Summer Bracelet Winner Announced

Thanks for participating in my little giveaway and for visiting FabFashion. I'm delighted to announce the winner...

Let's try that again...

Elizabeth @ Home is Where the Heart Is!

Elizabeth said: 

Hi Vee, 

I love your bracelet the colors are really pretty! 
I went over to visit FabFashion Bracelets and I really love the idea of the Magnetic Bracelet, it sure would be easier to put on alone with out any help. I always have to have Gary help me put on a bracelet. Who ever receives a bracelet will be one very lucky girl..
Have a sweet day, Elizabeth

Now I am glad to know that soon Elizabeth will be able to wear a bracelet whether or not Gary's available. 

Curious about what Elizabeth chose? See it for yourself right *here.*

***

I'm afraid that I'm out again today. Happy Canada Day weekend to all my Canadian friends!

Short and Sweet

~Soggy Morning Flowers~

Free Printable Bunting for Canada Day — so cute!

Free Printable Independence Day Bunting — so cute!

Speaking of which, I've seen a number of flags in town and across the internet improperly displayed. (This MSN photo was snagged over Memorial Day.) The field of stars is always at the top left when the flag is displayed as a banner. This is true outdoors and indoors.

~Not This Way!~

~This Way!~

How to Display the US Flag

How to Display the National Flag of Canada

***

My Winner will be announced tomorrow! Giveaway closes tonight at 7 Eastern Standard Time. Wander around a bit; you'll find that post. =D

In the Good Old Summer Time...Right

 ~Pretty Yard~

Gosh, we're in another nasty weather pattern that will bring rain and thundershowers for today through Wednesday. It's almost impossible to get on the computer so I am probably signing off after this post until this latest nasty system has moved on. And, yes, wouldn't it be wonderful if rain were more equitably shared? I know that many of you would so appreciate some water. I, on the other hand, am dealing with a wet basement and mold everywhere so it is not pleasant. We are longing for two days in a row of sun.

We did enjoy a splendid sunny Sunday! Every time the weather forecasters say that it will rain all week but be good on the weekend and then add that that's all people care about anyway, I could scream. Yup, I am getting a titch testy. ;> Feel free to share any weather complaints that you may have. We'll call this post weather vent central.

***

In other news: Last week I received a most interesting phone call...

I: Hallo! (Just practicing my German.)

Caller: I'd like to set up a date with you.

I: (aside) John, there's someone on the line who wants a date with me!

Caller: (chuckles)

I: May I ask who's calling?

Caller: (more chuckles) It's Sam.

I: Sam? Are you bored already? When did you get out of school?

Caller Sam: I think just before noon last Tuesday.

I: All righty then. When?

Sam: Does Tuesday sound good to you?

And so Tuesdays will be our new day for now and tomorrow is Tuesday. What can I do with a grandson on a rainy day that will be any fun at all? Hmmm...must put on my thinking cap. Any suggestions? Time spent with grands is special indeed and there will come a day when the phone won't ring. Mindful of that, I so welcome these days.

Leaving you with a sweet little arrangement found last Saturday, though I don't recall when we had only 12 states...nothing like creative license. The 4th of July is just around the corner!

~Primitive Wooden Flag on Crated Posies~

So I'll catch you when I can. If you haven't signed up for the giveaway yet, check back a few posts. A  new summer bracelet is a very good thing.

Parade and Roses~Mosaic Monday

Our town had a parade yesterday morning replete with a bounce house on the lawn, Highlanders marching playing the bagpipes, vintage cars, and cotton candy for sale. The timing was just right because thunderstorms blew in by afternoon and stayed all night.  I rescued my three little roses freshly bloomed and now they bloom on my kitchen windowsill. Just a few little scenes from the parade with the roses tucked in. 

Check in with Mary at Little Red House for more mosaics. It's always fun!

Have a great week...

And God Said It Was Beautiful

When God called all that He had made "good" in Genesis 1, the Hebrew word used is "tobe," which can also be translated "beautiful" because tobe means good in the widest possible sense of the word. Read Genesis 1 today, if you catch a moment, and every time you see where God says "it is good" try "it is beautiful." 

Source: Strong's Concordance.

Many blessings this Sunday!

Name Calling

Now ordinarily some of the time, I do not resort to name calling. However, there is a nightly occurrence in my neighborhood that has brought out the very worst in me. It began a few weeks ago and appears as if it will continue right through until forever. My state made the unfortunate decision to legalize fireworks and now every tom, dick, harry, sally and sue have become munitions experts. The blasts begin just after sundown and have gone on all night long, though we're told there is a 10 pm curfew. I hate nightly fireworks. Hate is actually too soft a word. I despise nightly fireworks and I don't feel too saintly about those who are setting them off either. Are fireworks legal in your community?

So, yes, you'll hear me use an old Downeast term at the end of this short video. You can find it in E.B. White's essay entitled "Maine Speech." Yes, it means just exactly what you think it might.

Onto cheerier things — I have a parade to attend today. The grands will be marching and we'll be there. One is wearing the uniform — t-ball uniform; the other is carrying a sign for a local pizzeria. Gotta see that... (If all goes well, I'll be popping in a few photos before day's end.)

Grand 1: Still dancing I think
Grand 2: Spotted us and wanted to stick around longer, but the Library Sale job was too important. (And I thought it was all about pizza!)

And don't you just know that we'd follow that cutie pie anywhere. In fact, John is off to the sale right now. He's hoping that he gets some more great deals as he has in years past.

Have a wonderful weekend!

A Wee Walkabout

Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine for the soul. ~Luther Burbank

The First of the Stella d'Oros

More Bolero Lilies

They are Putting on Such a Show

The Knock-out Roses

The Patio Door

Taking a cue from Auntie this morning and closing comments — so you can look and dash. 

Have a delightful day!

A Summer Bracelet

A big thank you to all who participated in June's Note Card Party either by entering, visiting or both. Now I know what it feels like in a tourist town when visitors swell the population to twice the community's usual size. How sad it'll be to go back to the old numbers. ☺ Yup. I get spoilt. But then, we don't blog for the numbers, do we?

I hinted day before yesterday about the third gift from Mrs. Rabe. It was so totally unexpected and I was completely charmed by it. Though I do not usually wear jewelry,  I've been wearing this sweet bracelet.

Forgive the photo...it's early this morning. The colors are just so pretty and I love the clasp.

So I'd love to give one away. No! Not this one! This is mine. ☺ I'd love to have you visit FabFashion Bracelet section and select a bracelet that you would enjoy. Deanna has graciously agreed to work with me on this. If you are interested, all you need to do is comment on this post. Please do not share the information anywhere else. This is only for those readers who wander in and find the information here. I'll be drawing a name next Thursday. The only requirement is that you have a public blog because I'd really like you to share about the bracelet when you win. The beat goes on don't you know...

I'll be off for much of the day and in all this heat, but I'll be looking good wearing my bracelet!

Sea Fever~June Note Card Party

Welcome to another Note Card Party! Hope that the last day of spring and the first day of summer are weather kind to you.

I've decided to share some of the Maine coast this time.

Summer 2010 - Portland

 Summer 2010 - Portland

 Summer 2011- Freeport

Summer 2011- Freeport

I found this poem in my grandmother's treasures. Fortunately, it was also available online so I didn't have to type it up.

Sea Fever  
by John Masefield

I must go down to the seas again,
to the lonely sea and the sky
and all I ask is a tall ship,
and a star to steer her by;

And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song
and the white sails shaking,
And the grey mist in the sea’s face,
and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again,
for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call
that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day
with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume,
and the seagulls crying. 

I must go down to the seas again,
to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale's way
where the wind’s like a whetted knife

And all I ask is a merry yarn
From a laughing fellow rover,
and quiet sleep and a sweet dream
when ere the long trip’s over

My FabFashion Purses

 ~Blue Purse~

~Green Purse~

Mrs. Rabe,  a dear blogging buddy from Creekside Cottage and a blog-meet buddy, too, bought an accessories store last year called FabFashion. What fun to visit online and find a purse just to my liking. I gave up larger purses a few years ago and then found that I couldn't function without them. I have a large open bag like purse where I lose everything. Not anymore! This purse has several pockets, nooks and crannies, and a place for all that I need. Love it! 

Just yesterday, the purse arrived with a friend. Can you believe it?! Two purses! Deanna just wanted to bless me I guess. ☺ AND, she tucked in a third gift, which I'll tell you all about another day. Though, if you hang out a bit in the Bracelet Section, you may just get ahead of me. ; >

Care to share what size purse you carry?

***

I'll be back this evening with Mr. Linky; hopefully, sometime between 8 and 8:30 pm. I had so much fun finding my notecards now that I know about searching at Picasa. (Yes, I'm a little slow.) 

Hope to see you at June's Note Card Party tomorrow! (And, yes, you may certainly sign up early.)

Father's Day~Mosaic Monday

Hope that all of you in North America enjoyed a wonderful Father's Day. As you can see, though John temporarily forgot what he should do with a double-scoop Caramel Caribou cone, he soon remembered and enjoyed it immensely.

Other photos left to right: wild lupines on the hill, cattle on the hill, more lupines Second row: blurry little red house, John and his ice cream cone
Third row: spiderwort, same cattle on the hill, and knock-out roses

Please join Mary at Little Red House (which won't be blurry) for more wonderful mosaics.

Happy Father's Day

~Capturing the Moments~

No one has ever done it better than Norman Rockwell!

Fathers play a unique and important role in the lives of their children. As mentor, protector, and provider, a father fundamentally influences the shape and direction of his child's character by giving love, care, discipline, and guidance. As we observe Father's Day, our nation honors fatherhood and urges fathers to commit themselves selflessly to the success and well-being of their children. And we reaffirm the importance of fathers in the lives of their children. Raising a child requires significant time, effort, and sacrifice; and it is one of the most hopeful and fulfilling experiences a man can ever know. A father can derive great joy from seeing his child grow from infancy to adulthood... 

Responsible fatherhood is important to a healthy and civil society. Numerous studies confirm that children whose fathers are present and involved in their lives are more likely to develop into prosperous and healthy adults. Children learn by example; and they need their father's presence as examples of virtue in their daily lives. A child's sense of security can be greatly enhanced by seeing his parents in a loving and faithful marriage. 

Father's Day Proclamation by 

George W. Bush 

Heavenly Father, 

Bless all fathers today, guide them that they may better lead their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to You. Help them to be strong and of good courage knowing that You have every little thing under control. Let them place full trust in You. 

Amen

Many blessings this Father's Day!

I Caught It!

 ~The First Bolero~

Out first thing this morning with camera in hand to capture the first Bolero to bloom. I love these things. As you can see, they're lilies; the color is exquisite. They were a gift from my daughter years ago now. Yes, I talk about them every June. Without fail.

So there I was, in my pjs when suddenly the whir of a helicopter broke the early morning silence din of cawing crows. I have spared you the crazy angles of all the missed shots. I do hate to make a reader nauseous. Success at last when it broke between the treeline and the house.

~The Invader~

John came out wondering why our home was being targeted. "They've been flying around this house for a long time. Good thing we weren't having our coffee out there!" This makes me laugh. I can't figure out how some men think.

Whatever they're doing, they're not done yet because they just flew right over the top of us again. Does this ever happen in your corner?

A happy weekend to you...more gardening here. 

Old Photos

After considerable amounts of time spent on computer maintenance, I hope that this will post. I've been having difficulties for a while with "freezing" or "hanging" (and the losing of posts and comments) so why I didn't address it sooner is an indication of one of my many flaws — extreme procrastination. The maintenance involved clearing the cache in three browsers and discarding lots and lots of picture files AND moving many files to the exterior hard drive.  (Yes, I use Photobucket as well for storage and Picasa, too, of course.) You photographers may wish to clue me in on your storage tips. I know that Jill uses memory chips for storage, which I think is very clever, but then how does she store the memory chips? I should ask her!

So you just know how one thing leads to another and back again, right? It's a Law of Physics or something. Here I was clearing photos left and right and, by afternoon, had found shoeboxes full of old photos. Five to be precise. They were found because I have so much mulch left over from purchasing a yard and a half of the stuff that I wanted to clear a large waste can (used for storage only), which I thought was full of puzzles (easy to release to Goodwill) to put some mulch in for next year. But noooo, there were all those shoeboxes full of photos... Just when I think I'm done with photos, along comes more!

I don't remember ever seeing these before. Actually, most of these "Shoe Box Photos" I don't remember seeing before. It must have something to do with their never making it to photo albums so, sitting in shoe boxes, they were unknown to me. There's my pretty mama keeping my little sister from touching me. I'm sure that's it from the look on my face.  It's a she's-touching-me face! Then there's a photo of my sister and me at the coffee table. (Now I do remember that round coffee table.) My sister has a cute seal pull toy with a ball on his nose.  The top photo is not showing my best side, though what I want you to focus on are the shoes.

Just a little while ago, one of my blogging buds (May have been Life in Red Shoes  Nope! Stick Horse Cowgirls) was discussing those little plastic high heels that little girls wear. I am simply documenting that I, too, had a pair and I loved them. They didn't last long as I recall and, for that reason, I never had another pair. Still, life was good while they held up.

Is it Friday already? Just a reminder to be checking over your photos because next week is June's Note Card Party! Clicking on the sidebar icon will take you to all the pertinent information.

Enjoy your day...


mosaic background by Kim Klassen

Edited to Add: The curly hair? I believe that this was a "Poodle Perm" though goodness knows, with hair that already has a lot of curl, I don't think it was necessary. It was my mother's idea that unruly curly hair could be "tamed" with a perm. I have in recent years had perms with that same hope.

Rainy Day Garden

When I awoke this morning, I leapt from my bed and ran to the window. Okay, that's not quite accurate. While I was very excited to see the garden from my bedroom window where I could survey the scene, my body is so stiff and tired that leaping would be impossible. I need some of this stuff.

By way of explanation...

1. The fenced in area
2. My neighbor's beautiful stretch of lawn—does it get any better? All the lawn to look at and I don't have to mow it! (The pathway there? John is fixing a couple of patches with the leftover topsoil/compost mixture.)
3. The seating area where John and I will have our morning coffee, on good days that is.
4. The Limb Llama
5. How I see the Limb Llama. He'll be smiling tomorrow when the sun returns.
6. The wee little hosta experiment
7. My neighbor's hosta in a large planter. He says the slugs don't find it. I'm hoping that the slugs don't find my baby Blue Shade hosta either. (Have I just documented my hosta envy for all the world to see?! )
8. My favorite plate on the plate rail above the seating area.

So I'm turning my attention to indoor pursuits for the day. Have a terrific Wednesday...

That Raised Bed

It's been a long time coming. I first started discussing what has come to be known as "the coffin" back on May 21st with the completion on *May 25.*

So without further ado, here's a little picture story with few explanations other than captions.

~60% Top Soil 40% Compost~

~Plastic Lined Planter - sides only~

 ~Many Loads Later~

 ~The Long View~

~Bolero Lilies Ready to Bloom~

~By Afternoon~

 ~The Long View~

~The Glass Float~

 ~Late Afternoon~

 ~Scraggly Poinsettias~

 ~Scraggly Calibrachoa~

 ~Rosemary and Calibrachoa~

~Hosta Experiment~

 ~Front Garden Freshly Mulched Late Afternoon~

~Morning Glory at the Mailbox on Right (plus a grass seeding project)~

~Shasta Daisies and Orange Zinnias - Front Garden~

~Peonies~

I planted five tomato plants, swiss chard, all the usual herbs, lettuces, and a row of marigolds. Somehow, I left out the chives so must find a home for them today. 

John has been such a help hauling and schlepping. We have some last minute tidying up and then we are calling it good.

And how does your garden grow?

Who Knew a Near Death Experience Could be So Much Fun?

Hallo! Just sharing my vast knowledge of German with you today. < insert cheeky grin >

I want to document my weekend. It was wonderful, including my near-death experience.  < insert another cheeky grin >

First up — baseball. At one point during the game, I turned to my son and suggested that a professional team do a spoof pretending to be five- and six-year old t-ball players. It would be a riot! I giggled myself silly throughout...hope that Sam didn't catch me at that too often.  When the coach said: Okay, everybody grab your caps and gloves and a little guy asked, "Why? Where're we going?" I thought I'd split. Oh my! They were all just too cute for words.



Now my own grand was the most animated child on the field. He's included some dancing in his game. He did get hits and he did stop a ball and get it to first base in time. Did I capture any of this? No, only the dancing. Just take my word for the rest of it. Some day, he's going to be so happy that I was documenting his childhood. =D

♪ I Feel Like Dancing ♫

***

After baseball, Sam thought it would be great to join me; however, I had lawn mowing and planting flowers on the docket. So we struck a compromise instead: I'd take over ice cream sandwiches in the afternoon and visit for a bit. 

One thing led to another during our visit and pretty soon we'd I'd made plans involving a pizza picnic supper at "the farm." 

The guys enjoyed the playground. Note the gang being driven off in the bottom left corner.

Would you believe that we lost Jake? Lost him while clearly watching him. It was bizarre and I have a new appreciation for how quickly a little one can go missing. This video documents the entire experience.

~Let's Get Out of This Tall Grass!~

***

By now you're probably wondering if I forgot the near-death thing...no! I don't think I could ever forget it. 

This is how it happened: I was eating a very dainty piece of pizza. Oh stop that! It was so, too. Anyway, I was eating pizza when a car drove through the parking lot stirring up a lot of dust. I stopped breathing that I might not inhale said dust and the next thing I knew I couldn't breathe nor could I speak. John and Michelle were chatting and my son and the boys were playing at the swingset. I was in trouble so I got up from the picnic table turning my back to them so that I could cough and sputter all ladylike and everything. Finally, I thumped myself a good one in the chest and dislodged the offending piece of pizza. I took a big breath and returned to the table rheumy-eyed. I wasn't going to say anything, but decided that it would be a good life lesson for the chatters to know that I had truly been in trouble. 

I explained and they both looked at me wide-eyed. John apologized. Then Michelle said gently, "Don't you have the responsibility to let someone know you need help? You should have banged on the table!" 

Point well taken. It was a true life lesson for me. If you're in trouble, say so and, if you can't talk, bang on the table!

Okay, let's get out of this tall grass...

Dried Lavender~Mosaic Monday

A wonderful gift of the weekend was my sister's being home. She brought me a bundle of lavender, which I have split up and placed all over the house. Hmmmm...lovely!

I am uncertain about Mosaic Monday this week, though I am linking to Mary at Little Red House.