Thunder & Lightning

We never get lightening like this. I love thunder and lightening and it is one of the things I miss about the Midwest. We had quite a show last night, and thunder that rumbled and cracked. It was above us and all around us. It was great!
We watched for quite awhile - Luke with his camera.
He got a few good shots.
The power behind a storm like this is amazing.
We watched as it moved toward us - you could feel and hear it as it a came closer.

"The wise man in the storm prays to God,
not for safety from danger,
but deliverance from fear."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Outside Everyday

"With a few flowers in my garden, half a dozen pictures and some books, I live without envy." ~ Lope de Vega

I have been spending a lot of time working in the yard the last few weeks - before it gets too hot to enjoy being out there. I have gotten so much done - but I have a long way to go before it looks like I want it to.



Our raised garden is doing fine. Only now I wish it was bigger.

I think next year I will put one in on the other side of the house.

Richard did build another box - so we can plant a little more. I want to plant some more kohlrabi (which no one around here has heard of). And I have some garlic to put in. My dad can grow anything - he simply waters a plant and it thrives. I can't say I got any of that from him - but so far everything is looking great! Except the inside of my house (time for me to spend some time and energy in there)

I feel like this . . .

Life is so busy right now - and although this picture truly expresses how I feel, I really don't mind. I tend to function very well when things get busy and chaotic. And the more I have to do - the more I can get done. The only problem is that when I get busy and really throw myself into things - then I have a hard time stopping. I just keep on going and going. I end up getting everything done - but I wear myself out. I will try to avoid that - but probably won't.
I love this picture! Time to take a couple of deep breaths and get back at it.

Planted

Our plants are in. We got a late start on our garden and now we are getting some hot weather, but they look as if they will do fine. It is supposed to cool down again after today. We planted tomatoes, yellow peppers, eggplant, zucchini, jalapenos, cilantro, kohlrabi, and some peppermint. Richard is going to put up a small fence to hide the garbage cans for me.

Jake - barefooted? I love when the boys do things together. They are not really close - there is a five year age difference and they are so different from one another - but as they get older this is changing a little. One of my biggest blessings - is that they do come together when I need help with something. I have watched them both go through so many things - and the years seem to have gone by too fast - sometimes I miss the years when they were young, but on days like this I simply enjoy them as my sons.

Pigtails and Puppies

Jennifer and Josh brought Lily over last night - with pigtails. I can't believe how big she is getting. I not only enjoy Lily - but it is so much fun to watch Jennifer being a mama - she is so relaxed with her and seems to enjoy every minute of motherhood.
Yesterday was Sadie's birthday - 4 years old. Sadie is such a sweet dog - and very spoiled . . . and if I do say so myself - she is adorable!!! Happy Birthday Sadie!

Mother's Day Project

I just have to post a picture of this sweet little thing with her sunglasses. I can't begin to explain how much joy I get from her.

I think Sadie was wondering exactly what we were up to yesterday - (I love when she looks at us this way.) Luke and I have been wanting to plant a small vegetable garden. So that turned into our Mother's Day project.
We took this spot . . .
(Sadie is back there watching and wondering.)

. . . and put in this raised bed. I am so excited. We are going to grow tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, garlic, and possibly some green onions. I am also thinking of having Richard build an arbor over the back side and whether we need it or not - I am going to have to have a cute scarecrow.

I have some other pictures of the boys working - but they are on Luke's camera. I will have to post them later. It was a wonderful Mother's Day - having both the boys out there working on this. I have to order some top soil - then get some plants going.

"A garden is a delight to the eye and a solace for the soul." -- Sadi

Flashback Friday - no wonder I brought him home!

I was looking at old pictures last night and found this one of Boo. I may have posted it before - but he's cute enough for a second showing if I did. He did grow into those ears and the collar. He was born under one of the portable classrooms at the school I work at - he needed a home and I guess I needed a kitten. He was so little! He grew into an extremely independent cat, but likes to climb into my lap when all is quiet and it is just him and I.

I just realized that it has been 8 years since I brought him home - I am a little amazed at how fast 8 years has gone by. Amy - I think you need to come visit me again. This is what Boo looked like the last time you were here. (No pressure - I just really miss you!)