End of Summer Flowers

This was taken recently, September 2012.  The pond has been pretty maintenance free this summer and we haven't had enough cover on the top.  However, despite that, it has been clear and the fish are thriving.  We haven't fed them at all and one or two lilies are doing well.  One lily has had large flowers.

These pots along the front side of the patio have done well.  The Rice's have had very good luck with the Angel Wing Begonias so I have had them the last couple of years.  I love them.  The foliage is large and dark green with the flowers very dark pink.  They need a little shade or protection but I have put some around the pond waterfall without shade.  

The yellow is a large mum that returns each year and gets to "leggy" to be controlled,  I just let it fall.

Most pots have impatients that are volunteer and I just place them in pots on an "as needed" basis.

I took this picture this morning because I thought they looked nice on this little side table.  Last night there was a threat of frost so I brought the one on the left in off the hanging basket tree.  It is one that I should be able to bring inside without shedding much.  It has ivy in it and some little yellow blooms (not sure the type). The purple is a shamrock, not sure the exact name.  I love, love, love it.  I bought one a few years ago, and this is a "strand" of it.  It comes back under the dogwood tree on it's own, so I take some of it and plop it in a container.  Sometimes through the winter I try to keep the pot inside, but usually they go dormant and I let it die....until next spring!

This was taken today, Sept. 24th, of the hanging basket tree.  The open place in the front is where the basket above on the table was....I didn't want the frost to get it.  The others are mostly a green sweet potato vine and a purple one on the backside.  

Well, the battery is dying so I will post this.  Not much here, but these are a few pics from the yard.  Late summer....have loved the flowers this year.  They have done pretty well.  I have enjoyed being out back!

Front of House Update

It has been awhile since blogging, and I have a few things I wanted to journal.  One are photos of "before and after" of the front of the yard.  Some would look and say "I like before better that after"....well, that was beginning NOT to be a choice.  The huge magnolia tree on the left corner (by the Rice's house) was too big. The roots were growing and we needed to get them before they cracked our foundation.  Also, it was too heavy on the roof.  The evergreen behind it had to go when it did, as the magnolia shaded it and parts of it had died.  While having the crew here to take out the trees, we went on to take out the bushes in front of the windows as they were too big.

Whew, this was work on Clyde!  Although he had the trees removed and all the brush as well, and Jason helped him a few hours on Sunday, the biggest load was totally on him.  The tree crew was quick, efficient and cheap....so, for all that we were thankful.  We wanted it to look like someone other than us picked out the bushes, but when we asked about the garden center doing the work, that was discouraged (something about 80% of material purchased ....OK, I forget what he said).  But both the places we bought the shrubs helped 100%.  We showed them pictures of the front and they made suggestions.  Wilson's in Frankfort had the biggest selection.  When we were there, however, we weren't ready to purchase.  So, we headed for Springhouse and bought all but the one white hydrangea (where the big tree was) there.  Springhouse didn't have anything nice for the corner, so we headed back to Frankfort to buy the white bush.  They have a wonderful nursery!  I loved it there...lots to choose from, plus a very nice place to eat!  Tricia told me about it and we enjoyed a good lunch!

This is obviously after the bushes were removed.  The window is the living room.

This picture is to the right of the photo above it (1st one).  The window is the dining room.  Three box woods and the larger one is a hydrangea.

Under the living room bay window are three cherry laurels.

This is the corner by the Rice's house where the large magnolia and evergreen was removed.  The white, small hydrangea took their place.  Opened up the corner of the house....much more light...and sun!  The three small bushes are cherry laurels.  The edge on the right is an existing large endless summer hydrangea.  

Maggie's first "at bat" in the fall league at South Lexington.  Coach is Steve Estep (one of the asst. coaches for Austin's Mets team).

She is running off the field, with her hat in her hand.  She told mom she didn't want to wear a hat.  I told her, before the game, she had to wear it to keep the sun out of her eyes, so she could catch the ball.  I said she could take it off as soon as she wasn't in the field.  Well, ha ha, she always takes it off as she runs off the field.

Look what I got, pap!  The game ball!!!

Austin & Matthew are playing fall, coach pitch, ball.  They are doing well.  Beginning to hit the ball, not often, but both have had a hit or two.  Austin is playing shortstop & second and he received the game ball for his first game.  Matthew is playing left field.

So So happy that Livvy is playing t ball so that Ellie can come watch and get reacquainted with the boys!  She was their first "girlfriend" and then they all separated from Tots Landing.  She is so sweet!  So glad to see her again.

Last photo today, gotta go to their game now!  White hat is Olivia and on this side of her is Tate and on the other is Delk I believe.  Both boys played on Austin's Met's team.

End of Summer Class Social

We joined with another ABF class at SCC a few months back, and it was a very good decision.  This is what others have said and I agree.  Our class had dropped off, our current teacher moved to another church, and we were not willing to disperse.  So, after meeting, talking and praying, we asked the Couples in Christ ABF if we could join up.  They have been SO friendly, super receptive, good Bible teaching that involves the entire class....we just love it.
We have now had two socials since we started and they have been so fun.  We all got to know each other a little better at the Tarvin's beautiful home early in the spring, and last night we laughed at Guy's stories, played croquet, corn hole and just sat around eating and chatting. We hosted this potluck.   Here are the pics from last night.

We waited until the weather turned cooler to have this outside social.  Rain is always a possibility; but, for this night, the weather was super.  It was even cool enough that I had to provide sweatshirts & blankets!

We started later than I normally do, so that everyone could get there after work.  It was almost dark before we were finished eating.  However, we still got in a couple of games of croquet and lots of corn hole.

After dinner chatting!

Lee & Ron

Marilyn & Peggy

Sweet Susie

Guy kept us entertained by his very funny stories of life as a boy, later around the fire.

Tricia and me posing it big time!  Patty showed us how to do just that!  Fun learning new tips!

Kathy posing it too!

LOL, I never have put my hand on my hip:) but that's what I was directed to do! Kathy and I took it seriously!

This weather was so wonderful...felt like a night in October.  Very refreshing after the heat of July.
We sat around the campfire listening to the men tell stories from days gone by.  Looking forward to making more memories with this group of friends.

Late Summer Getaway

This week Clyde and I are at the beach for a last minute vaca.  I love the beach on Spring break.  I actually get through the school year knowing spring, Florida, beach, Aunt Catfish', sun, ocean, are coming. This trip is a bonus week.  We are not at our time share, Islander in New Smyrna, we are in Ormond (north of Daytona) at the Maverick (a time share that we have stayed in before).  Clyde called for "last call" week for several weeks before getting this one.  This one is "older" but the rooms are fine, clean, and it is a great beach.  We are "good to go".  We began by stopping in Savannah for the day on Saturday.  We couldn't get into Paula Deen's until night, and we weren't that eager to go there.  The Wilkes House, which we really love, was not opened on Sat. so we asked a local, went down to River Walk and ate at a "pub" named the Warehouse.  Big sandwiches, fries, and cheap prices.  We ate sample pralines (bought one for later), and I found a really cool store with everything half off:)  I did need a beach house and another pair of sunglasses. 
Now we are at the Maverick.  Here are a few pics so next time we are getting a "last call" we will remember this is what it looks like.  The view at this moment is awesome.  Sitting inside the screened porch, looking over the pool, green lights just came on, pool activity is busy, then beyond that is the ocean, in full view.  Nice!

Traditional pic in front of the welcome sign!

As if either of us need it, we LOVE the free samples of pralines at the candy stores in Savannah!

We bought a salad (for the candy we sampled) and shared the grilled chicken (huge) and fries.  The Warehouse.  Good.....I believe the price was $7.99 for the sandwich and fries.

The Maverick in Ormond Beach, Fl

This is how we "roll" this week!  Rented an umbrella, 2 chairs for the week (not big enough!)  We didn't realize how small the umbrella was or he would not have gotten it.  However, honestly, it's been adequate.  We just "shift" every 15 to 20 mins.  It works!!  BTW, it was cheap and we came in the convertible without room enough to bring our shade tent.  We considered it, but this option was chosen.  So I don't complain!  Again, it works.

Our time share is a 2 BR, and this is a studio.  It is all we need. 

Small kitchen as you come in the door.

This is the back on the laying out side.  The other part is the pool.  Not enough shade so we rented the umbrella above.

This blew in this afternoon, didn't last long or amount to much here. 

We ate tonight at River Grill.  They don't have the shrimp special anymore but what we had was awesome.  After dinner, we walked out on the deck.  There we enjoyed the wildlife, an alligator lurking in the shallow water for food.  The fish were jumping several feet in the air.  Fun evening.  Thanks to my hubs for finding this week for us. 

Summertime Fun 2012

We have been spending as much time as we can at the baseball field.  Matthew was too old for t-ball so he didn't play baseball this year (he has been in gymnastics).  So, he and Maggie have run "amuck" and enjoyed many of the games.  There were 100+ degree days that none of us loved watching buddy out there running bases, but for the most part, it has been good.  Austin has improved each year and this year he was picked up on the "blue" all stars team.  He is hitting very well (as he did all season) and to date has caught two fly balls in the outfield.  He received two Barry Bond rookie baseball cards from his coach.  I kept Matthew & Maggie last weekend while mom, dad & Austin went to a tournament in Shelbyville (over Sat. night).  They go to Harrodsburg this weekend.

Today Becky had a meeting this morning and a doctor's appt. this afternoon.  The kids came in a little "slow".....like why are we here again (but of course they don't say that:)  MJ clearly didn't want to be here, but she perked up right away.  The boys walked in, sat down on the sofa with their itouch (Matthew) and DS (Austin)....electronics.  No problem, I just kept working in the kitchen.  So, MJ was "at odds".  In just a few mins. I got her busy at the table with her "pasta".  I have mentioned that several times in the past....they can play the longest time with noodles, spoons, bowls, cups, etc., just play cooking.  Today I got some yarn and showed her how to make a necklace.  She loved it.  When the boys saw hers, they wanted to make one.  So, for the next 30 mins. or so they did.  Austin took longer as he was making a pattern.....and a necklace with more noodles on it, not just the front. 

After this, they all changed into my stash of clothes (thanks to Kelly Connelley) and played outdoors with a plastic tub full of water, and cups.  They started having a water "fight" and running around throwing water in the air....I asked them to try and "hit" a few pots of flowers.  This kept me busy, refilling their tub, but they loved it.  MJ mentioned she was a little hungry, so I got out of the freezer the leftover homemade icecream (Beck made) and gave them 3 spoons.  They have never done this at nanas:) but I put them on a sheet and said "go at it".  Soon icecream was melted and all over them, a quick clean up with the water from the tub and they were at it again.  Soon they dried off, came on the patio for new coloring books & new crayons and a bite of lunch.

This all kept me busy (and bushed), but I loved having them play all "kid" activities and just having fun.  They said thank you to me for the coloring books, and told me they had a good time today.

Although the three of them keep you very busy, I love them so very much.  I hope they always know that I am here for them and that they can trust me.  I may not like everything they do, or what they may tell me, but I will listen.  I will try never to be their "judge" but give them wisdom as I know it.  Mostly, I will love them regardless.

One Of Us Turns 60!

Before I shut it down for the day, I want to blog my thoughts about Clyde's 60th birthday.  He is the one that always makes my birthday's special.  He is not easy to buy for, so I have a little more trouble with his birthdays.  A few weeks ago, I noticed how old his toiletry case was.  He mentioned he has had it for 40 years!  So, I have "sort of" looked for one.  Not seriously, but I have stopped by several places.  No one had them at this time of year.  Well, Becky goes to a leather store in Lexington Green and got him a very nice one from both she/Jason and her brother.  She also made him homemade banana ice cream and a great cake. 
So, last week I went to Shutterfly and made him a hardcover "60" memory picture book.  Of course I didn't check as to when it would come in, until I had worked two days on it.  So, even if I paid extra, it wouldn't be here by today.  I just hope it is nice and I won't blink at the rather high price tag.  Fingers are crossed:)  I also bought a couple of smaller gifts that I think he liked. 
I surprised him with a luncheon for his mom and her siblings (his aunts & uncle).  I also asked Becky to come with the children since they weren't coming to our dinner tonight.  I think the food went over well, as they complimented it many times and ate seconds/thirds.
Then tonight we went to Portofinos downtown on East Main.  He and I stopped by Thursday Night Live, then went to meet Becky & Jason K. and Jason Allen & Rosemary.  Our dinner was so relaxing.  Nothing rushed, laid back and I believe everyone enjoyed the good food. 

Uncle Sonny, Jean, CB, Joyce and Martha

A Nascar #88 Dale Jr. car, cake! 

I love this variation of the classic "pea" lettuce layer salad.  I have made it twice and really have good comments about how tasty it is.  The ham was a boneless Kroger one and everyone really liked it.  Especially the kids! To round it out, I cut up fruit for an easy salad, green beans & broccoli casserole.

Also, from the 3rd of July, I had Tricia's corn salad (in the first tall dish).

We ate inside but went on the patio for photos at Portofino's.

Geraniums can tolerate this heat...as long as you water them.  I have been watering mine daily, and the flower pots look terrible.  I should have planted geraniums!

The ladies

The next generation

Dad and his family

Clyde's fillet Mignon

Jason A. and I got this chicken/mushroom lasagna

We didn't realize the waitress knew it was a birthday, but she brought out dessert!

I believe he has enjoyed today.  I will blog another time about our July 4th at Lake Cumberland.  This was sure a nice way to begin his birthday!  Loved it!  I will also add, on the way home last night, (the night before his bday) that I asked him how it felt to be turning 6-0.  I was glad to have on sunglasses, as what he said made me a little teary.  He said something like "I didn't feel old in the 50's but saying I'm 60 makes me feel old.  Like now I'm a grandpa old"....or similar.  I always knew I wanted to grow old with Clyde; guess that's a dream come true.