March ~ out like a Lion

Here it is March 29th and it's snowing! Can you believe it?

Looking out onto the pond...

... the golf course...

...and the back yard where the trees, in full spring bloom, are wondering why winter is falling upon them.

House update

We hired my brother Kent to texture and paint the entry way. We chose the most beautiful warm gold color with great confidence. As he began to paint the Roasted Sesame Seed on the walls, my confidence began to waver. Granted the lighting was limited and shadows from the school bus yellow scaffolding were dancing on the walls.

Then Rick, who is usually oblivious to such things as decorating,
walked in the door and promptly stated,
"Wow, that's really orange."
(Here you hear an audible gasp
and all oxygen is sucked from the room.)

I nearly cried.
Kent and Kim continued to reassure me that I needed to have confidence
and that all would be well once the blue painters tape
was removed and the scaffolding taken out.

Yet nightmares prevailed me.


Once everything that wasn't supposed to be there was removed
and what was supposed to be there was put back ~

They were right! I love it.
I am so excited to have this house finally become our home!

(Uh, the blue tape doesn't belong on the spinning wheel.
Where was the grip boy during this photography session?)

"And I helped!"
(said in the most southern drawl you can muster up.)
I don't know what commercial that phrase came from, but it fits.

Isn't she darling!?! Molly came over the next day after the walls were completely painted and wanted to know where her painting was...

All I could do was point my fingers at my brother and say,
"Uncle Kent did it."
We have now come full circle!

Birds of a Feather

Last year I decided to put out bird seed for our feathered friends nesting in the pond. We had quite a plethora of winged friends come a callin'; ducks, woodpeckers, finches, and a great blue heron. One friend in particular was a little red winged black bird. He would come to the window and sing for me and then strut his stuff until I would bring him food. Molly named him Blacky.

We are happy to report that Blacky has returned from his winter home
and has began to repeat the ritual.

He waits for me each morning. He can see what room I am in
and perches on that window sill until he is acknowledged.
Smart and determined bird.

Here he is out in the pond perched on old cattails where he
and his mate have built a nest for their family to be.

As you can see, he has taught a few other to join him in the cause.
This unknown species of bird is enjoying the new found diner.

A show of thanks!

Happy Easter!

We had an Easter Brunch at Matt & Kim's the day before Easter. Molly and Hannah had an Easter egg hunt on a cold but sunny day. Kim made a wonderful frittata, Debi brought a ham and fruit and I made rolls and potatoes. Then for dessert Kim made carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. She is an amazing cook. An excellent Easter with family.


For Easter we gave Molly a webkinz hound dog.
She seems to love it.

Daddy & Grandpa hid millions of plastic eggs filled with
candy and money all over the yard...

in even in the bushes! Those silly guys!

We found them everywhere.

Even on the tires of the car and high up in the trees!

Yeah! We found them all and our baskets are full.
Happy Easter!

We're Trippin'

Here is our new home.
Don't you just love the fountain?

Here is a full size view.
As you can see, sharp shooters on the roof is the latest trend.

A view of the front. Rick has had to purchase a riding lawn mower for the yard.
Whew! It's quite the task.

We love this view from the balcony off the back of our home.

This is us outside the fenced yard.
We like to pretend they won't let us in.

Here is the Hope Diamond Rick bought for me as an anniversary gift.
I love little souvenirs from the places we visit.
We keep it in the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum just for fun.

Smithsonian's Natural History Museum ~ Where's Rick?

Are these people looking for him too?

You're getting warmer!

Here he is!
Watch out for the elephant!

Raggedy Ann Quilt

Here is my latest creation. I love Ann. She is near and dear to my heart. She is one of my favorite childhood friends. I also love red work so I incorporated two of my favorite things and here is the end result. Well, almost. There's quilting to be done. (click on the picture to enlarge it)

I made this for my niece Emily who is expecting a baby girl in May. I hope Baby Scarlett loves her 4 new friends.

Book Tag!?!

I've been tagged by Linda. The idea is to share with others what you are reading and in turn you get to find out what they're reading. I think it will inspire each other to pick up some new and interesting selections at the library or the nearest book store. Especially if you've been known to read a text book for enjoyment.

Here's how it works ~
1. Pick up the nearest book, one with at least 123 pages (therefore Dr. Seuss doesn't fit into this category)
2. Open to page 123
3. Find the 5th sentence
4. Post the next 3 sentences
5. Tag 5 people

The book nearest me is Charles Faudree's French Country Signature. Page 123 is a photograph of a beautiful bedroom...

The book I am currently reading is Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See~



This was true for me as well. "She searched the county, traveling far outside her usual matchmaking territory until she heard about you from the diviner. Once she met you, she decided to hitch my fate to yours."

Doesn't that make you want to run out and purchase the book? Isn't that gripping? Are you on the edge of your seat?

Okay, I tag Alicia Johnson, Alicia Walker, Kathryn, Lindsey and Donna (Lindsey, post for your mom!)