HippieDog

she dreams in color......

 

Gardening is good for the soul. Believe me, I've been doing a lot of weeding and planting for a few weeks now. If you ever need to get away, set your mind at ease.....plant a garden. Don't you love sun dials? I'm amazed that they really do work! Have you ever read one? Amazing! I hope you enjoy the photos and have yourself a sweet little weekend.

 

A basket full of pansies. In Utah these will look lovely in some sun/part shade from April thru October.

Clay pots will soon spill over with pansies and alyssum. Lots of Myrtle ground cover, so much that it's hard to see the cute little cottage white flower cart underneath.

 

Pretty in Pink

 

A welcoming path...................

 

Hundreds of white blooms on this ground cover, great for rock gardens.

 

Hanging baskets add so much charm to a home. Hung from a large rustic hook on the front of the house.

 

Feathery grass, great for Utah landscaping.

 

My Mother's Day gift. I've had my eye on this frog fountain for awhile---it's just the sweetest little thing.

 

I love flower baskets......bet you couldn't tell? Great for attracting butterflies. Well, and unfortunately too many bees.

 

Bird watching and popsicle eating.

 

Little love bird sitting in a tree.

 

Our blue skies are filling with clouds. A storm is on the way for the weekend. Do you ever see shapes in the clouds? This week we found a lion and a pig.

 

Every porch needs one of these. Sorry, but he's taken.

 

Oh Summertime, you're almost here. I'm ready!

 

Waiting for the hummingbirds. My mom makes the best nectar, the hummingbirds did say.

Hummingbird Nectar

1 cup sugar
4 cups boiling water

Boil water, measure 4 cups and add sugar. Stir until completely dissolved. Cool. Pour in covered pitcher and refrigerate until ready to use. Replace nectar weekly, while keeping your feeder nice and clean. Nectar will keep for one week.

 

Gardening is hard work but the rewards are endless. I'll be back with more pictures and some yummy summertime recipes. Today is just for the birds..........

don't wish your life away........

 Aunt Ruth always said, "Shelly, don't wish your life away". I'd always start each day with......."Oh, I can't wait for Friday! I can't wait for this, I can't wait for that! What was I thinking! Cherish each and every single day.....and that's just what I'll do.

Thanks Aunt Ruth for being the best Aunt ever along with being a grandmother, second mom and best friend to me. I miss you so much, I know you're out of pain and in a better place.

Thanks for always being there for me, someone to talk to and helping with with EVERYTHING! I could have never raised those little boys by myself, thanks for babysitting and buying us groceries.

Most of all, thanks for taking me on countless walks when I was little. Keeping me safe from the water in the ditches (we'd walk in the middle of the road). For buying me Kiddles, my first record player and having special sleep overs eating Colonel Chicken on TV trays---while always listening to 8-tracks of Engelbert Humperdinck (Aunt Ruth's favorite singer). I miss you..........

 

November 8, 1917 - May 11, 2009

where troubles melt like lemon drops

Taking a little blog break, be back in a few weeks.

'Ono Hawaiian Haystacks

 

One of our favorite dinners. Simple and fun to make :) You could make a family theme dinner night. Complete with leis, grass hula skirts and Hawaiian music. Don't forget the Tiki candles :)

Hawaiian Haystacks

2-3 cups cooked chicken cut in bite size pieces (we use rotisserie chicken)
4 cups chicken gravy prepared
2 cans cream of chicken soup (dilute with 1/2 can water)
1/3 package Lipton onion soup mix
pepper to taste
1 TB corn starch
peas
sliced olives
pineapple chunks
colby/jack shredded cheese
chow mien noodles
prepared rice
soy sauce

Combine cooked chicken, prepared gravy, onion soup mix, pepper and cream of chicken soup in crock pot. Cook all day on low or a few hours on high heat. Before serving, mix 1 or 2 TB corn starch with a splash of water and stir. Add to gravy mixture until thickened.

Build your haystack by layering rice, gravy and toppings. So many more to choose from---sliced almonds, green chilies, sour cream, sprouts, coconut, water chestnuts, green onions. Whatever you like! The toppings listed above are our favorites---we're not too adventurous :)

 

a hui hou..........

bubbles.......

 

Nothing like an afternoon filled with blowing bubbles........

 

Jake received a special package a few days ago from Grandma and Grandpa. He sure did love the Bubble Wrap.......provides hours of free fun!

 

A special tiger hand made by Great Grandmother........Jake loves Kitty Cats :) Thank you!

 

It will go perfect in his room, a work in progress. This photo, courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens kids rooms, is our inspiration room. I will be using this color combination, adding molding to Jake's chalkboard wall and a Teepee would be fun! I'll probably replace the wording "Camp" with Jake's name.

 

We'll certainly be adding Jake's artwork, including his new fish painting.

 

Have a beautiful week! Blow some bubbles and make a wish before they pop :)