Friday, June 8, 2018

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?

22 comments:

  1. What a beautiful post, Karen. That lovely kitchen, your beautiful family, the fancied up pots. I enjoyed them all.
    Amalia
    xo

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  2. Wonderful to see all those cute grandchildren of yours again, aren't they getting big. The jumpers will look super, I'm sure. June is a great month for getting things done and have a bowl of strawberries at the end too. x

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  3. So cute grandchildren! What a lovely post and strawberries are the best :)
    Warm hug from Titti

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  4. Karen, all your posts are beautiful but this one is extra special. You are right to count your blessings as you have quite a few. All the kids are so darling. Such fun ages and so much to enjoy about them. They go by so quickly. Your views off your deck are just jaw dropping and I love the way you describe it all. Thank you for your visit and we are sitting around here enjoying our views also, although they are not as spectacular, we count them as blessings also..Happy Weekend..xxoJudy

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  5. Dearest Junkgirl, I has been wonderful stopping by for a peak into your June days, in your beautiful part of the world. I feel totally refreshed after my virtual visit although you must be in need of a relax after all that hard work on the garden, the deck, the Mothers Day creations (love, love, these - my daughter did a dotty pot at school many years ago and it is still one of my favourites) your crochet creations, not to mention your childcare with your precious grandchildren :) All totally gorgeous, your zest for life shines through!
    Right now I've had my blast of fresh air with you, I'm off back to it!!
    Love Wren x

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  6. Dear Karen,your post is always a balm for my soul!Happiness...Beauty...Faith...Gratitude...Thanks for sharing !I love your adorable Grands,your gorgeous crochet and pretty artwork.I also enjoy the stunning landscape you have showed.Have a blessed Sunday!Hugs!

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  7. What a beautiful post and happy home. Everything is so lovely -- I adore your pots (I think I must do this!) and it just looks like heaven in your corner of the world, especially in that remarkable sunset. What a nice way to begin my Sunday!

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  8. Go Ramblin' man! Awesome job! Love snoring cats, two babies and a brother, strawberry shortcake with shipped cream, pretty flowers.

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  9. Love those pots and love your new sign!! The children are all so sweet!! Thanks so much for visiting!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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  10. Your painted pots are just lovely and all your pictures are great. That was some crazy weather we had this weekend.

    Hugs Diane

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  11. I loved this post, dear Karen! The blooming polka dot pots are just darling! Speaking of darling, your twins and the other two boys are so cute. I can't believe how much they've grown!! The pullover sweaters are so beautiful and the twins will be adorable in them. Thank you for your Mt. Rainier photos, and also for the reminder to embrace our sufferings and struggles. It's not always easy, but putting our Faith and Trust in God is so important. xx

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  12. You have cute granchildren! And yes, I can believe it's already June. Actually I believe, the Christmas is around the corner ;)

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  13. Oh those grands are a really cute bunch Karen💕
    And I hear you about not enough time to do everything!
    Enjoy your week...love that wee sign! One of my daughters buys them for me too!
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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  14. Such beautiful pics of your lovely homeland there and wonderful inspirational words! Love the pots you did. So cute! And your grandsons are all so adorable!! The sweaters are darling. Can't wait to see the photos ;)
    Hope you have a blessed rest of the week my Dear! Hope the paint job goes smoothly (& quickly) Lol xoxo

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  15. Such beautiful pics of your lovely homeland there and wonderful inspirational words! Love the pots you did. So cute! And your grandsons are all so adorable!! The sweaters are darling. Can't wait to see the photos ;)
    Hope you have a blessed rest of the week my Dear! Hope the paint job goes smoothly (& quickly) Lol xoxo

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  16. I agree the time just keeps going by so quickly, I can imagine seeing it through your grandbabies lives makes it even seem to go by more quickly. They are just the cutest and I look forward to seeing the sweet sweaters you made for them in the pictures. Wishing you a lovely summer to enjoy those grandbabies and your lovely property!!

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  17. Such a beautiful post, Karen on the tapestry of your beautiful life. Your grandbabies are so sweet. A fabulous photo of them smiling at you. Love those crochet sweaters, fabulous colours. That deck of yours is a beauty. Hope you get the painting done quickly so you can sit out there and enjoy all that summer loveliness. Your garden is looking a treat. Love those Mother's Day pots you whipped up and the photo of you is lovely. Mt Rainier always looks amazing and the buttercups in the foreground are a ray of sunshine. June holds so many gorgeous treats in your neck of the woods, not the least red, delicious strawberries. Enjoy those summer days.

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  18. Very sweet! June is especially nice for us here since the flowers have finally started blooming. I feel the same about my home and my life. I think as the days and years fly by, as we get older, we tend to reflect and be more thankful for where we are in life and what we have.

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  19. June sounds lovely in your area. The Mother's Day pots are wonderful. Love those polka dots. The sweaters you crocheted for the twins are darling, and aren't they precious. Gavin and Ethan are getting bigger, and who doesn't enjoy water melon in the summertime? I simply love all the gratitude that you exude in this post, Karen. And I am thankful that I'm able to comment after all this time. God is GOOD!

    ~Sheri

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  20. I'm having a hard time believing June is halfway over. Sweet pics of your grandbabies and I love the sweaters you made the twins. Yes, we are all so very blessed. It's humbling to think about everything God gives us to enjoy.
    xx Beca

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  21. Such a lovely post.
    Loved seeing pictures of the little ones, so special.

    All the best Jan

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  22. What a sweet trio of grand boys! Thanks for linking up today!

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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