Sunday May 2, 2010

 

It’s sort of a gloomy day here in western Washington. I wish the weather would make up it’s mind. We’d (or I’d) like a full day of warm sun or a full day of rain. But these days of sun, rain, sun, rain all mixed with a fairly strong breeze are getting old.  My friend DB said it so well “It sounds like Mom Nature is playing checkers with the weather.”

Yesterday I ventured over to Lowe’s and got a few plants.  Everything is still pretty expensive so wasn’t able to get everything I need to fill all my hanging baskets and pots, but I got a start.

I’m going to use mostly red in my hanging baskets this year as I’m hoping to attract humming birds.  I had a few last summer and they were always at the red geraniums.   The little plants with blue flowers are perennials, so will last thru the winter.  They filled up a pot that had petunias in it last year and of course those died once the first frost hit.    And the beautiful lavender Columbine is a perennial.  I planted it in a large pot on my small porch on the east side of my house.  I love them and have never had one here.  When I was a kid my mom had a whole garden area full of Columbines.  They do best with just morning sun, so my east side porch should be a perfect spot for them.   I did manage to get everything planted before the rain started and also I took a few pictures while I was out there.

The picture below is my next door neighbor’s pink Dogwood.  It is so beautiful! 

Here is a close up of the flowers…I wish I had one in my yard.  These are the same neighbors that spend all their spare time at the Casino and do nothing in the way of taking care of their yard.

I have two lilac trees in my yard.  In the back is a huge one that was here when I got here.  It’s got the very dark purple flowers…

A month or so ago I got a couple little pots of these viola’s.  I love their sweet little faces.

And finally……the one flower I don’t have to buy.  They just grow naturally and they drive me CRAZY!!  I think they should be Washington state’s official state flower.

I’m very proud of my oldest niece Becky, who at age 35, married and mom to two school passed her very difficult state exam to get her R.N. degree.  She finished her schooling in March and I did go to her pinning the day after the wedding….but last Thursday she got the results of her exam. She passed and has accepted a job offer in the ICU at Tacoma General Hospital.    This is Becky at her Pinning Ceremony on March 13th.

 

This next week is going to be busy. Wednesday is my Reader’s Group.  I didn’t get a call about it yet so I don’t know who the guest authors are going to be.  But it’s always fun to get together, eat some salad and pizza and participate in the book exchange. However, I don’t need anymore books in this house, so will just be taking some over to give away.  Then Friday evening is a baby shower for my middle niece Jill.   After two girls they are looking forward to a little boy sometime the end of May.  We are very excited about the arrival of this little guy.  This will be the 5th grand child for my brother and sister in law and the second grandson.  Becky’s oldest child is a boy and he was 10 in February.  So in between Christopher and this new baby are 3 little girls.   All ready to help with the new baby.  My youngest niece Janna, lives in Washington D.C. and she’s coming home for Memorial Day weekend in hopes of meeting her new nephew.   We’re having a family get together on Memorial Day and once again we’re hoping the little guy is the guest of honor.  

I hope everyone remembers to stop by Lori’s Letter Box and offer some words of encouragement to our friend Lori.  She and her husband have been wintering in Tucson, AZ and after not feeling well her husband took her into a local emergency room, where they found some tumors on her liver and pancreas.  One of their daughter’s is flying down to help Lori fly home to Canada and another family member is flying to AZ to help her husband get their truck and travel trailer home.   You can stop by Lori’s Blog at http://lorisletterbox.blogspot.com/.

That’s all for now…..I hope everyone has a wonderful week.