Friends and Flowers

I want to thank each and every one of you that took the time to leave a comment on my last post.  Your kind and thoughtful sentiments have brought solace to my husband and I as we grieve the loss of our beloved kitty.  You're the best. 

We are packing and planning and making lists for our annual family reunion at Waldo Lake - we leave in a few days.  (Thank heavens for our state-of-the art security system with 3 cameras.)  My blog friend, Gracie, invited me over for lunch and a visit yesterday, knowing that we'd both be going on vacation.  This is a beautiful hollyhock in bloom by her front porch.  If you haven't checked out her blog, you'd enjoy her a lot - click HERE.

Here is Gracie, what a sweetheart!  She made iced tea and a yummy salad with her own cherry tomatoes on top!  We chatted away for a few hours and had a lovely time.  I then headed out for my swim workout, then ran some errands.  A busy day.   

I've packed my clothes for the trip - now to pack my CRAFTY stuff. :-)  Our begonias are doing extra nice this year, Dayle winters them over every year. 

 And our new orange and unusual begonia basket.

I am so happy with the Lantana - I will get one each spring.  I know it will not make it through our winters, being a southern plant. 

The moss roses are sweet too, I just love the succulent type foliage on them. 

The volunteer bell flower is doing well.. I wonder if it will come back next year? 

Are you familiar with the story - "Jack in the Beanstalk"?  We have our very own variety of it.. the biggest Stargazer Lily ever!  It's growing way up over the eave of the roof!  I think we'll cut this stem and take it to camp with us, as I don't want to miss the blooms.  That red banana is from last year, too.  And it wintered outside!

Dear hubby repotted 3 of my favorite houseplants - he found these great fiberglass pots for only $14.99 at Bi-Mart!  I got the variegated ficus as a 5 inch tall plant for my desk at work 14 years ago.  The Peace Lily was from my Dad's funeral 11 years ago and I treasure it.  They are now safely back in their spots in the dining room - which gets the best light in our house. 

We have tiger and stargazer lilies in bloom on the deck of the garden shed. :-) 

Stargazer Lilies.. a wondrous flower indeed, exotically magnificent and fragrant like the finest Oriental scent.  If you don't grow one, you should try one. 

I have an iPad and love it for my Scrabble, Words With Friends and Draw Something games - but the holder/easel I had never worked very well - and I'd been wanting a wireless keyboard for it - so I did some online research and found this little gem.  It's called a ClamCase Pro - and you snap the iPad in the lid, and pair it with the wireless bluetooth keyboard, and it's like a little computer!  Plus, the keyboard folds beneath to become an easel.  Just thought I'd share this with iPad users.

More yo-yos for my centerpiece project.  I'm certainly not pushing the holidays, but this is a fun make.  I'm taking it all to camp to work on when we're not sailing or swimming or roasting marshmallows. :-)  If you'd like to see where we're going - click HERE to see my blog post when we returned from our 10 day camping trip.  

Again.. thank you for all your kind comments about Lucy.  Buddy seems to be looking for her.  OK, time for me to pack some more things.  Have a great week!  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)