May14

On to the next flower

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Workers digging up tulips, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

I went on a solo trip to Longwood*Gardens and was sad to see this sight as I had missed the tulip displays! The little vehicle there was loaded in the back with the bulbs. I don’t think they have changed the colors of them over the last few years, so I have seem them in the past.
I went to see the ‘chocolate’ display-not much to that-a lady giving out Hershey kisses, another giving out ‘chocolate’ color sunflower seeds and another talking about cocoa beans. On the way out, a fancy chocolatier from a nearby town gave out a sample with truffle filling-yummy.
I wanted to clobber the guy on the radio talking about Rita’s*Water ice as that would have been so refreshing to me on this warm day.

May12

What I’ve been stitching on

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Not many stitchers work on Aida anymore. I had this pretty mossy green piece and decided it was definitely fine for samplers. I want to alter this a bit-after the numbers there they have the wording-‘to grow them is to love them’. Ugh. I think I will put the Latin word for them ‘Santapaula’ there instead. I’m losing the little hearts it calls for in the corners too. The violets themselves are really detailed and pretty.
Everyone is home today-Bri went to the doctor (he continues to not feel well) and Sean had off. Sean is itchy to go get some Trader*Joes goodies. I had a little nap as the kitty got me up at the crack of dawn as he heard Bri get a drink and I was pretty much awake after that.

May11

A change in the weather

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We were enjoying the early summer like weather we had off and on until the dreaded wind decided to blow. And it blew and blew-for 3 days until it cooled it down here to 50s in the daytime and 30s and 40s at night. I held my breath in the morning when I checked what few annuals I had planted and a few looked shaky, but they seem to know it’s May and that this is just a fluke in the weather. On Saturday I was in the midst of changing out my winter to summer clothes (glad I saved a few sweaters and long pants)when I saw my patio umbrella take flight across the back yard. It was just given to us (not new) and I really like it. It was ok and I closed and tied it.
'New' umbrella
Sean had to work on Mother’s Day and Bri was feeling under the weather, so I made a yummy shrimp and roma tomato sauce for some bowtie pasta. Sean enjoyed it later. He picks out the best cards (as did his dad) and gave me a cute vase that I am using for my pencils and art supplies. Sean also took my mom and me out to dinner on Monday which was nice. I had to have terrible congestion all day into the night yesterday. I think the wind stirred up tons of pollen. Today was Bri’s terrible allergy day.
My brother is helping my mom get her bill paying in check after months of disagreements, etc. He sat down and found she wasn’t paying them at all. So now she will get them paid electronically and get an allowance. It’s a whole new world for her!
I couldn’t work outside again-I did only snip a few trees that seem to grown in my garden beds in the same exact place. I high tailed it back in as I never have a lack of anything to do here! Got my shoes changed out and most of the sweaters. It’s hard having a 50 yr old house with limited closets. I’m also going through cookbooks. Does anyone need any or have one on their wish list? Ask me and I’ll see if I have it! I am having fun trying recipes from my new Hungry Girl cookbook. Tonight we had chicken tenders dipped in a honey mustard egg mixture and then in crushed pretzels. Also made oven french fries. Both good!
We are having some cold rain fall now and tomorrow Sean is off and he may take me to Trader*Joes. May make an outing to Longwood*Gardens on Friday for their chocolate exhibit!

May9

Photo Hunt-Mother

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A little late for the hunt, but now I can add ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ to all the giving, loving mothers out there!



Dianne and Sean at Epcot, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

The greatest gift in my life was to become a mom. Although I only was able to have one child, he is truly a special young man. Sean’s had a rough year since his graduation and he is still hoping to land a job related to his field. This was taken on Mother’s Day, 2005 a fun time at Epcot in Disney World.
My own mom has been struggling with issues that need to addressed and solved. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers-it’s going to be hard to get her to change her ways.

May7

Two tone clematis vine

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Two tone clematis vine, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

Here’s the pretty vine I told you about. I’m waiting on a white and lime green one out front next.
Brian planted a new ‘Gypsy’ rose for me last night. I had it a few weeks and the poor thing started to bud in it’s packaging. The roses look so healthy this year-shiny green leaves and buds galore.
I potted up mostly pink and purple petunias on Thursday. I need a few more bags of potting soil. I shouldn’t have been lifting as I pulled something near my left arm pit over to my scar area. I finally put a piece of that sticky icy hot patch on it and it feels better.
We are getting all this wind and no rain. Still have lots to do outside and inside. My summer clothes are still in the space*bags (which don’t work that great).
Have a great Friday!

May4

Stitching Blogger Question for May

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Lovely Lee, over at Lake Stitcher is doing a month meme for cross stitchers. Here is May’s question:
There are those who enjoy the “process” of stitching. They stitch for stitching’s sake and if something gets finished, so much the better, but it’s not necessarily the end goal. Primarily, it’s the application of needle and thread to cloth that makes them happiest.

Then there are those who are “project” stitchers. They move steadily through their projects, certainly enjoying their stitching time, but finding their greatest joy in the completed stitching.

If you had to pick one to describe yourself, which type of stitcher would you be? I imagine that we could all say that we fall somewhere in between, but really think hard about this and try to pick just one. And once you’ve decided whether you’re a Process or Project stitcher, tell us if your recognize that approach in other parts of your life.

At first I thought I was a mixture of both kinds of stitchers. But after I did really think about it, I think I am a process stitcher. I say this as I can take breaks from stitching and not worry about getting something complete, unless it’s for a gift or is charity stitching. Although I love to finish something, I found it’s the last few stitches in a piece at are the most satisfying.
That being said, I will take a few photos of what I’ve been working on.
Another love in my life-collage is all about getting the pieces together to create that special piece of one-of-a-kind art. Tell me that isn’t process work?

May3

Magenta clematis

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Magenta clematis, originally uploaded by DianthusMoon.

It’s a great year for Clematis! I have two of my three vines in full bloom. Heading out to take more photos to clear my head soon. I have a few big projects under way-craft stuff sorting and changing winter to summer clothes. We don’t have enough closets in this house! And I do have too many clothes. I take pretty good care of them and they don’t wear out.
I had so much stuff jammed in the corner of my dining room (my craft ‘room’, but Sean’s room will be that area someday) that I opened a tin that I thought contained pens, etc. and inside were Cmas cookies! They were 4.5 months old, but looked perfect. I was mad at the stupidity of forgetting about food I spent an hour or more making -grrr!
So there is more drama going on in my extended family-one reason I can’t seem to think straight a lot of the time. I’m going down in a few days to see what I can do, if anything. It seems nothing ever changes as some people are never happy or are very stubborn. And they need help from the entire clan. Wish me luck!
Ah-the sun!