happy Memorial Day!

Nothing beats having my family around. On Friday night Chris, Dan, and Scott came for the weekend. Chris brought his canoe and two kayaks and on Saturday we went over to Willow Bay and enjoyed a picnic and relaxing by the water. On Sunday Rose and our Eldred family came over to eat and play cards. We had a great time. I was too busy to take pictures. Dan however got out his camera and took some great shots at Willow Bay.

HERE IT IS…THURSDAY, ALREADY

Where did the week go? Anyone who knows me realizes that I go a mile a minute and multitask, but this week has been rediculous. I’m getting ready for my trip, cleaning up the house for company, working on the outdoor planting and getting committees for Literary Club. That along with calls to my doctor and dentist has kept me busy today. Yesterday I saide to Don, “We’re retired now. Why is it everyday when we wake up there is a list of things to do. This is just like working.” I know we are like ants in anthills as soon as the summer arrives getting everything done outdoors. But we need to relax. I guess that’s why I go on so many vacations. LOL



I didn’t have time to take a new picture..so here is one from a few years ago. Can’t wait to see my sisters.

Summertime..and the living is easy!

This is absolutely my favorite place to be in the summer…sitting on my porch swing and reading a book. I must say that since I’ve had eye problems I don’t do as much reading as I used to. I plan on sitting here a lot this summer!


How could you not say, “Ahhh” when you look at the photo. Sean was mesmerized with riding on the duck at Dollywood.


This is one of my favorite photos from vacation. It’s hard to believe that Sean just turned 2 in March. He is so tall.

Awesome!

Dan is a super photographer. He got a new camera for Christmas and since then he has produced some awesome pictures. I wonder how he did this?

IT’S ALMOST JUNE..AND YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!

This is the time of year we wait for all winter long. When the snowflakes fall and the wind whips we think about summer coming. We know that it will eventually come and with it the color of flowers. For a few days we have been working to get our courtyard ready for the season. We are not yet done but…would you like a preview?

This afternoon I was in my favorite summer spot…my porch swing. When my old one got so weak that I needed a new one my husband’s friend who is a carpenter said that he could make one for me. I wanted it exactly like my old one…the same dimensions. He not only made this wonderful, strong swing but actually planted the tree when he was a boy and later harvested the wood. It’s a calm place to sit and read while listening to the burble of the fountains.


The concrete planter with the fleur de lis is one of my favorites. This year I filled it with heliotrope and a white-ish vine. I love the new iron work. Don says I have too much iron work in the garden. You be the judge.


I especially like the new green felt liner they have out this year.



More heliotrope






There are still more flowers to be planted.


I thought I’d show you the “bad” side of the garden. Where the yellow flowers are it is all buttercups which are the only flower that loves that wet spot. We are working on designing something for this space.


Here is a shot of the fountain. I love the sandcherry which lends color as well as the yellow creeping jenny. Sadie of course runs to the pond everytime we turn on water. It is her private swimming pool.
 

Don’t you love the patina on this pineapple statue? I discovered a spray paint..oil rubber bronze…and sprayed anything that wasn’t moving.

Here is a rare shot of the waterfall minus Sadie.


It’s getting dark and the lanterns are lit. Won’t you join me for a drink?

Nothing is more fun than a two year old!

Two year olds can be the most fun! They are cuddly and loveable and cute as a button. Sean was full of energy one minute and quiet and hugging me the next. He is adorable and we had so much fun playing ring around the rosie and singing together. He loves his books and we read a few. His latest focus is Lighting McQueen, the star car of the movie CARS. Here are a few pictures from our trip.

Sean at the kitchen table.



By the fountain at Dollywood.

Of course, grandmas had to buy Sean a toolbox.



Sean loved the rides in kiddieland.

having a ball in Tennessee

Here I am blogging from Ryan's computer. The trip down to Tennessee was VERY long but Sadie was excellent and slept most of the twelve hours. She has been so happy to run with Sox out in the back yard anytime she wants. They've played tug and tag so long that we have to force them to take a break.
The first day we were here we went over and visited with Don's younger sister, Ginny and family. Yesterday Jenny, Sean, and I went to yard sales. Last night Ryan took us to eat at the Gondlier, a great italian restaurant. Today Jenny's mom is coming over and bringing Barb-b-que for dinner. We are probably going shopping this afternoon. Tomorrow we plan on going to Pigeon Forger and go to the new Titanic exhibit. There is a full size front of a ship that looks like the Titanic along the road. Then we might go to Dollyw00d. Ryan and Jenny both took the day off tomorrow.
I am having a great time playing with Sean. He is talking up a storm...sometimes in his own language and is working on potty training. He's such a good kid, but has learned to say no and does it in the most stubborn cute way.

Pencil sketch

A Quiet Day

It has been a cold day in Bradford today. Don worked most of the day on his boat. He is getting ready for fishing season on Lake Erie. He always has some project going. Here he is replacing the felts on the bottom of the kitchen chairs.
 
I did water aerobics after coffee with the girls and then caught up my laundry.
The sky was very blue in this picture (not taken today). We will be getting new neighbors soon in this house. We have a very nice neighborhood. We have lived here for 36 years and always have loved it. It’s so quiet. Most of the young children have grown up and our neighborhood has changed. It will be nice to see young boys around now.

Mother’s Day 2010

Happy Mother’s Day to all moms and grandmoms out there. It’s our special day. The day our kids remember us and that we gave them life and raised them up to be the responsible, loving adults that they are. But what they don’t know is that it was our pleasure to have them as children. There are so many good memories of their childhood and growing years tucked in the recesses of our minds. Children add to your life. Sure, it’s a sacrifice but one gladly made. there is a special bond between mother and child. And each child is unique even though you raised them in the same house. I couldn’t be prouder of how my two sons turned into men.
   We had a wonderful Mother’s Day Celebration over at the Lasher’s last night. Over and over we think how lucky we are that Don discovered his father after so many years. Not only did he get a father, but we got a wonderful family with brothers and sisters and a mom’s love. We couldn’t love that family more if we would have been born to them. Last night Charlotte, don’s younger sister, created a great memory for us. SHe always makes occasions even more special by her extra touches…the tablecloths, the placemats, treats at each table. She also fixed a wonderful turkey dinner and great appetizers. She is so appreciated!

At each table there was a little frame with a quote, a personalized note pad, and a jar of sweets. Thanks, Charlotte.

Mother’s Day

Aren’t we always our mother’s little girl? Thinking back on all the memories involving my mother I realize over and over how fortunate my sisters and I were to have such a wonderful mother. Words cannot describe how I feel about her and how she influenced my life and made me the person I’ve become. Remembering her on Mother’s Day can bring a tear for I would love to be beside her to tell her how much she meant to me. I found this little poem.

I MISS YOU, MOM

I used to think that people didn't need
their moms so much after they grew up.
But I've realized that's not true.
So often, when I'm making a decision,
I wish you were here
so I could ask your advice.

And so many times,
when something happens
that I know you would enjoy,
I wish you were here
to share it with me.

Now that I'm older
I've realized how special our relationship is.
And while I'm thankful for this bond,
somehow it makes me miss you more..
Mom, I love you so very much.

~By Renee Duvall

Jersey Boys

What a fantastic Day! We left this morning at nine on a bus headed for Buffalo to see “Jersey Boys”, the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Our first stop was lunch at Illio de Paolo’s restaurant where we were served pasta, pork medallions, and chicken picatta followed by creme de menthe ice cream.  We arrived at Shea’s Theater in Buffalo for the one o’clock performance. It was fantastic and the lead who played Frankie had such a super voice. It was full of songs from the era that had us dancing in our seats. The story flowed so easily and they did a great acting job. It was such a great day!

A surprise

What a surprise…a little hailstorm today.

Dan at PSU

Dan is finishing his first year at Penn State University. For Christmas he got a very nice camera and has become a great photographer. He gathered all his friends for a picture at the Nittany Lion. Dan is in the middle center with the striped shirt.

Mother’s Day Tea

Yesterday I went to a Mother’s Day Tea at my Mother-in-law’s church in Eldred. The theme was Ice Cream and the tables were decorated with ceramic or plastic ice cream cones with mini candy bars as the ice cream. Charlotte won the centerpiece at our table.

Rose, Barb,  Charlotte and me at our table.
 
We played two games…think of all the flavors of ice cream that you can  and  unscramble the ice cream makers’ names.

There were a lot of prizes.

We had brunch which included breakfast casseroles and sweets.



Another game we played involved feeding ice cream to someone who had to guess what flavor it was.

We also had a guest speaker, my friend Betty Fralich, who spoke on Civil War Reenactments and showed examples of period gowns.

IT was a perfect was to spend Mother’s Day!