Saturday, May 31, 2008

Painting projects

A pretty little bird house...








and a handsome Mr. Rooster...





two fun painting projects I just completed.



You can find them both on my etsy shop!


Thursday, May 29, 2008

Gardening






I found myself puttering in the garden today after taking Otis and Riley for a walk. It was a beautiful day and after all the rain we had yesterday, there were plenty of weeds to be pulled.








I have an abundance of black-eyed-susans coming up and they're spreading everywhere. They will brighten up the garden later in the summer.


















The purple verbena is spreading nicely.



The violets are spreading too, in fact I pulled a bunch up, otherwise they'd take over the whole garden!


The rose campion looks so pretty next to the rosemary.
I planted some flowers in pots ~ this is a New Guinea Impatien,

and a few more pink geraniums.


Notice the pretty white blooms on the nandina bush.


And...look who came to visit!

My little friend, the hummer.





Blank canvases




Two blank canvases waiting to be painted. I think I'll paint roses.
I sold the six rose paintings that I did earlier (in a previous post). Here's a look at some of the ones that sold.









I'm also painting some projects that Galen has been working on in his shop ~ a new marble chaser, a rooster, and some signs.


Don't forget to check my etsy shop to see more whimsical things!


Have a lovely day!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008


"I don't want a bath."



"Me either."






It's bath time for Otis and Riley ~ not one of their most favorite things to do.


I would think they'd enjoy it. ~ I get them all soapy and bubbly in the tub, scrubbiddy dub dub, wash behind their ears and their tail and their tummy, massage their back, I give them a good rinse, towel dry them with big fluffy towels, but then it's time for the dreaded hair dryer. Uh oh.


They'd rather skip the hair dryer.


Otis seems to think this is the best way to dry.




Riley agrees ~ nothing better than the warm sunshine.





After all the fuss is over, I think they're pretty happy to be clean.


They smell fresh as a daisy.




Then it's nap time.






(updated, added another photo!)

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

A fun day at the park

We enjoyed a day at Pullen Park over Memorial Day weekend with Jen (our oldest daughter), Madison (our granddaughter), Rob (our son-in-law) and Donna (Rob's mother). We packed up the cars with a picnic lunch, our ball gloves and the "Titanic".

It was a beautiful mild day, about 80 degrees with a slight breeze, just perfect!

Here we are on the paddle boats. (Jen, Maddie, and me)
















A game of throw and catch.














Maddie rode the carousel. She picked the cute black and white pig.













We took a train ride around the park.
Maddie helped Papa launch his boat "The Titanic". You can read more about these little boats at Putt Putt Boats.















And we finished the day off with some juicy sweet watermelon!







A fun day at the park, and we all had a great time!
The photos are compliments of Jen at sunnispace. (I took my digital camera but forgot the card, oops). You can see more photos at sunniviews. Thanks, Jen!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Blooms and birds

On my morning walk with Otis and Riley I picked this beautiful magnolia bud at the park, brought it home and put it in water. The petals are slowly opening. The smell is heavenly ~ it's like having a magnolia air freshener throughout the whole house. Ahhhhhh



I also spotted some little hummingbirds this morning flitting around the back porch. I'm hoping to get a picture of the little guys soon.


Have a beautiful day!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Busy as a bee


I'm back, and busy as a bumble bee!
I just took my daughter to the airport this morning, stopped at the mall for lunch, and now I'm back home to a very messy house. Lots of cleaning to be done, piles of laundry and, of course, some yard work.


We had a great time with Amy. We did family get-togethers, a birthday party, cook-outs, spent time at the park, walked Otis and Riley, watched movies and shopped. It all went so fast. Miss you, Amy!

I can't believe Memorial Day weekend is here already! I better get busy.

I'll be catching up and visiting everybody soon. Have a great week!




Friday, May 16, 2008

Amy

My daughter, Amy, the one from NY, is here for a few days. She flew down yesterday for a work conference in Raleigh and will be here untill next Wednesday. SO, I will be away from my computer for awhile, not posting anyway, but I'll try to visit when I can.





We are planning to have a birthday party for Amy while she's here ~ my other daughter, Jen and her chef hubby will be hosting the party (pizzas on the grill and birthday cake)! Plus, there will be shopping trips, more cookouts and just some good ol' family time.



I'll be back next week!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

See how my garden grows


My garden is doing well. Seeds are sprouting and everything is growing.


Mmmmmm, big juicy, fresh strawberries! I've been picking them by the handfuls and have them each morning with my cereal.




The radish and carrot seeds have sprounted.



cucumbers



mesclun and leaf lettuce
tomatoes

pumpkins


potatoes


It's so rewarding having a garden. This is my third year planting so I'm still experimenting and finding new ways of doing things. The fun part is when everything is ripe and I can eat my lunch straight from the garden and nibble away just like a bunny!


Wednesday, May 14, 2008

The Rose


As a flower in the garden
Bending toward the sun,
Unfolds it's tiny petals
One, by one, by one...
So faith expands it's beauty
Until at last it grows
into life's lasting flower...
The heart's fair perfect rose.

~Rebecca Helmann~











I've been painting roses, lots and lots of roses!