Something I Never Thought I Would Say

Anyone else enthralled with the spirally pattern in the sunflower's face?

I was talking with Brien this afternoon about all the outside work I needed to get done and I said to him, "It's rather nice outside, really, not too hot at all.  Only about 90." 

Um, ONLY ABOUT 90?!?!?  Have I lost my ever lovin' mind??  Sheesh!

Blue Chip flowers

But, the thing is, it was rather nice.  The humidity was low, there was a bit of a breeze, and it was lovely in the shade--which is where I tried to hang out this afternoon.  The backyard is always so nice and shady late in the day. :o)

It was time to stake the tomatoes.

The Sungolds' stalks are rather spindly, and those little drops of candy are heavy. 

Lil and I also worked in the shade bed, trying to tame the mess that was the remnants of the Johnny Jump-Ups.  Any guesses as to what this might be?

If you guessed the "dam nest" covered in yard debris, you'd be correct.

Bitty wanted to make it nice and soft and spent almost an hour out playing in it this evening.

Another volunteer--I just had to snap a pic.

As much as I adore (and you know I do) my Johnny Jump-Ups, they are a spring and autumn flower and just get leggy and ugly in the summer--I suppose the heat is simply too intense for them.  So, I spent some time ripping them out of the bed.  Look, you can actually see the azaleas again! ;o)

I spent time mowing and weeding, and in general, enjoying being outside.  When the weather is humidity-free, you must enjoy it.

I also spent time trying to revive my poor, pitiful hanging baskets.  This one soaked overnight, and then got a good watering this morning and again this afternoon.  I have its mate soaking overnight tonight and will give it a good shot of water tomorrow. 

Oh, and Lil and I FINALLY transplanted her marigolds.  They've been living in their pitiful little peat pods for months now, poor things, so they are looking rather rough.  I'm hoping they'll perk up now that they are in more spacious digs.  :fingers crossed:

So, while the outside had quite a bit of work done today, the inside fell apart.  Isn't that always the way?  Lil shall be joining me in a few minutes to help get the downstairs back in some semblance of order.  :shakes head:  

Alas, I'm no superwoman.  I can do either the inside, OR the outside.  I didn't even cook dinner tonight.  :oS  Oh well.  The kids didn't mind and had a smorgasbord, and since B and I want to clean out the fridge, we'll have leftovers later after they're in bed. 

All in all, though, I'm pretty pleased.  It's nice to be out in the sun, soaking in some vitamin D. :o)

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Today's Sparklies:

1.  LOW humidity!

2.  I made this for a light dinner for us:

Okay, okay, so I didn't cook.  This was so wonderful and light and refreshing. :o)

3.  Making plans for the Fourth with B. 

4.  Audiobooks--I swear, they are getting me through all my chores these days.  Gotta love it! 

5.  Summer flowers that are blooming, and all the butterflies and bees we have buzzing around.  No, under normal circumstances, bees wouldn't be a sparkly, but given the hive collapse that's been happening over the past few years, I'm always happy to see a bee. 

6.  I was on Pinterest today and found my bathroom had been pinned a number of times.  I can't tell you how excited that made me--other people like my style!  I know, I know, cheap thrill, but still...

no milestones. 

Today's Sparklies

 There's really not much going on, and really, I find for once, I'm rather without anything to say.  I know, I know, very odd indeed.  :oP

So, I'll just post my sparklies  The first is that sweet face up there.  She has had SUCH joy in VBS this week.  I have a feeling she's really going to enjoy kindergarten next year. :o)

2. My time alone with the Bean.  I had time alone with each of the older girls when they were infants, but never time alone with Beanie.  It's nice to have this time with her each day--even if two hours of it are spent with her napping.  ;o)

3.  My little volunteer sunflower is blooming.  Here's yesterday:

 And here's today:

 3.  I did something infinitely mean and awful to Beanie this morning, see:

Yes, I pulled that poor baby's hair up on top of her head.  :oP

4.  My goldfinches have returned.  I'd not seen them in a while and lo and behold, there they were today!

5.  Lil harvested quite the handful of Sungolds this afternoon and gobbled them all up.  I believe she sneezed on them all on purpose...;o)

6.  Ellie FINALLY took a nap this afternoon, after fighting it for close to two hours.  Whew.

7.  Yellow squash casserole.  Mm.  Have I mentioned how much I love all the fresh fruits and veggies the summer brings?  Ahhh. :o)

8. Our friend who had the stroke is doing amazingly well given what he went through.  There are rumors he was to be sent home today.  Wow.

9.  A good grilled cheese sammich for lunch.  Bean and I shared. :o)

10.  Lil has decided that instead of polka dotted walls, she wants polka dotted furniture and has removed them from the wall and plastered them all over her dresser, headboard and nightstands.  Nice.  But, you know, "decorating" was one of Han's favorite things, but she did it in more erm, permanent ways.  At least these dots peel right off.  :oP

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And here are two really random things.  The first, Lissie sent me this morning.  The second is utterly incredible.  It's amazing how much the internet and social media have influenced our lives over the past few years.  To think, when I was in college, the world wide web was only really just getting going--and that was my SENIOR year.  All this in how many years? 12?  Wow.  Just wow.

This is where I've been going wrong with Ellie. I should be giving her 7-Up, NOT milk.  Oops! ;o)


And, here's that video.  Man. 

Why I Love Gardening

I'm relatively new to the gardening game.  Sure, I worked in our veggie gardens when I was growing up (no mean feat, I assure you), and Lissie planted flowers and started seeds and such, but really, that was me helping someone else, not doing it on my own.

When we lived in "Important News" (Han's name for it), I had a sweet little house (I truly did love the house, just not the neighborhood/location) I wanted to landscape a bit.  But, we were only there for two and a half years and I couldn't get much started.

I knew I had my chance when we moved to Billville (Pop's name for it).  I had this lush, green yard, lots of flower beds, and space--so much space.  Surely I could make a go of it, right? 

I'm overjoyed the morning glories are climbing the sunflowers, just as I had hoped they would.

Gardening is an amazing thing, and for me, definitely "learn as you go".  I learned so very much as a child, as everyone back home had large veggie gardens, and I worked many of them.  But, as with so many childhood/school skills, it's use or lose, and I definitely lost quite a bit.  The good news is, it comes back--gradually.  It's typically one of those "Ooooooh, DOH!" moments.

And, I love--I mean loooooooooooove flowers.  Big, fluffy, colorful, showy flowers.  That's where my learning curve has been the steepest.  You see, I grew up in a different zone altogether, and it's so stinkin' hot and humid here, I'm just not sure what will make it and what won't. 

More climbing gorgeousness.

Every year I plant things, keep my fingers crossed, and pray for the best, and every year I discover another flowering plant that either likes it here...or doesn't.

I particularly love hanging baskets, and yet, mine are leggy now, and always look dry.  Someone left me a wonderful tip about soaking them overnight in a bucket of water, and I need to do that.  You would think I would learn to not have hanging baskets, and yet, I can't help myself.  :o/

The only Four O'Clock plant we had make it.  Hm.  Maybe next year, right?

In recent years, gardening has become more than just purchasing plants and putting them in the ground.  It's become something of an adventure for me, finding the heirloom seeds, starting them at the appropriate times (and there is a true trick to that looking at frost dates and what not--you should see me with my calendar), and then moving them outside when I'm fairly certain they won't be killed by frost.

And, there's a thrill there, knowing I started these plants from teensy weensy seeds, and now they are blooming and beautiful.

Knowing these seeds I started provide food for our table and family.  I know the girls can go out to play and snitch a quick, divine snack from the vine.  There is nothing in the world like eating a bite-sized tomato fresh from the vine, warm from the sun.  Nothing.

To know, that before long, I'll have slicing 'maters to eat on white bread with mayo (nasty, I know, I know, but I can't help it), to eat with bacon and lettuce on toast (my mouth is watering here), or to put together with fresh mozzarella and basil and dress with some olive oil.  :drool:

We  grew these plants.  Lil and me.  We did this.  

Oh, the harvest of golden candy I shall be having this year.  YES!

It's rather miraculous, really. I now have a somewhat greenish thumb.  Not everything I plant dies. 

See? The girls, B and I have already enjoyed a number of these little guys.  Ahhhh.

Oh, and lest we forget, Lil's carrots.  That's quite the root veg there, no? ;o)  We just wanted to see how they were growing, that's all. :oP

A perfect gardening ensemble, no?

These were the easiest of all.  We sprinkled seeds and let them go.  That was it.

I sometimes wonder if we're moving too far away from our food sources.  Do kids even know where their food comes from anymore?  I know some do, but I know others are utterly clueless.

At least here we know food grows from seeds and those seeds grow in soil (we do organic here, so no fertilizers or pesticides), and that your food doesn't come out pristine and clean, that sometimes some washing (or lots of washing) is necessary to prepare it for eating.

One of the Pinky Winkys--it's going to be stunning, I just KNOW it!

I'm not sure, though.  Maybe kids are more savvy than I give them credit for.  I certainly hope so.  I know I'm not that savvy.  I couldn't tell you which varieties of corn grow better here, or when to plant melons or cukes.  I'm learning, and that's what counts.  :o)

At least I can keep shrubs and daylilies alive. ;o)

This is a Pocket Change.  It's little and sweet, and Lil likes it.

And, a Rooten Tooten Red. :o) That name just makes me chuckle!

Once more, I can't advocate enough for daylilies.  They are showy, colorful, and insanely easy to grow.  I don't have to worry about these guys one bit.  I can't tell you what a relief that is. :o)

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Today's Sparklies:

1.  Well, I never actually see them, but I know we have hummers:

Maybe some day we'll see our elusive cuties.

2.  The Blue Chips are doing their job, attracting all sorts of butterflies.  Hooray!

3.  I was "conscripted" to help out with VBS this morning.  ;oP  I walked in with Beanie and Terri asked, "What are you two up to today?"  I got to help teach the K-1 and PreK kids for a bit today.  I absolutely enjoyed myself.  I miss teaching more than I thought. 

4.  Ellie can now point to her nose when you ask.  Or, to be more accurate, stick her finger UP her nose when you ask where her nose is. :oP

5.  Chores done for the day.  Hooray!

No milestones. 

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I'm asking for prayers and positive thoughts once more.  A dear friend of the family had a stroke last night.  He is relatively young (not even forty yet) and had full physical only two months ago.  Last night he couldn't speak coherently and had no sensation on the right side.  Today he could speak and move his hands and feet.  There is improvement, thank God. 

***ETA***

B just got off the phone with both our friend and his ex-wife.  The friend is doing VERY well, and they might even send him home tomorrow(!!).  I'm stunned and so very grateful.  He's still a bit slurred, but B reports he doesn't at all sound like a man who just had a stroke yesterday.

A Day at the Knoxville Zoo--Warning: Yet Another Photo Overload

We visited the Knoxville Zoo with GF on Thursday.  Initially we were terrified it was going to rain as it was overcast and the air was heavy.  It turned out to be a perfect day.  The rain held off, there was a slight breeze, and there was no sun to bake us.

 We were there close to when the zoo opened, and made it until just after noon.  Ellie was tired (no naps for her when there are things to see, thankyouverymuch) and hungry and becoming increasingly grumpy, so we decided to take off instead of inflicting her on everyone else. 

I confess, I was bummed, as the zoo was wonderful.  I have been to that zoo two other times in my life--as a young young child, and again when Hannah was two.  I was not impressed that last time, and quite frankly, wondered what we would find this time around.

I was so pleasantly surprised to see many changes had been put in place and the zoo was delightful.  No, I'm not thrilled to see animals trapped in such small environs, but, those environs were clean and well maintained and they afford kiddos the opportunity to experience animals they might not otherwise have an chance to see. 

 The first exhibit you see upon entering the zoo is the black bear.  There were two of them in the enclosure, and I had to laugh, thinking of Jessie chasing down the black bear at Cade's Cove last August.  Ha!

Poor Beanie.  This is how she spent most of the trip.  I'm fairly certain Lil had a far more enjoyable day, although, goodness knows I'd love to see the zoo while someone else pushed me around.  ;o)

 I was excited to see the red pandas.  (Sorry for the blurry shot.)  We visit Zoo Borns most every day, and had seen the babies, Ember and Spark, and had spent quite a bit of time watching them on webcams.  So, to see them live, in person, was thrilling. :o)

 One of the babies.  It was difficult to take photos of the cubs due to the condensation on the window.

 Ah, yes.  Grapes saw this and commented on the animal feeding station.  So, I of course had to snap a pic.  Heh.

 And, the boredom sets in.

 Yeah...nothing but excitement here.

 This wall was fascinating.  I could have looked at it for hours, but needed to keep moving to keep Beanie happy.

Don't you wish YOU had a footrest when YOU were strolling along?

 We found the tortoise over by the reptiles.  There was a sign that read, "Caution HOT!", so you can see Bitty gingerly touching him to see.  I bet when the sun is shining he IS hot.

 LOL!  I LOVE this face!  She makes it quite often, actually.

 This is Buttercup the python, and she is HUGE.  HUGE I tell you.

 See?

 And, here is her buddy, Tullulah, the white alligator.

 Verdi anyone?

 Is it wrong I found this sign hilarious?

 There was a delightful kids' zone and Lil and the Bean were able to get out and explore.

 And, here I was feeling grateful for electric breast pumps...that's all I'm sayin'.

 Aaaaaaand, more lounging. 

Oh, wait, she's FREE! She raced all over the place and enjoyed her freedom.  I'm sure it goes without saying she was NOT pleased to be strapped back into the stroller. ;o)

 There was a butterfly pavilion I couldn't wait to see.  They were fluttering all over and it was wonderful.

Have I ever mentioned Monarchs have been my favorite butterfly since I was a tiny kiddo?

 Ah, the camels.  I have a photo or three of Robert and Hannah riding a camel at this zoo.

 Lil is roaring, in case you can't tell.  I have photos of Robert, Emma, Hannah and Catie in this cage.  Ellie had NO interest in hanging out in the cage.  I tried.

 The African critters were the last we saw before we left.

 Why do I like giraffes so much?  I think they are so cute!

As we were leaving, the sun popped out for a moment and I was dazzled by the light through the leaves.  :o)

It was a wonderful day with Grapes, and it begs the question: if we've done Dollywood, the Aquarium of the Smokies, and now the zoo, what in the world do we do next year?

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Today's Sparklies:

1.  VBS!  Oh oh oh!  Lil was SO excited when she came racing up to me this afternoon.  I LOVED VBS when I was a girl, and Lil seems to feel the same.  We would go from 6-9 in the evening.  Lil goes from 9-12 and then they feed her lunch.  Wow!  I drop her off at 9:00 and pick her up at 1:00.  Beanie and I don't know what to do with ourselves. ;o)
2.  It's "Roadshow" night.  I just love PBS. :o)
3.  I spent some time coloring some images in the offudio.  I don't know why that soothes me like it does.
4.  Okay, so here's our Monday night line-up: "Antiques Roadshow", "American Pickers", "Pawn Stars".  I LOVE Monday nights!

No milestones