Butterfly Kisses

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun
And find your shoulder to light on,
To bring you luck, happiness and riches
Today, tomorrow and beyond.
~Irish Blessing

Butterflies are self propelled flowers. ~R.H. Heinlein

Morning Walk

Just a click will enlarge the photo.

Most mornings I see the deer strolling through the neighborhood. This morning it was different. I thought I saw a little dog running friskily around the deer, but a closer look revealed a very little baby fawn with it's Mama. That little one certainly was moving fast. To me, the Mama looks very thin. She was taking her time nibbling on the bushes. What a delight to see this in the morning. Obviously, by the photo, I was not able to get the baby on film. I don't think I have seen a baby that small in the neighborhood in the past.

WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY BEAUTIFUL DAY.

Let Me Hear You Crow

Thanks to Barb, I am participating in my first blog party. Lots of roosters will be coming in their "Best Feathers". So, let's gather 'round and have a good crow!

My fine fellow doesn't know just how lucky he is. You see, he is the last (I think) fine feathered creature left in my home. He proudly rules the kitchen from his perch above the refrigerator.

I have been compelled to downsize due to lack of space and have a little less to take care of. I do not have a lot of decorating around roosters but I have always loved roosters. But, I do have a purple kitchen for him to tend to. I frequently think about the Rooster and Hen that sat on the window sill above my mother's kitchen sink. Many times I have wished that I had those special "kitchen friends".

All of the "party goers" are going to have a lot of fun looking and reading about all of our fellow rooster lover's roosters! How is that for a sentence? ? ? I'm not changing it!

Many, many of us know how easy it is to accumulate "too much stuff". So, last fall, I did a major clean-out. On three different Saturdays, I had a Gi-Normous Yard Sale. It was a Gi-Normous Success.

These photos are from the second Saturday sale. The first Saturday almost cleared the tables! So, then I started all over to fill the tables again. The sale also extended into the garage and patio. I have always taken good care of what I have and many items were in like new condition. There were many things that were at least 50 years old. Things that had been mine and also my mothers.


This was about the time that the recession was becoming a reality. I thought it was very interesting that during the first Saturday, we received several one-hundred dollar bills with request for change. The last Saturday, we were receiving rolls of quarters, dimes and nickels. Recession reality had definitely set in. The last day was almost "A Dollar Store" facsimile. But, even at that I made $300.00 in two hours before it started to rain!

Don't be concerned that I may have sold too many of "my treasures". I think I could have another sale right now if I had the strength and time. Many people were so excited with what they had purchased and I really enjoyed their reaction. It was almost non-stop people the entire time.

At times, it was almost like a big party. The first Saturday we had ice water and the last Saturday we had hot coffee. Some people came back to tell me things like how happy they were with the fabric they bought and they had recovered their dining room chair seats. Another person came back to show me a beautiful lap quilt she made for a "shut-in" with fabric she bought. My heart felt so good! ! !

Since the sale was in the fall the weather was quite unpredictable. There was hot weather and cold weather along with rainy weather. This picture was taken in between the second and third sale. The wind was so strong one evening that it blew the canopies (all three) completely upside-down and into the rose garden. Even though they were fastened together with large spring clips. I heard the noise, went out and all I could say was - - - - - (you fill in the blanks, OK). What a MESS. I guess, I would have to say that I earned every penny that I made!

The tremendous amount of work produced enough funds for payment of my property taxes!!!! It took me weeks to recover from the hard work - - - but the taxes were paid.

THANKS TO BARB FOR HER PARTY

Dilly Dahlia

No, I guess that is "Dilly-Dally"!

One thing for sure, this is a Dilly of a Dahlia.

The first Dahlia has opened in the White Garden! The name is White Alva's and it if classified as giant flower size. This blossom is already six inches across and it looks like it will be opening some more. Isn't it beautiful and lovely?

WISHING YOU A FABULOUS DAY.

Laugh At Me - It's OK

You know I like history! So, I guess I will share a little of My History with you. While at church this past week one of the hymns was "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder". And, that moment took me back in time to 1990 when I was at a church sponsored women's retreat. We were asked to prepare something for a talent show. Yes, a talent show! Now, I am not "a song and dance person" so I had to get busy and come up with something that did not include those talents.Well, this is what happened! Let me hear you laugh at me. I know you are. It's OK.

The sign says, "? Guess My Tune". Yes, that is a roll of toilet tissue on my head. And, the answer is "When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder, I'll Be There."

WISHING YOU A HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY DAY.

(One Happy wasn't enough.)

White Mosaic and Britain

Just a click will enlarge the photo.

You know how much I love my White Garden. The photos in the mosaic photo above are from my White Garden at different times of the year. It won't be long until the Sweet Autumn Clematis which is very vigorous will be blooming. I pruned it quite severely last year because there was a lot of tangling of the stems and buildup of dead thatch on the inner parts of the vine. And, it was covering about twenty feet of the fence. The clematis is the backdrop for the other white plantings and it looks so good with the shiny green leaves throughout most of the year. The fencing at right angles to the white garden is covered with fragrant Star Jasmin which joins up with the clematis at the corner of my garden. With the profusion of flowers from the Star Jasmin followed by the Clematis in late summer, it is quite lovely. Some of the white flowers in the garden are almost luminous in the early evening. Also, some of them open more widely in the late day.

I don't know what it is about a White Garden that intrigues me so much. I guess one reason could be that in the past I have read a lot about the Sissinghurst Castle Garden in Weald of Kent. This marvelous garden dates back to the 1930's when the condition of the property had become very run down and was bought by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson. At that time they started restoring the premises and began planting the garden. There was great care and planning and in 1938 it was opened to the public. The garden is actually ten separate gardens which are differentiated by walls and hedges.
Beautiful photos including this one at http://www.invectis.co.uk/sissing/sswhite.htm



One of the ten separate gardens is the White Garden which was originally planted as a Rose Garden in 1931. The Rose Garden had fallen into disarray many years prior to the new owners. However, in 1950 it was replanted and became the world famous White Garden which retained a similar landscape design of the long gone Rose Garden.


Since 1967 the property has been owned and maintained by the National Trust.

Since I enjoy history I am going to share a little more information about the property. According to the writings of Dave Parker, "The site is ancient - its name is Saxon - meaning 'clearing in the woods'. A stone manor surrounded by a moat was built in the Middle Ages. Two legs of the moat survive - a third leg originally ran where the 'Moat Walk' lawn is now. The original building was replaced in the 15th century by a large manor built by the Baker family - related by marriage to the Sackvilles of Knowle. It was let to the Government between 1756 and 1763 as a prison camp for French prisoners-of-war. The prisoners were badly treated - as was the site generally, and much was demolished."

Ten years ago, I had the fabulous opportunity to live in the south-west part of Britain for three months. I lived in a small thatched roof cottage in a tiny village that was composed of a church and a pub, as well as fantastic Manor Houses. The cottage had been updated with modern day conveniences but retained the old world charm. It was a delightful little two story home that was situated directly across from the pub. I visited many gardens while in Britain but I did not see Sissinghurst Castle Garden. However, I did attend the Chelsea Flower Show which was truly delightful!

I also went to Paris for a week during which time I visited Monet's Garden at Giverny. I will post more about Monet's Garden later when I can post some of my photos.

WISHING YOU HAPPY TRAVELS

( In your own garden or gardens of the world!)

Birthday

THANK YOU BLOGGER for the free service.

Bag It To Me

Just a click will enlarge the photos.

Another project almost completed. This is "Inga's crocheted granny square bag" and it was a lot of fun to make. The original pattern was in German which made it a little challenging. But, then it was published on the web in English. It wasn't impossible to figure out in German because there were diagrams, but English made it much easier. You can find the pattern at - http://www.stricksucht.de/anleitungen/crochetedbag.pdf

I thought it would be nice to put a lining in this bag. What do you think of the green fabric that I have in "my stash"? I really don't think that I need to go out to buy any new fabric when this fabric could "do the job".

I've been very busy doing some heavy-duty outdoor work in the garden. I managed to get a drainage line put in to drain from the down spout of the house gutters at one corner where the water in the winter was draining at the foundation. It will now drain further away from the house. It is so nice to get projects finished like this when I know that it needs to be done. The flexible drainage pipe lays in a trench under the rock.

 

By the way, all of that rock I have gathered when I am digging holes in the ground to plant something. I do not think that I will ever run out of rock! When I moved here it was just dirt (I mean mostly rock) next to the house.

The pipe attaches to a rigid drainage line that is under the new section of the sidewalk. The rigid pipe was put under the cement when the cement work was done for the garden shed which sits beside the sidewalk. In the garden shed photo you can see the drainage pipe at the lower right corner (especially when you enlarge the photo).

And then, I had all of these hoses laying across the sidewalk which was certainly a major safety hazard. So, I tunnelled an opening under the cement with a walkway tunnel set that you attach to a water hose. The water pressure forces the tunnel under the sidewalk. Then I inserted a rigid drainage pipe and threaded the hoses through the pipe under the sidewalk at the back of the garden shed. I am thrilled with the outcome. It is so neat, clean and safe.


It has still been quite hot up here in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. The evenings are generally nice and cool. I think it's time for a nice cool glass of wine!

I never have an idle day,

New ideas come my way.

Don't know yet what I'll create,

But my imagination's great.

- - - -Anoyomous

WISHING YOU A FABULOUS SUMMER EVENING.

Song Of The Flower

SONG OF THE FLOWER

--------Khalil Gibran

I am a kind word uttered and repeated
By the voice of Nature;

I am a star fallen from the

Blue tent upon the green carpet.

I am the daughter of the elements

With whom Winter conceived;
To whom Spring gave birth;
I was Reared in the lap of Summer and I
Slept in the bed of Autumn.

At dawn I unite with the breeze

To announce the coming of light;
At eventide I join the birds
In bidding the light farewell.

The plains are decorated with

My beautiful colors, and the air
Is scented with my fragrance.

As I embrace Slumber the eyes of

Night watch over me, and as I
Awaken I stare at the sun, which is
The only eye of the day.

I drink dew for wine, and hearken to

The voices of the birds, and dance
To the rhythmic swaying of the grass.

I am the lover's gift; I am the wedding wreath;

I am the memory of a moment of happiness;
I am the last gift of the living to the dead;
I am a part of joy and a part of sorrow.

But I look up high to see only the light,

And never look down to see my shadow.
This is wisdom which man must learn.

WISHING YOU A FLOWERFUL DAY.

The Time Traveler's Wife

I decided to stop in the middle of my day and go to the movies because I wanted to see The Time Traveler's Wife while it was at our local theater. For me it was time well spent. It is nice to have total diversion once in a while, especially in the middle of the day when running errands. I enjoyed it a lot. I have not read the book. It sounds as if the people that have read the book feel like the movie is very weak in its portrayal. Sometimes, I think it is better not to read the book prior to going to the movie. I hope you go see it.

Let me know what you think about it. Would you like to know what is in your future life? Do you think you would live your life differently? Is it similar to when an expected life frame is given to a terminally ill person?

Our life's a stage, a comedy:

                                                          either learn to play and take it lightly,

or bear its troubles patiently.

- - - Palladas

LIVE A LITTLE FUN TODAY.

Block By Block

Just a click will enlarge the photo.

I don't think I have showed you this nice, easy, colorful and useful little afghan that I crocheted a few months ago.

I think it is clear by now that I did a lot of handwork this past fall and winter. Don't all of us do more of it during the winter months when it can be cold and stormy outside. That may sound strange coming from a "California Girl", however, in this part of the state, we are fortunate to have four seasons. And, I really enjoy the change of seasons.

This is the first time that I have lived somewhere that gets snow in the winter. Not a lot, but just enough to make it look like a "fairyland with beautiful snowflakes drifting down". I have never had so much snow that it had to be shoveled. The road has needed clearing but the town takes care of that. This is one advantage (among many) of living close to town.

Well, today is nice and sunny - - - and warm. When the change of season comes soon, I will be ready as I usually am. Today is going to be a good day to catch-up on some errands. So, soon I will be out the door.

HAVE A FABULOUS DAY.

It's A Good Morning

Good Morning, Good Morning to you. I hope you had a good nights rest.

It's a beautiful day in the country. The temperature if perfect at this time (9:30 AM) of the day. It will probably be getting warmer by the afternoon. If it stays under 100 degrees, I am OK with that. Actually, the low 90's or anywhere in the 80's is grand.

As you can see, the Prayer Shawl is growing. Check out the first post.(http://everydaydelight09.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-project.html). I plan to make it about 60 inches long and I'm about a third of the way there. I will have to see how it looks as I go along. The measurements are really quite arbitrary. Because of the bulky yarn and straight knit stitch (versus a lace stitch) it is going to be quite heavy and comfy as a lap shawl.

Isn't that a magnificent rock the shawl is on? That part of the garden is outside my dining room window. It is an enjoyable view.

Just a click will enlarge the photos.

And, now. The gratuitous dog photo. She looks so pretty and fluffy after her bath yesterday.

ENJOY THE SUMMER DAY AND HAVE SOME FUN.

Saturday Night Bath

Well, not quite. Actually, I mentioned it last week on Friday and today is Tuesday. It is just an example of how I live my days spontaneously! Finally I stopped working on the garden and computer long enough to give Lily her much needed bath. I'm surprised that the first photo before she had the bath doesn't show her looking as dirty as I thought she looked! One thing for sure, she is going to smell nice and fresh.

She has that all-knowing look of what is about to come. She truly is a good dog. She never resists and seems to trust me completely.

Before Lily came into my life, I had a darling little (7 pounds) Yorkshire Terrier for sixteen years who was named Pixie. When she had a bath she would shake the entire time and was so little that she looked like a "little wet rat", but a cute rat! Lily is just enough larger that I don't think of that when I give her a bath.

She loves to get dried-off because she also gets her back and thighs rubbed which she likes anytime.

Now the fun begins when she runs and runs around to get dry.

A clean dog is a happy dog.

HUG YOUR DOG TODAY.

Has School Started

---in your neighborhood?


In time past (and not all that long ago) it seemed as though school started about the same time of year no matter where you lived in the United States. How times change, and they keep a changing! They say (whoever they are) that change is good. You be the judge.


When the school bus starts going by my house every weekday, I can be sure the kids are saying "Darn, summer is over". Perhaps, they say it a little more colorful!

And, now it means homework every evening if you want to get good grades. That is another change from times past. I do not remember homework until going to high school. I think some homework is good. But, all to often, it seems it takes hours every evening just to keep up!


Just my two cents worth. It's probably not worth more than that!


PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY
AND WATCH OUT FOR CHILDREN.

The Prophet

For many years, I have enjoyed the writings of Kahlil Gabran pronounced (Ha-lil) ( Joo-bran) who lived from 1883 to 1931. He was a Lebanese born poet, philosopher and artist. I first became acquainted with his writings when I somehow had the opportunity to read his 1923 writing "On Children" about the time my own children were trying to formulate their own life journey. That is not an easy time in a mothers life. This is the poem:

ON CHILDREN

Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let our bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

---------------Kahlil Gabran

"The Prophet" is written in a very lyrical and simple style which makes it very readable. I characterize it as having little vignettes of his thoughts on various topics from birth to death.

I hope you enjoy reading this poem.

HUG YOUR CHILDREN AND LET THEM FLY.

A New Project

Knitters understand that you do not have to finish a project before you start another! I think that can be said about all crafting. The thrill seems to be in the planning, visualizing, dreaming and of course the shopping for the yarn. In this case I had the yarn and I am happy about that.

I am always amazed when I meet someone who would not think of preparing for another project until they have finished the project they already have started. I haven't met many of them but they do exist! Just imagine - - - - - no stash.

"Shawls ... made for centuries universal and embracing, symbolic of an inclusive, unconditionally loving, God. They wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace, mother, hug, shelter and beautify. Those who have received these shawls have been uplifted and affirmed, as if given wings to fly above their troubles..." Written in 1998 by: Janet Bristow Copyright ©2009


She also writes "Shawls can be used for: undergoing medical procedures; as a comfort after a loss or in times of stress; during bereavement; prayer or meditation; commitment or marriage ceremonies; birthing, nursing a baby; bridal shower or wedding gift; leading ritual; first menses or croning rites of passage; during an illness and recovery; ministering to others; graduation, birthday, anniversary, ordination, holiday gifts; or just socializing...there are endless possibilities!"

I don't usually work with bulky weight yarn. The advantage to bulky weight yarn is that it is faster and especially nice for a project like this. The yarn color is Tahoe Multi in Red Heart Light & Lofty. The number three is significant in the Shawl Ministry so I have added three ( four row) strips of the color green at the beginning and I will repeat it at the other end. I am using a regular knit stitch and letting the variegated yarn colors create the pattern. This is a lot easier than a lace pattern, wouldn't you say? Oh, I may put a green fringe at each end,too.
It is certainly a good TV watching project.

I must run, the dog needs a bath.

In between goals is a thing called life,

that has to be lived and enjoyed.

---------Sid Caesar

LIVE A LITTLE LIFE AND REMEMBER TO SHARE.

Decisions Decisions

It's happening - - - - the catalogs for next years season are starting to come in with a flurry. All of these came today! I don't know how much, or if any, I will be ordering this year. There are some very exotic and interesting plants available that I would sure like to try.

Look at this tulip - - - It sure looks like an ice cream cone to me! Yum, yum.
So many beautiful flowers. It is amazing to me what the hybridizers are able to accomplish. Of course, I realize some of them take years to perfect to their standards. They are gorgeous!

One plant that caught my attention as I was flipping through the catalogs is the White Allium which I would like to plant in my White Garden. We will just have to wait and see what I can do with my money.


However, here is something that I know I am going to be planting in a day or so. Yesterday, I was looking for some plain ordinary carrot seeds. They only had these Purple Haze carrot seeds. I thought that is going to be fun. Another lady was also looking for carrot seeds at the same time. She said that she had grown the same kind of carrots in the past and that they were very good. It will be fun to have this color winter carrots!


You know what? My house has become a MESS during the past two months. And, I imagine you probably know why. Yes, it is called writing and reading blog addiction! Do you know of a meeting that I can go to?

One thing about living alone, housework can wait if you can tolerate the mess until you finally get to it. With the summer garden maintenance and everything else I was already doing, the addition of "The Computer" has made me a very very busy person. I guess I can't get into too much trouble that way.

HAPPY EVERYTHING DELIGHTFUL.

TWO

MONTH BLOGIVERSARY TODAY!

I Am Making Cards

And - - - I have a helper. I think a lot of crafting bloggers are familiar with the little Pointy Kitty. She was very popular with crafters a few years ago.

The pattern was graciously shared by Hillary Lang at http://weewonderfuls.typepad.com/wee_wonderfuls/downloads/Pointy-Kitty-Pattern.pdf

These cards are a lot of fun to make and could not be much easier. One of my friends did not know that I made the one I sent to her. She thought that I bought it. That was a nice compliment! As you can see I have just printed out some of the photos that I have posted on the blog.

And plain white cards and envelops are the only other items that you need. Oh, also I used little double-sided adhesive squares to adhere the photos to the cards. Yes, very easy.

It is not length of life, but depth of life.

---Ralph Waldo Emerson

HAVE A GRAND DAY, it's nice and comfortable here compared to days past.