Flowers-Flowers-Flowes

Are you enjoying the flowers this autumn? It seems they are all in full bloom now. The other day when we were coming home, I saw these sunflowers...one of my favorite blooms. (Of course being a farmers daughter...sunflowers are normally not a friendly 'weed'..)

My son and I were both discussing this...how when  we each had to cut these flowers (weeds) down out of the bean fields. BUT...they are YELLOW, and their a flowers. I even love the name SUN-FLOWER!!! smile..

I told you I'd share with you how much my porch flowers have grown this summer.

 

Aren't they pretty?? My friend Laurie did an amazing job potting them didn't she??

 

These are hanging and are such a nice variety too... Their just perfect for this half basket. I bought the basket years ago and try to continue to use it every year as it fits perfect on the garage! 

Just a close up of  one of the plants... I love these!!!

Another close up of another one of them..

 

And finally the last one!

 

I've been busy finishing up the quarterly newsletter. Whew...another one done!

 

Our day was cool and gorgeous! Rusty and I sat outside for a long while. We just enjoyed watching and listening to the sounds of world going by!! (I kept hearing this clicking...as a bug or something flew by me.. I tried to see what it was. It landed here and there.. but couldn't get a good view of it. Even though it sounded somewhat familiar...different things went through my head.  Could it be a hummingbird? A butterfly (I did see the Monarchs flying by)?? NO...it ended up being a 'grasshopper'!! Ugggg...[another story for another day..])

 

My son, Randy continues to heal, it's been two months of H____ for him. But bless his heart he is a fighter and very strong in his faith. I pray soon he will be back to his new 'normal'. He and his lovely wife just celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary this week! She too is a very 'strong, caring, loving and God fearing woman. How blessed we are to have her in our family.

 

My sister in law, Karen is having more health issues and I would really appreciate your prayers and or good thoughts for her.

 

Blessings and have a wonderful SONday!!

 

Look what I Spotted Today!!

 

Do you love butterflies as much as I do?? I couldn't believe this! We went out and got a bite to eat, afterwards Tom wanted to go for a ride. It was the same area we've been to before. I thought, "I pray we see something different!" And viola, this is what I saw!!! We were at the end of a dead end street. So Tom pulled over, and I was like a kid in a candy store!! I was so excited, I just kept clicking photos. And you're getting to see most of them...ha..ha..

 

I thought this was so unique...how God can make such beauty...

 

 

I told Tom, we must...must..raise zennia's next year!!! Especially, if we get Monarchs like this!!

 

Tomorrow I will share with you about my gifts I've won!! God is good!!

 

Can you see the gorgeous moon tonight?? 

 

More to Blog About...

Look at these amazing...yummy...delicious tomatoes!! Some of my favorites are those 'chocolate' ones. Look at that bottom one...looks just like a "chocolate covered strawberry"...smile.. (Our granddaughter said she couldn't find them at their Farmers Market in Alabama.) We really like all the tomatoes that this one booth sells at the Farmers Market, but these seem to be my favorite. A nice variety of them.

Tom spotted this butterfly lying on the deck yesterday. Aren't they pretty??

Here is a closer picture of those flowers we got yesterday. They are so pretty... "Grandma's Gardens" is the name of her flower business. She is on Facebook, so I took her business card...she told me there were several of them, but hers had the name of the town she lived in. And guess what, it was where I grew up. Small world!

Tom took this picture of my Mother's Day plant my son gave me:) I had promised I would get a picture of it for you after it was in full bloom...then I forgot, now it's on it's second (or so) go around! (also it needs a little deadheading...smile...)

And last but not least...look what I spotted out the window, our day lilies are in full bloom...finally! I've been waiting and watching...but this has been a late year for all of us.

Well, how has your day been? We had company this morning. My friend comes about every couple weeks, we always enjoy our visits. The weather was warm again today around 90. But...I have to remember it's almost the beginning of August!!

more as it happens here in the city..........

Godourgeous Day...

Oh, what an amazing day we had today!! Our temperatures were around the lower 70's for a high...yeah!! This morning it started in the 50's, so as Tom's sister was here cleaning Tom got busy running his edger and Rusty was running the back yard.. smile... Tom put a stake out in the middle of the back yard, so he got to run all around the yard and was loving it! smile.. And me...I sat on the deck watching the birds...amazing!!!

I spotted this butterfly and was having a hard time catching a descent picture of it..I'm not sure what kind it is. We had put a new block of seed up, so got to see lots of birds come by and eat a little bit. The Nut Hatch and the Wren were sharing the feed... The Nut Hatch is so funny as they eat upside down...and run up and down the trees that way.

This little black bird hit the bird bath..I wasn't sure what it's called, I'll have to research my bird book..smile... Course the Chick a Dee's were at the feeder...they are so fast and flighty...hard to catch a good picture of them!

Then the Woodpecker, he was so busy..pecking away...smile... The cardinal came in and landed in the tree, but would not come to the feeder or the bird bath...I think he saw me and headed out....sad...

Then in came the Mourning Dove and got a drink and took a bath...then Mr. Robin, thought 'hey' I want a bath too...smile... So, it was an amazing day and I hope yours was as well...

Happy SONday!!!

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more s it happens here in the city..............

Gardening today and more....

 Our peonies are in full bloom and so pretty! This year they are early for Memorial Day... I've always loved this flower! Do you have them in your garden and are they in bloom?

 Tom was busy planting his garden today. He put in the tomato and green pepper plants along with the basil! Here he is watering them with his God  water...that he collected when it rained! He runs a hose from his collection barrel over to the garden and voila!

Tom's garden!

 I was talking with my sister in love today, she asked what I was doing? And I said 'butterfly' watching! smile... They are so funny! And so fast! I finally caught one..flying toward the bush. smile...  Aren't they just beautiful? They seem to just hover in mid air!!

We even spotted two of them getting their fix at the same time...smile... This is just amazing isn't it? I've had lots of people trying to figure out what kind of bush this is. It grew up in between our lilac bush..not sure how or where it came from.

I was busy..busy working on paperwork most of the day. Seems I can never get caught up...smile... I lined up most of the paperwork for the newsletter I must get out by the end of the month...smile... Did I say I was retired?..hee...hee

Hope you had a blessed day!

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"The Many Thoughts of Grace"

June 21, 1937: We washed today. "Theo", "Tiny" and Bill came after a drink. I was hanging out my washing.

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more as it happens here in the city.................

Farmers Market Day

Yesterday began for us with heading out to the Farmers Market! Is this exciting or what? We love going down there each year...

Tom was visiting with our friends who have a display each year. I was excited to get some good grass fed hamburger (which always tastes just like it use to many years ago...) and of course a soup bone or two. I love Tom's homemade vegetable soup...

 They also had some vegetables for sale. Audrey is so sweet..she has recipe handouts showing different ways to use her veggies. I didn't get a picture but she also had lots of her famous jams and jellies..

 It was a big day...since it was opening day and the news media was there to film it! There were only a few vendors, but Saturday there will be many more selling their wares. smile... Next time I will get more pictures of different vendors... 

After we got home and were watching TV, we spotted this beautiful Monarch butterfly..enjoying the nectar from one of our bushes. There were several butterflies out there and will post them tonight..smile...

Last night we went to our monthly potluck, which is always so much fun! We get to see and visit with our friends while enjoying some really wonderful food!! We plan a reunion each year..which is fast approaching, as June will be our yearly Reunion! 

Looks like a nice day here today...how about where you are?? 

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NOTE: For my new and old followers, smile..."The Many Thoughts of Grace" is from my mother's diary that she received for her graduation back in 1936. She was recently (in her diary) diagnosed with Psoriasis, which is a skin disease. I can remember her having to sit under a sun lamp and applying medication to the sores. However...it didn't change her beautiful face...smile... 

"The Many Thoughts of Grace"

June 20, 1937:  Went to church. Everyone was asking about my face. Mama, dad and I went for a ride to see the water. Vera, Dayrle and "Tiny" came tonight. We went to Bandshell. Floyd Monument, South Ravine. walks and moonlight!

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more as it happens here in the city.................

SONday...Monday....

Oh isn't little Lorelai just the sweetness? She is just growing like a little weed..but don't they always at this age? In a couple weeks she will be 9 months old. Wow!! Soon...very soon she will be a one year old! smile...

Today we went to the doctor then did some shopping! We "looked" at flowers, but didn't have room in the van to buy all the flowers we want....so we were just 'window' shopping today, comparing prices etc.

We stopped for lunch at Perkins (as I had a coupon)! When we walked in they had a big advertisement for their chicken, strawberry, pecan salad! You could get it with either grilled or crispy chicken. So I asked if the crispy chicken had MSG in it, (which as I assumed it did), so I ordered it with grilled chicken, and hold the feta cheese. Tom ordered the same salad only with crispy chicken. Well, we waited and waited....and waited some more! Finally, she came with the salads and told us that my salad was free...as they made my salad three times before they got it right and that is why it took so long before we got our meal. (Only thing...they forgot the strawberries on my salad, but since it was at no charge I didn't complain..smile... Actually, Tom shared a few of his with me!..sweet....)

Actually...when we went into WalMart today, I spotted these! You know me and herbs...I just love them. Anyway...I thought...gosh that tomato plant actually has tomatoes on it already...smile... And, it is small enough to have on our deck, so I can check it out everyday!! What do you think?? Cute huh??

Then as I looked out the window this afternoon....this is what I spotted...smile... Isn't nature beautiful in itself??

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"The Many Thoughts of Grace"

June 18, 1937: Paul and I went down to granddads to get a cultivator. I stayed at grandmas for dinner. Went over and seen Mildreds baby. It rained tonight. We went to the cellar.

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more as it happens here in the city............

A Day at the Museum...

The other day I looked out the window and saw this Monarch butterfly on our lilac bush. As everyone says, it is way too early for them to be here. They are beautiful though aren't they? 

Yesterday we went to a program at the Museum on the Floyd River floods here in town. The flood of 1953 which I've linked...was the flood that Tom and his family were in. It actually moved their house off it's foundation and lodged it up against a tree, otherwise they would have gone into the river. Anyway, it was very interesting and we learned a lot about this river.

When we came home I noticed our Lily of the Valley's were starting to bloom. I love them and their smell...but again it seems to be early for them also.......

I noticed Rusty this morning...snoozing away with his favorite toy... As you can see he loves his perch by the window... 

So how has your day been?

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"The Many Thoughts of Grace"

May 14, 1937: Elaine and I had a 8:30 breakfast. Paul took Elaine and I down to Mildred Sandersons. I wore her pink dress and she wore her pink rayon. Talked to "Tiny", Virgle, and Paul N. took my Coke and ice cream. Elaine came home with me. Bill, Paul, Elaine and I went for a walk.

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more as it happens here in the city............

Frost is in the Air....

Last week we did some shopping...and when we came out of the store I saw these beautiful pansies....I thought...why didn't I see them when we went in?? (Course I knew why...because we went in a different door...but it was so windy...and Tom had gotten my scooter out for me to ride and he wanted to load it in the loading zone instead of out in the windy parking lot..)

As I was sitting there waiting for him to pull up...I spotted these little 'yellow' pansies peeking around the corner...like..."look at me...aren't I pretty??? Don't you want to take me home???" (And I really did...but in the back of my mind was...this is just the first of April...toooooo early to buy these!) But our weather has been so warm, it was hard to turn away. BUT...last night our low was 27 or 28 and is to get as cold or colder tonight.. So, I'm so glad I listened to that inner voice and waited!! smile.....

This is what we spotted today out our window! This little guy was just loving the nector from those beautiful lilacs...

And here is another one..(same guy or gal!) just a different angle....smile.... It wasn't easy..as the wind was blowing and it would hang on tight and swing and sway up in the air! Tom got up and took these, I told him he did a great job!!!! smile....

Now for a little fun...here is a You Tube Video of Lorelai Sunday...so sweet.... http://youtu.be/_TKKJr8V9PM

Guess you'll have to click on the link above to see it...one of these days I'll figure this all out!!

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"The Many Thoughts of Grace"

April 25, 1937: Uncle George called Madeline and I for breakfast. Cecil and Allen brought me home. Bill came down after milk.

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more as it happens here in the city..............

After the Rain...

When I looked out the window today this is what I saw...smile... my tiger lilies finished up and hadn't seen the butterflys on any other plants around our house...sad... THEN today there it was...BIG SMILE... Amazing!!!! I think I took 40 pictures...smile... Of course there were only a few that were blog worthy...smile... So maybe I will share a few more later... I'm just so proud of these beauties!!!!!!

Last night about bedtime we got some thunder boomers and terrible winds! Tom had to go out to remove our flag, which was banging against the house!!!! When we woke up this morning we could tell we had gotten some rain in the night!!! As we went for a walk this morning...I noticed just how green everything was!! It really did green up over night...smile.. Isn't God's water the best???

When my "daughter in love" was heading to work this morning... she saw this double rainbow..so she pulled over to get a shot!! smile... Isn't it just beautiful??

At Wednesday night's potluck our friend made these wonderful "Sweet & Saltines"...they are soooo yummy and everyone wanted the recipe. She had given it to me to put in the next edition of the Bugle!! So as I was typing this up today I thought I'd share it with all of you!!!

Sweet & Saltines

Serves: 20


40 saltine crackers

1 Cup butter (2 sticks)
1 Cup light brown sugar
8 oz. semisweet chocolate chips (about 1 ½ cups)


1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a large jellyroll pan with foil & then the saltine crackers.

2. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar together & bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes.

Remove from heat pour over the crackers, covering them evenly. Put in oven & watch closely. Bake for 4 to 5 minutes and until just bubbly. Remove from oven, sprinkle chocolate chips over crackers, spread with a knife. Transfer the pan to the freezer for 15 or 20 minutes or until completely cold. They will form one big sheet. Break up in pieces. Store in air tight containers. [Substitute graham crackers for a sweeter snack. Use 1 stick of butter for a crunchier cracker.]

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"The Many Thoughts of Grace"

October 18, 1936:

We went to church. We had our S.S. election. Mr. Crabb and I got our jobs back. Mary Pauls told me I looked so nice in my purplish dress. Cecil came this afternoon. We went for a ride down below Hornick. Mary was with Allen. We listened to the radio "Lovely You" "Don't go Falling for Me" Mrs. Anderson asked me if I liked taking care for babies.

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