A little sign of Fall ~

My daughter gave me this wonderful smelling Pineapple-Mango scented candle and Silver Maple Leaf metal sleeve, for my birthday (love candles). I plan on changing the Summer scent to a Fall scent like, Autumn or Caramel Apples perhaps, so many to pick from!  ~ I am very much looking forward to Fall ~ one of my most favorite seasons ~ and it's not so hot.

Pretty in pink ~

One lavender rose ~

This lovely lavender colored rose, is all by itself in the garden. This home is for sale and there isn't anyone tending to the once beautiful garden of roses . . . I have a wonderful view of this garden from my window. I couldn't resist capturing it's beauty in spite of the heat and lack of water . . . it's still so pretty and very much alive . . . even though no one is home. 

Wild Maine Blueberry Jam ~

My neighbor just returned from, Maine, after visiting family members. . . the same neighbor I was house-sitting for and has the lovely garden, the one I so enjoyed tending too. She brought me a wonderful little gift . . . Wild Main Blueberry Jam and it is sensational! Promptly, I made myself a cup of tea and a slice of toast . . . I think it's the best jam I have ever had with the exception of my mom's homemade blackberry jam, which is my all time favorite.  I love the little jar and the label . . . thank you friend and neighbor, I am very grateful . . . I am hiding this little jar from my family, otherwise, this is the last time I would be able to enjoy it (good thing they have little or no interest in this blog)!

Echinacea ~

~ Some species of Echinacea are also used in herbal medicines ~

Lola and Koda ~

~ Click here to see more of Lola and Koda's day together ~

I had five out of seven of our grand-kids today and believe me, I am surprised I have made it to this hour! I had planned to post a different photo today but I could not resist these photos I took of, Lola, our two year old granddaughter and our three year old golden retriever, Koda.  I almost posted three of my favorites here at the same time but decided to create an online Picasa web album (link below photo) to share with you all! Some of the photos are a little blurry but these two are so cute together. I kept the ones that you can see her sweet face private for her mommy and daddy.  She just loved Koda today and wanted to hang out with him . . . he was a good sport about it all and didn't mind her crawling all over him!

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Don't mind the chewed-up baseboards and door moldings, Koda decided one day to sharpen his teeth on them! I am waiting until he is done with his chewing-my-stuff-up stage and then I will replace them . . . wasn't happy with him to say the least.

Antique shop tea cup ~

As I was preparing for a visit from my dear friend and sister-in-law (we have both known each other since we were fifteen years old), her daughter and new (grandchild) baby today, I was standing on a chair rummaging around on the top shelf of one of my kitchen cabinets. I came across this sweet little tea cup that I purchased many years ago at an antique shop in, Morro Bay.  How this lovely little tea cup managed to get stuck up on that top shelf and behind other dishes, escapes me . . . it's all washed and I'm ready to have tea in such a pretty teacup.  

Football fundraiser success ~

My grandson's, Pop Warner Football league fundraiser, was a total success today! We sold all but fourteen of the seventy-seven caramel apples we made yesterday! Those fourteen will be the teams half-time snack next week on practice day. There were professional team photos taken, pie smashing contests, snow cone and food booths and a great "DJ" playing some good music for everyone . . . Patriot's rock!

We bought $20.00 worth of these tickets for the various amazing gift baskets raffle . . . we didn't win one of the great baskets but that is okay, the day was a total success for the fundraiser, we all had fun and that's what counted most. Now, to cool down a little bit of a sunburn I acquired today . . . . you would think I would know better.

Caramel apples ~

My daughter, granddaughter, a friend and myself, spent the entire day making these caramel apples to sell at a  fundraiser tomorrow for my six year old grandson's football team.  It's a messy deal and alot of work making these (oh, and lots of M&M's were eaten too)! After all of them were made, we wrapped them in cellophane and tied them with ribbons in team colors . . . go Patriots! . . . now, I am off to clean the kitchen!

Garden Gazing Globe ~

I love garden gazing globes/balls . . . this one belongs to my neighbor but I feel they really bring beauty and a delightful charm to a garden. The reflection of the Palm trees is wonderful.

Home grown grapes ~

I am home sitting for my neighbor for a few days . . . she has the most wonderful garden.  These grapes look so good  . . . once ripe, we are interested to see how they taste. The vines are full of grape clusters . . . a neat little mini vineyard.

Turbo the Turtle ~

Another new addition to our family . . . Turbo the turtle. This is Turbo underwater . . . I was pleased that the photo came out fairly clear for him being completely submerged underwater. Turbo, is pretty fast and is happy with his new home . . . he was found in the middle of the road near where my husband works. Each day, he is hand-fed feeder-fish, if he sees you near, like in the photo, he will swim over and poke his head out and then waits for you to feed him!  The usual routine is catching the fish in a net and then Turbo sticks his head in the net and grabs the fish . . . I let the grand-kids do all the work . . . this is one spoiled turtle.

Ready for football ~

My daughter loves football and her favorite team is the, Houston Texans . . . she walked in with her new outfit today and ready for football season to begin! She is also team mother for our six year old grandson's football team . . . the Patriots . . . getting him started early.

Mr. Sun ~

Garden art 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Summer Sun

Robert Louis Stevenson

1850-1894

GREAT is the sun, and wide he goes

Through empty heaven without repose;

And in the blue and glowing days

More thick than rain he showers his rays.

Though closer still the blinds we pull

To keep the shady parlour cool,

Yet he will find a chink or two

To slip his golden fingers through.

The dusty attic, spider-clad,

He, through the keyhole, maketh glad;

And through the broken edge of tiles

Into the laddered hay-loft smiles.

Meantime his golden face around

He bares to all the garden ground,

And sheds a warm and glittering look

Among the ivy's inmost nook.

Above the hills, along the blue,

Round the bright air with footing true,

To please the child, to paint the rose,

The gardener of the World, he goes.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Louis Untermeyer, ed (1885-1997). Modern British Poetry. 1920 

Majestic sunset ~

Purple and yellow flower ~

This flower looks very similar to a Morning Glory but I don't think this is one. Just after I took this, a bee landed and crawled inside . . . my battery died and I wasn't able to snap photos of the bee! My perfect chance to get up close without a zoom lens.

Birthday Orchid ~

I got this pretty Orchid plant from my friend and neighbor for my birthday . . . I have never had one of these so hopefully I can keep it going.  It has alot of blooms and I love the color of the flowers.

Weathered metal butterfly ~

Screen door butterfly 

Whimsical bee ~

Fresh mint ~

Tropical Plumeria ~

This flower smells wonderful and looks so pretty.  

Eggplant and Orange flowers ~

My neighbor grew the pretty orange flowers and the eggplant in her garden. She doesn't recall the name of the flowers and I have no idea what they are but they sure are pretty . . . the buds actually open up after they have been picked. Thank you, neighbor!

Desert Rose ~

When I did a little bit of research on this cactus, several different species came up under the same name: Desert Rose (Bangkok Kalachuchi). I found only one photo that looked the same as the one in my photo, so I hope I am naming this pretty cactus flower properly. 

The "Past is Present" Photo Challenge ~

My daughter on her first day of school at our front door Then and Now, she will be teaching children in 2011. 

My daughter on her first day of school in 1987, at our front door.

Our front door today in 2011

This was not an easy project to do, I do now know what, Vickie, at Photos by BeNotForgot was experiencing! This was the best out of many photos I took in every way I could muster . . .  and with two different Canon cameras. This will take a bit more practice but for now, I am using this one for the photo challenge  The Past is Present: Genealogy Photo Challenge For World Photography Day.  that, Denise Levenick issued to us geneabloggers, genealogists, and family historians on her blog, The Family Curator. 

Here's how you can participate ~

The Family Curator is issuing a challenge to geneabloggers, genealogists, and family historians! Celebrate genealogy and family history for World Photography Day August 19 by combining the past and present in a photograph. You might want to recreate an old photo or bring the past to the present day in DearPhotograph style.

Post your photograph with descriptive caption on your blog and send the link to The Family Curator no later than 6am PST 15 Aug 2011. I will post a round-up article of contributions on or before August 19, World Photography Day.

Get creative and have fun!

Little purple flowers ~

I do not know the name of these little purple flowers but I just had to take a photo to share them with you. 

Dainty Lobelia ~

Lobeila, and also known as, Indian Tobacco  

Glass heart ~

Pretty little white Alyssum ~

Such a pretty ground cover.