Today's Garden

A little over a month ago I wrote about cleaning up the garden by the tub.  Here it is then...

and here it is today...

 

The Lenten Rose is still in bloom and I think the Rocky Mtn Columbine is very happy.

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;o)

Bless Them All, Each and Every One

On this celebration of Memorial Day, I am not only thankful for all of the freedoms we take for granted but for each and every man, woman and animal that have worked to keep the United States of America FREE!

I'm also remembering my dad, Edward J. Langan, who served honorably in the U.S. Navy during WWII.  

I was always proud of him, although I most likely never told him so ;o(

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The Birthday Girl

Today we joined family and friends to celebrate beautiful Ella's 6th birthday.  To be honest, her birthday is next week, May 24th but this was the party weekend.  It's a drive of a little over 2 hours to Ella's house on Mirimichi Lake/Pond and the day turned out quite nicely.  Greg grilled hamburgers, hot dogs and sausages.  There were several salads available, along with chips, plenty of assorted drinks and BIRTHDAY CAKE!!!

The theme was Frozen, after the excessively popular Disney film.  It was like Christmas in July, only it's May.  hahaha

Olaf

She even had a cake with Queen Elsa's "picture" on it.

We ate, we visited and Ella opened her gifts.  

New suitcase for her "surprise" Disney cruise next month

I love seeing her laugh!!!

The kids played, we took the all important selfies (using the CamMe app, which the girls loved!)

Ella's friend Mikayla and a photo bomb by Grandpa Bob

and the kids watched Frozen, of course.

It's so much fun to watch Ella grow older and more mature, on the other hand, it makes me sad to see her growing so fast.  Looking forward to our next visit, sometime this summer.

Happy Birthday Ella...love you tons!

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;o)

Happy Mother's Day to Me

The day started with an almost clear, blue sky and a light breeze.  Bill and I enjoyed some of his homemade Irish Soda Bread and a beverage on the deck.

Yes, that's my cup, I am the Queen (at least in my own mind).

We were not alone in enjoying the beautiful morning.

Does this count as a photo bomb?

"In the event you can't finish it, I LOVE bacon!!!"

We joined Wendy and Dan for brunch at Varano's, it was excellent.  We enjoyed mimosas (Bill had a cranberry juice/ginger ale) along with a pasta station, carving station, fruit or caesar salad among other items and a delicious dessert bar!  It was the dessert that put me over the edge of comfortable, the dark chocolate cake was awesome!

Bill took a picture of Wendy and I and we took a couple of selfies.

Damn, we look Good!

Too much sun! 

Wendy says we look dorky, haha.  We had to kneel in order to get the bush behind us, getting up isn't as easy as it used to be.

Bill and I drove home along the beach; we never fail to marvel at the new/remodeled homes there.  Where does the money come from anyway???

I worked in the garden, Bill mowed the grass.  I sat in the sun and read for awhile, then Facetimed with Ella, Vanessa and Greg. 

I'm a very lucky woman, thanks to everyone for making my special day so special. 

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;o)

Spring Clean-up

Today was a nice day but the forecast for the weekend is much cooler temps and rain, rain, rain.  Soooo, rather than go to the gym, I spent the afternoon cleaning up the garden around the tub.

I didn't take a "before" picture but trust me, it looked a lot better "after".

This shows, front to back, ligularia, columbine, lenten rose, tradescantia (spiderwort), thistle and a tall grass.  Also seen is some sedum, bledding heart, clemetis (seriously, it's there) and rose campion.

I took several wheelbarrows full to the woods and sucked up several more bags of leaves. 

Then I enjoyed a beer and finished my book.

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;o)

Heading Home

It's inevitable.  When we arrive in January, we know the time will fly by too quickly and we will be back on the road again too soon.  And so it is ;o(

Truth be told, I think we are all ready.  We have no responsibilities while we are here, no schedules to follow, no appointments, no nothing.  One can only do nothing for so long before it gets old and boring and it's time to do something. 

I know Bill is ready to be back in the clinic although I don't know what else he might be looking forward to doing.

As for me...I'm ready to have my own car, to see my family and friends, to sit at my sewing machine, to work in the yard and gardens, to get a McDonald's iced coffee for $1.00.  Boy oh boy, I sure hope they are still only $1.00 rather than $2.10!  It's the little things that make "home"...home!  

I think Titan might be ready to run free in his own big, fenced yard, go outside without having a leash and collar put on, come inside without having each and every foot wiped off, each and every time, to protect the carpet.   

We have had a good winter, cooler and wetter than the past years but no shoveling and that's what it's all about.  We love being outside in the warm sun, wearing shorts and t-shirts and sandals, walking and reading, going to the gym and sitting at the beach.  

We said our good-byes to the few people we have gotten to know...our old neighbors, Bob and Jackie, Mom and Pop from the pet shop, Martha at the coffee shop, Amore at the butcher shop and the lady at Subway.  Sometimes I forget and wish them a good winter, then realize THIS is winter.  haha, such a dope.  

So, the day has come.  The house is clean, the car is packed to the gills, the dog is walked and we are on our way.  Unfortunately, the weather looks less than perfect with lots of rain in the three day forecast and temps at home taking a 20* dive just in time for our arrival.  Seriously, we wouldn't expect anything less because...that's the way we roll.

Good-bye Florida, see you next year!

Charlotte Harbor Beach Park

Sunset from the Punta Gorda Bridge

Quiet time

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;o)

Selfies

Apparently I need more practice.

I can see the light

Someone wants to be in front

kiss me, mama

almost...

Some did turn out a little better, especially the last one.

I need longer arms

happy campers

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;o)