June Already!

Hello, Sweet Friends, can you believe it is already June? 

Is it just me, or does time seem to be moving along

faster and faster? 

I couldn't resist showing you this scene of 

 buttercups blooming in the fields below beautiful Mt. Rainier. 

We have had mild weather, with temperatures in 60's,
and the occasional sunny day in the 70's,
but it is still very cool at night.

The perfect weather for wildflowers. 

Speaking of wildflowers...I forgot to show you 

the pots I fancied up for Mother's Day last month. 

I painted the rims of the terra-cotta pots
 with sage colored porch and floor paint, 

then added polka-dots in pink with a pencil eraser. 

Coat with a clear exterior varnish to use outside. 

I like to find pots that will fit a gallon-sized 

nursery pot. Simply remove the nursery pot 

once the flowers are done blooming,
 plant in the garden, then replace 

with something pretty. 

I gifted these to the sweet Mom's in my life.

While we are in my kitchen I want to show you
the cute little sign my daughter gave me....

She knows that I don't like to miss a good 'funky junk' flea market!

I found the perfect place to display it!

June is strawberry season, and I've been buying them
every time I go to the market.

I just found this handy-dandy strawberry and tomato
huller, too. The red handle might have originally caught my eye,
but I am happy to say, it really works!

I love strawberry shortcake.

I use store-bought angel food shortcakes,
sweeten the strawberries with no-calorie stevia,
and use fat-free whipped cream for a guilt-free indulgence.
Ramblin' Man doesn't suspect a thing!
Shhhhhh!

I've also been busy finishing up my crochet projects........

while Whitey Bear snoozes nearby. 

You can't see Kai, but he is at my feet :)

Ahhhh! Bliss! Whitey Bear is getting on in years

(aren't we all?) and prefers long naps when he isn't 

following me around the house and gardens. 

He even snores.....my sweet old boy. 

Here is the result of my latest crochet project. 

Sweaters for the twins!

I used this pattern;
Bouncing Baby Pullover

I've used this pattern over and over.
It's so easy! Even for a beginner. 

I made one a little bit wider......

Guess who that might be for :)
Declan is a bit larger than Liam.
He doesn't like to miss a meal :)

Mommy (my daughter, Heather) picked out the yarn.
She is having professional photos done
of the babies wearing them. I will show
you once it all happens.

I am still hanging out with these two little charmer's
2 days a week, and it is so much fun to watch them grow.
At four months they are laughing and rolling and interested
in everything going on around them.

I can't get enough of those sweet baby snuggles.

Big brother, Gavin is 18 mos. and talking up a storm.
He calls me 'Mammie' and tells me all the words he knows.
He has so much he wants to tell me,
but just doesn't have all the words - yet!

I can't help but smother those chubby little cheeks with kisses
whenever he sits still long enough, which is not often these days.

He's fascinated with all things ooey, gooey and smooshy.

He also loves to climb.

I find that I need a nap by the time I get home!

xoxo

We spent the day, last Saturday, with older cousin,
Ethan, too. He loves watermelon! And he can recite
all of the planets and even tell you which one is closest to the sun
and which one is farthest away.

He's 3. Of course, we think he is a genius.
We might be a little bit biased. :)

He melts my heart when he takes my hand and
says, "Come with me, Gramma."
He likes to show me all of the interesting things
in his little world.
xoxo

He looks just like my son, Gabe (his Dad) when he was small.
The circle of life goes on.

June is also the beginning of the outside home improvement
season. Ramblin' Man took a working vacation last
week and replaced some weak boards on the deck.
He had to replace some siding on the house, too, where
the deck and house intersect.

My job is to scrape and prep the deck and then start
painting. The weather forecast is rain for the next few days,
so I am on stand-by.

Everything has been moved to one end, including flats
of flowers I have yet to plant.

Things seem to be backing up and I sometimes feel a bit
overwhelmed........

I know it will all get done eventually.

There never seems to be enough time
and I don't have as much energy as I used to.

But I am not complaining.

I feel extremely fortunate to have this deck and this home
to take care of. I never take it for granted.
I am always filled with immense gratitude for the many
blessings in my life.
xoxo

I'm also grateful for all of the hardships and struggles.

Poignant lessons, all.
It's so important to slow down
and find time for the introspection to apply them.

But, of course,
 we must, also, seize the moment!

Sometimes we simply have to put work aside.

June only comes but once a year!

And at the end of the day,
I gather up all of the daily lessons and blessings,
weaving them together with the silver strands of
love and gratitude to create the unique tapestry
that I call my life.

Thank you for the sweet blessing of your friendship, dear friends.

xoxo

Today I am linking with:

It's A Small Town Life - Thankful Thursday

Won't you join the fun?