Allergies galore ~

The yellow flowers in this photo are growing on the hill behind my backyard fence. All of us who have allergies are really having a difficult time . . . part of Spring we don't look forward to. They are neat to look at though . . . this is only a small section in our backyard . . . to the left of this photo, they grow along our entire property line.

The Royal Wedding ~

I took both of these photos from both of my TV's (had two different channels going in separate rooms!) as I watched the Royal Wedding . . .the photo below did this all on it's own (I did zero editing . . . as the scene was changing, I must have caught it at the right time)! I was very surprised how well it came out. Out of 161 photos, only seven came out clear and worth posting here. You can tell what I was doing all morning . . . hey, it's history in the making!

Well I admit it, I am a Royal Family buff . . . I have always loved just about anything regarding the Royal Family and the British Monarchy history. It is said that I am related to King George and King Henry VIII, but that is not the only reason I have always had an interest in this family . . . I just think the history is fascinating. I have watched  Showtimes: The Tudors Series. It's very "racy" but I watched it anyway and when I followed the Tudor family tree and read the history on the Official British Monarchy site, the series was very true to their family history. One hundred years from now, this wedding will be such wonderful part of the Royal Family's history. . . that's the family historian in me! It was a beautiful wedding.

Framed perfume bottles ~

When visiting with friends in Lake Havasu City, AZ, I purchased this framed art while there . . . I fell in love with it!  Originally the price was quite high . . . in the upper twenties . . . lucky for me it was on sale and I walked out of the store paying only $7.99 for it! That was the find of the month for me.

Budding Hydrangea ~

Backyard spider ~

This creepy looking spider was making the cover on our BBQ her home! It's just plain awful and it was HUGE! Just below the big spider is a small one and then the two cream colored round balls are the eggs. Well, they don't live there anymore! Lately, it seems we have had alot more undesirable critters hanging around than usual . . . I am not liking it at all!

Easter Ranunculus ~

On Easter morning, I made breakfast instead of a dinner this year . . . when my daughter and grandchildren walked in the door, they had this gorgeous bouquet of pink Ranunculus.  This photo I took does not do them justice by any means, so, I am posting an up-close photo below also.

Mt. Soledad ~

This photo was taken by my brother-in-law, Bob . . .with his permission, I am sharing it here with you. I did not take this photo, but I could not help but to share Bob's remarkable photography (I am trying to talk him into starting his own photography blog!)  and this incredible photo he took of our Mt. Soledad here in La Jolla, CA.  This is what Easter is all about . . .  thank you, Bob.

~ From our family to yours, Happy Easter ~

~ Our Easter basket ~

Cake balls, Sort of ~

My daughter and grandchildren were here today coloring eggs for Easter. My daughter also made Cake ball's for an event she was going to be attending this evening . . . well . . . they didn't quite come out as expected! They taste great but don't quite look like they were supposed to. The chocolate that was suggested to use to dip the cake balls in, wasn't the correct consistency . . . we now know what not to do next time.  

Cake ball recipe ~
1 box of cake mix (chocolate, vanilla, etc.)
1 container of frosting (your choice)
Bake cake according to directions. Let the cake cool a bit.

Once your cake is cool, in a large bowl, break-up your cake into chunks. Mix in one container of frosting into the cake chunks (until all mixed together). Roll cake mixture into small little balls. Insert a toothpick into each cake ball and refrigerate until completely cooled. Melt dipping chocolate (recipe calls for a 16 oz package of semi-sweet chocolate morsel's) in a double boiler adding vegetable oil (if you use semi-sweet morsel's) to smooth the chocolate out for easy dipping.  Dip the rolled cake balls into the chocolate until covered. Place on wax paper. Refrigerate.

Note: My daughter may try using a chocolate that is made for dipping.  She also said, "I may use my chocolate fountain next time!"  They really are very good!

Loving my Sweet Peas ~

Mr. and Mrs. Bunny ~

My grandchildren are urging me to put up the Easter decorations . . . so I have put up a few here and there. Mr. and Mrs. Bunny, are hanging out in my African Violet that looks a little spent right now . . . adding some water helped!

Flower's for Gini ~

My dear friend and neighbor, cut these lovely roses from her garden and brought them over for me . . . they are so pretty and they smell wonderful . . . I placed them on my computer desk at home, so I can enjoy them as I sit here! Thank you, Cal!  Our neighborhood has an incredible variety of roses that are blooming all over right now.

Red rose ~

Angel and Roses ~

My angel, "Sign for Love - I love you"  is from the Willow Tree collection given to me by my friend, Sue, when my mom passed . . .and several clipped miniature roses . . .  drying and sitting on my computer desk.

Bath for Koda ~

Our weather here has been so nice and warm that my granddaughter decided to give our dog, Koda, a bath. He was not liking it very much but now he smells better! After she shampooed him, she brushed him out . . . it's nice because at least temporarily, there is a lot less of his hair around the house. This was the best shot I could get of him . . . he was all over the place.

Majestic rose ~

This rose belongs to my neighbor but I couldn't resist taking a photo of it. I love the vibrant colors.

New Hydrangea bloom ~

Photo from my garden

Pink Hydrangea
by Rainer Maria Rilke
( translation: Walter Arndt )

Who thought such pink could be? Who knew it there

Accumulating in each blushing cluster?

Like gilded things which by and by unluster

They gently grow unred as if from wear.

That one should give such rosiness out free!

Does it stay theirs still, smiling where it went?

Are angels there to take it tenderly like a scent?

Or, it may be, they only let it go

That it might never learn of overblowing.

Beneath this pink there lurked a greenness, though,

Which listened and now fades away, all knowing.

Mama bird ~

Update on my post: New occupants.  I have been waiting everyday to get a photo of mama bird in the nest she made in my front door wreath! Finally, today, I was able to get a very distant shot. I zoomed in on her as much as my lens would allow me to, then I cropped the photo so you can see her even just a little.

I like how the reflection and colors in the little window panes on my door came out.  So...she is caring for the egg(s) and chirping away in the mornings!  Everyone has been informed NOT to use the front door to our home...we do steal peeks standing on a chair inside looking thru the window once in a while. You can also see a little movement thru the door peephole.  I am still unclear as to the species of this bird.  I never have the opportunity to get a very good look at all of her.

Miniature roses drying ~

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.

Ecclesiastes 3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I snipped these two little roses from the miniature rose bush I recently planted. The lock on my antique roll top desk seemed like a perfect spot for them to dry undisturbed. 

Jeweled reflections ~

This pretty pearl and diamond ring belonged to my mom. I attended a 50th birthday get together for a friend and decided to wear mom's ring. When I took it off, I set it on my little hand mirror that sits on top of mom's standing jewelry box...I love the mirrored reflection, capturing both of these treasures together, created a special visual memory. 

New occupants ~

This morning I was sitting at my computer when I heard birds just chirping up a storm. It was so loud that it sounded as if the birds were right inside my home! I went to my front door and I could hear them on the other side. I have little windows on the door right above the wreath you see here in the photo below.

I peeked thru the window and there were two little birds working very hard at creating a new little home for their expanding family. They saw me peeking (or movement ) and flew away. The little birds flew away so fast that I was not able to see what species of birds they were.  I didn't get near the nest other than taking these photos at a distance.  The close up of the nest is a cropped photo...I didn't want to get too close or take the chance of the birds abandoning the nest. As of these photos, there were no eggs in the nest. Spring has arrived for sure here at my home! And, as I write this post...I can hear them chirping away at my front door....we have new occupants for a little while.

Baby Shower Bingo ~

My niece, Alisha, is expecting her baby in June. At her baby shower, we played several games and Baby Shower Bingo was one of them...and no, I did not win. I was on in two different rows but didn't make it. I am not much for games at showers or parties, but I do have to say this one was fun and wasn't too bad. It was nice to be together with family and chat about memories of days long ago. The lighting in the room and not using a flash was a little challenging to take photos. 

Bucky ~

Bucky, our wooden rocking horse, was bought for our first grandchild in 1999. We now have seven grandchildren and they all love Bucky. As you can see, Bucky is a little beat up and missing his wooden handles...that's why he is missing part of his mane... the children use it as a place to hold onto while rocking back and forth.  Bucky is very tolerant and keeps the kids smiling as they rock and drag him all over the house!

Pretty pink rose ~

Roses for Bennie ~

In Bennie Everhart's memory... 1948 ~ 2010

These miniature roses are planted in your honor today...

Schlaf gut...Schalf in himmlisher Ruh...

~ Luv & hugs, Gini, Emma, and family ~

Bougainvillea ~

~ Neighbor's colorful Bougainvillea ~

In Oma's memory ~

Liselotte 'Oma' Haf 

1913 ~ 2010

This Bayern, German pewter plate sits on a shelf in my kitchen. It was sent to me by my Oma in Germany, many many years ago . . . you will see one in each of the Haf family homes.  There are 12 city crests or coat of arms, etched into this plate. My birth town, Augsburg, is at the 10 o'clock position. Oma always sent me neat things that surrounded our home and family of our German heritage . . . thank you, Oma, you are all around me. 

~ Schalf Gut . . . Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh ~

(Sleep well . . . Sleep in heavenly Peace)

~~~~~~~~~

Starting at the twelve o'clock position and continuing clockwise, the following cities and their coat of arms, within the Bayern State, are etched into this pewter plate . . . Muenchen, Landshut, Lindau, Passau, Hof I/B, Erlangen, Nuernberg, Eichstaett, Straubing,

Regensburg, Augsburg, Ingolstadt, 

In the center is the "Bayern" State coat of arms

Watching and waiting ~

Koda heard sounds from outside our home . . . he was intently watching and waiting to see who or what it was . . . and if it was coming our way.

Congratulations, Red Bulls!

My granddaughter and her soccer teammates won their first game today. . . 3 to 0! She was really hoping to win at least one game. . . she only has two games left in this spring soccer season, so, she is a happy girl.

Congratulations to Emma and her teammates. . . excellent game!

Wisteria ~

A Dove ?

This is the first opportunity I have had to photograph any kind of bird in my yard or near my home.  This bird was so far up into the trees that I could not tell what type of bird it is. I did have to crop my photo so you could see thru the branches and leaves. When I did crop the photo, it appears to me now that this maybe a Dove or a Pigeon Dove? Not 100% sure.