The office at my mother's apartment complex is running a patio garden contest, and today is the judging. We think Mom has the best, but even if she doesn't win one of the 4 prizes, we know that she has a beautiful place to sit and enjoy her outdoors. Mom can't plant anything in the ground as she isn't allowed, so we helped her decorate with pots, statuary, plastic fence,and wood chips. We're pleased with how it turned out!



Addition : Not only did Mom not win, she didn't even place. A woman with a plastic flower garden took second, and a balcony took 1st. She feels so bad with all the time, effort and money we put into it, but it wasn't just for the contest, we wanted her to have a pretty garden to sit at and enjoy. We still feel hers was the prettiest, and without the use of plastic plants. but better luck next year, we just have to be a little more tacky!

Pay it Forward Package!

Today I received a very special package from Lola, for Pay it Forward! This beautiful towel and matching potholder, match my kitchen perfectly! How did you know!! Thank-you so much Lola, I love this, and was fascinated with it when you posted a picture some months ago of ones you had made.

If you have forgotten, Pay it Forward was a special project, where you sign up to receive a special gift from someone, with the obligation to forward this act of kindness to 3 more people, who signed up on your blog. I signed up on Lola's, and posted on mine, but had 1 taker, whom I never heard from again for her address. I would love to continue, so am posting again in the hopes someone would like to join in and Pay it Forward. Just leave a comment on this post, saying you would love to participate and receive a special gift from me in the next 6 months. Then, post the logo on your blog, asking for 3 people to sign on yours. That easy! So come join me, and receive a special package for yourself!

Men...Go Figure!

A little known fact....

The first testicular guard "cup" was used in hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. It took 100 years for men to realize that the brain is also important.

Lake Huron Views

This week-end, we went for a drive up the lake road, known as the Lake Huron Circle Tour. The weather was on and off rain, but when we hit the turn out, it was beautiful. We live in Michigan, the land of the Great Lakes, with Lake Huron being one of the most beautiful blue lakes around as you can see from the pictures.

Lake Huron runs up the eastern side of the state. Unfortunately, unlike the western side of Michigan, people are allowed to build homes on its shores. Little is left, like this turnout, for the public to enjoy. There are some beaches, but more and more land is taken up with private property.

Taken from the top of the cliff.

A little stream at the bottom of the stairs, emptying into the lake.

I love living a mile west of its shores, and an actual public beach. We can also enjoy the cool breezes that blow from the east, offering some relief during the summer.

A Sunny Summer Morning

This morning I went for my walk around the yard, and caught some pictures of new growth. Click on each picture to see the amazing details of these beautiful flowers!

The floxglove are opening, and the delphiniums are starting to open their eyes.
Does anyone know what these are? They are on the back of the property, and as soon as you round the corner, the scent takes you away. They grow in little clumps like this, and I could leave my nose in their tiny flowers forever!
The briarroses are opening, and the sweet apple scent is intoxicating. These roses reach back to the early 1500's, and can be seen in several different areas of our yard. The bushes range from 4-8+ feet high, and are just loaded with buds and blossoms.
I love delphiniums, and the plants are huge this year, in several different colors.

These little wild flowers grace our lawn, not dandelions, but very yellow, and uniform.
I love the new pinecones coming out, they're tiny and I think they're cute!

And all while Mitzy keeps her watchful eye from my craftroom window!

A Grave Mistake?

No, it's not in a graveyard, it's in my front yard. After all, shouldn't everyones yard have a tombstone in it? Well, maybe not. My husband drug this rock from out back into the front, and now I have to make it resemble anything but a grave. Right now, I don' t think I'm succeeding. So I am adding on. More plants, a wider area, make the rock a little less intruding. After all, what do you do with something so large? Make one humongous rock garden. Only with a lot more garden and a lot less rock!

Lady Slippers

Lady Slippers, originally uploaded by laurienuske.

We found these Lady Slipper orchids on our property, they are an endangered species, protected by the federal government. They're safe here, and amazing to look at.

A Special Memory

I remember my horse days. Twenty three years ago. I have owned several horses, this was my second, Calley. I adopted her from a horse farm that sends them to slaughter for dog food, and she was set to go. Calley was in very bad shape. Her hooves had grown out so badly that she could hardly walk. She was full of worms, and gaunt. Prime candidate for dogs. With much care, she became beautiful inside and out. She was such a gentle, sweet horse. And me? I was thin. Thin! I want those days back, and I want them now. I want my horse, I want the feel of the wind on my face as we galloped in the fields. I want my health. I want to ride again, it's a goal of mine, even if it's only on the merry-go-round.