Random Ramblings

Periodically I will see something from one of the blogs I follow or a link that I chase in one of those blogs and I will quickly click/copy/paste the link into an email.  Then, I shoot it off to one of the daughters or daughters-in-law with a quick note of...

This porch is getting a spruce up with summer items and pops of colors like you are using.

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...saw this today and thought you might like it...

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or, thought you might need to be reminded of this...

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or, this makes me think of you...

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or...

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...any number of quick jottings to let them know the post might be of interest to them because it struck a nerve with me.

Today's post is just that.

Random ramblings of things I've stumbled across that I think somebody else might like as well.

You know, things like...

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Wow!  I really like what this sign says and wish SOMEBODY would make a sign for me that says this but in a style that would be a better fit to the style of my home.

or...

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Maybe we should get together and stitch up a couple of these cute summer totes.  Maybe we could add a monogram, too.

or...

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This nautical designer copy-cat tote is a cute one, too.  Maybe we should try this summery version first.

or...

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Oh, how much I'd love to try some of these Skillet Desserts - especially the Chocolate Peanut Butter Skillet Cookie.  Yum!

and...

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I wonder if this recipe is the one I used to make Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars when the children were little fellows.  I should make them again sometime soon!

What have you stumbled upon that you felt the need to share lately?

Happy Random Ramblings to you

Job Interrupted...Again

I am behind.

I mean really behind.

More behind than I have ever been.

Usually I look forward to spring with eager anticipation...

...and an itchiness to get digging in the dirt...

...and anxious to spring-i-fy everything.

Especially the back porch.

This year...

...not so much.

This year my nemesis - allergies - reared its ugly head.

Then, I had a horrific infection move in and take over.

Then, 'The Monia' came to visit.

So, I am behind.

I mean really behind.

More behind than I have ever been.

Finally...

...I went to the local nursery yesterday and came home with the back end of my truck full of flowers.

So, today has been planting day.

Sort of.

At least I have tried and have gotten about half-way planted...

I have had three separate interruptions.

Interruptions like this...

...and this...

Maybe I will be able to finish up my planting and cleaning of the back porch tomorrow!

Afternoons

I've taken to riding along with The Mister when he does his afternoon chores.

His friends come to greet him with eager anticipation.

He just plops down on a bucket and they come over to him for a little individual attention.

Then, they line up at the feed trough and dig in to dinner.

Sometimes they have to come back for a little more TLC.

Then, they just chow down till their bellies are full.

Then, go on their merry way living the life of a country critter.  And The Mister rides into the sunset with the girl.

Honoring The Fallen

Low on Effort/Long on Cheer

Perennials make me smile.

They are so determined to leave their mark and return year-after-year.

They are like a greeting card that comes in the mail on a random day that just makes you smile.

They require so little effort but offer so much cheerfulness.

They dress up the ordinary.

And they add intrigue to our daily walk.

This post brought to you by Peonies and False Indigo - two of my favorites!

What a difference a few days make

A few days ago I was out in the yard with my camera and snapped some photos of the beauty out there.

I couldn't stay long because my allergies had brought on coughing, sniffling, wheezing, and gasping.

Not pretty.

Not pretty at all.

Then, I was out again a couple of days later and all the difference in the world had taken place...

The warm, sunny weather and humidity had done its job.

The blooms of the yellow Knock-Out rose had completely come to life.

It was loaded with sunshine and pale yellow blossoms.

The peonies were bursting open like fireworks.

The ones by the back porch are a deep fuchsia pink which contrasts so beautifully with the mulch, the greenery, and the grey of the lattice-work.

 They were heavy with blooms and brilliant with color and simply luscious to look at.

After a heavy downpour and a few more days, everything - and I do mean everything - was a bit bedraggled and it looked a bit like the chapel after the I-dos and everybody had left.  The only thing remaining was the flower petals scattered along the ground.

So, yesterday I got out my nippers in the cool, late-afternoon light and snipped off the sad, stemmy leavings and await the next round of blossoms from the rose and next years bursts from the peonies.