Mom's Birthday

Today is my Mother's birthday. She and Dad are on a trip. At

present they are in St.Louis with my late brother's family,

enjoying a great time I'm sure!

This is one of my favorite photos of her, taken this year. She

and Luke were enjoying an afternoon together.

Aren't they adorable together?

Happy Birthday Mom!

Living Lovely-- List

My own Lovely List....

Conversation with a Grandchild.

Walking on the beach with my Hubby.

{The next 4 could be enjoyed simultaneously!}

Reading a superb book.

A good thunder storm.

Lit candles.

Chocolate {dark}

A sky full of wonderful clouds.

Decorating.

The smell of coffee in the morning.Drinking it!

Sitting by a rushing river or stream.

Just cleaned windows {how about a whole clean house!}

Hearing a grandchild read.

Taking pictures.

Picking my own roses for a fresh bouquet.

Hearing birdsong from the open bedroom window, early in the morning..

The first "warmish" day in spring.

Christmas.

I'm sure I'll think of more...then post this up where I can see it often.

Ivy Is 5

A collage of Ivy being cute for the camera today.

Happy Birthday Ivy!

The Sky's The Limit!

Good luck, kids, on your new school year!

The Last Rose Of Summer

Here are a few late bloomers in my garden.

'Tis the last rose of summer,
Left blooming alone;
All her lovely companionsAre faded and gone."

~ Thomas Moore, The Last Rose of Summer, 1830 ~

"What a pity flowers can utter no sound!—A singing rose, a whispering violet, a murmuring honeysuckle ... oh, what a rare and exquisite miracle would these be!"
~ Henry Ward Beecher ~

An Evening Walk

Enjoying a little stroll together at sunset.

The one mile long, country road, that we have lived on for so many years, still remains one of our favorite places for a morning or evening walk. It makes a good solo trek or family stroll. Very little traffic, other than the occasional farm vehicle, allows the kids to walk or ride their bikes without much hazard.

...

Then with perfect glee the two older brothers take a dusty turn with their bikes in a huge plowed field. They love the way the dirt just flies behind them.

Curse Into Blessing

The Humble Blackberry

Only if you live in the NW will you understand the full meaning of this post.
Blackberry vines are an extremely invasive curse. In fact, if you stand still for half a day you'll be reclaimed by nature. Almost ! {Picture the ruins of the Inca civilization found covered by the jungle!} Well, even in the garden, they spring up in the most diligently tended flower beds. But when they are growing behind the barn one feels justified in leaving them { for a few years } to bear fruit.