Friday, May 30, 2008

WELCOME TO WEIRD OBJECT FRIDAY

It is almost that time of year. Old as it is, I never found another that works better.
I actually have two and they come in very useful.
Any guesses???

Thursday, May 29, 2008

FLOWERS, FLOWERS, AND MORE FLOWERS

Everything is starting to bloom. I absolutely love this time of year. This rhododendrum was planted by our builder 16 years ago in the front of the house. It didnt like all that sunshine. We tucked it back in the shade and it is now very happy.
These came courtesy of my daughter for Mother's Day.
This is a new addition to Alex's memorial garden.
This is new too. Don't know what it is, but I liked the look of it. Anybody know???
The double columbine are starting to open. I hope everyone is having a good day!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Tuesday storm

Started the night just enjoying the backyard. The honeysuckle is finally starting to grow up the trellis.
My indigo is going strong.
The yarrow is coming alive.
Then, out of nowhere, a storm came across the backyard. Thunder and lightening. The dogs were not thrilled.

But the interesting thing--it wasn't raining yet on the ground,but my camera picked it up. The pictures looked like snowflakes. I wish it was 34 instead of 85 degrees.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Nice weekend

We had a delightful holiday weekend. Spent Saturday at my brother's. He made a paella dinner which is his traditional Mother's Day meal. I was away camping that weekend and he was kind enough to make it for us Saturday. It was a delicious meal. We had our usual political discussions following the meal. We have to have neutral conversation while eating. House rules. But afterwards. WHEW. My older brother(not the one hosting the event) is very much a liberal and my uncle is a staunch Republican. Everyone is usually well informed and likes to debate. It always makes for an interesting, fun-loving evening. Good food, good family, good times. Thanks, Bob

Saturday, May 24, 2008

BUSY DAY IN THE IRISH HOUSEHOLD

Bailey is taking Puppy lessons at Pet Smart. She was a little skittish last week and the instructor suggested my daughter take her into the store throughout the week to lessen her anxiety. So, we went on an adventure today. She was still a little scared but better than last week.
My husband finished the basement bathroom. We are redoing the basement and redid the bathroom. He put in the cabinet, tub, toilet and I did the floor. I think it looks great. Just need to find the right shower curtain and we are ready to go.
The indigo are getting closer.
And finally, my husband tilled and I planted our veggies for this year. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, zucchini, watermelon and cucumbers. We also have sage, dill, chives, parsley, oregano, and rosemary.
I think we are both done. Happy with the results though. Everyone, have a good night!

Friday, May 23, 2008

Weird Object Friday 5.23.08

My object this week is not a weird one, but a treasured one. It was one of my mother's rosaries. My Uncle Bernard gave this to her when he visited the Vatican. The word rosary actually means "Crown of Roses" and it is said that each "Hail Mary" prayed gives her a rose and each rosary completed gives her a crown of roses. The interesting thing about this rosary is that it is made of roses and the aroma is very intense(still after many years).


Sunday, May 18, 2008

Weekend Update

The indigo is closer to blooming than I thought. I don't know what it is about this flower that I like so much. It intrigues me for some reason. It has tall stems with delicate bluish-purple small blooms. The color is just calming and spiritual to me.
Alex's flower bed is starting to come out. The double blossom columbine at the top of the blog will soon be blooming.
I got a new camera and was experimenting. I am not a good photographer and was looking for a camera that was idiot proof. I think I found it.
My husband starting opening up the pool.
We started weeding in the pond area. This is closed off from the dogs. Just a little place to meditate and get away from everything. I love reading here. I planted it in memory of my mother. My brothers and I were given the opportunity to be raised by a wonderful woman. She once gave all four of us the same tee shirt. It said "Mom loves me best". That is how she made all of us feel. I'll post a picture when it blooms. It is full of color and is bordered by four lilac bushes which were her favorite flowers.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

PUPPY PROGRESS

The dogs endlessly love to play in the backyard.

Flynn is six and finally got his first haircut this week.
Riley is still the disciplinarian, but Bailey likes to cuddle up next to him.
I really did mean endlessly!
Bailey is 3 months old. She is 15 lbs. We are hoping she grows into her ears. She jumps right in to play with the big boys. They wrestle away, and she usually ends up with the prize. She has brought a lot of sunshine into the house along with her owner.

Friday, May 16, 2008

WEIRD OBJECT FRIDAY

ANYBODY PLAY WITH ONE OF THESE WHEN YOU WERE A KID???

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Happy Mother's Day!

Had a delightful Mother's Day weekend. My husband and I went camping and came home Sunday to work around the yard. Mulched and weeded. I have mostly perennials but purchased a few annuals to add some immediate color. The indigo that I love so has grown to about 18" tall. No flowers yet, too early, but they look promising.
These are some of the annuals I added for immediate color.
I am really pleased with the front entry.
My daughter surprised me with flowering up the back porch and adding the bistro table below.

Happy Mother's Day everyone.

Friday, May 9, 2008

IT'S ANOTHER WEIRD FRIDAY

I was searching through family treasures trying to find an object I had seen many years ago to post for today's weird object. I found this true treasure instead.
This is a Bible I thought was just my husband's grandfathers's. We have a trunk full of letters that Pop-Pop wrote in WWI. There are postcards and letters full of history. But if you look closely, this Bible was given to a C. J. Jennings on his way to fight in the Civil War. It was given to him in 1861. You can track his promotions from the entries on the front cover. The last noted from him is 1865. It mentions "invalided".
There are disintegrating flowers or grasses (not ones being pressed) that appear to mark special passages. I don't know which owner marked the passages.

Charles Godwin Irish was Pop-Pop, my husband's grandfather. He evidently was given this Bible on May 24, 1917. From the letters in the trunk that I have read, he kept this with him during his stint in World War I. My daughter discovered through a genealogy search that Mr. Jennings was probably Pop-Pop's maternal grandfather. His mother was Altona Jennings born in 1867 so we know her father, the original owner of the Bible, survived. Can't you just imagine all this Bible has been through?



This poem was found tucked in the Bible, is it familiar to anyone?

You flew your flag for the men who drown; You fought the undertow beneath;You sought the service- not the crown; You won, but did not wear, the wreath;And when that last wave beat you down You gripped your colors in your teeth.



This was referenced: Anyone know its significance? I don't so if it makes sense with what we have found let me know. Thanks, Gerry


Rebekah's brother's name was Laban and the name of Abigail's husband was Nabal, which is simply Laban reversed. The 19th chapter of II. Kings and the 37th chapter of Isaiah are alike with the exception that verse 15 of the former compromises verses 15 and 16 of the latter. http://www.newadvent.org/bible/2ki019.htm .... Kingshttp://www.newadvent.org/bible/isa030.htm..... Isaiah

Friday, May 2, 2008

IT'S ANOTHER WEIRD OBJECT FRIDAY


HOW WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ONE OF THESE
FOR A TREAT?

A SCORPION LOLLIPOP
A TEQUILA WORM DELIGHT

I got these lollipops on my trip to Austin. All over Austin, cars have bumper stickers that say "Keep Austin Weird." Now I know why.