Dogs Cats and a Kid

I'm using green, because we don't have much of it here, with the 100 degree heat and no water falling from the sky.

A few days ago, Skylar decided to show off, 

how short she is, so she put a wig on, that I found in some 'stuff' from an auction...

Then she coaxed Huckleberry to sit still

and model the wig.  He is a grouchy almost 13 year old dog, but he puts up with her foolishness without complaining.

I finally coaxed this silly thing

to sit still long enough to show you 

his stripes.  His dad must be a 

Siamese because his mother is a 

Red Tabby.

Look at his ice blue eyes.

The backs of his ears are the tabby color, too.  He wouldn't turn his head afraid I might

grab him, and I would, if I had on heavy leather gloves and lots of band aids.

And last but not least, is BuddyBoo

the miniature Doxie eating watermelon.

not a great photo, but it's hard feeding him and getting a good shot at the same time.

BTW, the cats had just been eating corn on the cob, before I started snapping photos.

Around here, you never know what they'll eat, and this was some corn someone else fixed, and it was not as sweet as the Candy Corn we like to eat.

LEGACY ROAD by Graham Garrison

Published by Kregel Publications
215 pages

This is the story of secrets, each person in this story has a secret, whether small or large.
Wes Watkins is a free lance reporter, who is in his late 20s and unmarried. His parents had divorced when he was young, his father had ended up in prison.
He is dating  Emmy Stewart, a nurse who is in the service, and will soon go back to training to return to Afghanistan for another tour of duty.  When Wes asked her to marry him, she wasn't ready.  She had not yet told him her secret.
Janet, Wes's mother, also has a secret, which she hopes Wes never finds out about.
Ron, Wes's father has also been keeping a secret, but he wants a reconciliation with his son, to make up for the time he's spent in prison, and not been a father...

This is not a story with one main character, but a story where all of the characters interact, and keep you guessing about what is about to happen.
There are very few books that I would read again, but this is one of the few that I will.
It is very  intriguing, and I think anyone who loves a believable story, would really enjoy this book.   I could have sat down and read it in one setting, it is that good.

I received this book from Kregel Publications for my honest review.  No other compensation was given.  I am not required to give a positive review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

Skylar's idea

Shawn is her best friend's little brother, he is 4, and a typical little brother, into her stuff.
She was afraid that he'd use up the milk bath we made for her friend, so she asked if she could make him some blueberries and cream milk bath.  He LOVES blueberries, eats them like candy.  So she went back to the soap closet, brought out the blueberries and cream oil, and went to work.  I helped her measure, but she tinted it blue, and mixed it all together, until she got it the shade she wanted.  Then she tells me that Shawn only gets half of it, the rest is hers, lol.  And she wants hers in a pretty jar like we put her friend's in, for her birthday.....
So yesterday, my house smelled of blueberries, and the day before, it was chocolate...and today, blueberries again, because they've already requested muffins for when they arrive.
I don't use the little girl's name, since it is very unique, and I'm not wanting to identify the family, without permission.  Shawn is a pretty common name, so I don't worry about that one.

More fun Crafting

Skylar is truly all girl, she loves Jewelry as much as her mimi does.  I've always been a jewelry hound, and love digging through old boxes. I can spend hours just looking.

Well, her best friend's birthday is this coming weekend, and she wanted something to give her for her birthday, that was different.  So we dug through some 'findings' I had purchased over the years, and made 2 of every creation, because you know best friends have to have identical

jewelry..

Here are the finished products.

The teal heart chain, I bought, with some black bead chain several years ago, before Skylar was even born, I think there was something like 8 ft of it.  We cut two of them, then put clasps on those.

The silver chain, I got 6 ft of it, and put the ends on it, found an old pair of dangles from a pair of earrings, and made identical necklaces.  The dangles have mother of pearl on lucite.  

I did make Skylar an extra 'dangle' for her chain, out of semi precious beads I'd purchased at the same time I bought the heart chain.


Then Skylar tells me that her friend loves my homemade milk bath salts. So we go to the soap closet, and start digging through the fragrance oils I have in stock.  After sniffing every one, Skylar decided on 'deep dark chocolate' fragrance.  We measured and mixed the ingredients, had the whole house smelling of chocolate, tinted it a light peach, and put it into a cute candle jar.  Skylar said now her friend wouldn't be asking for her stash of milk bath.

Now with a few pair of 'flip flops' to add to the gift, and a cute box for storing the jewelry, I think the friend will be quite pleased.

Oh What Fun

Recently while in our local Wal-Mart, one of the CSRs told us that the 4 baskets in the front, everything in them was $1.00, no matter what they were marked.

And if you know me, you know there is nothing I like better than a bargain...

So I sorted through and found 2 hand towels, nice ones, some magic markers, 8 in a package, and several other things...Including 2  

RED TOOLBOX

building kits.  

They were regular about $10.00, and I knew the grandkids would be here during the summer, needing something to work on, so I grabbed them.

Skylar asked this morning, could we put the birdhouse together, and Stephen could help us.

I said sure, and after making a pattern of all the pieces, just in case we wanted to make more of them,

 we started.

Stephen found something more interesting, in about 10 minutes, but Skylar

kept working.  I didn't get pictures of it before or as we were putting it together,

 but here is just before she started painting it.

her choices of colors

and no, she isn't showing her finger, lol, shes showing me the blue

as she started painting.

Working away, to get it just as she wants it.

Finished and dry.

And we already have a renter.

See her checking out the inside.

And sitting on the chimney singing her heart out.

Come back another day to see if there are eggs inside.

Also, we have a treasure chest to do, later on.

Speaking of eggs, the lizard eggs are hatched, and all

are gone, I checked late yesterday afternoon and

nothing there anymore.  I sure wanted photos of them, but

it didn't happen.

LUCY COME HOME by Dave & Neta Jackson

If you have read any of the Yada Yada Prayer Group Series, you are familiar with Dave and Neta Jackson's writing.
This is the first book in their new series, A Yada Yada Journey of Hope. This book  introduces the reader to Lucy Tucker, a resident of Manna House Shelter. The book goes back and forth between the present time and the 1940s to better give the reader a sense of Lucy's history and past.
Lucy's family packs up and moves to Michigan to harvest sugar beets, when the end of the depression and the dust bowl cause them to leave their home in Arkansas.  She meets a young man, son of the owner of a carnival, and soon, circumstance puts them on the run, for their lives.
Lucy is now 80 years old and still lives on the streets in Chicago.  Why, after all these years is she still on the streets.  



I enjoyed this book and really liked the insight it gave me on life right after the depression.  Also, it gave me more insight about life on the streets, and why some people choose that life.  I'd give it 4 stars.


I received this book to read and review from Litfuse.  No other compensation was given.  I am not required to give a favorable review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

Wildflowers from Winter by Kate Ganshert

When Bethany Quinn left home she never looked back, trying to leave her memories of her childhood behind.  She hadn't been home for 10 years, and was working in Chicago, when the call came that her grandfather had a heart attack, so she packed a bag and went to visit him.  While there she made contact with her best friend from childhood, only to find that Robin's husband was dying.
Ending her visit, she goes back to Chicago, only to discover her boyfriend of several years was moving to GA for a job, and that she was being left go from her job at an architectural firm because of the economy.
Then her grandfather dies, so back to the farm, where his farmhand inherits the house and 10 acres, and she gets 500 acres of farmland, which she doesn't want.

I'd give this book 4 stars, it is well written and entertaining.
I was given this book to read and review, by Waterbrook Press.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed are my own, and I'm not required to give a positive review.

Cradle me, please!

My daughters are both grown, with half grown children of their own, but I still remember when they were young, and would want something for their dolls. Julie wanted a cradle for her baby doll, like big sis had.  The people in the tax prep place we used had bought Kim one, when she was about 4, but it got stolen, when we moved down here.  So 'Mr P' (copying Nana Diana here) decided to build both girls a cradle....instead of purchasing one at the store, it would be cheaper.
At that time we didn't have a lot of  power tools,but did have a hand saw, an electric saw, sandpaper, this was before the battery powered tools came along.. so we.  started off with those...Then hubby decided that he needed a table saw...and Sears had one on sale, of course.  So, 5 days later, and about $400 poorer, we owned a table saw.  Cradles were built, and actually both are still around. Younger daughter's cradle is in the shop, needs re-gluing .
That has been the story of our building things..I wanted a grandmother clock, so instead of buying one and finishing it out, we spent several hundred dollars on a turning lathe, a planer, and another table saw.  A band saw came next, along with an edger, clamps and  then we had to enlarge the shop to hold all this..

We have built many pieces of furniture over the years.  Each child received an oak blanket chest when they married.  They can be used as a coffee table, but are large enough to hold several quilts and blankets.  We built 3 of those.  .And so it goes. 3 entertainment units, end tables, computer desks,  so I guess the tools have paid for themselves many times over, but the shock of $200 dollar cradles floored me that first time.

A bit disappointed, but I'll survive

One of the stores had the I pad type things, but not a big brand, on sale, daughter got one, and I was going to have her pick me up one, but they were out when she went back.  She said they had another one, only $10 higher, she's going to research and see if it has good reviews, if so then I will have her pick it up. I can download books to it, and read, then won't have a huge stack like I gave to the church about 2 months ago.  And  there is still a stack here, that I haven't done anything with.  Yes, I know, I said I was taking a break, and I am, but I can get books from library, with this device.

I finally got a haircut today, I was beginning to need dog tags, and have had a heck of a time getting a decent cut.  I called the shop my friend had told me about, and they do walk ins, so off I went.  15 minutes later, my head was much lighter, and my bushy eyebrows were hacked back.  And they are cheaper than any other shop in town even with  a decent tip..  They don't do colors and stuff  she has allergies, and doctor told her she had to quit, so they did.  I like them, and will be going back.

Then I stopped by the 'new' fabric shop in town, it has been there awhile, but I'd never gone inside.  It is owned by a lady who I have known for approximately 25 years.  We found that she could be my sis, her mother and mine are both JUST alike..no need to explain that to most of my friends.
I purchased 2 pieces of fabric to make a baby quilt with, now I have to figure out who is going to have a baby, lol.   I got something that I feel will be suitable for both sexes.  I'll post some photos in a few days, when I wash the fabric.

My fridge quit making ice yesterday, and we ran out...would never happen in December, would it?  Anyway, daughter and son in law stopped by and got about 8 pounds from the ice maker at our church and brought it when they came to pick up Skylar.  This morning, still not making ice...then about an hour later, I heard it kick in and start working.  Guessing something was stuck.  Glad to have it working, even though I hate this fridge, it is a side by side and I'll never have another of them.  But I need a new dishwasher worse than I need a new fridge.

Just chattering to myself

Mother lizard is taking care of her eggs, and I'm leaving her alone, except to water around that area.  I read they need moisture to keep from drying out the eggs.

2 grandkids here today, both of them are 9, and without the older one, they get along really well. 

They ordered chocolate gravy and biscuits with eggs.  Skylar likes her eggs scrambled, and Jd wants his runny in the middle.  

Most of you know that I've been reviewing books for over 2 years.  I love reading, and love being able to get free books, without going to the library to pick them up..

My only problem, there are so many books and so little time.   And with summer here, I don't have enough time to read all that are offered.  So, I'm finishing up the ones in the stack, then I'm taking a break until fall.

I won't say I will not accept any books at all, but I'm  making myself cut back.

Yes, the cats are still eating Cantaloupe...

Just some of my favorite pictures of the Princess and Jd.

And one of Stephen and his 'dummy'.

A Little of This, and a Bit of That

 I moved a trash bag a little while ago, that was full of aluminum cans.

Here is what was under it. Mother wasn't happy, can you see her curled

around 2 of the eggs.  There are 6 tiny eggs in that nest.  She is a striped lizard.

I put the bag right back over them, hoping she won't abandon the nest.

I also managed a shot of the white kitten, he couldn't find me.

His eyes are still blue.  And I've spotted a smoke colored one, just a glimpse, so not sure about the full color scheme.

Some of the Cannas out beside the fence, I'll have orange ones later.

I needed something for the Morning Glories to run on, and this old chair was

sitting beside the trash pile, to be burned.  It is broken, so figured it would make

a good stand.

Bell Pepper, I see several in the garden, so I'll keep Watering.

I love old houses, this is about 1/4 mile away, as we were doing about 40 miles an hour, on our trip 

home on Sunday.  I'd spotted it on Saturday, so made sure I took my camera.

I imagine this is similar to my GG Grandfather's home, back in the 1850s.

 School at Shirley AR, this is over the main highway through town.  A very HILLY area, so they

built where they had level ground.  I was surprised to find that the community was 

only established in 1919, most of the area is quite a bit older.

Almost home, this is the Arkansas River about 4 miles from our home.

The little trip on Sunday was quite eventful.  We almost didn't make it up one of the

curvy hills, pulling the trailer loaded with Air Compressor trailer.

Then had a blow out, 45 or so miles from home.  We limped it home, since the wheel didn't touch the ground, only to have the 2nd tire on that side go flat in the yard, right after we arrived home.

So I've shared all the excitement with you, except the sapphire ring I got at the auction.

I did take it to the Jeweler, and it is gold and they are real sapphires.

Instead of scrapping it out, I'm seriously thinking of replacing the one missing stone.

I'll share it with you later, Jewelry isn't something I can photograph well.

Wish You Were Here by Beth Vogt

Wish You Were Here by Beth Vogt

Just a few days before her wedding, in an unguarded moment, Allison Denman kisses her brother in law to be, Daniel, while he is getting ready to move boxes to her future home.
The day of the wedding, Allison gets almost all the way to Seth, her fiance, before she turns and runs away, stealing her best friend's car, and driving aimlessly for hours, still wearing her overpriced wedding gown, that she never cared for, anyway.
What is wrong with her?  She's dated  Seth for 6 years, and he had their future planned out.  Seth tries to win her back, and she goes to her aunt's home, to hide again.

When I saw the cover of this book, I was afraid it would be one of those 'change the names and location' books, with the rest of the story pretty predictable.  It isn't that way at all, and I am glad to say I was wrong.    It is a very enjoyable book, that even caused a few tears to flow.
I received this book to read and review, no other compensation received.  All opinions expressed here are my own, and I am not required to give a favorable review.

Memorial Day Tribute to all our Troops

To the many who have given their all.

To the many who have given their health.

And

to the many who came home to their families with no problems.

I've had family members in every war since the USA was begun

My great great great grandfather fought in the 

Revolutionary War.

Another GGG grandfather and his son, my great great grandfather,

fought for the Union in the Civil War.

Both died because of the war, one of pnuemonia in Cassville Missouri and his son, of TB contracted during the war.

Another Great great grandfather was hanged for supplying horses to the Union Troops.

My grandfather was in France during WW-l, and my father got his back broken in WW-ll.

We have a nephew who is on his 4th tour of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

God Bless our Troops...

It has been quite a day, but good.

Those of you who have been stopping by for a few years, will remember the Turtle Dove nest that they built in the loft of hubby's shed...This morning, while doing dishes, I noticed movement in the same spot, 2 doves were working on a nest, again, same spot.  I'm going to get the ,mirror and see of I can get a glimpse of the nest with eggs or baby doves in it.  If there is, then there will be photos.

Seems all the mother cats have put their babies in the same spot, and are taking turns nursing.  I've counted 7 kittens, everything from the white one I've posted about before, to a very dark almost black one, who is quite fluffy.  There is also one who has lost part of it's tail, only about an inch or so still there...He is a very 'Orange' and fluffy one.    And then there is Pink Jr, a bit less pink than the original Pink, but beautiful.

They range in size from about 3 1/2 weeks, to about 6 weeks of age.

Frosty, the white one, is scared to death when I catch him, I've tried just holding him and talking, but his heart still races and he is really upset...I have fang marks on one finger, too.

Then a large Cardinal family came to the feeders today, and in their midst was an Indigo Bunting-it was quite a colorful sight.  Now I'm waiting for the Pine Warblers to show up.

    

Have had a few Hummers but not nearly what we have had in past years.  I didn't see the first one until May 8th this year.

Pictures of the kittens when I get them still.

Fruit of My Spirit by Deanna Nowadnick

Published by Rhododendron Books

This is a short book, only about 90 pages, but it is a very intense and often funny look at the author's life, and
how even though she was a Christian, she struggled, as most Christians do..
It covers her courtship with her future husband, raising her children, dealing with weight, joint replacement, which didn't go well, and had to be redone.


I really enjoyed the book, and I told Mrs. Nowadnick that I found that in some ways she and I were a lot alike.
In one chapter, she tells of being supposed to be home by midnight, and being a little headstrong, she drives around the block several times and doesn't get home until 12:15am.  How she gave up the violin, and didn't start playing again, for several years.    I think you would enjoy reading this very HUMAN story.


Sprinkled in are scriptures, songs and photos of her and her family.
Below is my favorite from the book.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

I was given a copy of this book to read and review, by the author.  No other compensation was given.  I am not required to give a favorable review.  All opinions expressed here are my own.

Bobby is Home

Kim and the kids went down today, to take Barbara.  When they got there, the minister and his family were there visiting, they came out and told Kim that Bobby says he's going home.  So, because Kim was in her vehicle, which will only seat 4 comfortably for any distance, the minister and family took Skylar along with them, and dropped her off with her dad, on the way back through.  
Kim signed the papers, and got his scripts, and they loaded him in the front seat.  About 10 or so miles out, he said maybe he should have stayed a little longer in the hospital.  Kim drives a Ford Escape, and it isn't the softest riding vehicle you've been in, at all.  They made it the other 45 or 50 miles, and got him in the house, then Kim went to pick up meds and something for them to all have for dinner.  She would have driven their Buick, but when I drove it on Wednesday, it had a bad out of balance tire.

Remember Me?

This is the little white kitten from about 3 or 4 weeks ago.

Yesterday mom brought 3 to the house, of course they are wilder and more agile now.

2 of them ran into the yard, where they would have become very still, after Flash played awhile. I managed to get a leash on him, before he knew they were there, and then I went around back, and caught 

 this one. 

 Turns out, he isn't solid white after all.

He has 'red' frost on his ears, nose and tail.

Markings similar to a Siamese just not those colors.

I managed to hold him for about 30 minutes, no biting but a lot of hissing.

I haven't mentioned it, was hoping for a different ending, but 

Pink is gone, and has been for several days.

I am afraid that he is gone for good.

Maybe 'Frosty'  will tame down, and I can

love on him.

Forever Hilltop by Judy Baer

Alex Armstrong, at age 42,  gave up a professorship to become a minister, and his first church was in a small community in North Dakota, a world away from his life in Chicago. His fiance has left him for someone else, and he is trying to move forward.
 In book 1, Unlikely Blessing, he arrives to find that the 2 churches that he has agreed to minister to, are polar opposites, one welcomes him with open arms, the other, seems intent on ignoring him, and his work.  He also finds that single men are at a premium in the area, and he is plied with food until he feels he's about to explode.

In book 2,  Surprising Grace, which takes up about 4 months after Alex arrives in N.D., his former fiance shows up, hoping to rekindle their relationship.  He isn't sure she will like living in such a small community.  He's gotten to know more of his congregation and the food has slowed down.  One of his neighbors gives him a dog, Tripod, so he has a walking pardner to help keep his weight down.

I could have sat down and read this from cover to cover in one setting, it is that good.  I hope that Judy Baer writes book 3 and 4 in this series.  I want to know who Alex becomes as he gets more and more involved in the lives of his neighbors.

I received this book from Litefuse to read and review, no other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed here are my own, I'm not required to give a positive review.

Update on Bobby and a trip around the yard.

Bobby was supposed to come home tomorrow, but his heart has started racing and they sent him down to cardiac unit for tests there.  Just waiting to see what they find, so we will know when he'll be home.

Charlie did come home today.

Stephen took the the be-be pistol out to target practice on cans this afternoon.  He came in and said I found a Bee Nest....So, we asked him to show us...we have 2 huge oaks in the front yard, at least 150 years old,  so out we went, here is the best shot I managed out of about 5.  I'd hope for some Honey one of these days, but I'll leave them alone, since I'm highly allergic to their stings.  I'd noticed a lot of bees in the grass and clover this year, so I guess this is where they were living.

Skylar brought the camera, so I let her take some shots out in the yard.  Some are a bit out of focus, but she isn't quite 9, so we'll live with them.

The orange Asiatic lily in the front yard.

My first Hydrangia, it is about 20 years old, and has lots of babies 

in the area, since I've shared it with several people..

Another flower cluster, it is covered in blooms

One of 2 lace leaf Hydrangias I have.

The purple one on east side of the end of the house.

The last of the clematis blooms the deeper purple.

And  a vine that I brought in, and wish I'd left 

at neighbors, it take over.

So there you have Skylar's picture diary of my 

floral displays.

Bobby & Charlie Updates

Bobby is being moved to a regular room this evening, so he is making some progress.  I'll drive his wife down tomorrow to visit him, the 'kids' have used all their time so they have to work, now.  Barb cannot drive anymore, so some of us have volunteered to do the duties. I have to be home in time to fix grandkids something when they get off the bus here.  I usually have their dinner fixed, when they are here, so they aren't starving when mom gets home.


I called Charlie this afternoon, thought that I was calling his wife, but apparently he has her phone.  He said he was doing well, and was going home tomorrow, for awhile.  His jaw is still wired shut, he can't put any weight on his leg, and will have to have several more surgeries, but he sounded like Charlie.  Next week we will be driving up that direction, and he said if we would call, he'd meet us, said he was missing his 'kids'.  His wife has 2 children by a previous marriage, and they each have 5 kids, so he is 'grandpa' to all of them.

Another Bobby Update

He crashed last night, and they had to put him on vent  to keep him going.  He has improved and they will be removing the vent sometime today.  Surgery went well, we think, only time will tell. They did give him another unit of blood before surgery.  Keep praying for him...
Barbara needs your prayers, she is at the hospital, forgot her meds, and is pitching a fit.  Kim will go down and take her meds to her as soon as Brian gets home to stay with kids and get some sleep.  I offered to get them, but they are old enough to be quiet and do things as long as someone is there, even sleeping.

Bobby Update

His arm/wrist surgeries start at 10:00am this morning.  The doctors seem to think that his internal bleeding has stopped, he got 3 units of blood yesterday.  Pray for him and the doctors please.  Also for Barbara, she is a little confused, and being out of her element makes it much worse.

I've had no new news about Charlie, I am assuming that no news is good news in that respect.  He is in Rehab near his home, but can't have visitors except for about 1 1/2 hrs a day, while there.  I figure he had rather see his immediate family than uncles and aunts.

Bobby Update

His surgery for arms/wrists with be tomorrow sometime.  No surgery on his back, because of his age..
Pray for him and his family.

I'll probably have the grandkids every afternoon for awhile.   I'll have all 3 this afternoon...

Prayers Needed....

Yesterday afternoon about 4:00pm, my son in law's father was on the roof of his tractor shed.  As he started to come down the ladder, it fell, with him on it.  Broke both wrists/arms, and cracked a vertebrae in his back.  My 12 yr old grandson was there, and saw him fall, called his dad, and Brian called his nephew to go check.  Of course, Bobby didn't want an ambulance, or to go to hospital. They took him to local hospital, and at about 6:20 last night, they med-flighted him to a larger hospital in Little Rock.  Bobby was in shock by then, and we are waiting to hear complete list of injuries.   He will be having surgery soon to repair arms, not sure about the back.  

Bobby is 74, and has been through a lot, cancer twice, and other health issues. He can use all the prayers  you are willing to send up. His wife, Barbara, can also use prayer, as well as the rest of the family.

Wonderful Friends and Mother's Day

Just so you know, I have some of the most wonderful internet friends that anyone could have.  Even though we've never met, we are almost like family.

I wanted a special card for my 'mom' for Mother's Day, to let her know that even if God didn't pick her to be my birth 'mom' that I'd specially  chosen her.

I mentioned it to my friend, Thistle, who lives in CA, and here is what I received in the mail yesterday.

I repackaged it and sent it off to Oregon this morning, to my 'mom'.

Thistle isn't the only one who is always surprising me, there is Diana, and Cyn, and of course Tete.  There are many more that I've not included in this post, I'll tell you more about them later.

Aren't internet friends the best!

Out after dark...

Do you ever feel as if you are being followed, if you go out after dark?

Around here, it isn't just after dark, but at least during the day, if you turn around, they can't hide that quickly.

Last night, I had to go to take out the trash, forgot it until it was dark, and they run very early here, so didn't want to not have it in the box.

I don't know what possessed me to take my camera, think I was hoping to get a picture of the moon, but there was too many trees.

All of a sudden, I had the feeling that I was being followed, 

so I set the trash bag down, 

and whirled around,

 and hit the picture button.

And  here is what I see in the flash...

And then, after I dump the trash into bin, and turn around to

go back to the house, this is my view...

And a shot of my Hollyhocks 

at night.

The Captive Heart by Dale Cramer

This is the 2nd book of a series about an Amish community in the mountains of Mexico in the early 1900s.

  This book starts with year two of their settlement, when other families join the Caleb Bender clan in Paradise Valley Mexico. The families were the Shrock and Hershbergers, with Jake Weaver, an 18 year old, who has come to work for the other families, and hopefully marry Rachel, Caleb's younger daughter.  Mariam, just older than Rachel, soon was dating Micah Shrock, who was near her age. even though she is attracted to Domingo, a hired hand.
When bandits threatened the families, Domingo stood up to them, and Micah also tried to help, though most Amish do not fight.  Then later, Rachel was kidnapped by the bandits, and Domingo and Jake go after them to get her back.

I enjoyed this book a lot, not sure which was better, Paradise Valley or this one.  I know there will be a #3 in the series by the way this one ended, and I plan to read it, too.    Dale Cramer has me wanting to read more.

I was given a copy of this book by Bethany House to read and review.  No other compensation was given.  All opinions expressed here are my own, I am not required to give a positive review.

Charlie Update and a trip around the garden

We got a call from Charlie's dad last night, they've moved him closer to home, in a rehab unit of the local hospital near where they live.  He has called his dad twice lately, so he is now talking,even with jaw wired shut.  We can't visit, but now we can call and talk to him. Not sure how long he will be there.

See what I found in a nest?

Mom(ShortTail) has plenty of places she could have

delivered these, but she picked a corner.  She's half wild, meaning she will let me feed her, and if I can sneak up on her, I can touch.

I tried to put them in a better place, see the white thing in the edge of photo?  But she keeps bringing them out and leaving them in leaves. The little cream one is a beauty, mom doesn't seem to mind me touching them, just not her.

My older Hollyhocks are blooming, hopefully next year the other colors will bloom.

My garden helpers, the Brown Thrush are having breakfast in the garden this morning.

There are 4 of them today.

You will see the rest in another photo.

One of the few Asiatic Lilies that I have that aren't an

orange color.  

Sadly this one is near lots of Poison Ivy, which may cause it to die when I spray the ivy.

First blooms on my blue Hydrangea, I hope the Lace Leafs bloom in a few weeks, 

and the one that is always purplish pink, never know which tone it will highlight

in any given year.

My clematis 

I missed it at it's peak, there are 3 different colors in

that spot.  Red, lavender and purple.

 The brown thrush family, in the end of the garden.