Waiting for Summer

Hello, Dear Friends, as we approach the summer solstice 

I am waiting for the sun.

It has been cool and damp, here in the Pacific Northwest. 

There is fresh snow in the mountains, 

and lovely fields full of wildflowers, 

which creates a pretty picture.  

But look at all those clouds! 

The forest loves the cool dampness,

 and everything is lush and green.  

Here, we see the delicate blooms of thimbleberry

growing along the edge of the forest. 

My roses are loving it, too. 

In between rain showers, 

I've been trying to catch up on all of my potting chores. 

These are tuberous begonias. 

I love these, as they will bloom in full shade. 

Creeping Charlie keeps them company. 

I've used white impatiens and creeping Jenny, 

for my window ledges. 

My succulents sent out off-shoots, so I 

potted up a few of those, too. 

The garden plaque belonged to my Mom. 

Although it is damp and cool here 

from late November until July, 

I am able to grow succulents by potting them 

in cactus soil and keeping them dry under the eaves. 

 I once had a tiny antique shop with my Mom, many years ago, 

on the upper floor of an old Victorian home. 

We named it 'Under the Eaves'. 

I still have the sign, hanging on the tool-shed. 

The beautiful old home was torn down for a parking lot

when a tire store moved in next door. 

'Progress'.......... sigh.........

I was craving a bit of color, so these coleus found 

a home on the tiny front porch. 

It is too dark and shady to grow flowers, 

but the coleus don't mind. 

I learned to grow coleus from seed 

when I was a beginner gardener. 

They were so easy that I had pots

 of coleus growing in every window!

All of this murky weather has me craving comfort food. 

A small batch of old-fashioned peanut butter cookies

satisfies the cravings. 

Here is the recipe. These are soft but delicately crisp on the edges. 

Small Batch Peanut Butter Cookies

Makes 15 - 3 inch cookies

Bake @ 350 degrees 8-10 minutes. 

1 cup peanut butter

4 tbsp softened butter

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup flour

1 egg

pinch of salt 

Cream together butters and sugars until smooth. 

Add flour, egg and salt. 

Divide dough into 15 balls.

(About walnut size)

Press onto greased cookie sheet with a floured fork. 

The kitchen smells so good! 

I keep out only a few. 

Ramblin' Man has a sweet tooth. 

The rest are in the freezer. Hidden :)

He is known to gobble down several at a time. 

And he doesn't gain a pound. Imagine that! 

It's just not fair. 

I like to have one with a cup of tea or coffee in the afternoon.

(Depending on how much caffeine I need.) 

I am on the go all day long and by late afternoon 

I need a pick-me-up. 

Don't ask me what I do all day. 

I couldn't tell you. 

It is a million little things......

You all know what I mean. 

I may be retired, but that doesn't mean I have 

free time. My job description has increased 

in direct correlation to how much 'free time' I may have. 

Funny how that works. 

I always find time to read a good book, though. 

Mostly late at night. 

Hence, the need for caffeine..........!  

This is a sweet story of love at midlife, after 

difficult loss. 

It was written by a Seattle author and the story 

takes place at a bed and breakfast in the highlands of Scotland.  

Don't you just love the cover?

We'll be celebrating Father's Day this 

weekend with the whole gang,

on Saturday, so all of the Dad's get their own day.  

I love this photo of Papa with the little ones.

It's nice to take time to celebrate all of the unsung heroes 

in our lives that we call, 'Dad'. 

I am serving chicken enchiladas, Spanish rice, 

tacos, and something totally unrelated, 

but Ramblin' Man's favorite.....

Boston Cream Pie! 

And guess what? 

The forecast is calling for sunshine! 

xoxo

I hope you all have a lovely weekend, 

Dear Friends. 

xoxo

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xoxo

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?