anniversary...

Today's our anniversary, we are celebrating 34 years of marriage today. It's been a been a wonderful life and we look forward to celebrating many more years together. One of the best things about today has been the wishes from our kids - it made us both feel like we must have done something right to be blessed with such wonderful children.

Click HERE for Jayme & Scott's message where she says we are a great example of a loving relationship.

The text of the card from Nathan and Tammy...

Because of the two of you,
I know what love is.
It's patience. It's sacrifice.
It's sharing joy and keeping faith.
It's what keeps us strong and helps us find our way...

Because of the two of you,
I know what family is.
It's laughing. It's listening.
It's growing up and growing together.
It's being there for each other, no matter what...

Because of the two of you,
I know that love and family
are the heart of a good life
and a lasting marriage.
Because of the two of you,
I'll always be thankful for the love we have
and the family we are.

Sorry for the sentimental post if you were expecting birds, butterflies and flowers but I sure LOVE my husband and family and am not afraid to shout it to the world!

butterflies...

I love the way they look in the late afternoon light.

the buckboard...

Warning: This post could leave you scratching your head and wondering about my sense of humor but I just couldn't resist having a little fun with these photos.

cooling off...

It is HOT here today so it is a very busy afternoon of birds cooling off at the rock. A bluejay above and a robin and 2 chipping sparrows below.
Female house sparrow and gray catbird.
2 baltimore orioles and a male house sparrow.
Goldfinch
Mourning dove
As for me, I am staying in the air conditioning today so all shots taken were taken through the window and cropped.

rude awakening...

The first thing I do every morning after J leaves for the day is take my cup of coffee outside and walk through the gardens to see if anything new is blooming. Today, I was happy to see the first blossom on the Mariachi Carmine Lisianthus which is a new plant for me this year. I think it is gorgeous so I went back inside to grab the camera to take a few shots for a mosaic Monday post. Next, I took a few pictures of my morning glory/petunia pot - I love the hot pink petunias with a purple center and the deep purple morning glories with a fuschia striping and a white center.
In the distance I heard a crop dusting plane and soon it was buzzing the garden spraying the corn field surrounding our place.
I waited to take one more shot of his next pass and then went inside until the air clears of the strong chemical smells.
All the pots need watering but today they will have to wait a few hours and I will start my day with coffee and blogging rather than a garden walk...wish the wind wasn't always the calmest at daybreak so they could spray at a less invasive time of day.

steeple Sunday...

We saw this rural Starbuck, MN church while cycling State Hwy 114 on a very cloudy day in June. This church was founded in 1872 but the date on the steeple says the current church was built in 1896.

Indherred Lutheran Church is built on a hill overlooking a lake across the highway. The original builders picked a perfect spot for a country church.

The property is surrounded by a fence with a ornate arched gate with their name displayed.
When I uploaded the photos to the blog I noticed something I did not notice in person. Doesn't it look like the last D in Indherred is backwards? I wonder if this was the original craftsman or a later repair job?

garden portraits...

Hawaiian Blue Eyes evolvulus above
Tiger lily below
Carousel Mum - also called spoon mum (see the little spoon ends), quill mum, spider mum
Morning Glory Split Personality
Echo Blue Lisianthus
my first reblooming iris - name unknown
next 3 photos - Zinnia 'Candy Mix'


Queen Anne's lace - doesn't it remind you of fireworks?

week in review...

I've been so busy enjoying summer that I didn't realize it has been a week since I last posted. With beautiful color everywhere even weeding the garden isn't a chore, don't you just love the star of yelta morning glory blossom? The photo doesn't do it justice as it is a deep purple with a fuschia & white interior.

Of course camping is a big part of our summer and last weekend was no exception as we enjoyed a wonderful getaway along the St. Croix river with Jayme & Scott.
It's hard to take time inside to be on the computer blogging when daily I love to watch the birds bathe.
It is always a pleasure to entertain in the garden and last night was no exception as Kathy, Glacial Ridge Knits and Quilts, came to visit and pick up her prize from my 4 year blogoversary giveaway last month. She brought her friends, Jennifer and Cindy, Cindy's Stitches in Time, and we had a wonderful time touring the garden and enjoying treats on the patio.
Even though Kathy was the prize winner, I came out a winner too when she brought me the cutest little hosta for the fairy garden. I can't wait to get it planted in the ground next to the little fairy cottage.

Hope you are enjoying summer as much as I am, it sure seems to be passing fast this year.

garden colors...

It's been a busy week and I haven't had much time to blog, but I wanted to show you some of the beautiful colors greeting me each day. Enjoy!

steeple Sunday...

We came across this rural church, St. James Episcopal, on Enemy Swim Lake near Waubay, SD while cycling this weekend.

The church and lake are part of the Lake Traverse Indian reservation and this sign in the cemetery listed the veterans or in their native language, the akicitas (ah-KEE-chee-tas, meaning law enforcers).