Welcoming Calvin and Garden Gazing

On Saturday we traveled to Southwest Portland to my sister Denise's house for a family gathering.  My brother Robert's daughter Jessica was visiting from Indiana and we finally got to meet her 7 week old son, Calvin.  She also brought her darling 2 year old daughter, Cora.  This is my sister's front garden and I had to show you how amazing it looks, she planted a dozen little pots of Lantana and they spread out, talk about colorful!!

I had a corner to finish on the C2C blanket for Calvin, so I crocheted like a madwoman while we visited.  My brother's son Josh and his family arrived, also with us was his daughter Johanna and her family.  It was fun to see the kids having fun and getting to know their newest cousin.  Jessica on the left, Denise's daughter Whitney holding Calvin and my SIL D'Ann on the right.

Thank goodness I finished the blanket and then had to sew in many ends, but Ta-Dah.. I got it done.  Here is the center of attention wearing the hat I made for him and the matching blanket.  :-) I'm happy that 1. The hat fit and 2. It will fit for the whole winter!  :-)  What a nice time we all had spending time together.  Jessica's husband works in the race car industry and was at the Portland International Raceway for the Indy car races that day.  

Yesterday we just enjoyed our world here at home.  We sat out on the back deck and enjoyed the birds, the flowers and the perfect weather.  A hint of Autumn was in the air, too.  Our Bonfire Orange Begonia is massive, I wonder how big it might get next year?

My 4th of July rose put out new flower growth after I pruned off the spent blossom bracts and it's neat to have these blooming at the end of summer.

Dayle has been feeding a large flock of Goldfinches with 4 "socks" full of Niger Thistle seeds.  None of these were a full yellow, I wonder why?

Our red lace leaf Japanese maple put out some new growth, Dayle feels they need to be pruned off.  We're having a major difference of opinion on this.  I want it to grow bigger, he wants it to be pruned into a mushroom shape.  Your thoughts?

From my comfy wicker chair I am taking most of these photos using the zoom lens of my Lumix DMC-FZ1000 camera.  Our Douglas Fir tree in our woods is loaded with pine cones.

The sounds of falling water in our pond adds to the lovely sound of birdsong.

Our massively huge Chestnut tree is also loaded with nuts, they will begin to fall soon.

The orange Geranium juxtaposed in front of the colorfully leafed begonia that has never flowered.

Zooming in on a tiny miniature rose bloom, the size of a 50 cent piece.

I wish I remembered the name of this but it's leaves are as colorful and a flower.

Pretty.

Time to take down the patriotic bunting.  :-)

The hanging baskets are waning a bit, I am going to miss their colorful presence.  

I hope we get some more of these starry sky petunias again next year.

The little pagoda Dayle brought home from his dad's back yard after he passed away.

Sometimes the simplest images are the most powerful.

A pair of Day Lilies in bloom.

Dayle's red Banana is looking good.. it's not going to enjoy the coming winter weather.

Just passing time enjoying warmth and the sounds of nature.

Look how dry the "grass" is.  Actually, our yard is really just whatever decides to grow.  We're casual like that.  :-)

Kristi made shrimp Étouffée for dinner the other night, it was delicious.  It took us back to our 5 years of living in Louisiana.  

We tested out this cedar stain.  We're thinking it might be a shade too dark?  What do you think?  This is 2 coats.

This is one coat of stain/sealer.

Last night we all went to dinner at Tad's Chicken 'n Dumplins.  They had all the doors wide open to the Sandy River and the temperature was perfect.  A very nice dinner.  Hayden wanted to order oysters.  We all tried to convince him he might not want to do that and thankfully he changed to a "salmon fill-it".  :-)

I thought I'd show you the other side of the sign -- the other side says "Tad's Chic Dump".  :-)

Today is Labor Day here in the USA.  It's held on the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

No matter which country you hail from, I am sure you can all join us in appreciation of the workers who keep your country successful.  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)