I'm sure there are many of you out there who would argue and say you'd LIKE to miss winter, but for us out here in SoCal, we've had a very mild, all-too-warm, winter. Today is pushing 80ºF. I'm hoping that after this next 10+ days of heat-wave, pushing toward 90ºF, we might get some cooler temps, but that may not happen. We've only had one really good rain storm hit all fall and winter to date...not good! The hot days of summer 2018 are coming in early.
Earlier today, I took some material out to the compost bin, stopped to check on the hummingbird nest outside my kitchen window and discovered it has one egg in it. I'd not seen the hummingbird working on the nest nor sitting in it so was a bit surprised to see an egg. A short time later, she was sitting on it. I've had at least two individual hummers hanging around since summer, so have kept the feeder going with a minimal amount in it.
I also noticed the daffodil/narcissus stems are coming up and have a bud or two showing. The neighbor's ornamental pear is also starting to bloom, the jade plant had just begun to bloom a few weeks before Christmas and is now covered in little white flowers, and the little purple violet plant near my front door has several blossoms.
Genealogy, and paper de-clutter projects have been filling most of my time in recent weeks - there's much to do.
Even going to Road 2 California with my friend Panda and another very nice lady I met for the first time, hasn't sparked me to get back to much quilting. The projects are sitting there, making me feel guilty that they're neglected, but still...just sitting there. Oh, and R2C was actually a LOT of fun with these two gals, but yowza, my aching feet and back by the time the day was over - so, so out of shape!
Too many places have become over-cluttered while I've neglected to deal with them the past few years and now even my son Nick is pestering me to 'clean it up Mom'.
Showing posts with label flowers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label flowers. Show all posts
Monday, January 29, 2018
Monday, May 26, 2014
Catching Up
Here I am, eight days after my last posting on either of my blogs. It's Memorial Day, and it's a beautiful day here in the Northwest with low-70 degree temps and partly cloudy skies, the kind that make you want to lay out in a hammock and find object-shapes in them. Yesterday, my sister said one of them looked like an airplane and I found myself actually looking for the airplane she was talking about until she said 'in the clouds' - well, isn't that where airplanes are anyway? She of course, saw an "airplane-shaped cloud" and it did look like one but rather cartoonish in style. Fun anyway!
Let's see, what have I been up to
for the past week plus since my last post? I traveled north of course
and that was a 13 1/2 hour trip making only three stops for gas and
using those same stops as my restroom breaks and for grabbing something
to eat. They were quick stops; I wasn't wasting time on the road! The
drive went quickly and after arriving back at my Dad's, the next few
hours also went by in a flash and before I knew it, it was time to get to
bed.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that my Dad actually looked better,
though he was still complaining about his health and weight loss (he's
gained back about 10 pounds though he doesn't think so - but I saw the
scales!). I have my own opinions on the causes for his current health
issues!
While glad to see him
looking so good, I was a bit irritated that I left home at least two
weeks earlier than planned because over the phone it sounded like
he needed some medical attention (non-life-threatening) sooner than later. It was not the
case and we won't be seeing the doctor until tomorrow.
Since I've been back here, I've been fighting a tension of complete inner irritability yet requiring the need to display abundant outward grace and patience along with trying to explain (from my better reasoning abilities) what may be causing some of his problems over the last few months. Remember, my mom passed away and they had "taken care of" each other for 56 years.
One of the hardest things for me to deal with is his retelling of stories from his younger years and the 'escapades' of himself and people he knew; stories of a nature that should not be spoken of nor heard about once, let alone frequently! Trying to tell him he's already told me that story hasn't worked. Having known him for78 58 (edited) of his near-81 years, I
also know it would do no good to tell him I just do not want to hear them because he'd conveniently forget my request or tell them even more often!
Lest
I give the impression that he's an ogre, he is not, he just doesn't have very good 'filters'. He can be quite
congenial and quite generous and sweet. When I arrived, he had walked
over to the Chinese food place and brought back dinner - he was walking
in as I was driving in. He had also gone out during the day and picked,
not one, but TWO vases of flowers for me and had one in the dining area
and one in my bedroom. He has highly complimented me to others on my efforts at helping him with his financial affairs and working towards
getting his medical needs squared away and recognizes how all of this takes me
away from my husband and son and the responsibilities of my own home.
I spoke privately with my Dad's general doctor. I can't say as he enlightened me of anything I haven't already recognized. I've not yet met the doctorhe we will be seeing tomorrow, and after reviewing the medical files here at the house, I'm not sure he's going to give us any new insights either, but at least I will be there, taking notes, with eyes, ears and mind fully intact. ;)
This morning, I went along with my aunt, uncle and cousin to visit a cemetery while she put flowers on some graves. Though Memorial Day originated from a day of remembering soldiers who died during a war, it seems it has morphed into a day of remembrance in general of those who are no longer with us whether they were in the military or not, and many others even see it as a day to honor those in the military still living on this day, perhaps confusing Veterans and Memorial days. Regardless of how one sees this day, I enjoyed going with family members to remember those who are gone and those we miss.
The headstone image above is not known to be that of any relative, although within one married-in branch of the family, there is the name Pankratz. Perhaps that's why I took a photo of it, just in case it ultimately does show up connecting to that family.
I went to a local RV show yesterday with my sister. I wanted to see just what might be available for Marty should we reach the plan I've thought of with eventually moving here to the Northwest and having him take off to his favorite photo-op locales for weeks or months at a time - I'll stay home and quilt, work on genealogy, spend time with family and enjoy four real seasons!
Last night I had dinner at Wendy's with my Aunt Irene & Uncle Lloyd, my Uncle Carl and Aunt Claire, my cousin Dale and his wife & son. Uncle Carl brought a few old coins to show as my cousin's 11-year old son has taken an interest in coin collecting.
My uncle acquired the coin from my Grandma Freda's estate back in 1986.
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| Lovely peonies |
 |
| I love these rust irises, though they really look brown in the house. |
 |
| My dad dozing off on the sofa - probably not the best picture |
Since I've been back here, I've been fighting a tension of complete inner irritability yet requiring the need to display abundant outward grace and patience along with trying to explain (from my better reasoning abilities) what may be causing some of his problems over the last few months. Remember, my mom passed away and they had "taken care of" each other for 56 years.
One of the hardest things for me to deal with is his retelling of stories from his younger years and the 'escapades' of himself and people he knew; stories of a nature that should not be spoken of nor heard about once, let alone frequently! Trying to tell him he's already told me that story hasn't worked. Having known him for
 |
| Another beautiful iris |
 |
| Vase 1: Rose, lily, peony |
 |
| Vase 2: peony, pansy, rose, lily, clematis, and |
I spoke privately with my Dad's general doctor. I can't say as he enlightened me of anything I haven't already recognized. I've not yet met the doctor
This morning, I went along with my aunt, uncle and cousin to visit a cemetery while she put flowers on some graves. Though Memorial Day originated from a day of remembering soldiers who died during a war, it seems it has morphed into a day of remembrance in general of those who are no longer with us whether they were in the military or not, and many others even see it as a day to honor those in the military still living on this day, perhaps confusing Veterans and Memorial days. Regardless of how one sees this day, I enjoyed going with family members to remember those who are gone and those we miss.
I went to a local RV show yesterday with my sister. I wanted to see just what might be available for Marty should we reach the plan I've thought of with eventually moving here to the Northwest and having him take off to his favorite photo-op locales for weeks or months at a time - I'll stay home and quilt, work on genealogy, spend time with family and enjoy four real seasons!
Last night I had dinner at Wendy's with my Aunt Irene & Uncle Lloyd, my Uncle Carl and Aunt Claire, my cousin Dale and his wife & son. Uncle Carl brought a few old coins to show as my cousin's 11-year old son has taken an interest in coin collecting.
 |
| 1847 silver dollar |
Monday, April 28, 2014
Spring Blooms From the Wet Land
I'll mostly let the pictures speak for themselves. I sure enjoyed seeing all of these blooms, and even more of which I didn't take photos of. All are from my parents yards.
These blooms photos are not in chronological order, the tulips came in way after all the rest, and the crocus were back in the early part of February.
 |
| Crocus 02/09/2014 |
 |
| Strawberry blossoms, and uh, weeds too. |
 |
| These are commonly known as Wild Flags (a wild iris). I understand my mom dug up some bulbs from the ranch where I grew up. I remember finding them as a child and being amazed by them. They only reach about 6"- 8" high and they didn't open up well with the cold overcast days before wilting completely. |
 |
| Violets |
 |
| Crocus |
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| Hyacinth |
These blooms photos are not in chronological order, the tulips came in way after all the rest, and the crocus were back in the early part of February.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Picture Perfect Day
It's Wednesday and I haven't been on here much lately. Remodel details and things have taken my time. Today's weather, as with the last couple days, is more reminiscent of summer than spring. I almost broke down and turned on the A/C last night. It was 77 here in this room, and outside until nearly 10:00 p.m. The online forecast over the next ten days is showing a high of 83 for Fri & Sat, but it's already been that hot yesterday and will likely be today (which the site is showing should be a high of 75 but it's not even noon and is already that temp). I'm suspecting we'll be hitting low 90's by weekend. Thank God for A/C, I know I'll be using it by the weekend.
Downstairs shower has now been 'floated' in preparation to affix the tile. Tile will be here on Friday except for the darker glass border tile - it'll be here Tues :) And yesterday, the walls were painted in both rooms. It's coming together. But one last critical area to select: the TOILETS ! Oh dear! If we were to get the toilet to match the sink we chose for downstairs (the most used & company bathroom), that toilet's MSRP is $578...and $662 if we want to add the SaniGloss coating that's supposed to help guard against stains and such which would be wonderful in this area. Yikes!!! Did you know that there are toilets out there that cost over $6000.00? And they're NOT gold-plated!
The shiny tile on the left will be placed on the shower walls. In the downstairs bathroom, we're using the extra granite on the three walls from the base of the shower to a 23" height (at least that's the height the fabricator tells us will be available) and the tile will be above a row of that middle border tile piece (bottom center). The granite is shown on the right. In the upstairs bathroom, the tile will extend from the rim of the tub to the ceiling. It will also have a border of the same size/shaped tiles as shown there in the center bottom but they're a combination of dark browns that blend well with the darker aspects of the granite and that border will be higher, around the 5' level. The floor tiles are a co-ordinated/matching tile that's 13x13" with a slightly rougher matte finish.
This is an epiphyllum. It's similar to a Christmas Cactus - not really a cactus as in desert cacti but more like a succulent, heck, maybe it is a succulent. While it has a lot of blooms, it's nothing compared to what it had on it last year. Last year at one point there was something like 30 or so blooms open all at the same time with many, many more buds that opened over several weeks. This year, maybe only 1/2 a dozen are open with maybe only another couple dozen buds showing on the plant at all. The plants tallest branches come up about 4 1/2' and it spreads widely overflowing its pot. I need to clean around it from all the winter debris that's accumulated. There's a schefflera potted behind it.
A pretty little rusty-colored, fringy tulip from the bulbs I brought back from my mom's that got planted 4 mos. late.
This is a type of daffodil/narcissus. I have never seen one like it before. It just opened up yesterday and has an absolutely divine fragrance. Also from my mom's bulbs. There are 3 or 4 of them opening up.
And how can I not include Raven...no, her eyes are not two different colors. I suspect because they're slightly crossed that the light reflection from the camera hit each eye differently. Another pic showed them both the blue shade. Notice those white marks on my cutting mat? That's where the surface is chipping away to the solid layer between the two green layers. It started happening back when I was cutting up all my scraps and I think it's because I keep this mat on my desk slash cutting table where I'm also known to eat my lunch because I have the computer here. I've always kept a pot holder under any hot plates/bowls, but I can't come up with any other reasons why it might have done this except that for a time I did have the laptop there but it had a chill pad under it so wouldn't have thought it could've damaged the mat.
And lastly, I would love to be snoozing like little Flame. But it's hard to snooze when you have workers in your house...I'm really missing my naps!
Have a joyful Wednesday!
Downstairs shower has now been 'floated' in preparation to affix the tile. Tile will be here on Friday except for the darker glass border tile - it'll be here Tues :) And yesterday, the walls were painted in both rooms. It's coming together. But one last critical area to select: the TOILETS ! Oh dear! If we were to get the toilet to match the sink we chose for downstairs (the most used & company bathroom), that toilet's MSRP is $578...and $662 if we want to add the SaniGloss coating that's supposed to help guard against stains and such which would be wonderful in this area. Yikes!!! Did you know that there are toilets out there that cost over $6000.00? And they're NOT gold-plated!
The shiny tile on the left will be placed on the shower walls. In the downstairs bathroom, we're using the extra granite on the three walls from the base of the shower to a 23" height (at least that's the height the fabricator tells us will be available) and the tile will be above a row of that middle border tile piece (bottom center). The granite is shown on the right. In the upstairs bathroom, the tile will extend from the rim of the tub to the ceiling. It will also have a border of the same size/shaped tiles as shown there in the center bottom but they're a combination of dark browns that blend well with the darker aspects of the granite and that border will be higher, around the 5' level. The floor tiles are a co-ordinated/matching tile that's 13x13" with a slightly rougher matte finish.
This is an epiphyllum. It's similar to a Christmas Cactus - not really a cactus as in desert cacti but more like a succulent, heck, maybe it is a succulent. While it has a lot of blooms, it's nothing compared to what it had on it last year. Last year at one point there was something like 30 or so blooms open all at the same time with many, many more buds that opened over several weeks. This year, maybe only 1/2 a dozen are open with maybe only another couple dozen buds showing on the plant at all. The plants tallest branches come up about 4 1/2' and it spreads widely overflowing its pot. I need to clean around it from all the winter debris that's accumulated. There's a schefflera potted behind it.
A pretty little rusty-colored, fringy tulip from the bulbs I brought back from my mom's that got planted 4 mos. late.
This is a type of daffodil/narcissus. I have never seen one like it before. It just opened up yesterday and has an absolutely divine fragrance. Also from my mom's bulbs. There are 3 or 4 of them opening up.
And how can I not include Raven...no, her eyes are not two different colors. I suspect because they're slightly crossed that the light reflection from the camera hit each eye differently. Another pic showed them both the blue shade. Notice those white marks on my cutting mat? That's where the surface is chipping away to the solid layer between the two green layers. It started happening back when I was cutting up all my scraps and I think it's because I keep this mat on my desk slash cutting table where I'm also known to eat my lunch because I have the computer here. I've always kept a pot holder under any hot plates/bowls, but I can't come up with any other reasons why it might have done this except that for a time I did have the laptop there but it had a chill pad under it so wouldn't have thought it could've damaged the mat.
And lastly, I would love to be snoozing like little Flame. But it's hard to snooze when you have workers in your house...I'm really missing my naps!
Have a joyful Wednesday!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Spring Is Busting Out All Over
That title is a take off of a song from one of my favorite musicals "Carousel". The song is "June is Busting Out All Over" and I've linked it to a video on youtube. My aunt Irene would take my sister and I to see a movie when we were little. And since this came out in 1956, I'd have had to have been awfully little, but still remember going to it. But then, by the time movies made it to our area, it might have been a couple years later! She also took me to see "Oklahoma". I don't know what it is about that one, but I have never been able to watch it without falling asleep, even when it's come on television in recent years.
Here's what's busting out here at our house:These violets have been blooming for quite awhile; I think I've already posted about them once, but I just love them, they're happy little blossoms.
And I posted at one point about not getting my bulbs planted in a timely manner, but they're coming up great guns now and with buds! So I'm happy!
There are daffodils, tulips, and hyacinth poking up. Then, over in our terraced area are some freesia. They've never grown with strong stems, and the ants love them too much for me to be able to cut and bring into the house, but they sure are pretty. Ignore all those dead leaves, Marty likes to refer to them as mulch. um, yeah, ok. And I haven't gone out and tried to rake up the even bigger pile of leaves that sits in a corner all winter and spring...it'll be there yet in May or June. 
And driving around town, trees are blooming and leafing, lawns are even greener and growing, and birds are singing ... a lot... and loudly... and it's a joy to hear them :) I've seen the Western Blue Bird, some little finches in the gold finch line, others I haven't taken the time to identify and the Phoebe. (And I don't know what I did to make this last paragraph show up underlined and in blue! Gotta love my relationship with Blogger ;) of course it probably won't show when I actually post this and I'll feel silly, but it shows as I type and when I look at preview.)
Here's what's busting out here at our house:These violets have been blooming for quite awhile; I think I've already posted about them once, but I just love them, they're happy little blossoms.
And I posted at one point about not getting my bulbs planted in a timely manner, but they're coming up great guns now and with buds! So I'm happy!
There are daffodils, tulips, and hyacinth poking up. Then, over in our terraced area are some freesia. They've never grown with strong stems, and the ants love them too much for me to be able to cut and bring into the house, but they sure are pretty. Ignore all those dead leaves, Marty likes to refer to them as mulch. um, yeah, ok. And I haven't gone out and tried to rake up the even bigger pile of leaves that sits in a corner all winter and spring...it'll be there yet in May or June. 
And driving around town, trees are blooming and leafing, lawns are even greener and growing, and birds are singing ... a lot... and loudly... and it's a joy to hear them :) I've seen the Western Blue Bird, some little finches in the gold finch line, others I haven't taken the time to identify and the Phoebe. (And I don't know what I did to make this last paragraph show up underlined and in blue! Gotta love my relationship with Blogger ;) of course it probably won't show when I actually post this and I'll feel silly, but it shows as I type and when I look at preview.)
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