This past weekend, Emily and I went down to Dallas for my nephew Tyler's 4th birthday party.
Party in Pictures ...
Party in Pictures ...
And a little video for your viewing pleasure ... Tyler playing with one of his birthday presents.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Down the Slippery Slope
Since I am off work the rest of the week, Emily and I decided to go to the park this morning. Emily is a pretty good little negotiator and she asked for a guaranteed 12 minutes of play time. But we actually stayed way longer than that.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Finders Keepers
When someone leaves stuff laying out in my yard, I automatically fill it with flowers. I wonder if someone will come looking for their boot? Hmmmm ...
And one parting shot ... one of my favorites ... Wave petunias spilling out of a hanging basket. And they smell so sweet? Don't believe me? Wish I could put them on smellovision for you all.
I sure hope not because I won't have a place to put my hibiscus and my mandevilla and my other little plant. And it looks really nice next to my red garden wagon.
And speaking of the wagon, I finally got some plants to go in it. I went with a red theme ... red caladiums and some other kind of red "star flower" along with a bit of snake plant and a couple other things.
I think the wagon turned out really cute. I just hope I can keep the pots watered well this summer. They are a bit on the small side so I think they'll take daily watering to stay alive.
I also found this little plant in the discount bin at the garden center this weekend. I call it the squiggly plant. Any idea what variety this might be?
And one parting shot ... one of my favorites ... Wave petunias spilling out of a hanging basket. And they smell so sweet? Don't believe me? Wish I could put them on smellovision for you all.
Monday, May 18, 2009
A Check, A Check, A Big Fat Check!
I got my Big Fat Check from Ebates in the a mail today. Woo! I was so excited to open it and see how much money I got back. It was over $50!!!! Mama's gonna have her a little shopping spree!
Do you want your own Big Fat Check? Click this link: Ebates.com and get on your way to earning your own Big Fat Check.
Don't know about Ebates? It's a program where you get 3% -25% cash back for shopping online at all your favorite stores - Dillards, Gardeners Supply, Barnes 'n Nobles, Bath & Body Works, Walgreens and even eBay! You can also get access to discounts and coupon codes using Ebates. You don't actually purchase items at Ebates.com ... you just have to click through Ebates to get to your favorite store. Ebate tracks your purchase through your favorite retailer and send you a Big Fat Check.
Have you ever used Ebates? Tell us about your experience.
Sign up now!
Do you want your own Big Fat Check? Click this link: Ebates.com and get on your way to earning your own Big Fat Check.
Don't know about Ebates? It's a program where you get 3% -25% cash back for shopping online at all your favorite stores - Dillards, Gardeners Supply, Barnes 'n Nobles, Bath & Body Works, Walgreens and even eBay! You can also get access to discounts and coupon codes using Ebates. You don't actually purchase items at Ebates.com ... you just have to click through Ebates to get to your favorite store. Ebate tracks your purchase through your favorite retailer and send you a Big Fat Check.
Have you ever used Ebates? Tell us about your experience.
Sign up now!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Wet Weekend and Who's Dancing Their Way Home
Last week, I predicted that we would have - yet - another - wet weekend. So did it happen?
No! We had no rain on Saturday or Sunday. We got out a did some Garden Center shopping both days. I didn't take any pictures yet, but I will try to do that later this week. We got some really neat and interesting things. And the daylilys are just blooming more and more every day.
Who's Dancing Their Way Home
My sweet mother-in-law gave me this week's Dancing With the Stars spoiler. If you don't want to know, then don't continue reading. Anyway ... apparently, the TV Guide on some cable providers indicates that the finalists are Shawn Johnson and Gilles Marini. That means my personal favorite - Melissa is dancing her way home.
So what do you think? Are Shawn Johnson and Gilles the best dancers of DWTS Season 8?
No! We had no rain on Saturday or Sunday. We got out a did some Garden Center shopping both days. I didn't take any pictures yet, but I will try to do that later this week. We got some really neat and interesting things. And the daylilys are just blooming more and more every day.
Who's Dancing Their Way Home
My sweet mother-in-law gave me this week's Dancing With the Stars spoiler. If you don't want to know, then don't continue reading. Anyway ... apparently, the TV Guide on some cable providers indicates that the finalists are Shawn Johnson and Gilles Marini. That means my personal favorite - Melissa is dancing her way home.
So what do you think? Are Shawn Johnson and Gilles the best dancers of DWTS Season 8?
Friday, May 15, 2009
Do you see what I see?
Yep, it's the first daylily blossom of the season. I am overjoyed by this little fellow.
And it looks like we'll have new daylilys tomorrow. There are two bright orange buds on this one. The flower in this bottom picture is one of the late-comer daffodils. I probably have 20 daffodils in bloom right now.
And look at home many buds are on this one plant! I mean it is just overloaded! All the Stella D'Oro daylilys are just bursting with buds like this one. A half-dozen other varieties are budding out right now too.
The daylilys must be loving all the rain we have been getting. (And ... in case you were wondering ... we're supposed to get more rain later tonight ... and tomorrow ... and maybe NOT on Sunday.)
And it looks like we'll have new daylilys tomorrow. There are two bright orange buds on this one. The flower in this bottom picture is one of the late-comer daffodils. I probably have 20 daffodils in bloom right now.
And look at home many buds are on this one plant! I mean it is just overloaded! All the Stella D'Oro daylilys are just bursting with buds like this one. A half-dozen other varieties are budding out right now too.
The daylilys must be loving all the rain we have been getting. (And ... in case you were wondering ... we're supposed to get more rain later tonight ... and tomorrow ... and maybe NOT on Sunday.)
Thursday, May 14, 2009
April Showers et al
April Showers Bring May Flowers.
Something about this classic saying is not working right this year - at least, not in Oklahoma. We had a dry April, but a very wet and rainy May. Someone told me the other day that we had 16 out of 17 days of rain. I don't know about anyone else, but this rain is really wearing me out.
Mother's Day
We had a really nice Mother's Day last weekend. I'd already gotten my presents - my red garden wagon, wind chime, and topsy turvy tomato planter ... along with lots of plants. We went to lunch at Outback Steakhouse with the fam. The food was yummy and we had a good time visiting. We missed Pops though. He was home sick.
After lunch, we went home and took a nap and I'm pretty sure it rained. (See note above.)
Emily probably told me "Happy Mother's Day" 50 times that day and at least once or twice every day since then. She's just the sweetest little girl. I'm soooooooo lucky to have her and I love all her sweet hugs and kisses every day.
All good things must come to an end
Tomorrow is Emily's last day of pre-school this year. They will be having a pizza party. I know she will miss seeing her friends. Her teachers made a book of some of her artwork and papers that she did throughout the year. The book turned out really cute. I'll have to take pictures of some of the pages so that you can see what all she's done.
I hate to admit it, but ...
I hate to admit it, but Emily and I went to see the Hannah Montana movie at the theater a few weeks ago with Nanny, Madison, and Aunt Cherry. I thought it was going to be a bunch of young girls screaming, but I didn't actually hear any screaming or anything. We actually had a pretty good time ... even though it was Hannah Montana. Sad to say, but Emily knows the whole HM theme song and she knows the name of all the characters. Sad ... but true.
Beauty, if only for a day
All of my Stella D'Oro daylilys are full of buds. A few of them will be blooming within the next day or two. I can hardly wait! A few of the other daylily varieties have buds on them too, but none are close to blooming like the Stellas. I am looking forward to documenting my flower garden in pictures this year.
Daffy Daffs
The belated daffodils are still blooming. It's been nice to have such a long season of beautiful sunny yellow blossoms.
Thumping Thieves
Someone or something has been stealing some of the flowers out of my flowerbeds. I mean the whole plants ... just gone. Nowhere to be found. I'm pretty sure it's the bunnies that live under the shed. I just can't figure out why they are not eating the strawberries this year. Maybe they are waiting for the strawberries to ripen!
A Bowl of Fun - Saturday - June 6, 2009
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details ...
Silly Goose
I think this picture needs a name ... what would you call it?? Leave a comment and let me know.
Something about this classic saying is not working right this year - at least, not in Oklahoma. We had a dry April, but a very wet and rainy May. Someone told me the other day that we had 16 out of 17 days of rain. I don't know about anyone else, but this rain is really wearing me out.
Mother's Day
We had a really nice Mother's Day last weekend. I'd already gotten my presents - my red garden wagon, wind chime, and topsy turvy tomato planter ... along with lots of plants. We went to lunch at Outback Steakhouse with the fam. The food was yummy and we had a good time visiting. We missed Pops though. He was home sick.
After lunch, we went home and took a nap and I'm pretty sure it rained. (See note above.)
Emily probably told me "Happy Mother's Day" 50 times that day and at least once or twice every day since then. She's just the sweetest little girl. I'm soooooooo lucky to have her and I love all her sweet hugs and kisses every day.
All good things must come to an end
Tomorrow is Emily's last day of pre-school this year. They will be having a pizza party. I know she will miss seeing her friends. Her teachers made a book of some of her artwork and papers that she did throughout the year. The book turned out really cute. I'll have to take pictures of some of the pages so that you can see what all she's done.
I hate to admit it, but ...
I hate to admit it, but Emily and I went to see the Hannah Montana movie at the theater a few weeks ago with Nanny, Madison, and Aunt Cherry. I thought it was going to be a bunch of young girls screaming, but I didn't actually hear any screaming or anything. We actually had a pretty good time ... even though it was Hannah Montana. Sad to say, but Emily knows the whole HM theme song and she knows the name of all the characters. Sad ... but true.
Beauty, if only for a day
All of my Stella D'Oro daylilys are full of buds. A few of them will be blooming within the next day or two. I can hardly wait! A few of the other daylily varieties have buds on them too, but none are close to blooming like the Stellas. I am looking forward to documenting my flower garden in pictures this year.
Daffy Daffs
The belated daffodils are still blooming. It's been nice to have such a long season of beautiful sunny yellow blossoms.
Thumping Thieves
Someone or something has been stealing some of the flowers out of my flowerbeds. I mean the whole plants ... just gone. Nowhere to be found. I'm pretty sure it's the bunnies that live under the shed. I just can't figure out why they are not eating the strawberries this year. Maybe they are waiting for the strawberries to ripen!
A Bowl of Fun - Saturday - June 6, 2009
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details ...
Silly Goose
I think this picture needs a name ... what would you call it?? Leave a comment and let me know.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Sweetly Springy
Since I've been away (read: lazy and tired) for a few days, I thought I would post some Easter/spring/4-year-old pictures for your viewing pleasure.
I also wanted to mention that Kim had her baby on Wednesday morning. Brynlee weighed 4lbs, 12oz and was 18 1/2 inches long. Mom and baby are still in the hospital but doing well. Congratulations to Kim and Duane on their beautiful new addition.
I also wanted to mention that Kim had her baby on Wednesday morning. Brynlee weighed 4lbs, 12oz and was 18 1/2 inches long. Mom and baby are still in the hospital but doing well. Congratulations to Kim and Duane on their beautiful new addition.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Praying for Kim
Mike's cousin, Kim, is in the hospital in labor with her baby girl, Brynlee. Pray that everything goes perfectly and that mom has a easy time of it.
We can't wait to meet baby Brynlee!
Monday, May 4, 2009
I Know I ...
I know I named my blog "Grace Like Rain", but this is getting a little ridiculous. I have seriously lost count of the number of rainy days in a row we've had here in Oklahoma. And I'm sure it's no surprise that more rain is forecast for tomorrow.
I wish the rain would hold off a few days so that I can get back outside to my beautiful flowers.
I wish the rain would hold off a few days so that I can get back outside to my beautiful flowers.
Hanging baskets full of Wave petunias
And a flat of multi-colored Wave petunias that need to be planted
New daylilys that were planted a couple weeks ago
Stella D'Oro Daylilys already beginning to show buds - Can't wait to see all these in bloom
Pink azaleas with beautiful blossoms but very few/small leaves
My Awesome Niece
On Sunday night, we went to Madison's children's choir program at church. My awesome niece had a speaking part, a couple solos AND she played a piano prelude. She did a great job!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Does it work? Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter
I've been wanting to try the Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter for quite some time. It's one of those As Seen on TV products that look like it might actually work. And who doesn't love fresh home-grown tomatoes.
This weekend, we were at Home Depot and they had some of these gadgets in the garden center. Mike saw them too and asked if I wanted to get one. Of course I do!
So we picked one up and I read on the box that you have to buy a tomato plant to put in it and some potting soil. We browsed the tomato selections and ended up picking a Better Boy tomato. This is a variety that my Granddaddy grew in his garden.
When we got home, Emily and I potted up the tomato plant in the Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter. It was a very windy day and, unfortunately, Emily was sitting down-wind from the planter and all the potting mix. It ended up getting all over her and in her hair. Whoops!
So you take off the planter's cap and remove the split sponge that's in the bottom of the planter. I let Emily hold our sponge and she ended up breaking it in two pieces, but it worked okay anyway. You insert the tomato plant from the bottom and then put the split sponge around the stem. Then you push the sponge down into the bottom of the planter. This is how the plant is held into place.
After the plant and sponge were firmly plugging the bottom hole, we started adding potting soil to the planter. The directions said to fill it to within two inches of the top, but ours was not quite that full.
We hung the planter on a shepherd's hook in the backyard then added water to the top of the bag. Unfortunately, it was so so windy outside and our poor tomato plant was being whipped around. I hope it survives the night.
The instruction pamphlet says to water the plant often and to fertilize it every two weeks at first and then ever 10 days and then every few days.
I'll let you know how it goes ....
This weekend, we were at Home Depot and they had some of these gadgets in the garden center. Mike saw them too and asked if I wanted to get one. Of course I do!
So we picked one up and I read on the box that you have to buy a tomato plant to put in it and some potting soil. We browsed the tomato selections and ended up picking a Better Boy tomato. This is a variety that my Granddaddy grew in his garden.
When we got home, Emily and I potted up the tomato plant in the Topsy Turvy Tomato Planter. It was a very windy day and, unfortunately, Emily was sitting down-wind from the planter and all the potting mix. It ended up getting all over her and in her hair. Whoops!So you take off the planter's cap and remove the split sponge that's in the bottom of the planter. I let Emily hold our sponge and she ended up breaking it in two pieces, but it worked okay anyway. You insert the tomato plant from the bottom and then put the split sponge around the stem. Then you push the sponge down into the bottom of the planter. This is how the plant is held into place.
After the plant and sponge were firmly plugging the bottom hole, we started adding potting soil to the planter. The directions said to fill it to within two inches of the top, but ours was not quite that full.
We hung the planter on a shepherd's hook in the backyard then added water to the top of the bag. Unfortunately, it was so so windy outside and our poor tomato plant was being whipped around. I hope it survives the night.
The instruction pamphlet says to water the plant often and to fertilize it every two weeks at first and then ever 10 days and then every few days.I'll let you know how it goes ....
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
I Love Shopping with My Husband
He picks out things that I love but I would never buy for myself.
And I love him for it.
Can anyone identify this little tree that he bought for me? May be hard to tell what it is in this very wind-blown photo.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Animal Instincts
On Friday afternoon, Dan the Eagle visited Emily's preschool. I believe Dan was a mascot for an insurance company, not entirely sure. All I know is that he brought cookies. More on that in a minute.
So according to the teacher, Emily started screaming and crying as soon as Dan the Eagle came into the room. The teacher eventually covered Emily's face with a folder and she settled down a bit.
The funny part is that Dan brought cookies as I mentiond earlier. Even though Emily screamed and cried at the Eagle, she still wanted to eat his cookies. Typical!!!
Speaking of Animals ...
Speaking of animals, Madison's class is going to the zoo on Wednesday. Nanny asked Emily if she wanted to go to the zoo too and Emily said "Okay but I'll wait in the car." Haha, and she also said that they would have to keep the windows closed.
Apparently Emily does not like animals - real or un-real.
So according to the teacher, Emily started screaming and crying as soon as Dan the Eagle came into the room. The teacher eventually covered Emily's face with a folder and she settled down a bit.
The funny part is that Dan brought cookies as I mentiond earlier. Even though Emily screamed and cried at the Eagle, she still wanted to eat his cookies. Typical!!!
Speaking of Animals ...
Speaking of animals, Madison's class is going to the zoo on Wednesday. Nanny asked Emily if she wanted to go to the zoo too and Emily said "Okay but I'll wait in the car." Haha, and she also said that they would have to keep the windows closed.
Apparently Emily does not like animals - real or un-real.
Video from Spring Program
As promised, here are a couple videos from Thursday nights performance of the Preschool Spring Program. Sorry the video is so bad. I did the best I could do, but I am always so torn between doing the video and watching my child on the stage. I think I miss so much by looking through the tiny lens.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Belated Beauties
You probably remember the 80 daffodil bulbs that I purchased on clearance last fall and planted in my garden in early February.
Earlier this week, these daffodils finally started blooming. Only three of the bulbs are blooming right now, but several more have buds on them and I'd say that well over half of them have sprouted and are growing larger every day.
The ones pictured below are growing in my daylily bed. Normally, the daffodils will bloom before the daylilys start coming up.
Earlier this week, these daffodils finally started blooming. Only three of the bulbs are blooming right now, but several more have buds on them and I'd say that well over half of them have sprouted and are growing larger every day.
The ones pictured below are growing in my daylily bed. Normally, the daffodils will bloom before the daylilys start coming up.
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