lately

Lately, we have been working in the yard.
Almost every day.

There is always something to do.
Weeding is a never-ending job.
And in this hot, dry weather, watering is a must.
The gardenia is in full bloom. And it smells like perfume.
Friday, we had cousins over.
We joined forces for a yummy meal of
Italian pasta dishes, salad, bread, and dessert!
We played a late-night round of Dicecapades.
Many laughs! And as always - fun!
Here was the tough match of arm wrestling -- Leigh & Chris.

Saturday, Ashley and I attended our alma mater's 2011 graduation.
One of the youth of our church was graduating.It's hard to believe it has been a dozen years
since I wore a purple cap and gown.
Fun high school memories flooded my mind.
It just doesn't feel like that long ago.

loving my blooms

Spring is such a beautiful season.

Temperatures are warming.
Flowers are blooming.
I enjoy tending and caring for the flowers in my yard.
The beauty of their blooms is the reward.
No matter how long the winter, spring comes.

my first experience in canning

These are the first vegetables I've ever canned.

Our little garden and lots of rain yielded many green beans.
So, I canned 12 pints.
I used an easy, easy method. (in the oven)
They all sealed. Now, for the taste test ...

black-eyed susan

Earth laughs in flowers. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

garden

Chris planted and weededOlivia watered and weededBut, God gives the increase.Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of our little garden.

did you know?

A butterfly bush attracts ... um ... BUTTERFLIES.Yes, it's a fact. I've found it to be true.
I welcome these visitors anytime. I've been marveling at the uniqueness of these delicate insects.
Such beauty to behold.

first fruits

Chris was more than excited to pick this from the vine.And thrilled he was to dine on fresh, homegrown peppers.

beautiful blooms

And these are all found around my house!
I am enjoying them so much.
Tending to them.
Nipping dead buds.
Watering.
I love it!

how our garden grows:

a peek at the current status of our little garden boxes:

the rain is causing our garden to grow, grow, grow.

and the weeds are growing too.
(what a bummer)how does your garden grow?

gerber daisies

among my favorite flowers.

I usually get some every year for my pots.they're great cut-flowers to put in a vase as well.and yes, they are real.
I don't do 'fake flowers' to look real. lol. :)

(ha! ha!, Livi!)

sprouts in the garden

we planted our garden on Saturday, May 8th.
and by Friday, May 14th - we had sprouts!
talk about excitement.
we are so thankful for the rain and warm weather.
these are okra sprouts:corn sproutspea sproutswe are so thrilled with garden progress.
soon we will be thinning out the rows.

we also planted the following plants:
peppers, tomato, cucumber, squash, watermelon, and cantaloupe

unusually, we enjoy the hot, hard work.
our garden is small. so it's not too much work.
and working together - we accomplish the work quickly.
and hey, we're still new at this.
so maybe that's why we don't mind.

and we can't wait to reap the benefits of fresh veggies.

i love growing flowers in my yard

'cause I can take them from my yardand 'pretty-up' the inside of the house

spring blooms

not sure of the proper name for this flower.
I've heard my mom and granny call it thrift.beautiful camellia bush:the day we "looked" at our house before buying.

these irises were blooming everywhere.
100's. literally.
we've thinned them out in the front flower beds
to make room for other flowers blooming other times.
but they sure are beautiful.
and made a big impression that day

now the dogwood tree is blooming.
and the azaleas have blooms as well.
and I spotted a red tulip bud.