Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Happenings

Hello All!

What a month or so we have had!  Surgery for a brother-in-law, a bad fall for my brother, gout for me, and carpal tunnel surgery and dentistry for my hubby, E.  Now recoveries for all, thank goodness.      But also, happy things, of course.  Gorgeous flowers abound, the weather has been beautiful, patio loafing for me, a niece visiting, and our 51st anniversary.
We, of course, had a nice dinner out with our grandson, and a nice relaxing day, overall!  My hubby loves all things farm, so we went for a ride and found a neighbor's yard, with a few farm items used as decorations. 
A
n old plow, which would have to be




 horse driven,  a seat from some kind of farm implement,  a riding plow, wagon wheels, etc.  He got out of the car, and told me what each one was, and reminisced about our time on the farm.  He loved that time of our life, as did I.   We love to talk about those times, the animals, gardens, haying, neighbors, etc.  We still have contact with some of them.  The neighbors, that is.  That was such a simple life,  having a pot luck dinner with friends and neighbors,  ice skating, sliding with the kids, walking the dogs in the fields, milking a cow, and making butter, and homemade ice cream, helping to hay, birthing a calf, chickens, and a million more things.  Oh, I miss it even more when I talk about it.  And I know he misses it even more.  










































Even that old red pump brings back memories, tho we didn't have one.  Aren't memories wonderful??  Yes, they are.  And photos.  Maybe one day I will get some of our farm photos out and write a post about those days.  It was such fun!!  Hard work, but fun.  

Well, now you've heard what I have been doing for the past month or so.  What have you been up to? Any crochet or knit projects?  I am ready to put together the long-awaited purple afghan for my grandaughter.   So I had better get busy.  

See you all........Later...........JO

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Happy Spring from Arizona, USA

Hello all you good friends out in blogland!  

I've b

een out driving around to the store, appointments, and such and I have seen the most gorgeous cactus flowers, trees, and such in the area.  

Since
 I don't have much of a green thumb for flowers, anyway, I so admire yards with lovely plantings and  pretty flowers.   If I could have raised beds, I would love to have some flowers and vegetables, but that is not possible right now,  so I really enjoy seeing what others do with their yards.  

And I have to be satisfied with 




my potted plants.  Which is fine.  Maybe I will get some for Mother's Day, and plant them.  

But in the meantime, I am enjoying  our rides where we can see the beautiful works of  Mother Nature, God, and neighbors!  Some go to a lot of work to pretty up their yards.  It is a lot of work, or maybe just picking the right plants for our dry, hot region.  

Many, are satisfied with pots of flowers, even vegetables, but even then, you have to be vigilant in keeping the plants moist enough, or they will shrivel up and die, as mine have.  Haha.  

Some of the region's trees, even tho they may not necessarily flower, are beautiful.  

I don't know the names of the different cactus, but this one has unusual blossoms, don't you think?  

And I thought this was striking with the white flowers on the cactus, and then the Bougainvillea in the background against the house. 


I had to stop the car and get a few photos in this yard, as they had really done a nice job of it!  The cactus, dressed up with their little hats and scarves, the metal road runners, and the petunias spilling out of large, overturned pots.  

Really, gorgeous!  



And the soft pink flowers of this bush.  
On my way out of the yard, I noticed these old cowboy boots under the ladder.  Nice touch, eh?  



Lastly, a different kind of cactus with white flower spikes coming out of the top.  I had never noticed one of these before, so I was fascinated with it.  

I really must learn more about the cactus in this area, their names and flowers, etc.  I am not good at that.  Too much to remember!  
Well, maybe I will learn........  Later........JO.  
P.S.  I really hope you enjoyed my tour of Arizona beauty!