Crimson King Maple

I am doing the "happy dance"! Ever since we built this house in 2006, I have envisioned a tree in the front yard close to the bird bath. It finally became a reality. I ordered this tree almost 2 months ago - a Crimson King Maple - it arrived and was planted on Tuesday of this week. I LOVE it!! I think the green/purple leaves will be a nice contrast to the green leaves on all the other trees around. The birds have discovered it and are flying back and forth from the tree to the birdbath most of the day. My camera is tired from taking pictures. The landscapers went to a tree farm in NC to pick it up. It looks to have a little bit of windburn and I think it is in shock from the move, but next Spring it should perk up with new leaves and be quite happy in its new home. It has already made me very happy.

Wordless Wednesday

Sandy's Give-Away

Sandy, at Forbes Farm Gifts is having a Give-Away! This beautiful copper bracelet that she made is the prize. Visit her Blog at http://forbesfarm.blogspot.com to get the details on how to enter the give-away. Sandy's beautiful jewelry creations are sold on Etsy.

Monday, Monday

Monday, Monday, so good to me
Monday mornin', it was all I hoped it would be
Oh Monday mornin', Monday mornin' couldn't guarantee
That Monday evenin' you would still be here with me

Monday, Monday, can't trust that day
Monday, Monday, sometimes it just turns out that way
Oh Monday mornin' you gave me no warnin' of what was to be
Oh Monday, Monday, how could you leave and not take me

Every other day, every other day
Every other day of the week is fine, yeah
But whenever Monday comes, but whenever Monday comes
You can find me cryin' all of the time

Monday, Monday, can't trust that day
Monday, Monday, it just turns out that way
Oh Monday, Monday, won't go away
Monday, Monday, it's here to stay

Remember The Mamas & the Papas? Some of us do. I guess because it is Monday, that song popped into my head this morning. That was a long time ago......troubled times......wonderful times! Isn't it funny how, for no reason, a song will pop into our head from long ago? We remember the tune and the words, and it sticks with us for most of the day. Try to remember something that happened last week, though. LOL!
Perhaps this will bring back some good memories for some of you. I hope so.
Have a great MONDAY!!!
Audrey

Sunday's Sweet Nectar

Two friends lunching together or mates staying side by side throughout the day? These two butterflies have been dancing around together most of the morning enjoying Sunday's sweet nectar.

Don Drumm Sun Sculpture

As promised, here are photos of the Don Drumm sculpture that I own. It is made of aluminum and is 18.5" x 20.5" in size. It is titled "Southern Sun". Don makes many different sun sculptures as well as birds, horses, angels and some other things. It is a wonderful piece that I love! Here is the link to the Don Drumm Studios and Gallery site. Of course, the actual studios are a wonderland but the site will show you some of the art that is showcased there.

http://www.dondrummstudios.com/

Thought for The Day

"LET US BE GRATEFUL TO PEOPLE WHO MAKE US HAPPY; THEY ARE THE CHARMING GARDENERS WHO MAKE OUR SOULS BLOSSOM."

~Marcel Proust

Beautiful Sky

Fortunately, I was outdoors this evening and I witnessed this beautiful sky.

Thought For The Day

"WE MUST NEVER LOSE THAT SENSE OF ADVENTURE, THAT THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE ~ OR THE DETERMINATION TO EXPLORE THE OUTER LIMITS OF OUR OWN ABILITIES."

~Ronald Reagan

Wordless Wednesday

Back From Ohio

Hello.

*****I've returned from my trip to Ohio where I visited with family and friends and I enjoyed some much needed R & R. I would like to share just a couple of things from that trip.

*****Notice the clouds in the Ohio Welcome Sign picture. The average number of sunny days in Ohio is somewhere in the 66 range. That leaves 299 overcast and cloudy days. In spite of that, there are many beautiful areas in Ohio ~ open spaces with trees, fields, cows, horses, lakes, etc. I was born and raised in Canton, Ohio - home of William McKinley. The McKinley Monument is at one end of Monument Park and something to see. There is a great barn that you pass while traveling on I-77 ~ you always remember the Ohio bicentennial celebration each time you pass by it. There is another wonderful barn in Dalton, Ohio, showcasing a tobacco advertisement. Canton is the home of Sancta Clara Monastery where the Poor Clare Nuns live. The monastery sets on a large, beautiful piece of land. I like stopping by there on my trips back home. The lush, green hills with many, many rolls of hay is something you see often while traveling I-77 and the back roads. While I was driving on one of those back roads, I needed to make a U-turn and suddenly Mr. Cow was there looking at me with those big eyes. I'm not sure why he was in a cage. Every trip back home takes me to the Donald Drumm Studios and Gallery in Akron, Ohio. (Right next to the University of Akron). This is one of my favorite places to relax, get filled with inspiration, and purchase a wonderful piece of art. When you walk through the door, you enter a magical place that allows you to shut out the world and enjoy the true beauty of art. Don Drumm opened the studios and gallery in 1971. It is one of the earliest galleries of contemporary craft opened in the United States. Don Drumm is world-renowned for his use of cast aluminum as an artistic medium. His work is represented on five world continents. (I proudly own one of his many sun sculptures - I will post a picture of it later this week). There are three courtyards filled with outdoor art and windchimes.... 5,000 square feet filled with the finest jewelry, glass, sculpture, ceramics, metal and graphics created by the most talented designer-craftsmen in North America. There is also a Secret Garden which houses large garden sculptures and windchimes. I am usually in the studios for several hours when I visit there. If you are ever in the Akron, Ohio, area, it would be well worth your time to stop there.

*****My sister has a pot of unusual flowers on her patio - white with purple polka dots - had to share that. And my dear friend has a beautiful hydrangea bush in her yard with large blue flowers.

*****These are just a few of the things I saw while in Ohio. It gives you only a taste of what is there to see.

*****I had a wonderful visit but it is always comforting to be back home................

Back to My Roots

I am going to be out of town for the next week and I won't be able to do any blogging. Please stop back after the 12th and I will have pictures to post and a story or two to tell. I am going back to Ohio ~ to my roots. I am in need of a good dose of dear old friends and some R & R.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable 4th of July celebration! Remember the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom.

"Where liberty dwells, there is my country."
~Benjamin Franklin

Pretty Flowers and a Thirsty Groundhog

I took some pictures while walking around the yard this evening. The flowers are so pretty ~ it would be nice if they could stay in bloom all year. The thirsty groundhog was in the Pizza Hut parking lot late this afternoon.

Suggestions Wanted

I have a dilemma. Two months ago, I purchased this piece at an upscale shop that was closing. The cost of the items in the shop was higher than I would normally pay, but since they were selling out at discounted prices, I went in to look around. I spotted this angel ~ high on top of an old antique armoire waiting for me to come in for her. I fell in love with her immediately and paid the price with excitement.

I am not sure what she is made of. At first I thought it was wood but upon closer inspection, I think she is made of some kind of composite. The dilemma: She is seeping a very fine powder. It is only happening from her legs and one foot. I clean up the little piles of powder weekly and then it starts all over again. If this keeps up, she will be hollow someday. If nothing else, she will become fragile. Perhaps she is hollow inside and this is just some of the inside coming out? However, she feels solid and has some weight to her. I keep waiting for it to stop but it never does. Once I clean the stand, by the end of the week there are more small piles of powder.

She is made to look aged and upon close inspection, there are some tiny, tiny holes here and there. I have never seen anything do this. A few weeks ago, I put a light coat of varnish on the areas where the powder is coming out. It did not help. It is still seeping powder. Very strange.

I thought about taking her to an art museum to see if they might know why this is happening. I am open to suggestions or if someone is familiar with this, I would sure like to hear from you. She is a wonderful piece of art and I am not sorry that I purchased her. My poor angel could be disintegrating right before my eyes. Help!

Sweet

June 28 Birthdays

They are gone but not forgotten.
Happy Birthday Aunt Beulah and "Fisho".

A Sunday Thought

"ART WASHES AWAY FROM THE SOUL THE DUST OF EVERYDAY LIFE."
~Pablo Picasso

They Need To Go

Just discovered these guys who've set up permanent residence on my back porch. I think, with my help, they will soon be moving to another neighborhood.

Premio Meme Award

MY FIRST AWARD!

My Blog was recently given the PREMIO MEME AWARD by Marlene of Marlene's Musings. Thank you, Marlene. The rules of this award state that I am to share 7 facts about myself and then pass the award on to 7 others. Nothing outstanding to tell you, but here we go:

1. I LOVE snow ~ the more, the better.

2. I own a VW Beetle and it is such fun to drive.

3. I never have, and never will like going to the dentist.

4. I love trees and they are often the subject in my paintings.

5. I have so many projects on my list of things to do, I will have to live forever to get them all done.

6. It has been a dream of mine for many, many, years to own and run an art gallery.

7. I would love to own a little cottage by the sea that I could go to when I want to be alone.

****************************************************************************

I would like to pass this award on to:

1. Sarah at green weeds

2. Diane at Duda Daze

3. Suzi at Art with a Touch of Whimsy

4. America at Meri's

5. Gail at Art by Gail H. Ragsdale

6. Lulu at My Pink Turtle

7. Missy at In a Shabby Kind of Way

Another Pretty Moth

This morning I found another pretty moth on the window. My backyard windows seem to be magnets for moths. I think this one is especially pretty with the vivid yellow and pink.

New Day

"I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning."

~J. B. Priestly

Luna Moth

Thanks to Marlene, of Marlene's Musings, we now know the interesting creature below is not a butterfly at all ~ it is a LUNA MOTH. A LUNA MOTH is a large, pale green North American moth, having a long projection on each hind wing. A pretty moth, indeed.
Thank you, Marlene, for taking the time to research this.

Another Visit Last Evening

This little one showed up again for a few minutes last evening. So cute. I love seeing the deer.

Butterfly??

This large butterfly took refuge on the window screen yesterday and stayed there most of the day. I am guessing it is some type of butterfly. I haven't seen one like this before ~ very large (about 5" long) ~ delicate looking in spite of its size. Could it be in the moth family? It really is fun seeing things for the first time and what a blessing to be able to photograph them. I am going to do some research and find out what it is.