Peony Vase

Someone brought me peonies!

And of course I used my mom's (piano) vase.

Hint--dear DIL daughter-in law and my neighbor

It's a thing of beauty

Summer Vacation by Eleanor

Over the weekend my mom said “It’s officially summer”. 

I thought it was summer vacation because 

she was home for 3 whole days 

 I was shocked Tuesday morning when she told me that it was back to work for her.

These last 3 days were so much fun. We were all outside all day long and she only left once to do some errands. I got to run around the back yard and check out every new thing they planted. I even got into the part of the yard that is fenced off. They said something about grass seed  then mom and I sat down and had a chat about not doing that again,

They fixed the fence and now I can’t get in at all.

I know I’m not supposed to love running, being a basset hound and all, but it’s just the best thing ever and I heard them say they never saw a basset run like I do. 

Sometimes I like to lay down in the yard and just look around. I love my backyard but geez 

they put a lot of fencing up.

 I wonder if it’s because of me. 

Taking a break and checking out what everyone is doing

Waiting for Dad to come back home

Bridal Wreath & Peonies

I drive by these beauties every day so when I was walking dear Eleanor after work I decided to take some pictures for you.

When I was growing up bridal wreath hedges were abundant and I was lucky to have one adjacent to my home. We used to play inside the cover of these wonderful bushes and play hide and seek as well in them. We would weave wreaths out of them too. Such idyllic days those were.

Peonies were abundant too. From white to burgundy and  all shades of pink between.

 They weren’t like the beautiful Japanesse Peony in this picture but equally lovely. I remember them in a vase on the piano and the fragrance filled the room. I inherited that cut glass vase and no matter what flowers I put it I still see my mom’s peonies. 

Moroccan Cookies

Be ready to be amazed! 

A co-worker’s wife made these for me and I was in awe when I opened the box!

They had a very subtle flavor and weren’t overly sweet.  

Crazy amount of detail..right?

~YUM~

Kentucky Trip

I just got back from 4 wonderful days in Kentucky. 

Talk about getting a breath of Spring. 

Not only that but it was by far the most relaxing and laid back trip I have taken

Enjoy!

I get to enjoy 2 Springs since everything here hasn't even started!

Weeping Japaneses Cherry

Your're right----

Bamboo

Apple Betty

I made one of our very favorite desserts yesterday...

~~Apple Betty~~

Fast, Easy & Delicious 

The only thing I do differently is add extra cinnamon

Cinnamon being my very favor aroma is the world

What more could you ask for?

This is a pan my mom had which is now mine

It's awesome!

It lets the pie cook but catches all the juices that can tend to run over the sides while baking.

What a concept right?

As you can see it was well used by my mom and grandmother

Carnations

I forgot how much I love Carnations.

One color is more beautiful than the next

The fragrance is subtle

The enjoyment  

endless

My choice this week 

~~Creamy white and apricot~~

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

In our early marriage I could never cook corned beef like his mom 

Hers was delicious. 

I'll never know what I was doing wrong but magically somehow it turns out fine now. 

But in the mean time we switched to Reuben Sandwiches instead. 

We love, love, love them so that’s our standard to this day  

I’m so looking forward to dinner tonite….

alot!

 Add a side of friend Chris' wonderful homemade dressing to dip it in and voila' 

~perfection~

Also a  nod to my husband’s ancestors from County Cork in Ireland.

David Austin Roses

I'm not entirely sure what prompted to sign up for emails from David Austin Roses 

but I'm so glad I did. 

It's one of those little things that make me close my eyes and smile and 

imagine the fragrances in the air..

I have absolutely no luck growing roses 

but it is such a sweet pleasure to see what someone

else can accomplish.  This is just a small sampling

of  what's available.

Enjoy!

http://www.davidaustinroses.com

Jubilee Celebration

Golden Celebration

Munstead Wood

Tamora

Wollerton Od Hall

James Galway

Netflix Obsession

I recently got Netflix. 

I have been thinking about it for several years and my dear son pushed me and just signed me up. Bless his heart

So now I am binge watching Call the Midwife and the list of other things to watch is a mile long. Everyone had suggestions of what to watch first but I am so glad I chose this wonderful PBS series. 

I started at Season 1 and now I’m finishing up Season 5.

In record time if I must confess. 

What a wonderful show and how can you not love all the endearing English sayings like 

Golly Gumdrops or Tickety Boo ……….

Next up is The Crown….there is definitely a trend here for me of English programs.

Carnivor

Twice now someone brought this wine to the house.

Admittedly I didn't try it the first time.

I'm not a huge red wine fan but when it came by the second time 

Someone was trying to get my attention

I knew I needed to try it.

?My reaction?

Splendid 

Not sharp

Not acidic

&

I currently have multiple bottles at my disposal.

Kickin' Back in Nassau

I love this picture.

I love this picture because it’s my son in the hammock

I love that he is home from a 9-month deployment and he and his family took a cruise that stopped one day in Nassau

I love that he looks so relaxed

  I’m so happy he is back safe and sound.

 I love my son

Winter 2017

I wrote this on my chalkboard last week
I am over winter!
Next season please.

And look what happened!
Windows & doors were open!

Next week is in the 30's again 

but this is what gets me through til Spring!

Projects

In the process of cleaning up and out in my sewing room I have unearthed many projects.

Some started

 Some put off

Some I really didn’t want to do

But after finding room to put things away 

and finding the top of my cutting table 

I am trying to clear them away. 

I WILL start with the one I don’t want to do and continue to move forward, 

albeit at a snails pace, 

but move forward I will because at the end is the beginning of a new quilt.

 There is a method to my madness!

Soooo cute.

DIL wants me to make a top with an adorable polka dot collar.

I just don't enjoy sewing clothes 

I can do it tho so I said yes

This will be the current final project. 

Vintage quilt pieces for another quilt.

New Year Gratitude

As the New Year begin I, like many people, have fresh dreams and plans for a wonderful coming year.

My gratitude  for 2016 is always there in my mind as it brought me much happiness and thankfully life lessons that I can learn and grow from. 

So here is to the beginning of 2017 as a year of dreams coming true and contentment in our lives. 

I am forever grateful for what I have been blessed with in life.