Taking a Little Break :)

Will be back on the Daily on June 15! :)

Nature's Confetti Streamers

Ahhhhh, the tall wild grasses are also celebrating so many graduates this week! I think these confetti streamers are waving in the wind to cheer on those walking across Commencement stages :)

Delightful Dogwood :)

What an explosion of white blossoms occurred this week on our ancient and HUGE Dogwood Bush. It practically slapped me in the face as I rushed by on my morning walk - no doubt trying to get me to slow down! I stopped, gazed, studied, smelled. Ahhhhh...those delicate, profuse, bright white blossoms, almost porcelain-like in appearance.

Dried FRUITS!

Had a surplus of kiwi, watermelon, strawberries, and mango the other day and dried it :)  Surprisingly good fruit candy!

Ghosts at the Grand Hotel?

This Grand Hotel is on the Historic Registry in Montana and is known for the three ghosts who roam. We are not in the basement or Room 11 where they originated...but we'll see what the night brings :)

Setting Ashes Free...

My brother and I just scattered mom and dad's ashes around their gardens, pond, and especially in the newly planted bean rows in a mile long field. It was their favorite field - not the best crop yield, but favorite because it was bordered by the Racoon River, scattered with wild strawberries, raspberries, plums, mushrooms, and mulberry trees. Four old farmers wanted to sell their farms and Dad created long rows as a memory to them. Special moments to say a final goodbye...

Graceland "Family"

There are two wonderful people who have meant the world to Sydney AND to us - really for the last 35 years (they convinced Vern and I to get married!?!) and especially over the last four years. What would we have done without you, Howard and Bonita Booth? Graceland is/was still so good to our family. Thanks for the significant memories...

Father-Daughter Bean-Bag

Oh my...what a dad.  To have a video of this would have been pretty memorable.  BUT she is now moved into a little 5 X 10' storage unit in Des Moines until school starts in August. Good thing she is such a good kid so we can forgive her for all the "stuff" :)

14 Years later: The Graduate :)

In 2001, Sydney first decided she might like to go to Graceland University. Now, 14 years later, she is about to graduate! We are so proud of this girl :)

Artists Extraordinaire

What a treasure to meet a local Perry, Iowa couple, Eric and Betsy Peterson, who have made their living in a creative community of artists. It was nothing short of magical to roam around their studio and see the art "happen" on a workbench. THEN, we found out Betsy cut the kiwi fruit at our wedding 30 plus years ago...and many more family and Graceland connections. What a wonderful small world :)

Dedicated Night Farmers

I love to spend time with my brother Shannon and nephew Matt on the farm. From diving headfirst into the soy bean bin to even them up to running the tractors until 4 am in order to beat the rain, they are most definitely happy and dedicated men.

Birdhouse Gourds: Stage Two

Well, I might not be too quick, but I am persistent! One of my first blogs was a photo and story about the rescue of these Birdhouse Gourds from the compost pile. We will see what the next stage brings when I can get my artistic groove on :)

86 Years Ago Today...

Today, my sweet mom, Nadene, would have turned 86. She noticed LOTS of details - birds, barns, butterflies, bunnies, quail, raccoons, the tiny highlights in all kinds of eyes, and her specialty:  TREES. Bare branches in winter, budding foliage, and especially the rounded tops which I now notice all the time. I remember her paraphrasing an Emily Dickinson poem which said something like:  True observation is not only listening to the bird song, but going to the window to find out where it is perched in the tree.  Happy Birthday to my beautiful mom who I still think about every single day...

Surprise Trumpet Bloom!

Wow!  Walked into the little sewing/extra bed/rec room this am and LOOK WHAT BLOOMED!  Brought this Trumpet Flower in from the garden last fall as a dead stick and it grew this winter only to drop each and every flower that came on. Amazing what a difference a bit more sun makes for ALL of us, eh? :)

Tiny Green Tomatoes

I absolutely LOVE my little 7-pod hydroponic AeroGarden greenhouse. Though I planted the big ones in the ground yesterday, it will be months before they are ripe. Only a couple more weeks for these tasty little guys.

A Fluffy No-Nonsense Chicken Mom and her 13 Ducklings!

Back to Green's Greenhouse today for more gorgeous plants and to roam around the fowl headquarters :)  Saw this little fluffy-legged Coachim chicken who hatched 13 baby ducklings and they follow her everywhere. What a MOM!!!

Fragrance Filled Korean Spice

The MOST amazing fragrance wafts from these tiny white clusters on my 25-year old compact Korean Spice tree and fills my whole yard. The blossoms have a short life, but the “scent memory” lasts forever. Ahhhhh.....

 

Lettuce Bouquet

My new favorite:  Green’s Greenhouse, 13910 S. Short Rd, Cheney, WA, has these huge, wonderful lettuce/kale/edible flower bowls. I’ve had six meals from it already and it just keeps producing!

Great Blue Surprise

The Great Blue Heron.  Surprised this giant bird on the Fish Lake Trail today and he flew right over my head. Such fun to see him land and fold those gangly wings and legs into a compact bundle. Also saw an eagle spinning 180's like a stunt flyer as he was being chased by a hawk. Amazing...

100 Year Old Mason Jar

I was baking some "Mason Jar" cakes in little jars today and remembered this special jar was on my shelf.  It's dated 1915 on the bottom.  Imagine one hundred functional years! Probably from my Grandmom's stash, and perhaps her mom's canned green beans once resided inside. Oh to be in the kitchen when this jar was first put to use and to overhear the conversation :)

White Lilacs, Old Vase

There were two pretty vases I brought back from my folk's farm. As a child, I remember gazing at the ballerina on this white one, most often chock full of Lily of the Valley. Now a bit worn and chipped, I love it even more. Today it's holding the very first white lilacs of the year - still a bit green - but since today was BLOOMSDAY, it seemed so appropriate :).

My 60's :)

Well, today marked my first recumbent bike ride and I headed DOWN our steep lane. Yaaaaaaaaa!!!! They say it’s good to try something new and maybe a little bit uncomfortable or scary in each decade of life.  Here’s to weird bikes in my 60’s!

Cat Nap in a Bird Bath!

Luna was having a delicious nap in this warm, round, empty birdbath today. Such a perfect shape! I have a thing about “Naps in Natural Places.”  There is nothing like waking up to bird song …or in my case, guinea screetches!?