Come Rain or Shine

Here are a few pictures I've taken over the past few days...


My little boy, Caleb, who is no longer a little boy. He will celebrate his 14th birthday in July. I'm already looking forward to that post! He took over all of the mowing last year. This picture was taken a few days ago (a day the rains held off in the morning only to rain minutes after he finished mowing) when he decided to mow diagonally for the first time. We were all impressed with the very straight diagonal lines. Not an easy thing as you dodge trees and landscaping!



This is my oldest and dearest garden statue. I bought her right after we moved into our house. I've never brought her in during the winters and as you can see, she's very weathered. Her little skirt has held tea candles when evening guests were arriving and bird seed to feed our favorite woodland friends. This year, there's a chipmunk that has the audacity to perch himself on top her pretty little head. The lavender was given to me by our dear friend, Adam (Mrs. Nagy's brother) three years ago. He's our favorite bee keeper, you know. We have fallen in love with providing beautiful flowers to our bee friends. Our five little lavender plants have grown into a huge lush patch which provides a stunning backdrop for the Stella Dora day lillies. We're just waiting for the rains to end so our bee friends can come and feast. I'll try and take pictures. It's an amazing sight!



Stella Dora Day Lillies and Lavender...what a gorgeous combination



We went to my sister-in-love's house last Thursday so the kids could swim for the first time. It's the first time this year because it's been raining (as I've mentioned now at least fifty times). The pool water was 71 degrees. I think the kids kept saying, through chattering teeth, "It's not too bad once you get used to it!" Mmmm hmmm. The bucket above, used to wash feet before entering the pool, was much warmer. As you can see, Rachel decided to take a dip in the bucket in order to try and warm-up. I made her stay there just so I could take this picture. Someday she'll be happy I took this! For now, I am absolutely certain that never in my lifetime have I ever been able to fit into a five-gallon bucket. Never.



Rachel's first French manicure. Some time ago, Rachel developed a bad habit of peeling her fingernails (otherwise, she's perfect). She doesn't bite them, she peels them. A little while back I told her if she let her nails grow out, I'd give her a French manicure. Incredibly, that was all the motivation she needed to stop her peeling habit. A few days before this picture was taken, we met with a wonderful piano teacher who spent a lot of time asking Rachel questions and evaluating her progress. She ended our time together by mentioning to Rachel that she might want to cut her nails since they would interfere with her piano playing. We just looked at one another and giggled. French manicure first. Nails shortened a little later...by clippers, not peeling. Oh, that sends shivers up my spine.

Tomorrow is Wonderful Wednesday. Lord willing, the Sisters-in-Love will gather with the all the cousins to spend the day together. What fun we share together, come rain or shine.


P.S. I'm already feeling so much better than yesterday. It's amazing what some homemade chicken soup will do along with love and hugs and wonderful friendships.