Thursday, June 30, 2011

Delivery Day Is Here!!

June 30, 2011

Good morning.  Do you believe it?  Today is the last day of June!!!  Tomorrow, we will start the second half of this year.  I just can't get over how quickly time seems to be flying by.

This morning, my new freezer is going to be delivered.  Woo Hoo!!  I can't wait for it.  Eddie worked hard all day yesterday getting the laundry room ready for the freezer.  Now that part of the room looks so good that I think we will have to do the rest of the room. 

I will post some photos for you, and then I must  get dressed and ready for the delivery.  It won't do to greet the delivery men in my nightie.  Even though it is a really comfy nightie!  These are photos of ducks that I took a couple of weeks ago at the park.




Don't forget, tomorrow I'll be posting a brand new GI Blog Train filled with lots of goodies, some PU and some CU.  Till then, Y'all have a marvelous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Blogger Is Having A Bad Hair Day Again.

June 29, 2011

Good morning.  It's sunny and already quite warm outside.  This is a perfect day to spend at the beach, but alas, there are things to do here.  The laundry room keeps presenting new problems, what else is new? 

The washing machine is definitely screaming at me "I'm tired, I'm tired!"  I definitely think the house is conspiring to drive me crazy.  Unfortunately, when things get old, they tend to break down all at once.  Although I suppose we folks are sort of like that too.  When you reach a certain age, it's difficult to find many of your schoolmates, friends and even relatives still alive and kicking. 

Want more trivia?  1 - What color were Robin, the Boy Wonder's shorts?,  2 - Who said, upon his 1971 "retirement":  Excuse me while I disappear"?  3 - What was the first cut on Side 1 of "Abbey Road"?

Company's here - have to take a short break......

Well, that was a nice visit with Deanne and Jazzy.  My Dee Dee has a birthday coming up in a few days, so I have to put on my thinking cap to come up with something nice for her.  Hmmmmm.

I have some neat photos for today. Unfortunately, Blogger isn't letting me post any photos.  Sorry for that.  Well, that's all for today.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a great day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Answers to Trivia:  1 - Green,  2 - Frank Sinatra,  3 - Come Together.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

The Yellow Rose Tree Is Gorgeous!

June 28, 2011

Good afternoon.  This morning Tootsie and I got up early to meet up with Eddie at the local Home Depot store.  We needed to pick up some supplies for the laundry room project, and I wanted to move up the delivery date of a new freezer that I bought the other day. 

Eddie is remodeling my laundry room to make room for my new freezer.  This will be so good for me because now I can take advantage of great sales at the supermarket and have a place to put the food.  Eddie is also going to check my washing machine for leaks.  It's possible I may have to put the poor thing to rest along with the dryer.  We will see.

I got the nicest surprise this morning.  The buds on my yellow rose tree opened.  Oh wow, they are so beautiful.  Yellow is such a bright happy color.  Here are some photos that I took yesterday.



And here are photos from this morning.



Yes, yes, I definitely want more of these for next year.  This year, my garden is sort of hit and miss.  I put in plants that are blooming at the time, then they go passe.  Meanwhile, I keep adding new plants.  By next year, I'm hoping that there will always be something in bloom right through the Fall. 

This week, I want to take a ride to the local park to see how the goslings are coming along.  Of course, I will be taking more photos too.   We went through the park a couple of days ago, and the little goslings are starting to get tall.  They change so fast, just like our little ones.  lol.

Now it's time for me to get busy and maybe accomplish a few things around here.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Monday, June 27, 2011

A Freebie And More Trivia

June 27, 2011

Good morning, and a gorgeous morning it is!!  Are we already running out of June?  My goodness, this is too fast for me.  I've only just begun my Holiday shopping, and at this rate I won't be finished in time! 

I have a freebie QP for you this morning.  I made a layout of one of my cardinal photos, and then turned the layout into a QP. 



And here is the download link for QP 064:EXPIRED

Here's today's Trivia:  1 - Where was the Frank Sinatra TV special "The Main Event" held?  2 - What rock group was the film documentary "Feast Of Friends", first screened in Los Angeles in June 1969, about?  3 - Who was Pope between June 4 and June 20, 1963?

In a few days, I'll be bringing you the new GI Blog Train for July, so be on the lookout for that.  And, of course, a few days after that, Su and I will begin posting our new July collab kit.  Make sure you have lots of room on your hard drive for all this great new stuff.

Here's a couple photos of my newest addition for my garden.  It's a Japanese Iris called "Wine Ruffles."  I think I'll be needing a few more of these for next year.  lol.  Aren't these just beautiful?



I have to be putting things away now.  It's almost time for me to go home.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantastic day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Answers to Trivia:  1 - Madison Square Garden,  2 - The Doors,  3 - No one.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Another Great Weekend Day

June 26, 2011

Good morning.  Wow, I'm looking at the weather channel, and it's showing some wicked hot temperatures over most of the country.  We are among the very few areas that are supposed to have temps in the 70's.  The rest of the country is looking at high 80's and 90's and even some temps over 100.  That's just a bit too warm for me.

Joe went shopping with me yesterday, and we picked up the fencing materials for the veggie garden.  He will try to get it all up today.  While we were at there at the garden center, I found a really beautiful lily.  Of course I had to buy it for our garden.  I will take a photo and tell you more about it tomorrow. 

Here's today's trivia:  1 - Who wrote the 1956 poem "Howl"?  2 - What media observer once warned: "Surface at once.  The ship is sinking"?   3 - What, according to Joni Mitchell, "took away my old man"?  Have fun.

How about some fun photos?  I took these a few days ago out my kitchen window.  I know that these are the pesky birds, but as you can see they have hungy babies too.  So we fill the feeder a few extra times.




I've been watching (on TV)  the pet "adopt-a-thon" that's being held in Joplin.  People have traveled from 24 states to Joplin to adopt pets that were left homeless from the severe storms and tornadoes that devastated that area.  Do I have to tell you how warm this makes my heart feel? 

Now it's time to get dressed and start my day.  I need to get a few things done before it's time to go to work tonight.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Trivia answers:  1 - Allen Ginsberg,  2 - Marshall McLuhan,  3 - A big yellow taxi.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Let's Start Some Trivia Fun

June 25, 2011

It's a grey,cool morning, but it's a good morning.  I can't believe what a great night's sleep I had last night.  I think I must have slept for at least 8 straight hours!!  I didn't even want to get up this morning, but I had to.  Tootsie has to have her meds at a decent morning time, and once I'm up, then I stay up.

There is this little pesky squirrel trying to climb up my window here.  I have had the screen pushed up so that I could take photos through the window, but it just came down and scared the beheevies out of the little squirrel. 

Here are today's three trivia questions.  These are all taken from the "Baby Boomer Edition" of "Trivia Pursuit."

1 - Whose half-a-season comedy show's first guests were Debbie Reynolds, Hubert Humphrey and Daffy Duck?   2 - Who Directed 1965's The Sandpiper?  3 - How many other people were wounded in the attempted assassination of George Wallace?

I managed to get a few photos yesterday through our kitchen window.  The feeder was full, and there were lots of birds and little critters scurrying around to eat up all the treats.  One little bird in particular caught my eye.  She is a cardinal, and she looks to be a youngster.  But oh my, what a cutie!!




Isn't she just the cutest thing?  It is so fascinating to watch the birds and the critters interacting.  They get along so well, yet they try to respect each other's space.  (Most of the time!) We could learn a lot from them.

Now I think it's time for me to get dressed.  I have some errands to do this morning, and I want to make another cup of coffee.  I went to drink my first cup, but it seems one of the ants that I am losing the battle to found my coffee and decided he would drink it himself.  He drowned.  Too bad.  Ugh!!  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Answers to Trivia:
1 - Pat Paulsen's,  2 - Vincente Minnelli, 3 - Three

Friday, June 24, 2011

Do Ducks Really Like The Rain?

June 24, 2011

Good morning!!  Yes, it's still damp and gray, but the temperature is nice and the gardens are loving this weather.  I'm wondering, why does everyone always say "Great weather for the Ducks."  Do ducks really like the rain?  How about lots and lots of rain?  Somehow, I can't picture this.

I'm at work now, so this will have to be a short post as the Mrs will be waking soon.  I do have some photos that I want to share with you.  Just before I left work yesterday morning, I got one last shot of a hummingbird coming to the Mrs' feeder.  Even though the window needs a good cleaning (which I will try to do on a sunny day when I am here), I was able to get a much better shot of the hummingbird.


I also have some cute photos of blackbirds that I took at the beach last week.  According to my bird books, they might be Shiny Cowbirds.  (or Grackles, or Blackbirds)  I'm not so positive, but if you know, please let me know.  Either way, they are rather pretty, especially when they get all ruffled up when they are calling out to each other.  (see second photo)



 While I was cleaning some of my brother's things, I came across a lot of Trivia and I thought that it might be fun to share some of it here with you.  So, starting tomorrow, I'll be posting a bit of trivia.  Now I must get back to work here.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantastic day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Ob Boy! Photos Are Back!

June 23, 2011

Good morning.  It's 3:45 a.m. and I'm sitting here at work listening to -- wow, NO rain.  It has been raining since yesterday morning, and during the night it got quite heavy at times.  It's supposed to rain straight through Saturday night.  Oh goodie! 

On a nicer note, here are the photos that I tried to post here yesterday.  This is one of my new rose trees, the pink one.  I'm hoping to get a couple more of these next Spring.  They are just so pretty!



Oh boy!  They posted!  Maybe there is a Blogger guardian angel watching out for us after all.   I have been posting photos and scraps ever since I started this blog, so my blog feels rather naked when I can't post any photos to it.

Last evening, Su and I had a wonderful cyber chat on Live Messenger.   The great thing about our chats is that mixed in with the catching up on news is the exchange of ideas and learning.  Su is very talented, and when I get boggled down with Photoshop, I can turn to her for help.  When you have a chance, stop by Su's gallery to see some of her digital art and photography.

Here's a great shot of the moon that I took this past Monday at 7:20 a.m.  It's so big and round that I'm sorry I could not get out the night before to get some night shots.


I also have two photos to share that I took last night through the window here at work.  Considering there was not much light, no flash, it was raining, and the window was not very clean, I think the photos came out not too bad.  I will work on this all summer as the opportunity arises.  LOL.



Now I must do a bit of work here, and then maybe do a bit of designing for the July collab kit.  It's too early for hints, but let's just say that it is another fun kit.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantastic day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Here Comes The Rain Again

June 22, 2011

Tis  a bit gray this morning.  The weatherman says we have rain coming for today and tomorrow.  The lawns and gardens will be happy as long as the rain doesn't come down really hard or for long.  We have small tomatoes starting to grow, and the buds on the yellow rose tree are beginning to open.

I hope I can get more rose trees next Spring because the ones I got this year are just beautiful.  Here are a couple of photos of the pink one.

Well - sorry about that.  I have tried several times to post the photos, but Blogger is having a brain experience and is not cooperating.  I'll give it a try later on.  This morning I have an appointment and will have to be getting ready to leave soon.

There isn't much news this morning, so that will be all for today.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs. Edna B.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Summer Time Is Here!

June 21, 2011
Tis another gorgeous morning here in New England.  It's also the official start of Summer, and the end of the school year for most children.  I think it's also time for another round of blooms in the garden.  The lilies should be blooming soon.  While the pink rose tree has been looking just gorgeous, the large buds on the yellow rose tree aren't ready to blossom.  But, oh boy! when they do!

Later today, I shall go out and check on the progress of the veggie garden.  There have been lots of flowers on the tomato plants, so I'm guessing that pretty soon we will be picking tomatoes.  Woo Hoo!  I think we will go shopping for wire fencing later today, so that we can put something around the plants to keep the furry visitors out.

Later, I need to buckle down and get cracking on the July kits.  I've been very neglectful of my designing these past couple of weeks.  When the weather gets nice, I seem to get wander lust.  I also need to make an appointment at the nail salon.  My nails are beginning to look quite pitiful.

Today, I have photos of gulls in flight.  These were taken at the beach the other day.  I wonder where these birds were when I was looking to get "flight" photos? 




When I was taking these photos, a man walking by commented "Boy!  You'll take pictures of anything!"  I just smiled and said "Of course.  You never know what surprises you'll find later when you look at your photos."  Unlike this man, I think the birds are quite beautiful.

Now I think it's time to get dressed and get my day started.  There must be some fun kind of mischief that Tootsie and I can get into.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Monday, June 20, 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GARY JR.

June 20, 2011

Tis a beautiful morning, and it's my son's birthday.  Happy Birthday, Gary Jr.  I hope the day surrounds you with love and happiness.

I am still at work, but it's only 6 a.m. and the Mrs. is asleep.  Outside, the birds are busy calling to each other, and the grape leaves are edged with dew drops.  It's definitely a lovely start to a day off.  I want to call a friend today and get the directions to a different beach to visit this week. 

I have some new photos to share this morning.  Over the past few weeks, a local newspaper ran it's annual "Draw Your Dad" contest for kids up to 11 years old.  Jazzy drew a picture of her dad, Eddie, and sent it in.  Out of more than 200 entries, 9 winners were selected.  You got it!  She won!  The nine winners were called in and photographed with their Dads.  The winning drawings, and the photos of the kids and their Dads were in yesterday's "Fathers' Day" edition of the newspaper.  Here is Jazzy's winning drawing and the photo of her and Eddie.


In case you are wondering, the four corner objects tell something about Eddie.  He like football and baseball, and the plug and lightbulb tell you that he is an electrician.

This morning, I will also post the last two parts of "Mouse Love."  This was a fun kit to work on, and I hope you're all enjoying it. 


Here are your download links for Mouse Love, Parts 5 & 6.

EXPIRED

When you are finished here, don't forget to stop by Su's blog to pick up her parts.  While you're there, take a moment to say hello and thank you. 


Before I get ready to go home, I have one more fun photo to share.  This cute little duck was having a grand time looking for goodies under the water. 



Now I really must get busy here.  It's almost time to go home   Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

HAPPY FATHERS' DAY

June 19, 2011

It's a gorgeous sunny morning here in my little part of the world.  It's also Fathers' Day, which means lots of barbecues and outings with Dad.  You know, Dads are very special people, so enjoy them and let them know you love them. 

Even though it's special day for Dads, one Dad in particular will be coming by to spend a little time with me unhooking and re-hooking my soaker hose.  It's beginning to look like the soaker is hooked up to the hot water.  We've been wondering why we keep running out of hot water for the shower, and why there is steam coming off the soaker when it is running.  Hmmmmmm!  We shall see!

Yesterday, Tootsie and I went back to Nantasket Beach, and spent the afternoon enjoying a fantastic balmy breeze coming off the ocean.  I could stand living next to the water all Spring, Summer and Fall.  Oh yes, I could! 

We must have walked quite a distance along the sea wall, because we finally did find one of the old vendors, a hot dog shack.  I had to crop the photo a bit to take the people out of it.


On our way to the beach, we stopped by a little pond and got some photos of  a goose family.  Then, when we were on our way home, we decided to stop by the park near our town and were treated to a rare sighting for our area.   There was a long cormorant swimming in the pond.  He was quite a ways out, so these photos are the best I could get.



I have a lot more great photos to share but I'll save them for other days.  I think I should get busy and get dressed before Eddie gets here. I don't want to scare him away.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

I Finally Did It!!

June 18, 2011

Ah, good morning.  And a lovely morning it is!!  Sometime today, Tootsie and I are going to hop into the car and head for water.  Oh wow, I can almost smell the salt water breeze.  Only this time, we are taking some food with us.  When we went to Nantasket Beach the other day, my mouth was watering for a hot dog in a roll with all  the fixings, but alas there were none when we got there.

Have you noticed anything different yet about the appearance of my blog?  No?  Check out the new avatar.  On my way home from work yesterday, I walked into a hair salon and said" Cut it all off!"  They did, and my braid was placed in an envelope to be sent in to Locks Of Love to make wigs for cancer patients.  I swear, I feel 10 pounds lighter!! 

This is something I've been wanting to do for quite a while now.  I just haven't had the guts.  It's takes a long time for my hair to grow long enough to cut off a 14 inch braid.  I'm left with tiny little curls that only go where they want to go.  Of course, now my gray shows up even more!

For today, I have a few photos of the waves breaking against the sea wall rocks.  I just thought that they would be nice and cool to look at on such a lovely warm day.  These were taken one right after the other.  You can even see bits of sea weed in the watery froth.  Pretty cool!!




Now I'm off to check the laundry.  Got a few things still to do before we hop in the car and go!   Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Friday, June 17, 2011

A Star Is Born

June 17, 2011

Good morning.  Today is a bit cooler and not so sunny, but it is still quite nice.  Last night, Tootsie and I went to watch our Jasmine perform in a school play.  I must say that all the kids did a really great job.  The play was about a school fundraiser taking place back in the 80's.  There was quite a lot of humor, and some fantastic music.  We had quite an enjoyable evening.  After the show, I got a nice photo of Jazzy with her roses. 


This morning, I'm at work, and at the moment the Mrs is having a nap.  So many squirrels and raccoons were feasting on the food in the her bird feeder, that the Mrs' son got her a brand new "squrrel proof" feeder and hung it outside the patio door.  Here are a couple of photos that I just took of the new birdfeeder. 



The poor little baby just sat and looked at me as if pleading "please don't tell anyone I'm here."  To be honest, as long as I can take your photo, I won't tell a soul.  Baby squirrels got to eat too.

I think we have rain coming today and tomorrow.  I hope it's not a lot because I would like to go back to the beach when the tide is out so that Tootsie can run along the sand.  The beach we went to yesterday was a place called Nantasket Beach.  When I was a kid, there was a huge amusement park and roller skating rink directly across from the water.  Unfortunately, both are long gone.

Now I must get back to work here.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Yeah!! We Finally Made It!

June 16, 2011

Good afternoon.  Yup, Tootsie and I finally made it to the beach.  We went straight to the ocean, and my what a surprise for me.  Everything looked so different from when I was younger.  There were new sea walls, and all the food vendors were gone.  It was high tide, and there were lots of folks sunning on the rocks of the sea wall. 

There were no sea birds - I only saw two gulls.  However, there were a couple of brave sparrows on the sea wall hoping to catch a yummy bug meal.  One of them actually got lucky while we were there.



I did get a lot of nice shots of the waves coming in, even a surf board rider.  But I'll save those for another day.  First I have to go through them, crop them, and make sure that no one is recognizable. 

In a couple of hours, Tootsie and I need to get ready to go see Jasmine starring in a school play.   Tootsie will be in her stroller, so no one will even know she is there.  She's very well behaved and doesn't bark at everyone.

Now I'm off to get a few things done here.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantastic day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Happy Birthday Bob-O-Link

June 15, 2011

Good afternoon.  Today is my oldest grandchild's birthday.  He was the first of many, and today he is 31 years old.  Happy Birthday Bob-O-Link.  (That was Papa's nickname for Bobby)

Tootsie had an appointment this morning with her neurologist, and let me tell you, this was Tootsie's best check up ever!!!   We did not get a follow up appointment.  Instead, the doctor told us to call or email her in two weeks and give her an update on how Tootsie is doing at that point.  Woo Hoo!!  This has been a long time coming.

The weather today is scrumptious!  It's sunny, yet not too hot.  I think I will see about getting caught up on the laundry this afternoon so that Tootsie and I can maybe make it to the beach in the morning.  I would  really like this.

There's not a lot of news today, so I'll get right to the photos.  I took these two photos through my kitchen window.  We always sprinkle some of the bird seed on the ground when we fill the feeder so that the ground feeders will have plenty to eat.  As I was passing the window, I noticed a daddy cardinal feeding his young one.  I love this type of shot.  The second photo is of the baby alone waiting for Dad to bring more food.



Now I want to go check on the wash.  There's lots to do today so that tomorrow we can play.  I also have to decide what's for supper and start getting that ready, because daughter in law is coming to dine with us.  Enjoy this fantastic weather.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a marvelous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Oh Wow, I'm A Snapdragon!!

June 14, 2011

Welcome to soggy New England.  One would almost think that the calendar has rolled back to April.  But don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining.  Pretty soon the muggy hot stuff will be upon us and we will be longing for a week like this.  Besides, we haven't had to water the garden in a while.  Mother Nature has been doing it for us.

A friend sent me an adorable explanation for my forgetfulness and tardiness.  It seems I have entered the snapdragon part of my life.  This is good to know as it sets my mind free of worry.  Thanks Rhoda.



As for my diet, I seem to have hit a slight snag in the road.  I'm not gaining, but I'm not losing.  I need to get out more but I'll have to wait for some better weather.  Hopefully, this week will be good weather wise.  I need to trim one of the rose trees, and get some screening for our veggie garden.

It's a good thing that I looked at the calendar this morning.  There is a birthday coming up that I don't want to miss.  Since I lost my "Birthday & Anniversary" list, I seem to be quite tardy with a lot of my wishes.  As I remember a lot of the dates, I write them on my calendar.  Today I was reminded of how time is flying by me.  My two youngest babes are turning 48 and 46 this year.  Ouch!!

I remember 45 years ago ....... the doctors said to me "Just hold her and enjoy the next hour or two.  That's about all she can survive.  Sorry."  In November, she will be 46 years old.  She has sparkling blue eyes, pale blonde hair, and a smile that makes your eyes happy.  My friends, faith can sometimes move mountains.

Now it's time to give Tootsie her meds.  Then there is a stack of laundry waiting for me by the washing machine.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Oops, Almost Forgot.

June 13, 2011

Gosh, my brain just isn't behaving today.  I almost forgot to post your links for Parts 3 & 4 of Mouse Love.  Here is my preview, and your download links.


EXPIRED

When you're finished downloading, stop by Su's blog to pick up  her parts.  Here is her preview.


Don't forget, a word of thanks means so much.  Y'all have a great day.

Hugs, Edna B.

A Short Rhodie Season!

June 13, 2011

Tis a dreary, gray, wet good morning, but the weatherman says we might get to see the sun again soon.  Woo Hoo!  I love the sun, not the hot humid stuff, but just the comfortably warm sun.  It's good for the soul, and it's super good for these old bones.

Sad to say, this has been an extremely short season for rhododendrons.  They no sooner opened up into big beautiful blooms, then the rains came and shot them all down.  But, they were beautiful while they were here!!

The good side to the rain is the opportunity to get photos of raindrops.  These little beads of water fascinate me.  (So I'm a little bit strange!)  I have a few photos to share.  This first is a brand new bud on one of my rose trees.


These next two shots are of the shiny gem like drops of rain on the leaves.  The first photo was taken in early afternoon, and the second photo was taken later when there was less light.  Don't they just look like jewels?



Right now, they are showing repeats of "Project Runway" on the TV.  This was my favorite show, and it is no longer on the air.  To my distress, why oh why do they always take away these wonderfully creative shows to make more room for violence and smut.  This little brain could never figure this out.

Anyway, now I want to spend some time with Tootsie before we have to turn in for a nap.  Tonight is another work night (but we get next Saturday night off!).  Come back tomorrow for the next two parts of "Mouse Love."  Till then, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.