Days until school is out...

Days Until School is Out...

OK.  I've been busy, you know, doing my "real" work and haven't had time to sit around writing and posting to my blog (now WHY are clicking here when you are already at my blog?  Silly you!). I'm sure everyone has been waiting for me to write SOMEthing/ANYthing.

               So here it is. A countdown to the number of days I have left until I AM DONE (stick-a-fork-in-me done) for this school year.

Days until school is out (I missed Day 10, that's how busy I was)...

Days until school is out...

Days until school is out...

Books & Such

My literary family (Ben & Terry) and friends (Bob T.) often ask me what I’m currently reading. Here’s a sampling of what’s currently on my bookcases. Or, I should say, here are the books I’ve read that are worth mentioning:

The Sister by Poppy Adams

 

Through the Heart by Kate Morgenroth

The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seirstad

Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi

 

While these are the “best of” books I’ve read so far this year, I’ve also read books on growing and caring for roses, gardening in general, how to grow and harvest herbs, and perused several cookbooks (especially a fabulous Chinese cookbook). These topics have become of interest to me since marrying Teddy, who can make anything grow and has become quite a good cook.

Happy Reading to all you bibliophiles – you know who you are!

Now. What are YOU reading?!?

The Countdown is ON!!!

...days until school is out!!!

The Countdown is ON!

...days until school is out!

The Countdown is ON!

...days until school is out!

There's Always...

 

There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding."

There's always a little knowledge behind every "I don't know."

There's always a little emotion behind every "I don't care."

There's always a little pain behind every "It's okay."

The Countdown is ON!

...days until school is out!!!

The Countdown is ON!


                                         ...days until school is out!!!

The Countdown is ON!

                                                 ...days until school is out!!!

The Garden of Eden

Dear Gentle Readers:

We have been enjoying our new outdoor living space.  Teddy finished the brick paver patio (ca. 260 sq. ft.); we purchased a table and chair set (see photo); and have planted a veggie garden and planted various containers throughout the area.  A Garden Bench, built by hubby for my last birthday, now has a trellis surrounding it with the thought of training wisteria to climb it.  It's simply lovely.  It reminds me of a modern day Garden of Eden. Does that make me Eve? Watch out for The Serpent!  Don't eat The Forbidden Fruit!

The Martha Stewart five-piece patio set from Home Depot

Last Friday, taking a personal day of leave, we spent the entire day outside, glorying in the beauty of the day: in the plants now growing in our veggie garden; in the multi-colored plants hanging in the trees; the herb garden; the new patio furniture, on which we have enjoyed many delicious meals; the area for the grill and smoker; the nine rose bushes that make up the Rose Garden; the Wedding Garden, now filled with Celosia (see photo below) for the spring season.

"Celosia is a small genus of edible and ornamental plants in the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae. The generic name is derived from the Greek word κηλος (kelos), meaning "burned," and refers to the flame-like flower heads. Species are commonly known as woolflowers, or, if the flower heads are crested by fasciation, cockscombs." ~ Wikipedia

Now you know!  My Celosia are of various colors: pink, orange, red, and yellow, but I seriously doubt we will be eating any of them.  They do, however, make a spectacular showing in the 14-foot circular Wedding Garden.  Pictures sure to come!

As we were planning our new outdoor living area, we thought we'd place the dining set on the New Patio and leave the chaise lounge chairs on the Old Patio.  (I've gotta come up with better names that this!)  Several weeks ago, after the patio table/chairs were delivered, I came home and found the furniture fully assembled and sitting on the OP.  (How about that? OP for Old Patio and NP for New Patio.  It'll have to do for now.) The table was set with two placemats, two linen napkins, and rosebud in a small vase (from my Rose Garden). It looked charming and ready for us to enjoy a meal, which was exactly what we did that evening. My husband, Teddy, is quite the cook and quite the romantic, or had you noticed?!? 

We've left the dining set on the OP and have put the two chaise lounge chairs with their side table and firepit on the NP. On a recent trip to Garden Ridge, we bought two additional side chairs and a side table, complementing the original furnishings.  Also purchased were two small pillows to enhance the beauty and comfort of the two side charis.  All of the items look and work well on the larger NP. 

I should, I know, take pictures.  Now, where's my camera?