The Garden Guest

Yesterday Michaela and I were sitting in the part of the yard we all fondly call "The Veranda". We had been there for about 10 minutes talking when suddenly I focused on my flowers behind her. First thought what trash blew into my cone flowers. It took me seconds to comprehend in was a snake nestled high above the ground among the stalks of the flowers. Michaela ran inside to get my cameras (I think it was more because she didn't want to be left alone with it) and we started taking pictures. She was very brave and held back flowers so I could get closer.

He was back in his canopy home again this afternoon so I guess I have a permanent guest.

Texture

This week's challenge is Textures it seemed to really be a challenge for me. I thought all week long and just could not come up with an idea. Today is Saturday at the wire I am so here is what I decided on.

The beautiful spiky eye of the cone flower caught my attention. What a great color combination these flowers are. At one time I had white cone flowers also, but over the years they have all turned into these pink beauties.

The soft down of lamb's ear.......

And finally one of my passions, glass. I love the way glass reacts to light the smoothness of it's texture. These beads are handmade melting glass rods over a torch onto a mandrel. It is an art called "Lampworking". I am fortunate to have my best friend Jill Symons be a well known artist in this ancient craft. I have a large collection of beads and find myself many winter nights sorting beads. I love making unique one of a kind pieces of jewelry with them.

Thunder over the Pond

This is the first year I had the pleasure to attend "Thunder over the Pond", for all you Kentuckians you know it is a jest for Thunder over Louisville. I cannot tell you what a wonderful time we all had. There were 500 friends and neighbors on a farm field just looking for a great time. Here are a few shots of the evening hope you all enjoy.

There were beautiful little girls walking up the hill for smores

This is part of my crew: Neil's hand to the left, Logan (my wonderful neighbor) and her cousin Jamie. The rest included me, Dennis and Evelyn(Logan Mom). As you can see we played cards waiting for the BIG event. Yep played Slap Scrabble and I lost again, just don't understand why I like that game so much.
I love this picture. There were two tractors for the hayride one with two trailers. I choose not to go I am still a little odd about my shoulder. They were gone for almost an hour and everyone had a grand time.
This is James driving the 4-wheeler, he graciously hosted the party. Dalton is on the front I think that is where Dalton spent the whole evening. you can see people fishing behind the 4 wheeler we actually saw a fish caught.

This was the Big event of the evening. James it was amazing Thank YOU. The fireworks were some of the best I have seen in a long time. How many more days till 4th of July again?

Sunday Stills "Wildflowers"

Chicory we find it growing along the road sides I find it to be a lovely shade of blue.

Morning Glories, a bane to my husband a joy for me. SHHH I actually planted some this year in a side garden!! My will be blue and pink.

Queen Anne's Lace or "Chigger Weed" if you have every walked through a patch of this beautiful flower you will know why the second name is fitting.

This is my all time favorite wild flower, Passion Flower. I spent many years trying to cultivate them to get some started in my gardens. I confess Ed this is from my garden but it is a wildflower that grows along the roadsides in Kentucky. Back to the cultivating it. it took several years to get them to grow for me and now they certainly add character to my gardens. They are vines and I have it all over and can't bring myself to pull them out.

For those of you that haven't read post about the "gardens" I will explain. My garden is as far from manicured and possible it is kinda "God Planted". At one time I had planned clumps of flowers in my beds. Now I wait till late spring to weed just so I can tell what is 'flowers" and what is really weeds. I have an abundance of coneflower, lilies, and where ever the birds dropped sunflower seeds and many flowers we Kentuckians find on the side of the road. I love the willy nilly look and look forward every spring to see what else will be there.

Thanks Ed for another great challenge.

Sunsets, Sand and Kitties

This is the most beautiful sunset I have seen in many years. The sky seemed as if it were on fire.
I am so Blessed to have wonderful friends, tow of my neighbors took me to Destin FL last week. We did nothing but play on the beach lounge in the pool and well really what else do you need in life? I had never been to the Gulf Coast (sorry still the ocean in my book!) so it was a real treat. It took me awhile but I learned how to walk with the waves pounding at you. the sand was white and the water so blue it was just beautiful.

How cute is this? Logan found a litter of kittens by the lake. We felt the need to rescue them. I dug out the old dog kennel and they are all in their barn. We have all spent many hours sitting and playing with them. Shhhh..... don't tell Dennis but guess what we are getting.