Cherry Tree

Did I ever tell you that I have a cherry tree? If you click on the picture, you can see that it is loaded with cherries this year. They are turning red, but they are usually eaten by the birds before they get ripe enough for us to eat. Anytime we've ever tried them, they are very sour! We can see this tree from our back porch and enjoy seeing the red cherries while we are sitting outside.

Future projects

How cute are these projects? I love yo-yo's and I love dachshunds... so what better project for me? I can't wait to start on this cute little thing.... can't decide what colors, though.

And this adorable Laundry bag!!! After putting so much time into embroidery, you can bet it will not hang on my clothesline for the birds to find. :o) Now, if I can just put my mind to it and get started on some of these things. The weather is so pretty outside and it's hard to sit down long enough to start (or finish!) a project.

The wreath

Well, I made the wreath. It didn't really turn out exactly like I had envisioned, but it came out. :o) It has been a while since I made a wreath and my hands felt awkward and clumsy. It wasn't as much fun as I had remembered. :o( I had seen a monogram wreath recently online and just had to try to make my own. I cleaned up after the little birds who flew away last week and now my new wreath should be able to hang on the door until the weather turns cool. What do you have on your door?

Thank you, God!

Thank you, God!


thank you God that I did not evolve
but was made

thank you that I bear your image
not the image of chance

thank you that my evil is mine alone
not the fault of some unknown other

thank you that though I die, yet I live
and that in you alone I am remade

~by Peter Rhebergen

Happy Mother's Day

Once upon a time there was this sweet, sweet little girl who loved her mommy. She was always a little clown and it was hard to get her to "be serious" and sit still for a picture. I don't know if this was made at school or at Sunday school, but this cute little girl brought this home to me one year for Mother's Day. I found this little treasure while cleaning in my bedroom this week. It, too, is a privilege to be your mommy, April. See post below for Will's gift.

Happy Mother's Day

Once upon a time, there was this really sweet little boy who went off to elementary school to learn all kinds of wonderful things. I'm not sure which grade this little boy was in when he made the following tribute to me, but I'm guessing kindergarten, first, or second grade. I wish I had written the date on the back of this lovely art work, but I didn't. I'm so glad I saved it. I was cleaning in my bedroom yesterday and ran across this.... just in time to display for Mother's Day. Please click on the picture to see my "one" nostril and my pretty blue eyes. Notice how he said I cooked breakfast for him "about" everyday. That's southern for "almost" everyday. I can just "hear" him telling these wonderful things to his teacher about me... in his little boy voice with the long southern drawl that was so pronounced when he was a little boy. This is my little boy... all grown up now. He is 24 years old.... still has a southern drawl, but has learned to disguise it when he needs to do so. He is married to a beautiful, sweet girl that I've been praying for since he was a little boy. God gave him a wonderful wife who truly adores my little boy... almost as much as I do. ;o) (joke, Ashley)

Thank you, Will, for the privilege of being your mother. You and your sister are the best! (I'll post her little Mother's Day tribute tomorrow.)

Don't forget the hummingbirds

I finally remembered to put my hummingbird feeder out last week. My little bird came to visit the same day I put it out. It's easy to make your own hummingbird nectar . Boil two cups of water and add one half cup sugar... make sure sugar dissolves. Red food color is optional, but I do color my nectar red. Let it cool and that's all there is to it! (you may have to make more or less, depending on the size of your feeder. Just remember: 1/4 cup sugar to 1 cup water)

What a difference a day makes!

You'll have to click on the picture to enlarge, but I think we have two baby birds in the nest. One grew feathers overnight...the other is still bald. The funny thing is: the egg that was cracked in yesterday's photo hasn't hatched yet. And to be able to witness this miracle is awesome.

"His eye is on the sparrow.... so I know He watches me."

About the post below....

Hey Guys! Please click on the photo of the eggs in the post below. It wasn't until I clicked, that I saw a crack in one of the eggs. I just ran to the door to see, and sure enough, I now have the first baby bird lying on his back inside the nest today! I'll try to get another picture tomorrow!

Around the yard

Just some pic's from around my yard today. I made this hanging basket this morning and hung my new little garden flag. Notice the "stone" on the ground. This was a $1 find at a yard sale a few weeks ago. It's not really a stone. It is actually a plastic thing to hang on a wall. The lady said she used it in an "oriental" themed bedroom. I knew exactly where I would use it, but I didn't tell her. Isn't it unique? (click on photo for a better picture) Below is my front corner of the house. The azaleas are blooming in beautiful color this year. I had several to die on the other side of the front door during the drought. Not sure if that's why they died or not, but I need to replace them this year. (if you click on this photo, you'll see my Butterbean peeking out the window... he doesn't let me too far out of his sight)

Did I tell you the bird came back? She came again this year and I was upset because I didn't want her to nest on my wreath again. Then a storm came and blew everything away. I felt guilty because I didn't want her there and then this happened. I found one egg that was not cracked. I hung the wreath back up and put the one egg back in the nest. She didn't come around for a few days. Then, to our surprise, she came back....... somehow kicked out the "bad" egg and laid some more. My wreath looks pretty bad right now, but I'm enjoying watching mother nature at work again. (you may have to click on this one too, to see the eggs)

I'm not sure what kind of eggs these are, but the bird who belongs to the nest in on my roof. Click to enlarge to see if you can identify this bird for me.

And finally, a different view of my new dog fence. Aren't the flowers gorgeous? I wish they could last all summer, but unfortunately, they'll be gone soon, and it won't look as pretty. I have spent most of my day on the back porch today, enjoying the view.

I hope you guys are having great weather today too!

Doggie Love

Thank you, Will, for the new fence. The dogs have truly enjoyed playing in their new back yard... leash free!

Sweet Tumpy

Precious Butterbean (momma's boy)

Fearless Sweet Pea (who likes to stay outside all by herself for hours on end)

Ten Glorious Days!

I've had ten glorious days away from work! And I LOVE working part time. I haven't accomplished as much as I thought I would, but it's been great doing things at my own pace and seeing things get done, finally. Below is a view of my new porch, still in progress... I bought these chairs this week and plan to put cushions in them soon. I will update progress in the porch area as it develops. Hopefully, next week the plants will be able to be planted and hung.

Yes, I finally set the frog upright! I cleaned around this tree and the frog is happy again. He laid on his side all winter with the ball a few feet away. :o(

This is my favorite corner of the yard right now. I love all the pretty flowers and the dogs are really enjoying their new fenced in area. WORTH EVERY PENNY SPENT! Such freedom... for the dogs and myself now. No leashes in this area!

I must go back to the real world today and the next three days. Work is calling my name, as I do still need a paycheck coming my way. That's okay though.... I love my new part time status. No work drama!!! I'm not there enough to even know what's going on around me when I'm there. I feel more like myself again... loving my life!