Dreaming Under the Willow

The Willow trees are out and as I passed one yesterday

I thought about the one from my childhood.

My neighbor Lola, who was like my Grandmother had one.

I use to just go sit under it.

I wish I had a picture but I don't.

But it is a happy memory.

Do you have a memory of a tree from your childhood.

I am ready for spring

here is my Mom and Lola and our shared cat Bomber

Do you see all her flowers?

She worked out in the garden night and day even in her 90's.

I learned alot  about flowers from her.

As I look to the left of this picture the Willow is there.

Look at Lola's corn crop!

The tomato plants are in our yard that Mom and Grandma are checking out,

do you see peering out from around Grandma?

My Mom grew up in Detroit and they lived in a apartment.

When they moved back home in 1939 they always rented so my Grandparents did not have flowers.s.

My Mom loved our yard and she still took care of it by herself until she died.

Lola gave us starts of Lilac's, peonies, surprise lilies and more.

Luckily I was smart enough to bring a start of the peonies when I bought my house 20 years ago, so I have a piece of Lola here.

I went to the flea market with my Brother and SIL last weekend had a great time.

So thinking of those blooms I picked up 3 little pottery vases for $10.

I think the 3 will hold some of those pretty flowers that will be in my yard this spring and summer.

Maybe I need to plant a willow in my backyard to dream under?

"Well, It Depends on the Weather"

If I hear that one more time I am going to scream!

As we plan the Charleston Riot Anniversary, I keep hearing that over and over and over!

It is March 28-30th!

Not January for gosh sakes.

So let us look at what March looks like!

the forsythia will be blooming!

the trees around the courthouse will be in bloom!

the homes on the house tour will be in their spring glory

the yard will need its first mowing!

oh and my favorite, the redbuds!

pretty pansies!

daffodils in all their glory

Can you feel the sun on your face, the warm breeze, the smell of spring?

GOOD

Because this is what it looks like today

oh my

A Great Weekend

Mr. and I had a great weekend!

He actually went to 1515 with me.

Yard work done before we left

the best part it was cool and we had the air off!?

love my yellow dahlia

took a bouquet to 1515

after every thing else it done it is nice to have something blooming

my clematis is finally blooming

I was afraid that it had died after the heat last year

we love hanging out on our front porch

our neighbors had a great display on the 4th we watched from our deck

The twins always have a great 4th party but this year it was called
" 4 plus 2"

July 6th

So family was in town at 1515

we had 9 of us there so we had blow up beds in the living room and dining room!

Jen made her famous mac and cheese

Grandmother and Grandaughter worked on desert

oh no a little problem with the chocolate!

but having fun!

on to the party

serious discussion about the fireworks

the twins bid on and won at a fundraiser a 

PROFESSIONAL FIREWORKS DISPLAY!!!

OH MY!

Mr and cousin Sheryl look festive!

Went to our friends across the street for the fireworks

The fire Marshall marked on where we could sit and the

fire truck was there!

I did not get good pictures but I am telling you everyone kept saying

"I felt like I was in the middle of the firework!"

It was like being downtown St Louis but it was right in our own backyard

and experience I will never forget!

they set them off on the dam by the lake

about 50 of us

special time for Grandma and Grandson

yep we were happy!

thank you to my friend and auction buddy for letting us use her beautiful backyard!

I told the twins that knowing them is a life changing experience for so many people.

The bring out of the ordinary experiences to us that we would not normally experience

like the horse drawn sleigh ride in the snow this past January

and professional fireworks in the backyard.

So blessed am I.

Scenes From the Garden

Saturday Morning in the Garden

Nikko Blue Hydrangea

Garden Cottage

Annabelle Hydrangea

Picasso Petunia

Lily is blooming

My knockout rose can not decided what color it wants to be

blooming 2 colors on one bloom?

Dahlia ready to bloom

it came back from last year

OK, I need to weed :(

neighbor's hydrangea and garden

they got new siding and after 18 years of looking a gray home,

I can not adjust to the yellow?

And my Robin's are all gone.

I so enjoyed them while I was on vacation

I happen to see the last 2 leave the nest

I documented the last one leaving as I watched

the angel is telling him to fly

Mama says "come on"

he jumped out of the nest "I can fly, I can do it!"

so he hopped

and hopped

and he looked back........one more time

Goodbye sweet baby, I will miss you

Hope your weekend is a great one

and Happy Fathers day to all

I miss mine so

So glad I knew what is was like to be loved beyond measurement.

The look on his face says it all as he looked at my brother and I.