Rain

I had to open all the windows wide, where the rain wouldn't come in, so we could hear it.

Smell it.

The perfect way to begin the last day of this week.

The last day of school! (I feel so free!!!)

The last day I am thirty-three!

The last day (I hope) of recovery from the worst stomach flu our family has dealt with yet!

My goals today are simple:

-make a big batch of play-dough for Blue; 

he's been very patient

(and persistent;)

-bake an angel food cake to enjoy tonight 

along with Boot's first real harvest 

of strawberries.

-fill and hang out my hummingbird feeders.

( They are back! One greeted me by the front door a few days ago 

and then this morning, from his spot-of-convalescence on the couch,

Big Brother watched one hovering right above the window!)

Well, I should go get to it! 

:)  

Sunset Over the Field......

And through our small orchard.

Dramatic Skies.....

........have served as the backdrop to an old battered quilt that I hung out on the line this afternoon.

The rush of wind and whispering of leaves, have been sounding through our barely-opened windows ( ~brrrr! It's chilly!)  and magnificent clouds, fluffy white, dark and glowering, have been racing above all day.

But no rain.

And the flowers need it.

My alluim are all done now. 

They remind me of the big huge fireworks over the park on the Fourth of July.

I do still have a few irises.

And my columbine are running riot among my lilies, in spite of the lack of rain!

I do miss the little lily of the valley,and their fragrant little bells!

Such a pleasure to weed around and walk past.

They have long since faded, as a true May-flower should.

And so many peonies this year!

I only took a picture of the whites , but Miss Posy and I filled vases full of pinks and crimsons as well.  The house has been filled with their perfume.

And the bushes are still loaded!!!!

God was so good to make so many beautiful flowers.

I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy as many of them as I do!

Everyday Things.....

Do you see those lovely purple blossoms?! My wisteria is blooming for the first time ever and I couldn't be happier! Pretty much every day I have to walk out to the arbor and gawk at it for a few minutes. (Never mind that those are the only blossoms on the whole vine!) Simple pleasures......

I was able to harvest a nice bit of rhubarb this month. It really went crazy this year, and is dominating  one end of my little herb garden.

Mim just loves being outside. She is unstoppable, and wears us all out just trying to keep up with her!

Not to mention her own little self.

After a morning out, it's hard to stay awake through lunch! :)

I happened upon Boots, very focused on his piano practice, while these two sat on each side of him.

So I had to run for the camera.

Mim, of course, couldn't keep her little fingers off the keys,

but he didn't even seem to notice.

He is such a good big brother.

Ah, and one last little thing!

After almost twelve years of marriage, I am now the proud owner of a bona fide sifter!

It's one of my latest Goodwill finds!  I had always made due with the metal strainer down there on the left, because I wanted to find myself a nice old fashioned vintage one, like I grew up using.

I think it cost me a dollar.

And I couldn't be more excited to use it.

Simple pleasures.......:) 

Reading Together.....

Back Again.......

The past few days have been rainy and dreary, but haven't dimmed our memories of the days that came before ~full of sunshine and flowers, crab apple and lilac-perfumed air, 

soft green grass under our bare feet,

dinners out at the picnic table and birdsong echoing all around.

Perfect days, in every way. So we can make allowances for a few rainy days, right? After all, they help to make the flowers grow.

Our old computer finally died, and thus my long silence. It's not that I haven't had plenty to keep me busy in the interim  though;) Just trying to keep up with the big kid's schooling, managing the little people, doing the best I can to keep up around the house.......(whew!)....that leaves me pretty near exhausted most days. 

So why did I decide that now is the time to learn to knit a pair of socks?

 I must have finally snapped.

Oh well.

I wish you all could smell the blossoms on my little magnolia.

It is just gorgeous this year.

(~I got my feet all soaked with dew to run out one morning and get these pictures. I couldn't resist....it was looking so pretty!)

Well, Mim is awake, so I must go. But don't worry, I promise not to be such a stranger.

Until next time, then!

Sunshine and Snow...

All of our snow melted over the weekend, 

but then yesterday it came back.

And today there is a blue sky and such a warm sun.

Spring is coming soon.