May and More

I can always tell it's springtime when the violets come into bloom! I love them!! I found this vase under my mother's sink after she passed. My mind immediately stepped back in time. I remember always picking violets for her, and she would be so happy and put them in this vase! They would sit in her windowsill over the kitchen sink. Sweet memories...

And then my lilacs would come into bloom. They were so pretty this year and of course they smelled amazing!! They too brought back a memory. My grandfather planted a lilac colored lilac bush at my aunt and uncles house and a white colored one at ours (actually it was close to the outhouse..lol)! My Mom was never happy with that color and always wished it was lilac in color. Well...now that I have a white one....I think I might understand. They do not have the lilac perfume smell that the colored one has. (And if that was part of the reason it was planted near the outhouse and didn't give out much of a smell...I can understand why Mom was unhappy with it! Ha Ha!)

The lily of the valleys were in full bloom too. They are so pretty and smell so good! A part of my driveway is lined with these. 

This was a new bush that grew by my lilac tree. I do not know what it is. If you know I would love to find out. Maybe it just finally bloomed. I'm not sure.  But it was really pretty when it was in full bloom!!

On Mother's Day, my son and his wife Vicky came over for a visit. They brought me this gorgeous plant and planter! It is filled with beautiful petunias! I have it sitting on my front porch, and go out and water and deadhead it almost everyday. I will have to watch it the next several days...as it's to be up to 90 degrees! 

My daughter and her husband sent me this card and bracelet for Mother's Day ! I love the pop-up card and the beautiful bracelet. ( The cross shape is so pretty.)

Since Memorial Day is in May we (my son Randy and I ) had to take a toad trip and go to the cemetery where Tom and his family are buried. They had so much rain up there, it was sad. The firlds had turned into lakes. And this is what the road to the cemetery looked like. Since my van is low to the ground we had to be careful not to bottom out.  Sad...

My friend Mary and I went out to eat in May to celebrate our birthdays! (Our October and January ones...ha!) I told you we had a bad winter!! It's always fun when we get together! Great food, friends and memories.

Here are the twins Eden and Ivy, already for their school program. I believe this was getting close to the  end of the school year. Aren't they adorable??




I must add a picture of Winter...this was in May of course. She had found her sun spot on the kitchen floor. 

Today, a friend of mine who writes books, sent me a text this morning telling me she had received her Advanced Review Copies of her new mystery book and asked me if I'd be interested in reading it and posting a review on a few sites she mentioned? Of course I said YES! I cannot wait to get it! I will share my review with you. Any one love mysteries??

Well, time for bed. Bye for now.

Iris, Peonies and a Brown Thrasher

I think it's the year of the Iris. So many people have gorgeous ones this year!! I spotted these the other day when we were out and about...

Remember, I told you I needed to get on this side of our retaining wall to show you how pretty it was? Here is a small portion of it.. Love the yellow sedum!

Oh, my goodness, the other day I looked out the door and spotted this Iris...just standing tall and showing it's beauty! They have not bloomed for a few years. I was told that they only bloom for a few years, then their done...sad... (but not true!!) Here it is again. A friend from work gave me a few bulbs about 7 years ago. They were so beautiful...then they just quit blooming..

But look isn't it lovely??

Here are our peonies, some blooming, some almost ready to bloom..smile... Years ago, my Grandmother always had peonies and would bring a bouquet to share on the table at the kid's birthday party! smile..

And, she had a neighbor who raised peonies (every color) and sold them to people as Memorial day flowers. Did you ever do the live flowers in quart jars with water and take to the graves?? It was probably more environmental safe then the ones we use today. Do you suppose it will ever go back to this? (Using fresh flowers?? And I don't mean from a flower store, but from our own or someone who grows them's backyard?)

 

I looked out the window and saw this little guy running around on the patio. Finally got this picture.

Tom had filled the feeders, along with the suet. And it is almost gone. Those black birds are raiding the feeders. So, we'll have to wait and just put out the Safflower seed. They don't care for it, but the other birds do! So that will be a 'win-win' situation!!

 

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Memorial Day Speech

 

This morning my daughter in love gave a memorial speech at two local cemeteries. This one was in my hometown, at the cemetery where my family is buried. I am so proud of Vicky for doing this. I know the speech was very moving and am sure it was difficult getting through it! Her father who served in the military was buried there too, so had a special meaning to it.

 

I hope your day was special as you reflected on those who serve and have served our country, and those who have given their lives so we can live in a free country.

Memorial Day Weekend

 We headed off to the local cemeteries today...the flags were flying...and the grass was so green....

And more flags along another cemetery... 

We went down to the small town where I grew up...and to the cemetery there. Afterwards, we drove out by the lake. Since it was a warm day...the boaters were out fishing...

As we went by this house...and I saw this dog in the front yard...I thought he wasn't real...Tom said "Oh ya, he's real"... so he stopped so I could get this picture...smile....

I also saw this barn/machine shed quilt...Isn't this a pretty one? 

We stopped by my brother Larry's house. We had a nice visit, he had been out mowing the grass! 

He introduced me to his kitty cat.... She didn't want anything to do with me... (can you believe a cat that didn't like me???? smile...)

We had a busy day.....how about you??? I hope you are enjoying your weekend....

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"The Many Thoughts of Grace"

July 5, 1937: Dad and Mama cut weeds out of corn. Paul went to granddads to work. Melvin, Cecil and Elaine came tonight, we went to South Ravine. Had wieners, cookies and pop.

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