Hot, Hot, Hot

Staying cool

has been the foremost thought

in my mind for several weeks now.

 

With the thermometer being

over 100 for many, many days

in a row…my desire to do

much of anything has gone away.

 

We are watering our garden,

and flowers. We planted seed

for a new lawn in the very front

this spring – so watering it also.

Otherwise, everything would be

dead and brown.

 

Even with it being cool in

the house, I am not really in

the mood to do much of anything.

Oh, yes, I still cook, do laundry, clean house…those

type of mundane jobs. Did a bit of decorating

for the 4th of July…but it came down before I got any

pictures to post.

 

One thing we have done is host three parties.

Outdoor ones, evening time…with a breeze blowing the

deck is tolerable with good food and excellent conversation.

The first two were church related. First one, was the men’s group

invited  their wife and children for a cookout. Normally, the men meet

for a breakfast at the church. Second one,

was a Sunday School Class get together.

Third one was  family and friends

celebrating the 4th.  Average attendance

was about 30 to 35.

 

This past week Grandson Max stayed with us.

Being seven years old means talk and motion

constantly…just wears us out. Also, with

the heat he could not go outside much – which

disappointed him as that cut down on the fishing and bike riding.

 

With the heat being so hot, we have not had any rain

to speak of in months…ponds are drying up. The ranchers

are having to feed their cattle now in the summer months.

The grass for the hay is not growing much because of the

heat and drought…so bales of hay will be expensive

this fall.

 

I know – yes, say it – I have moaned and groaned through

out this posting…but wanted you to know what was happening

here to us (me).

 

Love ya,

 

Amelia

Flowers of Spring 2011

For those of you who read my blog think I have probably disappeared

off the face of the earth.

Just busy with life all the time…plus I am older and it takes longer to get things done.

 

I am still putter around with my

flowers…real dry here…so am constantly watering them.

 

Be prepared as there are lots of pictures. If you were here I

would offer you something to drink and cookies.

 

 

       

There still more areas I did not show.

However, you can get  an idea as to how the

Watkins flowers look this year.

April Flowers

The weather has been so unpredictable

during this month…hot then cold.

The bad part is we have not had

a good soaking rain in months.

However, my perennials are

fairing pretty well. I have been

watering them some though.

 

The annuals I have put out are looking

terrible…in fact the impatiens are just

sitting in the pots…losing part of their

leaves and putting on a few new flowers. 

The dusty miller and petunias

are looking okay though.

Verbena plants are so-so. Also

forked over

some money

and purchased 5 knock out roses.

If they live – the decision is

unknown at this time.

I do want you to see how pretty thee flowers

have been during the last three weeks.

Lots of pictures – so settle back with a drink of

your favorite beverage and a few cookies while

we wander around the Watkins garden.

 

 

Salvia

 

Ajuga

Bleeding Heart

Columbine

Vinca

 

Lilac

Dianthus

 

Azalea

One of the old roses…

Lovely petunia

Coral Bells

Another azalea

One of the climbing roses.

An early morning sight from the deck!

 

There are still more flowers I could have

have shown…but this is enough for now.

 

This is Easter weekend – please attend church

of your choice and praise God for all the

wonderful blessings.

 

 

♥Amelia ♥

Mistreated!

I have been yanked, tugged, pulled, and smashed almost to the point of screaming.

 

Reason: Mammogram

Having had cancer in both breasts in the past I always dread having the mammogram. However, I faithfully go through this pain and torment each year…pain from the machine and the torment in not knowing if they will find something.

 

I will find out tomorrow – after some lab work…sure hope the nurse is able to find the vein easily. My veins oft times will roll and they are punching wildly. After lab. will see my cancer doctor…she is a sweetie!

 

When did you get your last mammogram? They are a must for us ladies!

Out with the old…

In  with the new!

Well, some of the old has been packed

away.

No, I don’t mean Leon. I am referring

to some of my decorations.

Time to get out the Easter ones.

 

I had forgotten that after Easter last year

I had picked up some items at

Hobby Lobby for 75% off.

 

I have placed all the Easter

things…but that does not

mean they will stay in that

location.

 

Coffee table – nothing new.

The bunny in the middle is new. Check my other blog

to learn about the transformation.

The tall skinny bunnies are yard sale finds from

a couple of years ago. I used them last year

too.

 

This was one of the Hobby Lobby purchases.

This blue bunny joined our Easter

 

decorations a couple

of years back.  

Full view of the mantle.

 

The bunnies in the front – left and right – are part of the

Hobby Lobby purchase. The other ones  (left and right) are old and

they came from yard sale shopping. If I remember correctly

the one in the middle came from Hancock's.

This area will probably be changed. I am not happy with it

at the present…will have to live with it for a day or so

and see what strikes me as to making a change.

 

Spring decorations are popping up in other

areas of the house too!

 

Speaking of spring, my outside flowers

are starting to show signs of life.

This makes me one happy woman.

 

Love all of you!

 

♥Amelia♥

Faith of a child….

 

This morning while Max  (age 6) and I were making up his bed the following conversation ensued:

 

Max: “ Granny, when you go to Heaven would you please take a phone with you.  I will be an adult when you go but I will start want to talk to you.”

 

Granny: “Well, Max I don’t think God would want phones in Heaven.”

 

Max: “ Granny, just find a quiet place and talk to God – ask him to please let you take a phone.”

 

Granny: “Max, I will definitely be looking from Heaven to see how you are doing”.

 

After this fleeting conversation this Granny choked up. It made me so pleased to know that his parents are teaching him about God. He has the faith!

Red and Yellow

Not normally two colors used together

in decorating.

 

But in a bouquet – why not?

We received these from our Sunday School Class.

They were delivered by one of the ladies

from our class on Sunday who had just received the

news about our health issues along with trips to

the hospital. She went to either Wal-Mart or the

local grocery and selected these beauties.

The colors were playing well with each other

so just arranged them in a vase.  I happened

to remember I had picked up a pair of yellow candle

sticks recently (Goodwill) that would go along

with the red/yellow theme.

As you can  tell there are still some red and white items

left from Valentine’s Day decor.

♥Amelia

Love Day

 

Today is Valentine’s Day!

 

May each of those who read this post love and be loved.

Remember the Bible verse of

“God so LOVED the world he gave his only son…”

We need to demonstrate that depth of love.

If the hair were blonde this picture could be me…

the chunky part at least…

plus with age my height is shrinking.

 

May this day be filled with many wonderful happenings!

 

Love you all,

Amelia ♥

Quilting

Having scraps from the last quilt

led to this string quilt.

The piecing is complete…the hand quilting

will take place later on in the year.It is too small to be used for a lying

down snuggling quilt

on the sofa.

Perhaps it would work as a quilt

wrapped around your legs

while sitting.

The size is 58 inches down and 43 1/2 across.

Most of the fabric has

a valentine theme – not all – but used

some others that were in the same color

(shades of red) with a small pattern.

 

I have another idea as what

to do with it…

how does using it as a table cloth

next February.

White dishes with red napkins would

make for a pretty setting.

Then maybe a white pitcher

with red tulips for the center piece.

 

Most of you readers know what a string

quilt means…but those of you who

do not – just let me know.

 

 

Amelia♥

February – Hearts, candles, and Flowers

The month of February not only has my birthday but Valentine’s day. I am too old to do much celebrating for either. I know I am loved all thru the year – so don’t need a big celebration on either day to tell me. I am spoiled – that is Leon’s fault – he tells me if we can afford it (what ever I want at the moment)  to buy it.

 

I still have the mantel done in silver, white, and cobalt blue…for a snowy look. Same way with the coffee table. I posted some pictures back at the first of January. Yes, I have made some changes along the way.

 

But this is a new month – a new look for part of the house.

 

Here are some pictures depicting the “Love” look. Some of the items are new, some are old, some have been painted to give a new look.

Made special for my honey…he counted up the points and thought he was worth more than 14 points!  He is worth his weight in gold!

This  tree was Christmas decoration I got at Hancock’s last year for $2.00. It does not look Christmassy to me – with the addition of the hearts it looks great as a Valentine item. Painted the Dollar  Tree birds white and added Cricut swirled cutouts for the candles – place on a red linen  cloth on a white tray completes this setting.

   

Added white paper lace doilies to soften the look…looks more romantic this way.

The bears and sign have been around for several years now.

 

Added some white milk glass and red salad plates to give this area a completed look. Some how the cobalt blue just did not look right at this time….but it will return…you can be sure of that.

 

Another repainted bird…Dollar Tree item. I like the birds better white than the original tan color…at least for this month. 

Found this vase last week at Good Will for 50 cents…I knew it would fit perfect with the Valentine theme. Added the white roses and red sparkly heart picks…great look I think. These  scalloped vases were clear…painted them red. I think they originally were candles but can not remember for sure.

 

That completes the Valentine tour.

 

Amelia♥

Quilting once more

 

I had not worked on a quilt in about nine months…just lost my desire.

 

But then around Christmas time I gave away several of the ones I had completed in the past. Touching the fabric just brought back my desire once again.

 

I came across some very small fabric pieces with a heart as part of the pattern. Also had part of a panel of valentine pictures. These fabrics  have now become a quilt. Well, the quilt is not complete. I need to buy batting and will do that when weather improves for a shopping trip in town.

 

These pictures are rather poor…red is such a difficult color for me to photograph.

This consists of 720 half square triangles..then used the flying geese at top and bottom.     Don’t pay any attention to the loose threads …just pretend they aren’t there.  

 

Considering I did not have very  much themed  fabric I was surprised to have made it this large. I had plenty of the white – picked up a 7 yard piece at a yard sale a couple of years ago for $6.00. At the beginning I decided I would use what was in my stash…no buying anything to add to it. Only small scraps were left. I am using them for a baby sized quilt.

 

Several days ago a friend gave me a box of fabric scraps – all had a Christmas theme. I have cut all of them into 3 inch squares. These are going into a 9 patch. Today while going thru some things in my fabric shelves I came across two small bags with a Christmas theme. By adding all these together I should have a good start on a quilt. If I should run out I have some larger pieces just waiting to be cut up.

 

My love of quilting has returned.

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Weather wise – we had snow and more snow on  the ground (covering up a heavy layer of ice)…plus it has snowed most of the day. Weather predictions are for more snow on Sunday/Monday and then again on Wednesday. We need the moisture – but I would rather have it in the form of rain.

You all take care, stay warm, eat, pet the cat, speak sweet to your honey…or what ever gives you pleasure.

 

 

Amelia♥