Worth the Wait

These hollyhocks are in a flowerbed near a rear exit.

This is the first time the lavender shade blossoms have appeared among all the blue ones.

It has been several years since we have seen a profusion of blossoms.

Pots of geraniums near one back door

Now that I am older I have such an appreciation for flowers. For many years I paid very little attention to them. Even though my mother was always gardening, I just didn't understand the enjoyment she derived from it. Now I do...better late than never as the old saying goes.

Good Morning

Happy Thursday! The wheat field near our house is turning golden. The flowers are blooming, and the birds are ever present. Two grandsons, ages 7 and 9, are here to keep things lively.Wish we could share a cup of coffee and enjoy the view together.

Little Projects

Messing around in the craft corner...having my kind of fun. Hopefully a few more touches or changes will make them look better. A huge thanks to Dawn at ~ The Feathered Nest~ for sharing bird images and poems. She has such a generous spirit. Dawn creates amazing works of art. A visit to her wonderful blog (http://the-feathered-nest.blogspot.com/) will brighten anyone's day.

Waiting

The month of May requires patience. I am anxious for the hollyhocks to bloom, but it is not quite time. However, the hydrangeas are starting to show their colors. We have several plants in the front yard with blue flowers, and one small shrub in the backyard with pink. These lovely flowers always make me think of my maternal grandmother.

She had several growing alongside her house in rural Louisiana. Ah, the sweet memories of early childhood...how I would love to nuzzle against her one more time...to sample her chocolate cookies from the cookie tin...to taste juicy cured sausage links...to climb up into the hayloft...to view the world from the top of a pine tree.

In The Right Direction

I really like this iron piece...a Walmart home decor item. This was a "Dirty Santa" gift one Christmas that everyone tried to steal. The last time I checked at Walmart it was available at the same low price of $9.98. Two old Tennessee law books provide a perfect pedestal. By the way, I have been trying to do some spring cleaning around here...reducing clutter and adding different items to the booth. Sometimes I wonder who buys what. Recently I borrowed an idea from a Martha Stewart magazine. Inside a tall jar with a zinc lid I placed a paper image of birds perched near a nest. I decided to add a pinecone and a green sprig of needles to the inside...also tied on a twine bow to complete the nature theme. Well, I am happy to report it sold right away. I wonder who liked it enough to give it a home.

Weekend of Memories

Sometimes good things come in threes... our son's commencement exercises for his master's degree, a dance recital, and a friend's visit.

Tag Along With Me

My time is spent mostly inside the house and outside in the yard. More and more it's the little things that delight me...it's the tender moments with special people that matter...and just being alive to enjoy the hours of the day.

Monday, Monday

I want to get back in the groove of exercising, but it's just not happening today. I think yesterday drained me. Mother's Day has a way of producing many intense emotions. Therefore, I'm glad the regular week is here...even with Monday laundry and ironing. Maybe I will be able to keep alive this anthurium plant one son and daughter-in-law bestowed upon me. Indoor-outdoor...?? I'm undecided as to the best location. Hope your week is off to a great start. Catch you later. Hugs, Sandy

Writing Never Goes Out of Style

Even though we're using computers for much of our communication today, handwritten notes and letters will always have more sentimental value. I have saved many letters over the years because I hate to throw away the words penned by a loved one.

Change of Plan

Several months ago when I spied this Old Time Pottery cabinet at an antique mall, a definite idea came to mind for this $5 purchase... finally a way to display a collection of baby cups. Well, I tried the cups first, but they just didn't look right. Sooo........I have a bunch of inexpensive bracelets and was pleasantly surprised when this case allowed me to view them easily for a quick selection. The case sits in my clothes closet and is very handy. I'm starting to appreciate vintage jewelry more and more. Wish I had kept more of my own stuff from the 70's. Wish I could afford fine jewelry from earlier periods. Lots of jewelry wishes tonight...a girl (I mean aging woman) can dream. Right?

Lovely Tuesday

The yard looks super, thanks to the expert job of mowing my husband does. The flowerbeds have recovered from the excessive rain. I have flowerpots that are waiting for me to decide what to put in them...indecisive, that's me a great deal of the time. Thanks to Miracle-Gro the plants in the planters by the side door entrance are doing great. That product does live up to its promises. After coming inside from the yard I spent time cleaning and making a few changes in the den area of the house. We are thinking about painting the red brick fireplace. It desperately needs an uplift of some kind. Hope your day has been pleasant, too.

Collecting in Green

My mom had a large collection of McCoy pieces. I chose this small green flowerpot. I'm afraid my camera won't reveal the true beauty of these objects in green.

I have shown this green urn before. It just sits and brings me pleasure each time I view it.


This green tassel hangs from a knob on the TV cabinet. I don't know how much longer it will hold up because three little grandsons like to touch it.

A large platter from my mother

Such sweet birds in green!

The rack came from the wonderful shop Charlene's in Halls, TN. I like the green plates against the rust red color.

A bowl and pitcher my dad once bought my mother. He took me along to help select the gift.

Hatboxes in pretty green and rose print

Thanks for dropping by and letting me show off some of my treasures in green.

Soggy Saturday

Peony

Iris

Geranium

Yesterday I snapped a few pictures of blooms...good thing because last night and today those same blooms got pelted with lots of rain. In the late afternoon we ate pizza, watched the Kentucky Derby, and devoured a warm egg custard pie. Here's the recipe used by my husband's mother and later passed on to us -

Egg Custard Pie

1 cup of sugar

1 cup of milk

3 eggs

1/4 tsp. of nutmeg

1 tsp. of vanilla

Mix eggs and sugar until creamy

Add nutmeg and vanilla

Scald milk (do not boil)

Add milk to other mixture

Pour into a thawed unbaked 9" pie shell

Bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes

Reduce to 325 degrees and cook about 20 minutes