope with traumatic events.  And yet how utterly ridiculous those beliefs and stories can turn out to be.  I never thought of Theo as a thief .  .  .

June Handtieds

June Birdcage

PJ's birdcage with mini cyclamens, mama's hens&chicks, and mammy's birdhouse. 

Bye, May

The peonies are close to being gone, one more little vase to take to work this Monday morning.  Cause peonies do make Mondays better :)

And a few more pictures from our Kentucky Lake trip.  We went to the Dinner Bell, of course, where we love to eat home cooking that tastes just like mama's.

We've all got the same kind of smile going on. . . not sure how we managed that.  Maybe because we were all full!

And here's Isaac, leaving in his new car.  Thank you to V for passing it along to him.  The Dinner Bell isn't open for breakfast, so we had to settle for the Cracker Barrel that morning.  He made it home safe and sound all the way to Denver.

Well, it's June now.  It's another beautiful morning here in the garden.  Have a good Monday!

Gone Fishin. . .

It was a quick trip  to our seems-like-home-away-from-home at the lake.  

Only four more months til we get to go back :)

A Bird's Nest Makes Any Floral Better

V and I went to the cemetary while we were down home.  We put this saddle on Warren's headstone last fall.  As you can see, a mother bird used it as a foundation for her nest this spring.  I love it.

We hope she was through with the nest.  Amazing workmanship. . . er, workbirdship. . . well, you know what I mean!  Anyway, we left a new flower saddle in case she needs to start over again.  We miss you, Warren.

May Vases

Our friend Karen  retired a few weeks ago when all the daffodils and wood violets were blooming.

The redbud came from our backyard, but I have to confess:  The lilacs were from our neighbor's shrub (thank you to Bill  & Gail & Mike!)  and the tulips were Mother's Day leftovers at Meijer.  It was a beautiful vase for work. 

Catching Up

A new floral for the office. 

And this is the goat barn at the Easter Egg hunt.  I loved all the different green metals.  

I'd like a garden shed like this one day.

The daffodils were fabulous this year.  They didn't seem to mind the cold winter at all.  And even though I didn't think they would come back, I planted these purple hyacinths from a bulb garden that I bought at Meijer last year.  Oh ye of little faith :) 

 

Rachel posted this picture of Kyle playing basketball at Laura's.  Her caption, "Big Dreams".  

Laura had this awesomely fierce basketkball court built in her back yard for all her tall boys.  I have to ask her more about how it came to be when we visit again.

 Betsy's kindergarden picture.  

She is so beautiful and she looks so much like her beautiful mom, Rachel.

I grew up in Kentucky, but my teachers never helped us make an awesome Derby hat like this.  

I want one too!

 Off to the Derby party.  With yet another great hat :)

Before & After Locks of Love donation in memory of Isaac's friend Gail Whittles. He's handsome before and handsome after.  So good to have him home for a little while.

The daffodils are gone now.  The allium are blooming, the peonies are budding.  

And the dandelions. . . they are spectacular this year :)

Easter Basket

The (Very) Serious Work of an Easter Egg Hunt