Wordless Wednesday

A Pleasant Surprise

A couple of years ago, my sweet neighbor, Edith, gave me a few cacti to plant in the yard. I never knew you could plant cacti in an area that had freezing temperatures in the Winter. I have always liked cacti, so I was happy to plant them. When I saw how they dried up and looked rather pathetic during the Winter months, I figured they were goners. Much to my surprise, when Spring arrived they perked up and had new growth all over them. In late May, I noticed this different looking growth on one of them and hoped it could possibly be a flower. Sure enough! The other day it opened up to this beautiful yellow flower. What a pleasant surprise!

The Easter Lilies were late this year. They just opened up this week. These large beautiful white blooms were worth the wait.

These lilies began to bloom a few weeks ago. So pretty!

How wonderful that a few lovely flowers can bring such happiness into our lives.

Happy Birthday, Patrick !

I love you and miss you so much, Bro. My wish for you today is that angels will shower you with roses in celebration of the day you were born. How lucky they are to have you with them now.

♥

Mixed Media Tree

I managed to take some time for myself the last couple of days and worked on this small 8 x 8 canvas. I wasn't sure where I was headed with this ~ like a lot of my art, it ended up being a tree. I added beads to this to give it a little zip and I put a light yellow/gold shimmer wash over it. Unfortunately, you can't see the shimmer even in the closeup. The painting actually looks rather dull in this photo ~ it is much brighter than this. No matter. It was relaxing and it got me back into the painting mode.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Gumpie !!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Ces !!

Wordless Wednesday

If

It has been a very long time since we answered an "if" question. Here is one that will make you think.

IF YOU COULD BE MORE AMBITIOUS IN ONLY ONE ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Memorial Day 2011

The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 pm on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.

Memorial Day is not just another holiday that gives us a reason to join family and friends around the barbeque grill. It is a day to honor all the men and women who gave their lives so that we would be safe and free. Enjoy the day! Please take a minute to remember them by saying a silent "thank you" or a prayer.

HAPPY FIRST ANNIVERSARY, Casey and Amanda !!

First 2011 Brood

Mom and Dad keeping a close watch on things.

Six precious blue eggs.

Delivering a snack.

Removing broken shell.

First peek at the world.

Only moments after I took this photo, this little one flew out and away. I was happy to witness it. I thought for sure these little ones would leave the nest before I returned from Charleston, but I got lucky. Last year I watched all three broods during the entire process, but missed all the departures.
Nature's Magic.

Llamas or Alpacas?

I've been calling these little darlings "llamas", but I'm now thinking they are "alpacas". Whatever they are, they are adorable and I would LOVE to have a couple of them grazing in my back yard. We were returning from a tag sale last Saturday when I spotted these little ones off in the distance. I had to stop and get a good look at them and take pictures. I fell in love. They seemed very gentle and didn't mind my being up close. The one followed me up and down the fence ~ no matter which way I went, he/she was right there by my side. It won't do me any good to research the pros and cons of having a couple of these cuties because I know DH will say No Way!! We have a good size yard, but I'm not sure how the neighbors would react either. I guess I'll just have to go visit this little farm outside of town if I want to see these sweet little faces. How can anything with a nose that big be so darn cute???

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Suzi !!

"YOU MUST HAVE A PLACE TO WHICH YOU CAN GO ~ IN YOUR HEART, YOUR MIND, OR YOUR HOUSE, ALMOST EVERY DAY, WHERE YOU DO NOT OWE ANYONE AND WHERE NO ONE OWES YOU ~~ A PLACE THAT SIMPLY ALLOWS FOR THE BLOSSOMING OF SOMETHING NEW AND PROMISING."

~Joseph Campbell

Charleston's Pineapple Fountain

Located in WATERFRONT PARK, a short walk from the WATERFRONT PARK PIER, Charleston's PINEAPPLE FOUNTAIN represents the welcoming hospitality for which Charleston is so well known.