Mom's Treasures ~ Kalanchoe in Pink

 

~ Mom's (1933 - 2010) plant, Kalanchoe in pink ~ 

Mom's Treasures ~ Kalanchoe plant

 

~ Kalanchoe in red ~
Mom had the Kalanchoe plant in a variety of colors.  

It's been a while since I have had the time or opportunity to take photos or to post to many of my blogs. For the last two months, I have been slowly packing up my mom's three bedroom, two and a half bath, two story home and bringing it to my small three bedroom, two bath home. My living room was full of boxes, plants, bags of linens . . . couldn't even walk in there and things were (are) everywhere. Mom had a beautiful home with many heirlooms from Germany . . . some of which I would like to share here from time to time. 

Mom lived about an hour and forty-five minutes away from me so each trip would be an all day project.  One load was plants and flowers alone! I couldn't even bring them all to my home so several of her neighbors were pleased to inherit some of her wonderful plants along with a bit of her personal belongings. 

Her neighbors are missing her very much, as we all are . . . it's been difficult to pack and move her things . . . I am blessed and very fortunate to now be surrounded by many of her treasures. Slowly, I am getting settled again . . . it's been overwhelming and quite an emotional journey . . . as I packed and unpacked her personal belongings, I would recall our life and times together . . . some would bring smiles and others would bring tears but, all are beautiful memories to hold and to forever remember.   

Morning tea party ~

I did a very small impromptu tea party for the grand-kids this morning! My granddaughter has a friend over and I thought it was a nice way for them to wake up and start their morning. I made cinnamon toast and the girls chose peach tea . . .  an interesting combination . . . my grandson preferred cinnamon-apple tea. My kitchen smells wonderful!

White roses ~

Several of these pretty white roses have the wonderful color of burgundy on the very edges or tips of the rose petals

Beautiful rose ~

All pretty ~

Koda went in for a bath and a summer cut today . . . now maybe I won't have so much dogie hair to clean-up! He looks so pretty! I couldn't get a clear photo, he wouldn't hold still for me so this was the best shot.

Hydrangea heaven ~

Both my 'Pia' and 'Endless Summer'  Hydrangea plants are in full bloom and covered with these beautiful pink Mopheads (Hydrangea Macrophylla).  I like to leave the blooms on the shrubs until they age and take on a vintage look so I end up with a wonderful dried arrangement that will last for a very long time. To retain it's intense natural color, you can use Silica Gel . . . I have not done that as of yet . . . I like to dry them naturally and have been very happy with the results.

An Orchid and a bee ~

The mountains around me ~

If you walk up the hill in my backyard . . . this is the view at the top . . . the highest mountains in our area. 

Jamboree Virtual Surname Wall ~

This is a photo of the Jamboree's Virtual Surname Wall,  located just outside the exhibit hall. You fill out a little sticky that will list general information, including surname, geography, and time frame, for up to ten family names,  SCGS will maintain the information in a searchable online database.

My granddaughter and I had a wonderful weekend together . . . we attended great classes, met new genealogy blogger friends, and caught up with many old blogger friends. My granddaughter created her own genealogy blog . . . Emmasology all by herself after attending Thomas MacEntee's Blogger Summit I and II on Saturday. She is learning how to use her blog and I know I will be helping her  . . . not sure why but already when putting the words, genealogy and family history in the posting and comment area, links are showing up when no links were inserted, so, we will work on her blog together and I will monitor things closely. She is looking forward to researching and posting her family history and getting lot of followers!

I want to express a special thank you to Paula Hinkle, Speakers, and all who made Jamboree 2011 an amazing experience and so successful  . . . somehow those words are just not enough . . . Jamboree is like no other!

Pajama party cookies ~

The genealogy bloggers had a pajama party in the lounge area at Jamboree this evening. Some pretty neat pajamas were worn and some great cookies for all of us to munch on . . . these are just some of the cookies remaining. Thank you, Elyse for a great get together, and thank you Susan Kitchens for helping with the cookie photo shoot!

Jamboree Quilt ~

The Jamboree quilt is beautiful.  You can read all about this quilt on Genea-Quilters . . . the Genea-Quilters did an amazing job.  Seeing it in person is wonderful.

I have had very little internet access here so my photo of day is very late.

Jamboree bound ~

I am just about ready for the Annual 2011 Southern California Genealogy Jamboree . . . a few things to gather up and I will be set to go. This year, I am taking my granddaughter so that one day, hopefully, she can take over for me . . . must get her started early.

The items in the above photo are from the 2010 Jamboree. I am looking forward to the many wonderful and informative classes being offered . . . maybe then I will have learned new tips and tricks and be able to research and locate my elusive "brick wall" Ancestor . . . my great-grandmother, Louella née Jarboe Ijames! I also hope to capture some Jamboree photos for my daily post here over the next few days.

RootsMagic tote bag was given to me upon registration. Beads and buttons from GeneaBloggers. Ribbons were collected from various bloggers and exhibitors. 

No rain here ~

Our local Fox 5 weather girl predicted that we were to get a very small amount of rain during the day today . . . we never did get any rain at all . . . and we sure could use it here. We did have these beautiful clouds over my home most of the day.

Family tree ~

My granddaughter was using water based paints for a school project today. She asked if she could paint a family tree on the backyard fence (which needs to be painted anyway) and I said, "sure why not!"  This is her creation . . . she spelled "family tree" backwards starting at the bottom. She said, "Here Oma, now you have your photo-of-the day!" I like the way she thinks!

Sago Palm update ~

I posted about my Sago Palm in a previous post. The center has really grown and the new fronds are starting to open up.  I really never paid that close of attention to how this plant grew and operated! It's been in my front yard for years . . . that's the beauty of taking a photo-a-day and noticing things you may not have before.
   
As requested . . .  this ones for you, Carol, and thank you, I paid more attention to Mr. Sago Palm!

Blowing bubbles ~

My grandson picked a little bottle of bubbles for his prize at school today. As my grandson blew bubbles, our dog, Koda, would run after the bubbles trying to bite them. If you would like to see him in action and more bubble photos, click here.

Mom's Face in Space ~ Endeavour lands ~

The Space Shuttle Endeavour completed its STS-134 mission and landed at 2:35 EDT early morning today - at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. So glad their mission was safe and successful . . . congratulations to the flight crew. I was excited when I was able to print mom's Face in Space program Flight Certificate that I had entered for her on her "first birthday in Heaven" in March . . . the printed copy will be placed in her binder and mom's beautiful face in space will forever be a part of history.

Wormwood ~

~ Wormwood ~

(Artemisia 'Powis Castle')

Happy Memorial Day ~

Honoring our Heroes . . . men and women that fought and continue to fight to keep our freedom . . . Happy Memorial Day!

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.
                                          ~   Moina Michael

Inspired by the 1915 poem  . . . In Flanders Fields ~ by John McCrae

The History of (Decoration Day) Memorial Day