Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday ~ It was 1957.  I was 9.  This was probably a Sunday since we are in dress clothes.  How happy I was to have my doll and to be with my wonderful Grandpa.  Looking closely at this photo today, I see Mom in Grandpa's face and Patrick in mine.

Sacred Heart

She arrived today and she is a beauty.  Sacred Heart painting by my California friend, Constanza Berger Silva.  I am thrilled to own and display this lovely work of art.

A Prayer

Work in Progress

I had lunch with Ibby yesterday and we made a deal to work in our studio in the afternoon in some capacity, and then post a photo.  This is my work in progress ~ flower explosion.  It still needs more flowers painted, flowers stitched, beads added, etc. 

End of June

Half of the year is over so June 30th decided to gift us with a gorgeous evening sky.

 Photos by Audrey

Coreopsis

This coreopsis is in Mom's flower garden next to her front door.  I was so happy to see it come back this year as it was one of her very favorite flowers.  Prized for its dependable nature and colorful, daisylike flowers, coreopsis has a long bloom period and is generally troublefree and easy to grow.

I haven't changed anything in Mom's flower garden ~ not for her sake, but for mine.  Every day, when I walk to our backyard and see her garden, it brings a smile to my face remembering how much she loved it.  She would sit on her patio chair next to the garden with her cup of tea every morning.  I could see her there when I would look out my kitchen window.  That picture is burned into my memory.  I like to think that Heaven is a flower garden where she sits enveloped in the peace and beauty.  

Honeysuckle

I love my Pink Honeysuckle just before it opens.  I like the look of those long fingers reaching out.

Thinking of you today, Jim and Aunt Beulah.  Hoping the angels are having a celebration for you!

A Visit

This little guy stopped by for a quick drink ~ then off he went to visit neighbors.

One Lone Beauty

Our one and only sunflower ~ came up on its own! So glad it did.  That lone spot of yellow is like a smile in the backyard.

Throwback Thursday

William, Audrey, Violet

Throwback Thursday ~ I am guessing this to be around 1952. These are two of my many cousins ~ the ones I spent the most time with when I was young ~ William and Violet.  Violet was like a sister.  We spent as much time together as our Moms would allow - she staying overnight at my house or me at hers.  We had the greatest times together ~ sitting under Grandpa's huge willow tree eating Chef Boyardee Pizza that we made ourselves or walking down the street singing the Beatles song Till There Was You, discussing our latest crush on the cute guy down the street, or picking up golf balls on the edge of the golf course late at night when nobody was around.  Violet's family moved to California in our early teen years.  Being such a distance from each other, our lives went in different directions, but I will always have those fond memories.  William and his brother, Andrew, stayed in Ohio, so I had contact with them.  William and I still talk and get together when we can.  We both have scars from running into each other (literally) while playing in the dark many many years ago.  William and Patrick were in the Air Force together and became very close.  
Family ~ the ties that bind.

Surgery News

My Carpal Tunnel surgery scheduled for Tuesday has been cancelled.  My pre-testing today showed my heart rate is very low and now we have to figure out why before they can reschedule.  They think it might be my BP meds.  I sure hope that's all it is.  Appointment for more testing not till July 7th.  

Healing Touch

I had another Healing Touch session with my friend, Jane, this morning at Barefoot Studios.  This one was a gift from my son, Casey.  Perfect timeing ~ I was in need of some quiet soothing time.  It was great to see Jane again, too.  It had been too long.

Fire Angel

This is my Karen Milstein Fire Angel that I recently purchased.  She is hanging in the archway between the living room and the foyer.  I love the story behind her creation.

Karen and her family live in Colorado.  In May, their leather and canvas manufacturing shop of 20+ years burned to the ground.  Not only did they lose the shop, but they lost all of their inventory and many memorable items such as things the children made when they were growing up and spending time in the shop.  Through the sadness and reality of what took place, Karen salvaged burnt metal and began creating these lovely little creations that she calls "fire angels".  Karen is having a hard time keeping up with sales of these angels.  Every time she lists a batch in her Etsy shop, they sell out and she makes more.  I think it's wonderful that this artist has made something so beautiful from the ashes of the fire.  Check her Etsy shop, fadedwest, from time to time to see what she has in there.  You will fall in love with her fire angels.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/fadedwest  

A Simple Truth

Rain

 Hallelujah!! The rain has finally come.  As I run through the house looking out the windows and snapping photos... Jake has to see, too.  He doesn't want to miss a thing.

Throwback Thursday

I guess this was how we beat the heat back in the day.  There I am with Tommy again!  No idea who the little cutie is in the small wash tub.  Tommy's sister, maybe?

A Walk Around the Yard

Every Spring/Summer, I share some yard photos with you.  Everything is so pretty right now, I thought I would take you on a walk to see what things look like this year.  We have been having temperatures in the 90s for several days now and it is taking a toll on the flowers and grass.  I hope the chance of thundershowers that are forecast everyday will turn into a reality very soon.

I had to include this little guy ~ he was by my side when I planted most of these flowers.  Jake is tired from running the yard in this heat.  I think I'll lie down next to him and rest for a while, too.