Summer Colors

This year, with all the lovely excitement going on–Dane’s wedding in February, our new sweet baby–Magoo in March, birthdays in April, our Mother’s Day trip and a Bridal Shower in May and now our little Jillian’s wedding coming soon–there has been no time to plan or prepare or buy or plant very much in the way of new flowers this year.

I’ve been worried that I would miss the colors that usually greet us at the front door, or outside my window or in the side planter–you know, if I didn’t DO something soon.

But oddly enough, while strolling through the yard, I realized that some lovely things just happen…on their own…

almost by magic.

Some loveliness was put there on purpose…

but most of it just sprung up–as a surprise…

in the midst of our oh-so-important-busyness.

A sweet reminder from Mother Nature, perhaps…

that we don’t always need to be in charge of everything.

And that while it’s wonderful to be able to plan and prepare and buy and plant so that everything is just the way we want it, when it comes to natural breathtaking beauty—

Mother Nature has indeed got it covered.

:}

Things That Make Me Smile

That big bright Super-moon that we saw ultra-up-close the other night. We stood out on the deck and stared at it for 20 minutes–just so we could say we did it.

The very first lilac rose of the year–pretty little shy thing. I almost didn’t see it all hidden away in the back there.

The garden all tilled and ready to plant–later this week…I hope. It’s an odd thing to have both my boys gone now. I keep waiting for my “garden army” to show up and get it all planted…but alas. I may just be on my own this time around. Even so, there’s something so full of promise about a garden ready to plant.

He-man…fast asleep…wherever I am…again…

with his sister She-ra Princess of Power. Or so they think.

That funny little plant that the Bald Kid named “Pandora” before he left. You may recall that it actually died once and came back to life unexpectedly. Crazy cool thing.

A well placed stained glass birdy of some sort, shining and catching the light in my window. Finch, I think.

A brave little strawberry that’s just barely poking it’s head out. Hide all you like–Miss Chompy will find you. :}

A new project that will eventually entertain the little, soon-to-be-grabbing fingers that we have around here.

The sleepy bit of pixie dust that is ours to hold and bounce and pat and kiss…as long as he’ll let us. Hopefully that’s a long, long time.

What makes you smile on this lovely Wednesday?

{ Blessings Remembered }

“Ask yourself, ‘How did God bless me today?’ If you do that long enough and with faith, you will find yourself remembering blessings. And sometimes, you will have gifts brought to your mind which you failed to notice during the day, but which you will then know were a touch of God’s hand in your life.”

–Henry B. Eyring

The New Kid

A new baby is such an adventure for everyone involved–mom, dad, sister, Aunts, Uncles…and cousins.

Now, Lily–she wants to hold this little man all day long just to touch his soft hair and tell him over and over how cute he is. Which is good because everyone needs a little mama-type cousin. It makes things better somehow.

But Beckham–well, he’s more of a watcher. Content to be near-by and just close enough to make sure all is well.

Which is good because everyone needs a big protective, brother-type cousin.

It make everything perfect somehow. Don’t you think?

*****

Happy Birthday Jillian!