Is This the New Normal?

I love line drying my clothes.

Clothes do not get dry on a wet line.

If this rain doesn't stop soon, I am going to start saving money for a covered deck.

Then perhaps I can line dry my clothes whenever I please.

I find weather fascinating, so any time you want to tell me about your weather where you live, please do!

Check out the new gizmo I just added to my sidebar, showing you what the weather forecast looks like in my neck of the woods.

A Sacred Charge

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

"Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan."

-General John Logan, General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868

Picture of the Week

Puppies, Then and Now

From the Jazzi & Hooch litter, here is Molly then...

and now...



From the Sierra & Ben litter, here is Copper then...

and now...

I think someone is a sleepy puppy!


Last but certainly not least, from the Maggie & Doc litter, here is Hurley then...

and now...


I'd like to see that last picture re-posed again in six months when his body starts to catch up with his giant feet!

Random

Some favorite images captured lately... no explanations needed.

Music

What I've been listening to lately...

Beauty

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful;

for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament.

Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower,

and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Better Late than Never

Most years, our garden gets its first tilling in March, and a few more for good measure by the end of April. But we all know by now that this Spring has been anything but usual. RAIN. Lots of it. Here, where you live, and waaaay over where the other yous live. (Not to mention floods and tornadoes... you folks in the hard hit areas have truly been in my thoughts and prayers lately).

I am trying to not be a complainer, but the winter has just felt soooooo long. My bones are itching for sunshine.

We were only given one measly day of nice, sunny weather this past week, but there were a smattering of dry days mixed in with the rain, so finally...

Little Miss looked out the window the afternoon after the tilling was done, gasped, and said, "Mama, WOOK! Da garden is Beautiful! Daddy pulled up all the weeds!" To which I responded with laughter and praise.

She later, in her Daddy's presence, repeated the entire thing, gasp and all, which garnered her more laughter and praise. It wasn't until that evening, when we were comparing stories from the day that we realized what she had done. She's only 3.

See that lovely patch of Rhubarb in the lower left? Many years I am making Rhubarb Custard pies around Mother's Day. Not this year; the stalks were still too scrawny.

So I made up for it this weekend by making these Rhubarb Streusel Muffins. Oh man, were they ever Yummy!

The first Rhubarb harvest of the season always makes me happy. Well, to be truthful, every Rhubarb harvest makes me happy. Love that stuff!

Which is why I made a Rhubarb wallpaper for you.

Click & copy... for your personal use, only please!

First Firepit of the Season

It was a little chilly, and mostly cloudy, but it was dry out, and we have been waiting for way too long.

So this weekend, out came these amazing hot dogs that I feel great about feeding to my kids...

And for the final course... what else?... S'mores!

The kiddos eat theirs the traditional way (cooked as quickly as possible so they can eat them NOW!).


I and the other adults like to take advantage of our special Chocolate Rock to pre-warm the Graham Crackers and Chocolate of choice.

The result is the most ooey-gooey crispy-crunchy Bite of Perfection.

Care to join us next time?

What I Saw...

when I grabbed my Girl's plate to rescue her from a firepit smoke plume...

Okay, so its a *bit* of a stretch, but I still see a face, so it counts!

Picture of the Week

Flowering Currant, one of our favorite native plants.

Smoothies

Step One: Peel that last really brown and squishy Banana, then put it in a blender.

Step Two: Add the remainder of organic Vanilla yogurt from the fridge... about a cup worth.

Step Three: Toss in a handful of frozen Blueberries and a dollop of Strawberry freezer jam. Oh, and the last remaining tidbits of pineapple from last week's pizza night.

Step Four: Blend until smooth.

Step Five: Serve to two very cute and very grateful children. Best if sipped through glass straws from thrifted glasses...


on a Sunny back porch.

Breaking News!

Beth is going to wear shorts TWO DAYS IN A ROW.

Which means a couple of things.

1). It is sunny and warm for only the second and third time this Spring.

2). This is the year she has decided to get over her hatred of her knees.

For how many years can a girl let a couple of silly joints get her down? They work fine. They don't hurt on a regular basis. Who cares if they are all smooshed-looking?

Hopefully not me anymore.

Honest Wear & Pincushions

If you have been reading this blog for any amount of time, you probably know that I have a penchant for old things that show lots of wear from love and use. You may also know that I have a thing for pincushions.

I wouldn't call myself a collector, per se, since I don't avidly go out hunting for pincushions, and I don't spend much time, if any, on a monthly basis, browsing for them online or at antique malls.

I do, however, have this sensor back behind my left elbow that goes off anytime an old pin cushion is near, signaling a radar in my brain, which then turns my feet and moves them in the correct direction. It is a completely involuntary, and sometimes shocking process that I have experienced quite a few times.

Recently, on a very *rare* perusal of ebay (rare because the ebay machine hates me, and I get tired of being treated so poorly when I decide to nibble at an auction. Hopes... dashed! too. many. times.), I stumbled across this title :

"Vtg Antique LEATHER make-do PIN Cushion SHOE"

Okay... many old leather baby shoes have been turned into reproduction pincushion make-dos, and although they are usually sweet, I just personally don't get it. Not much appeal to the old elbow sensor.

Then I read the description:

"Approx 4 1/4 inches tall
A kids shoe that was turned into a pin cushion somewhere along the way
Has lots of wear but is still very charming"

Right. Short description. Not much detail. And a really lousy photo:

But the more I looked at that photo, the more intrigued I became, and grew convinced that this was indeed the real thing. A truly honest-to-goodness old-as-the-hills genuine original leather baby shoe - turned - pin keep.

I waited until the last few minutes of the auction.

I placed a low bid.

I won!

And yesterday when it arrived in the mail, I carefully unwrapped its newspaper covering to find that it is so. much. better. than my imagination built it up to be.

Love it when that happens.