Morning Glories

My morning glories just started blooming.  A co-worker shared some seeds with me.  I'm not very good starting plants from seeds, but these cooperated fully!  I didn't know what color they'd be.  Aren't they beautiful?

Had to throw in a few other pics of flowers that are starting to fill out.  I usually start replacing the things I've killed in July, but this might be a good year for me.  We've had a lot of rain.  The impatiens are a little de-hydrated, but even after 8 years of trying to upgrade my soil, it's still not there yet and gets hard and dry if I don't keep up with the watering (which I rarely have time to do!)

I'm not very good with my picture capabilities yet.  Am trying to find time to learn PhotoPlus and/or PhotoShop but am finding it very difficult to absorb.  If anybody has some easy tips for me, I'd appreciate it!

Enjoy your day!

Lounging on the Front Porch

I got creative over the weekend and "made" a new cover and pillows for the wicker bench on my front porch:

I found a curtain panel at Savers for $3 that I used to cover the cushions.  I just cut the panel to size and wrapped it around the cushions so I can take it off for the winter months, wash it, etc.

I also found a pair of floral curtains that had green in it that matched the fabric for the cushion.  Just another $3!  I cut each of those panels in half and found 2 pillow forms in my attic that I purchased ages ago for a project that never happened.  I also found an old mishapen (sp?) pillow that I cut apart and took out the inside of.  I reformed that so I'd have 3 inserts.  Then I just wrapped the fabric around it (this is actually how they wrap gifts in Japan!) and whoola! - new pillows!

 

All for a whopping $6 and about 1/2 an hour of preparation.

I also took a piece of lace that I had kicking around and threw that over the back.  The bench really needs a repainting but that's a project for another weekend.

Then I had a brainstorm for the old wooden rocker bench we have on our patio.  I'd purchased a floral quilt at an estate sale for $20.  I don't know why I did.  I didn't have any use for it.  But now I do!

I folded it just so, and whoola! again - a new cover for the old rocker bench.  I won't leave it on there, but will keep it handy and folded just right so when the mood strikes, I can just throw it on there.

Then I just had to throw in a pic of the new brick walkway from my patio to the backyard.  I picked up the bricks on sale at Menard's and just kind of tossed them down, but my significant other said - oh, no, that's not the way to do it - and whoola! a new walkway!

My dog's toy got in this one, too.

I'm joining a couple of meme's (whatever that is!)

Summer Sundays at The Tablescaper

Summer Porch Party at Rose Colored Glasses

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Be sure to visit their sites!

Start of the Summer Garden

My spring perennials have faded and now begins the beauty of the summer garden.  New perennials blooming and annuals are starting to fill out.

Garage Sale Find

Had to show off my garage sale find.  Just $2!  There's a thing to hold a candle that goes on top of it, too but it didn't really look like it belonged with the base.  I just thought it was beautiful!  I was supposed to be selling stuff at my own garage sale today, but visited a neighbors and spent some of my earnings down at her house.  How fun!

I'm linking this post to Cielo's Show Off Your Cottage Monday blog!

Birds in the garden

Finally got some food in the feeders and have attracted back my goldfinches and a few cardinals:

I hear the morning doves but they're not in my yard this year.  Lots of robins flitting about, though.

Edible Teacups

Received info on these cute edible teacups courtesy of Grandma Rae:

Edible Teacups

By Cindy Littlefield

Made from ice cream cones and cookies, these edible cup-and-saucer treat holders are a cinch to assemble and will ensure that each guest at your child's tea party gets his or her fill.

For each teacup, you'll need:

• Cup-style wafer ice cream cone

• Round sugar or shortbread cookie

• Decorator's icing

• 2 gummy rings candies

• Assorted candies, popcorn, or trail mix to fill the teacup

Instructions:

1. Use a serrated knife to carefully cut the cup portion of the ice cream cone from the handle (an adult's job). Discard the handle and set the cup aside for now.

2. Place a gummy ring candy on the center of the cookie, using decorator's icing to "glue" it in place.

3. Set the ice cream cone cup on top of the gummy ring. Again, use a thin line of decorator's icing to hold the cone in place, if needed.

4. For a teacup handle, slice the second gummy ring in half. Gently press the cut ends of one of the candy halves against the cone to stick the handle in place.

5. Fill the cup with a few candies or other snacks, and it's teatime!

Courtesy of Grandma Rae

Show and Tell Friday

I just joined Cindy at My Romantic Home for her Show and Tell Friday!  Visit her site.  It's beautiful.

For The Love of Dogs

Somebody sent this to me by email.  I love dogs and there's a sweet but kinda sad story at the end. . .

Okay - now get out your kleenex. . .

A Dog's Purpose?

(from a 6-year-old)

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.

Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me.  I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.

He said, ''People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?''

The Six-year-old continued, ''Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.''

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air

and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day,

be silent,

sit close by,

and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!