Cemetery Visit

It was a gorgeous day at the cemetery where I changed the flowers from Summer to Fall for Mom and Patrick, and gave Mom a little pumpkin for the season. 

Seven Years

"No matter how long its been, there are times when it suddenly becomes harder to breathe."

My dear brother Patrick, it has been 7 years ~ why does it still feel like you left us just the other day?  I love you and miss you SO much.  All of our many memories are tucked safely in my heart ~  I pull them out often.

♥

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Carol !!

Sending love and good wishes to you down there in Texas!  I hope your birthday is special, fun, and filled with love and surprises. I am remembering birthdays of the past and the celebrations we had ~ fond memories tucked away in my heart for always.

Have the BEST day and a beautiful year to come.

♥

Living the Creative Life

 Our Living the Creative Life group had the BEST time tonight at Mamma Maria's Italian Restaurant.  The food was great and we did a lot of laughing.  Our "BIRDS" themed art was fun to make and we all loved each other's art.

Tricia made a beautiful cigar box shrine.  She went with the myth that Aztec warriors who died in battle returned as hummingbirds.

Therry painted a wonderful Dodo bird.  It is said that they tasted SO good, that they were all eaten and are now extinct.

Wally painted a Simurgh - a Persian mythical bird with the head of a woman.  His beautiful gold outlines really gave the painting a rich feeling.

Audrey did a mixed media piece with several birds in the painting - the nest in the center being the focal point.

We will meet again on Wednesday, October 25th, 6:00, at Wally and Therry's.   

Our theme for October is "FISH OUT OF WATER".

It's such a wonderful time of the year with many flowers still in bloom, gently swaying with their last goodbye as the trees slowly begin to change in color.

Jake enjoying the sun and looking very serious.

Virginia Sky on the First Day of Fall 9-22-17

Fall 2017

Fall has officially arrived!  I am SO grateful.

Rain Shower

I was out and about yesterday afternoon.  The sky was clear beautiful blue.  Then out of nowhere came this!  A rain shower with dark clouds (while the sun was still shining) that only lasted maybe 10 minutes and it was gone as fast as it came.  

Sauce

I made this BIG pot of spaghetti sauce yesterday filled with peppers, onions, meat, garlic, and Italian spices.  It made a wonderful lunch.  We are having it for dinner again tonight.  Yum!

A Good Afternoon

 

The front porch.

I had a good afternoon today.  I walked around a few of my flower gardens enjoying the transition to Autumn, and worked on a mixed media piece for next week's art group gathering. 

 The geraniums are still beautiful.

 I love a little moss here and there in the gardens.

 Other end of the front porch.

 The baby napping on the sofa while I worked on my mixed media art piece.

 Not liking the darkness coming so soon already. I will miss the long light evenings.

Work in progress.  Preparing the background.

Amanda's Birthday

My son Casey, and my beautiful daughter-in-law Amanda, celebrating Amanda's birthday this evening.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Amanda !!

You are not only my son's better half and my daughter-in-law, but you are my friend!  I couldn't have asked for more.

Sending BIG wishes for a special day.  I am bringing love and gifts when I get there in October.  We will celebrate your day all over again!!

HAPPY! HAPPY! ♥

Jake on the Porch

Jake sat on the porch with me this afternoon while I gessoed a couple of journal covers.

Passed this deer enjoying her lunch in the bushes today.  Their change in color has been quite noticeable in the last couple of weeks.

Autumn Figures

Miss Scarecrow and Mr. Pumpkin-Head clicking away on my kitchen windowsill.

Gorilla

At WILLOW TREE ANTIQUES AND PRIMITIVES.  I'm sure glad he is not real.

Happy Birthday Jake

 HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY sweet sweet Jake!!

No cake for you today, but you are loving Aunt Patty's squeaky donut gift to you.  More fun than the real thing.  We are all relieved to see you playing and not in pain.

Jake is eating his new prescription food with no problem.  Time should heal his pancreas.  I am filled with gratitude and joy today.

Jake Update

The Doctor called us yesterday after tests results came in and told us that Jake has Pancreatitis.  I was SO stressed about this.  I am very strict about just giving Jake his dog food and no table food.  But, apparently they can get it from eating something from the yard.  They gave him fluids and meds at the Vet Hospital and after monitoring him for several hours, they let us pick him up in the late afternoon.  He has been put on a special prescription low fat diet and we were told that after a couple months of this, he should be just fine.

Once home, Jake was playing and he ate the new dog food for his dinner with no problem.  You could tell he was no longer in discomfort.  I was relieved, but still will be very watchful of his progress in healing.

Sweet Jake

Saying prayers for my sweet little Jake.  He has been having intestinal issues off and on since Sunday.  We just dropped him off at the Vet Hospital ~ they are keeping him today and running tests.  I just want him well and back home.  Tomorrow is his 6th Birthday.

Buy the Season

Did a major overhaul in my Buy the Season booths again yesterday, with the help of my sister.  Fall and Halloween is now in.  A wonderful witch sitting on a rope is from the Pine Tree Barn in Wooster, Ohio.  She would look great in the home of a true Halloween decorator.

Stop in and take a look ~ #2173

"Friendship" by Magaly Ohika

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Sue!!

Another year has passed, but after 55 years, your friendship is still dear to my heart.  We've been through just about everything imaginable - good and bad.  Although we have lived 400 miles apart for the past 11 years, you are still SO special and dear to me.

With all my heart, I wish you blue skies, joy, and love on this day and each day of the coming year!

♥  

A Great Surprise

What a great surprise!!  Casey and Amanda flew into Roanoke last evening.  Mr. Magic, myself, my sister, brother-in-law, and Amanda's mom and dad all met at the Town Center Tap House in Daleville and had dinner and drinks.  We got pizza from Tizzone, next door.  Excellent food at both places.

It was SO wonderful to hug my son!!

This beautiful sky last evening on my way to church.  I took time to pray for all my friends and their loved ones who remained in Florida through Hurricane Irma.

Hurricane Irma

It is difficult to have loved ones living in areas where Hurricane Irma is headed.  Casey and Amanda live in the Charleston, SC, area.  Thank God they shuttered their home today and are headed to safety in the morning.  Such a big relief for me to know they will be safe.

SO many of my friends and a few relatives live in the areas that will be affected by this storm.  My heart aches for them.  I pray they will be safe whether they chose to stay or if they are on their way to safer ground.  May God watch over them.  ♥

Cosmo

The last cosmo bloom of the summer.  I guess it decided to be a unique bloom as two of the petals are bright white.

Irma

Overcast, raining, and on the cool side today.  This is nothing compared to what Hurricane IRMA is going to bring to my friends and family in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and beyond.  Good thoughts and many prayers go out to all of you in IRMA's path. Be safe! ♥

The Watcher

Jake watching for movement outside the front door.  He does this for long periods of time every day.  He doesn't want to miss anything!!

Eggs Benedict

My sister and brother-in-law are here with us for two weeks.  We had a great brunch at Mac and Bob's Restaurant today.  Excellent Eggs Benedict!!

Hydrangea fading into Fall coloring.