Framed & Tagged

A peaceful day at the lake…..

2012-01-28T10:25:00.001-06:00

My computer is still acting up...that blue screen keeps showing it’s ugly face!

I packed my camera bag, stopped at Sonic for

a large mocha java chiller,

and headed for Martin Lake.

There were no boats and no people!!

Perfect day!!

I took this at home, he was barely hanging on.

This is an old cemetery on the way to the lake.

I love the colors.

As close as I got to this heron.

I had to sneak up on him, hiding behind trees so I could get this shot.

Dang bird!!

A very relaxing day…:)

Not So Shabby Open House…part two

2011-12-23T09:32:00.001-06:00

I’ll post the rest in a few days…….:)

Not So Shabby Open House!

2011-12-21T10:39:00.001-06:00

My computer has been in the SHOP for a MONTH!!

I am so happy to have it back!!

Now I can share the photos I took at the open house

for Not So Shabby , owned by Jena Williams.

It was held at P&C Celebration in

Henderson, Texas.

If you are looking for that special gift

for someone,

this is THE place to go!

Jena also does Plantation Shutters!!

Contact her here at Not So Shabby.

I’ll post more photos later…I have a date

with a six year old

to decorate a gingerbread house!

Macro shots or up close and personal…:)

2011-11-15T12:25:00.001-06:00

Fall is wonderful!!! I didn’t think it would ever get here!

Today is warm and humid and the colors of the trees are amazing!

There’s a cold front supposed to hit tomorrow so we better enjoy

the warmth while we have it!!

Here’s a few pics that I took a couple of days ago.

This is a swamp maple which is pretty common around

wet areas.

This is a Black Gum tree.

They are usually the first ones to turn colors in the fall.

It’s really hard to capture the beauty of the fall colors...:/

This Old Farmhouse……

2011-10-28T11:35:00.001-05:00

I have always loved this old house. It is now up for sale and it’s

only $240,000! I think it includes 41 acres with 12 acres being

hiway frontage which makes it pretty expensive.

It’s also in the city limits.

I am afraid whoever buys it will tear the house down because it doesn’t

look restorable to me.

I couldn’t get close because there was a nasty sign on the gate

so I ran back home and got the long lens...:)

I would have loved to have peeped inside

the windows but that nasty sign

they put up kind of discouraged me from even stepping foot

on the property!...;(

This house has seen better days but I’ll bet it was grand

in it’s day.

A bit of fall around our house...love it!

More from Canton flea market…..

2011-09-28T10:25:00.001-05:00

It’s time for Canton flea mkt already!!

I don’t know if I’ll be going this month but

here are some pics from last month

that I haven’t shown you.

I would love to have this cabinet for my guest bath.

…

All the photos above were taken at Gals Gone Junkin’s booth.

They are located on row 46 in the Paul Michael Building

aT First Monday...Canton Texas.

After we received two inches of rain the other evening

these popped up...they are called rain lilies.

How they got in the middle of the lawn

I’ll never know but it makes me happy to see them ...

Have a wonderful week!!

2011-09-23T13:32:00.001-05:00

How cute is this??Little miss Sunshine...she is so full of herself!

Going south!

2011-09-21T09:26:00.000-05:00

Finally after an hour I figured out how to post a video!!At times there are at least fifty waiting their turn at the feeder.When I go outside to video though most of them go sit in the treeswaiting for me to leave and since I don't have much patienceI don't get them all in the video...;(

Gals Gone Junkin!

2011-09-12T08:52:00.001-05:00

These photos were taken at Gals Gone Junkin in Canton

this past month. She always has such great displays.

I love JUNK!!!

We had a baby donkey yesterday! I’ll post pics later this week!

Canton was full of bargains!!!

2011-09-05T10:48:00.001-05:00

Rust and chippy paint! We loaded up the truck

twice and needed to come back but

there’s always next month...

Jena and Monica shopping with Margaret.

See the stack of suitcases on the left?

They are going to be in Jena’s new shop.

Hmmmm, these chairs would look nice.

Loved this one!

This was our last load, see the trunk? It was so

cool on the inside, it had drawers

and shelves and it even had an envelope...maybe for

lingerie type stuff or jewlery.

So cool!

This vendor has a lot of industrial type stuff.

He’s expensive though.

Canton was wonderful despite the heat, 102 in the shade

but we hung with it and I don’t think

we missed anything.

Hope it’s cooler next month!

Garden Tools…

2011-08-31T09:20:00.001-05:00

There’s nothing I love better than old rusty objects...

This is our neighbor’s vintage truck...I love it!!

I think my DIL and I are going to Canton this week.

Lots of rust at Canton!!!

Can’t wait!

Peach Pie & Snakes

2011-08-03T10:01:00.001-05:00

Look what my husband raised this year!!

I guess hot... 108...and dry is good for peach growing.

Hubby baked the pie too...all I had to

do was take pictures and of course eat.

Yummy!!

The rubber snake he hung in the tree to help

keep the birds and squirrels out.

It must have worked!

I don’t think the scarecrow helped at all, but he looks cute.

I’m joining with http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/ for Cottage Flora’s Thursday!

2011-07-25T09:43:00.001-05:00

The only flower still blooming except for the occasional red rose.

Last night it got cloudy and rained for about

fifteen minutes but you couldn’t tell it this morning!

We haven’t seen the fawn any since that first sighting so hopefully

she made it over the fence?

Update!!

Hubby saw the fawn this morning along with five

other deer in the pasture next to us,

he said she was cavorting all over the place...of

course by the time I got there with my camera

they had all left!!

I’m just glad she and the rest of the family are okay.

I had to go back in my files to find the last two photos.

It is just too hot to get outside.

I’m joining with Lisa over at Macro Monday!

moon?

2011-07-11T10:10:00.001-05:00

Moon? No, it’s just the round light in the back yard.

Just what we need!...rain!

The only rain we’ve had lately is from the sprinkler!

I am so looking forward to fall!

I would show you photos of my flower pots but

they look so sad...I have stopped watering the ones

that need it twice a day. Even if you water them

they look sick…:-(

Joining with Lisa for Macro Monday!

Joys of Summer

2011-07-01T09:28:00.001-05:00

Strawberry ice cream..yum!

Fun at the water park!

Where’s the truck?

Okay, that’s it! I’m leaving!

Forget it!!

Help from big brother.

Maybe this isn’t so bad after all!

What’s the big deal?

Dreaming….

2011-06-23T09:43:00.001-05:00

These lilies were yellow,I adjusted the hue-saturation and took

most of the color out, then I added a couple

of Kim Klausen’s textures...I then adjusted the setting to

soft light.

Go to Kim’s and sign up for her free textures.

I love the way the light plays on the leaves

of this hydrangea.

I don’t love the brown spots on the petals...lack of rain

and killer heat.

Thankfully we did get a respite from the heat,

two inches of rain and cooler temps.

The dogs and I even went walking early this morning

but that came to a screeching halt as I saw momma deer

in the woods ahead of us!

Thank goodness I saw her before the dogs did!!

We thought she had left but apparently she can’t

leave until the fawn is big enough to jump the fence.

I love that she’s here but I ‘m afraid

the dogs will chase her if they see her.

So no more walks until Bambi can jump!

I’m joining up with http://fishtailcottage.blogspot.com/

Come join us !!

2011-06-20T11:12:00.001-05:00

On my way to Tyler I stopped by the lake and took a few pictures.

Usually there are tons of big white birds wading around

but there was only one this time.

Does anyone know the name of this bird? I’m thinking great white egret

but I’m not sure.

Wish I had a longer lens...

I think these are boathouses.

Wildflowers on the side of the road.

One of Ty and G-daddy’s favorite things...baseball!

G-daddy and I took the G-kids to the water park last

week and I took some great pictures.

This is one of my favorites.

I’ll post the rest in a few days.

Hope everyone had a great Father’s Day!!!

Macro Monday

2011-05-22T20:10:00.001-05:00

This ant was so tiny and fast I could barely keep up with him.

Rusty old screw.

Unopened bloom of a hydrangea.

Clematis seed heads...I think they are just as pretty as the flower.

I’m joining up with Lisa this week for Macro Monday

Come join us!!

Macro Day….

2011-05-21T10:20:00.001-05:00

We are so blessed!...we received two and a half inches of rain

last night! The garden is so happy this morning!

Speaking of gardens I took a lot of pictures the other day.

I’m sharing them with you today...hope you enjoy them!

Water lily in goldfish pond

I threw wildflower seeds down in the front of our house,

No mans land I call it, and surprisingly they came up!

Zinnia's

More wild flowers...love these.

Really close up .

Another gift from the bird feeder!

Unopened gift!

I am coming down with something so I am going to bed now but I wanted to

share a photo of the moon I took..

Taken with a Nikon D-90, 70-300 lens.

1/2000 at f/16…iso 200.

Taken on a tripod and I used a cable release.

Have a super great weekend!!

Garden Shed Redo…

2011-04-29T08:52:00.001-05:00

Here are some photos of my garden shed with my new

bed that I purchased at Canton from the gals at Gone Junkin.

One of our favorite spots to shop!!

Happy B-day to you miss B.!!

What a happy baby!!

WE had to put a chair on the quilt to keep it from blowing away!

I’m joining up with Cindy at My Romantic Home

for Show and Tell Friday!!

Stormy Spring…..

2011-04-27T08:43:00.002-05:00

I hope everyone is okay this morning….last night was pretty scary
around here but thankfully all we got was wind and an inch of rain,
which we are very thankful for.

This lizard did not like me being so close, I think it’s a female
but I’m not sure, anyway she matches the flowers.

I just noticed the mockingbird on the steeple!

It looks like this is a favorite spot
for birds to sit!!

Have a safe and happy week!!

Roses & Texture

2011-04-18T13:23:00.006-05:00

All of our roses are blooming right now….it smells heavenly
in the yard!! The roses and the banana shrub smell so good!!

Belinda’s Dream

Double Knockout Roses

More Knockout roses with New Dawn
in the background.

I think froggy is in love!

New Dawn above
& below.

Pots of herbs & flowers by the back door.

Another view of froggy and Belinda’s Dream.

Roses and periwinkles to plant!!
I had better get busy!

I am joining up with Susan at A Southern Daydreamer again

for Outdoor Wednesday!!

Be sure and visit with all the other participants!!

Have a great week everyone!!!

Waco Texas

2011-04-12T18:29:00.002-05:00

We went to the National Miniature Donkey Show this past weekend at Waco, Texas…..took loads of pictures and really had a good time.

The azaleas were all gone when we got back, I guess the wind blew them away! Speaking of wind, Waco was so windy you couldn’t keep your hat on your head!!

This is one of the young ones that shows donkeys. How cute is she?

Frank and Cajun trotting over the logs.

Side passing

They won the challenge!!! There were thirteen in the class.

Team driving The lady in the back calls her team the TriASSalete’s.

I would say she was happy with her team!

Jump!! Another young exhibitor. I think she is six.

There were blue bonnets as far as the eye could see…. just breathtaking. They were even in the fields. I had to stop and take pictures. This was pretty close to Waco.

I’m joining up with Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday….hop on over and see all the participants this week! It looks like Spring is here to stay or is it almost summer?

I want to thank all my visitors that visited my blog last week and left comments…:-) I love reading them all!!!

Have a great week!!!

Azaleas…..

2011-04-05T19:39:00.001-05:00

Our azaleas were just perfection this year. The blooms stayed

on a long time since we didn’t have any rain on them…plenty of wind

though. I am joining up with Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday!

Join us!!!

These are a native from Alabama I think…they smell wonderful.

Just a few feet down are some we planted a few years ago.

A natural spring runs through this area and they love it.

You know I had to show you this male house finch,

I read somewhere that they look like a sparrow

dipped in raspberry juice.

We usually have a pair nesting close by, and they have the sweetest song.

I just love to go out early in the morning, sit in the swing on the porch and listen

to their serenade.

The old bed I bought at Canton….I love it!

I sat it up in the yard for a photo shoot this past weekend.
That was a lot of fun with the wind blowing so hard!!

I hope everyone has a great week!!

Yellow Roses….

2011-03-29T20:14:00.001-05:00

I’m joining up with Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer….be sure and join us for Outdoor Wednesday!! Everything has been blooming like crazy here and we may get some much
needed rain this evening.

Lady Banks Roses…these look gorgeous on an arbor.

This Blue Heron comes through our property a lot.
He likes to fish our creeks.

Spring in Texas….

2011-03-25T12:33:00.001-05:00

I am taking a much needed break from yard work!! Why is it when you decide to

get something done nothing works….I had to make a quick run to Lowes

to buy a new hedge trimmer and now it’s noon and almost nap time.

I took a few pictures of the flowering trees and shrubs to share with you.

I tried to get a photo of the moon when it was so close last Saturday.

Everything trimmed except the Knockout roses…I’m thinking
I’m not going to trim them this year and see what they do.

I love Dogwood blossoms.

Love the colors in this photo.

Immature Goldfinch.

Okay, back to work!!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Hi Norma!…=)

Outdoor Wednesday….

2011-03-08T17:54:00.001-06:00

It’s Outdoor Wednesday again…boy this week has flown by.

Join us at A Southern Daydreamer for a look at how spring is
coming along. Be sure and say hello while you’re there.

The lovebirds are enjoying the warmer weather.

And so are the ducks.

As are the Goldfinches.

I found the bed I was looking for at Canton!!…
I love it…it has wheels and I’m a sucker for wheels!!

I’m going to make a white coverlet for it out of linen and maybe gauze.
They had an amazing coverlet on it but I couldn’t afford both.
I also found this sweet little chair…love the color!

I’ve been wanting a glider since my DIL got hers….this is one heavy
glider!! '”At least I didn’t get that old red Ford tailgate, I says to hubby!!!'”
He said, “what would you do with something like that?”after he grabs his chest.
Does any of this sound familiar?

Have a great week!!!

Outdoor Wednesday….

2011-03-01T17:19:00.001-06:00

I can’t believe spring is here already!! I took these this morning so it must be true.
I hope Mother Nature doesn’t have any surprise’s for us, such as a cold snap!!

Come and join in with us at A Southern Daydreamer and see what the weather is like in
other parts on the country….should be interesting this time of year!

Bluebird of Happiness

He’s happy but hubby isn’t….he’s been pecking on the window
this past week….at daylight!

I’m still working on the garden shed….I would like to find an old twin
bed to put inside now that I have it all clean.
It would be a perfect place to take a nap on a cold winter’s day!
It’s so warm and cozy in there when the sun is shining.

Now all I need to do is finish my painting and rearrange some things.

I do have some of my photo props stored in there…
Now where am I going to put them!…=(

A very busy woodpecker.

Belated Valentine Post

2011-02-17T13:32:00.001-06:00

I was very happily surprised when my DIL and the two

grandbabies brought me this gorgeous crown for

Valentine’s Day!! How precious is that? I <3 them so much!!

Love it!!!

This was DIL’s booth at the Longview Home Show.

You can see more of her photos at Not So Shabby.

How beautiful is that mannequin?

72 degrees…gotta love it!

2011-02-14T13:32:00.001-06:00

They ,meaning the weather men, were

wrong !!

They predicted more snow last week and we

did get a little but look at us now!!

The old hen looks like she’s ready for spring!!

I know I am…I hope I’m not jumping the gun!

This is what I am talking about!

It’s supposed to be warm all week….I love it!!

Oh BTH….I have blisters on top of blisters and muscles I didn’t know I had.

I’ve been raking leaves and putting them in the flower beds as mulch.

It works wonders!!…the plants and the earthworms love it!

East Texas or Canada…..

2011-02-07T16:54:00.001-06:00

Don't get me wrong, I love.love.love when it snows

but I could seriously do without this COLD Weather!!

It is beautiful though so I shouldn't complain....I do love

feeding the birds.

They are so fluffy and cute when it's cold.

“Waiting”

We had Cardinals that hatched out last spring

And there were quite a few boys and only one girl.

There’s more snow forecast for this week...Yea!!

My Valentine’s……..

2011-01-31T14:11:00.002-06:00

A bell is no bell 'til you ring it,

A song is no song 'til you sing it,

And love in your heart

Wasn’t put there to stay -

Love isn’t love

'Til you give it away.

~Oscar Hammerstein

Inspiration....

2011-01-17T10:33:00.001-06:00

What an angel!

A short version of one of my favorite poems.

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune without the words,

And never stops at all,

~Emily Dickinson

Snow almost gone....

2011-01-13T12:03:00.000-06:00

Oh happy time of fleecy ryme

And falling flakes, and O

The glad surprise in baby eyes

That never saw the snow!

Down shining ways, the flying sleighs

Go jingling by, and see!

Beside the gate the horses wait

And neigh for you and me!

~Evaleen Stein

You can tell I've been reading romantic novels..

I would love to ride in a horse-pulled sleigh at twilight.

Decorating Mantles

2010-12-15T14:44:00.001-06:00

That IS the question!!……:)

I hope everyone is enjoying the Christmas season!!!

Decorating for Fall

2010-11-12T12:10:00.001-06:00

I think I will let nature do my decorating this fall….=)

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Oh I did promise to show you where I got my pumpkins!

This is the red truck that I love!….it was full a couple of weeks ago but apparently someone has been buying pumpkins!

It sits in front of Joe Smith’s Plant Farm in Jacksonville,Texas.

Joe Smith’s Plant Farm…..they always have neat plants and stuff.

Bzzzzzzy Bees...

2010-10-21T09:11:00.000-05:00

These look like wasps.

This bee was still asleep…he even has morning dew still on him….cute!

You can see why the cedar tree is a good place for small birds to gather at night or in a storm.

Happy Pumpkin!!!
I’ll show you where I got these neat gourds in my next post.

Boot Scootin Boogie....

2010-09-29T08:24:00.000-05:00

I loved this donkey…she had the sweetest expression on her face.

This is our little Jolie Blond….she was grand champion acosa donkey.
We are soooooo proud of her. She also placed second in pre-green trail, her first time to show in trail class.

A beautiful Mammoth donkey.

What a beautiful sunset at the end of a hard day.

All of the photos are from a donkey show we attended this past weekend in Conroe, Texas.
We had a wonderful time but boy were we ever tired when we got home. I think the donkeys were happier
than we were though…they couldn’t wait to get their halters off and take a good roll in the dirt.

I’ll post more next time!

End of Summer…..

2010-09-08T12:15:00.001-05:00

Thankfully summer is coming to a close….it has been the hottest and driest that I can remember.
The hummers are swarming us and the autumn clematis is blooming…it smells so good!
Fall is just around the corner!

The colors of summer…

2010-07-24T14:35:00.001-05:00

A volunteer sunflower….

I’m not sure what these are but they are pretty….hubby calls them a weed…;)

The moths really like them too.

It is hotter than blue blazes here!!! It’s that time of year when you just don’t want to stick
your head out of the door….it feels like you stepping into an oven when you go outside!
Fortunately we have had rain so we are very thankful for that.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

Take time to smell the flowers!!

2010-06-30T12:21:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone is having a good week!! We finally got rain! Like five inches!…in two days!!

Back when it was cooler...

2010-06-23T08:48:00.000-05:00

I think the lady said this was pyracantha they had trained on the wall.

The orange flowers in the pot are Million Bells....they look like petunias.

I took these pictures at Breedlove Nursery in Tyler back in the spring when it was a little cooler. I always enjoy going there to see their displays.

Hope you enjoy them!

Time Flies!!!

2010-06-06T14:28:00.002-05:00

Spider legs!!!

The blur that you see is my son and dil's dog Sam...he thought they were playing at first but he soon found out that they were dead serious....he put it in high gear and was waiting for us on the other side of the fence.

I don't know what kind of cows they are but they are really big.

Some of the photos we took...this was by the pond.

Poor baby!!!

My how time flies!!!Where does it all go??

I hope everyone isn't as hot and dry as we are in east Texas!!

It's getting scary folks!!

Donkey Day!!

2010-05-22T20:37:00.000-05:00

I found these photos on the internet today and thought I would share them with everyone.
They are in England and this is part of the article.
Donkey Day! It's the official passing out parade in the donkey world when over 120 Blackpool donkeys get their yearly MOT check by a vet and a council approved inspector to ensure they are fit and healthy for the season ahead .

Apparently Patch has a private joke...=)

Love their halters with their names on them.

2010-05-20T13:15:00.001-05:00

We are always the same age inside. ~ Gertrude Stein

That is the truth!..amazing how we think we haven't aged and then we look in the mirror...=).

Just a few photos of pretty things for you to enjoy.

A view in my garden shed window.

The abandoned wren nest....

Lovely wisteria bloom

Gabriella wondering what in the heck I'm doing.

I'm really surprised there aren't any ears showing up in this picture because I was covered up in donkeys by this time, all were wanting me to scratch their ears or the other end...=).

Yarrow in the garden.

I love this old truck....I posted about it earlier when it was clean and shiny...now it's covered in dust and they put cactus in the bed. I would love to have this sitting by our front gate.

Have a great day everyone!!!!!!!

Hummers Galore!

2010-05-11T18:21:00.001-05:00

This photo was taken post hurricane Rita...I think it took a lot of nectar to keep them all fed. An amazing sight.

Photo courtesy of http://www.wildtexas.com/

Flown The Coop!!!

2010-04-30T17:10:00.002-05:00

The baby wrens have fledged!!!

One of them had its mouth open until the camera clicked...then all you could see were feathers, except for the one that is staring at the camera...what got his feathers in a wad? I promise I only took three
pictures of them after they hatched. I don't like to disturb their nests
or them.

They were so cute when they decided to leave the nest...balls of fluff were going everywhere...I didn't try to get any pictures of them..I didn't want to upset mom. We were also having to keep a close watch on the two dogs and the cat. They didn't notice a thing though.

I thought I was taking a picture of the flower and noticed later there was a bug eating another bug!...I really need to wear my glasses when I take my camera outside.
If anyone knows what kind of bug this is leave me a comment and let me know. I hope it's a good one!

A pair of House Finches...they are so pretty and sing the sweetest song.
I think these two have a nest close to the house because we hear them singing early in the morning.

I love roses and Ironstone, especially together.

Isn't Nature Wonderful???

2010-04-24T12:20:00.005-05:00

I was feeding the grandbaby and happened to look out of the breakfast room window and thought I was seeing things!!
Luckily my camera was sitting on the table...I took a picture of it to show to my husband and he told me what it was.

We were wondering if he was by himself and if he was just stopping over for some R&R. Well he wasn't by himself!...the very next day his mate showed up at the birdfeeder!!...I got some really great shots of her. I saw them both at the feeder yesterday but didn't have the camera handy. I hope they stay awhile before they move on.

Male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

Say!...I don't think I've seen you hanging around the ole

bird feeder before!

Female Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

They have really strong beaks...the bird books said that they can

crack open cherry pits.

I leave you with another beautiful rose...I took this at Breedlove Nursery in Tyler, Texas. I'm sorry but I didn't get the name...GB was not a happy camper. It was getting hot and he was tired of shopping!!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!!...I hope the sun is shining at your house!!

Baby Donkey....

2010-04-12T12:07:00.000-05:00

Okay everybody.....awwwwwwwww!!!

Isn't he the sweetest thing you ever saw?

He is still damp in these pictures and he was so tired....

being born is hard work!

Check out his white feather adornment...is he styling or what?

It looks huge but after he's clipped it will only be a small spot.

His mom has a lot of roaning in her coat.

Once we had a little jack that had a perfectly shaped diamond

spot on his forehead. It got bigger and lost some of it's shape

as he got older.

Mom is tired too.

Nesting Fever....

2010-04-07T14:17:00.000-05:00

Does anyone get nesting fever in the spring?...I sure do, I start cleaning, washing curtains and windows and I've even decided to paint my kitchen but I'll save that for another post. It could take all summer...;-).

Heres a few photos of some nesters...I knew the wrens were

building a nest either in the garden shed or somewhere close.

She is sitting tight and I won't bother her anymore until they hatch.

Then I'll try and get some shots of open mouths.
It looks like the perfect spot for a nest...she has a view and I love the rusty details on her house. Very vintage.

I think she's mad.

I was taking pictures of the roses and I looked up and this brown-headed nuthatch was checking out the big birdhouse .

He looked at it from all angles and checked out all

four openings. He didn't pay any attention to me at all so

I snapped away.

I'll leave you with the first rose of spring.

I love spring!!!

We have a new baby donkey!...I'll post his pictures soon!

Baby Donkeys...

2010-03-30T10:23:00.000-05:00

There is nothing better than having a new baby donkey on the farm. As you can see they are grandchildren magnets.

What a showoff!!!

He runs and runs until he gets tired....

Then he comes to Grandad and gets in his lap to rest.

How cute is that?

golden daffodils and pot roast....

2010-03-19T13:57:00.004-05:00

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze

~Williams Wordsworth

This is our last pretty day for awhile, its supposed to turn cold and start raining tomorrow so I need to get outside and

enjoy the warmth while I can.

I'm cooking PW's Perfect Roast for supper...along with

yeast rolls and mashed potatoes.

Perfect way to end the day.

Have a great weekend!!!

March....

2010-03-14T11:18:00.001-05:00

How glad I am when I have seen

Those tender leaves of gentle green

They warm my heart and make it sing

For now I know at last it's Spring

Oh, isn't it grand to be alive.

~Author unknown~

This old truck has nothing to do with spring but I love it. Wouldn't you love to go tootling around town in it??

2010-03-04T14:25:00.002-06:00

Blueberry Muffins

YUM!!
I should have taken photos as I was making them
but we had been giving shots
and trimming donkey feet so I didn't think about
it until it was too late.
They are sooooo good!...I am in a cooking mood
and will probably gain ten pounds but
I don't care!! I'm tired of being good...;-)

I will show you a pizzia I made the other day...I love to make
homemade pizzia dough. It smells so good when you're making it.
I use Paul Newman spaghetti sauce...cook my veggies first...
add meat of your choice, and wait until the pizzia is almost done
then I add lots of cheese. Oh and I add sliced tomatoes
on top of the cooked vegetables. Yummy.

My little helper.

And I couldn't leave without one more snow picture!!

Memories...

2010-02-27T11:38:00.001-06:00

Special memories

are made when grandchildren spend time with

their grandparents.

They are setting gopher traps...I don't know

who gets more excited when they catch one,

Ty or the dogs.

Ty is still in his pajamas...look how intent he is.

He loves to climb on the concrete donkey.

But the real thing is so much better. This is Mae Bell he's riding.

Yee Haw!!!!! Giddiup Belle!!!!

I just had to show one more snow picture, I took a lot so you may be seeing snow pictures in August...;-]

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

Outdoor Wednesday...

2010-02-23T19:26:00.001-06:00

More snow????
It is snowing again and I love it!! It isn't cold enough to stick
but we can enjoy watching it come down.
These photos are from our last snow.

Maggie is waiting to see what Patches is going to do. She doesn't make a move without her.

It's Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer...be sure and visit with all the other participants.
Thanks Susan!!!

Winter Wonderland!!!

2010-02-12T13:24:00.000-06:00

A snowflake is one of God's most fragile creations,

but look what they can do when they stick together!

~author unknown

Our front gate.

Maggie waiting for Patches to make a move.

My faithful Maggie waiting for me to stop taking silly pictures and give her a ride back to the house.

The barn at the bottom of the hill...if you look closely you will see a couple of donkeys in there. This is where Moms and foals stay.

I looked for squirrels but didn't see a one!!

I guess the snow sent them scurrying to their beds!!

Have a great weekend!!

Old barns & kids, etc.

2010-02-06T14:01:00.000-06:00

I think I have already posted this photo of Ty Allen but I added texture to this one...it looks like someone painted in the background with crayons.

I went looking for old barns last week and only found one....where did they all go?

I have passed this pond many times and always wished I had my camera with me. I made a special trip a couple of weeks ago just to get this shot. I love the old wooden fishing pier....can't you just see a
little boy sitting there with his fishing pole?

I was walking in the pasture and just happened upon this squirrel,

thinking he was hid , didn't move until I did. Then he played

hide and seek with me.

Look at the grape vines, how big they are.

When I was little our neighbor had vines all over the trees in a little

patch of woods behind their house...that was our playhouse. Her

dad even built us a bunk bed...we enjoyed many hours playing with

our dolls there.

Did I hear someone say squirrel!!!...;-)

Bits and pieces....

2010-01-30T12:37:00.000-06:00

Its not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.

~Henry David Thoreau

Squirrels really get Patches going...that is what she's looking at.

Have a great weekend!!!

New camera!....

2010-01-20T11:55:00.000-06:00

My b-day is coming up soon so I decided to treat myself to a new

camera! A Nikon D90!!....it will probably take the rest of my lifetime

to learn how to use it. I also got brave and downloaded Photoshop

Elements 8...2010 is going to be a wonderful new learning experience for me.

Baby Ridge...some of you may know Jena @ Not So Shabby . She is my DIL and Ridge and Ty Allen are my precious grandbabies.

Grandad and Baby Ridge....

Grandad and Ty Allen....

Wishful thinking...

2010-01-14T08:35:00.000-06:00

This is Maggie, she sits like this a lot waiting and watching for what I don't know.

I'm sure she sees coyotes and other animals a lot at night so she keeps a watch

at all times just to make sure nothing comes into the yard.

This isn't real snow. Wishful thinking on my part.

Another photo of the Possum Haw with berries....I watched and watched but never saw the Cedar Waxwings, I could hear them but didn't see them....they came while I wasn't looking and stripped the branches clean!!! I will spare you the sad photo of the bare branches.

Winter...

2010-01-10T10:31:00.000-06:00

Winter in East Texas....it doesn't look so bad does it?
It isn't usually but we have had some bad cold
lately. Poor hubby has to hand carry water to the donkeys
twice a day. We will be very glad when it warms up!!

I think this is called Possum Haw...the birds love the berries, especially Cedar Waxwings.
I've been watching to see if I could get some
photos of some but so far no luck.

This was a storm coming in that was supposed to have snow in it...not!!

Friends maybe?

Goldfinch grabbing a quick snack....

2010-01-04T11:49:00.000-06:00

A Happy New Year! Grant that I

May bring no tear to any eye

When this New Year in time shall end

Let it be said I've played the friend,

Have lived and loved and labored here,

And made of it a happy year.

~Edgar Guest

These are photos that I took with a camera I bought on E-bay, its a Canon EOS Elan and it's a 91 model. I really don't know what I'm doing but I'm having fun with it.

Look at the squirrel......

Close up of a Crape Myrtle...the bark is so pretty.

This is our Patches dog....she loves to chase squirrels and if she catches one she hides it from Maggie, our other dog.

Weeks later we usually find it and it isn't very pretty.

You better stay in that tree Mr. squirrel!!!

Have a great week everyone!! Stay well!!

2009-12-21T09:31:00.000-06:00

Christmas...my favorite time of year.

I bought this tree at Judy Hill's Christmas open house...I love it!!

Mercury glass...one of my favorite things.

I found the crown at Judy's too.

Ahhhhh Christmas!!!!

I will try and post again before Christmas. I have a virus and can't
seem to shake it....it seems like my whole family has it. I just hope
the little ones don't get it!

Have a great week!!!!

2009-12-04T11:57:00.003-06:00

What is Christmas?

It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present,

hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may

overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and

that every path may lead to peace.

Oh my, there are boxes of Christmas balls, garlands, Santas and snowmen....strings of pretty beads strung all over the livingroom!

It's supposed to snow today, maybe I should just put my jammies back on and crawl back into bed?

Everyone have a wonderful weekend!!!

"Autumn-the reprieve from Summer."

2009-11-03T09:08:00.001-06:00

Autumn is indeed a wonderful time...it brings relief from garden chores and relief from the summer heat.

Watching the falling leaves brings a peace and contentment not felt

by any other season.

Autumn is spent quite quickly planning for the holidays and it is over almost before it began........

The last of the hydrangeas...I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed the Limelight 's I planted. They are so beautiful and sooooo easy care. My kind of plant for sure.

Can you see the lizard tail in the top right-hand corner?

There are two lizards in this photo...can you find both of them?

It seemed like the lizards were having a lizard convention the day I picked the last of the hydrangeas...every one I picked had one or two inside. I even took two in the house when I hung some up to dry.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Holiday Season!!!

Outdoor Wednesday...

2009-10-21T08:23:00.000-05:00

Today is Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Daydreamer....Susan is our very gracious

hostess and would love for you to come and visit her blog...be sure and visit

with the other participants!

Today's posting is all about nature and some of

the critters that live here.

The first one is our very special gelding, his name is Cajun

and he came to us when he was four months old.

He was eight months old when we took

him to his first show and he acted like he had been

to a hundred shows.

When he entered the arena he let out a bray and announced

that he was here and proud of it.

He loves to go to the shows and always does us proud...

he doesn't always place 1st, but he doesn't know it and we are still

proud of him.

A cluster of Darlow's Enigma with a couple of guests.

This is Precious with her foal, Gunner. You may have seen Precious

in another posting...she is as her name suggests...Precious.

What a special moment this was...I was standing very still trying to get a shot of a butterfly and these humming birds

were flying all around me. I was lucky to get these shots of them.

And me without my glasses!!

I just aimed and shot and hoped some of them would turn out.

I couldn't believe it when this one decided to perch close to me...she looks especially beautiful with the red leaves of the rose as her backdrop.

A single flower bud of salvia...I love the colors.

Angel's Wings....

2009-10-15T10:14:00.007-05:00

"The perfume of a summer rose

lingers in the folds of an angel's wings."

I didn't see the grasshopper until I started editing the photos,

I'm sure he doesn't have anything sinister in mind...such as

eating the butterfly!!

Froggy heaven!!

If you're wondering why we have a cage surounding the pond

it's to keep grandkids from falling in.

Wait!! I't's my turn!!

"Mr Wizard"

We have had so much rain that everything is drooping..

even me!!

I go out to take pictures and it starts raining

AGAIN!!!

I do love how the flowers look with droplets of rain on them.

Have a wonderful day!!!

A fallen leaf is nothing more than a summer's wave good bye....

2009-10-08T13:35:00.014-05:00

I have really been enjoying my morning walks since it has started cooling off.
The dogs and I go to the highway and back every morning...or at least we try to.
They go running about sniffing the ground seeing what came through during the night
and I enjoy the sights and smells of the woods.

Today is Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home . Cindy has invited us to join
and share from our home and garden....she is showing us wonderful vintage jewelry
today.

A native vine that covers the roadsides and it is all over our creek bank.

Mexican Sage.....

Cypress tree....

Cedar berries.....

This was taken down in the spring area below the house...DH has been there
the past week trying out his new chainsaw. I'll have to take photos when he
gets finished and post them.

Mossy rocks...

September Days....

2009-09-23T16:25:00.016-05:00

"The foliage has been losing its freshness through the month of August,

and here and there a yellow leaf

shows itself like the first gray hair amidst the locks of a beauty
who has seen one season too many."

-Oliver Wendell Holmes

Its been so long since I've posted, I almost couldn't remember how!!
We have been donkeying and trying to stay cool
in the Texas heat!
We just got back from a show in Conroe Texas and we did great!!
Had a WONDERFUL time but boy were we pooped!!
We had two baby donkeys last week too so we've been pretty busy.
Photos soon!!!

This is my view from my desk.

Rain Lily...the only time it blooms is after a rain.

Limelight hydrangea...my new favorite flower!!

I planted elephant ears down in the spring-fed trickle and they
have gone wild!!

Okay, be careful and don't look at these two photos too long or you might get dizzy!
I chased this hyper butterfly all over the yard trying to get a good shot.

Petunias in a pot.

I hope everyone enjoys the pics and I hope not to be gone so long this time!!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Outdoor Wednesday...Donkeys, Grandkids and Flowers!

2009-07-28T19:55:00.009-05:00

It's time to join up with Susan at A Southern Daydreamer!!... There are lots of pretty gardens and other things to see!!

This is our precious grandson Ty Allen loving on a donkey named Precious. Looks like she's doing some loving back...that's her foal standing behind her. She wasn't quite sure what that
little person was.

This sunflower is a volunteer that a bird dropped in one of my flower pots. I've tried to grow them but the squirrels eat them before they can bloom...maybe because this one was so close to the house it kept them away.

The purple flower is called Mexican Sage and the roses are Double Knockouts. The other purple
behind the fence is a salvia.

The yellow flower is called Mexican Mint Marigold and it smells like anise...I love it.
You can cut it and hang it up in a dry place and enjoy it all winter.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Outdoor Wednesday!!

Outdoor Wednesday...

2009-07-21T19:51:00.008-05:00

Susan at Southern Daydreamer is the very gracious host of Outdoor Wednesday...please be sure and visit with all her participants this week!

Petunias and an old birdhouse I picked up at Canton.

This hydrangea is called Limelight...isn't it beautiful? I didn't plant these until June of this year and didn't expect any blooms....in fact I was worried about keeping them alive with the 100+ temps we've had this summer. All three plants are looking great despite all the heat and dry weather. I can't wait to see what they do next year!

These two photos are of a plant called Muehlenbeckia or wire vine. I can't grow ivy to save my life...it always starts turning yellow and then it shrivels and dies. This vine is wonderful and takes the place of ivy for me...it grows in sun or shade and is winter hardy here in East Texas where we have had some pretty mild winters lately.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Outdoor Wednesday!!!

Outdoor Wednesday-donkeys and daylilies...

2009-07-14T20:58:00.007-05:00

It's Outdoor Wednesday, hosted by Susan at A Southern Daydreamer.
Be sure and hop on over to her blog to see who all is participating this week!!

This is a picture of one of our geldings a few years ago...he acted like he thought I couldn't see him...I just had to take a picture of him. His name is Boxcar Willie....but we call him Dusty.

This plant is a hummingbird plant and they just love it. It is full of blooms this year.

Some of my daylilies....the creamy one is fragrant.

Everyone have a happy Outdoor Wednesday!!

Surprise on the porch!!!

2009-07-12T09:58:00.004-05:00

We found this Copperhead on the porch yesterday evening...guess he was looking for shade or water. Maybe both.
I did a search for info on them and it said that Copperheads were the least toxic of the poisonous snakes here in Texas. While that is good to know I still don't want them on the porch!!
Oh and BTW I did not take this picture...Hubby had killed him before I even thought of grabbing my camera.
Now I have to really watch when I'm in the flower beds!!