HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY...

Time has gotten away from me - again!  

I intended to post on my regular schedule, 

but the time just whizzed by

 and before I knew it 

Tuesday had come and gone. 

I did a few patriotic touches around the Cottage, 

not as much as I have done in the past, 

but that seems to be 

what the future holds from now on.  

It is enough for me. 

 I think I have finally realized that

 less is more, less is enough.  

It is about time...Maybe!

We have been enjoying some hotter weather.  

Hot, but so far, not as bad as year's past. 

 Of course, that doesn't mean it will stay that way 

but, for now, we are grateful.

The little birds that seemed to be getting ready 

to nest in our little pink cottage

 have suddenly disappeared. 

 We have not seen them for three days. 

 Google says this can happen and

  they sometimes return to lay their eggs.  

We looked into the house as best as we could 

but what they built so far

 is too high to see into the nest 

and we didn't want to touch anything. 

 Fingers crossed that they return 

as they have crept into being part of the family.

Hope that those of you who celebrate July 4th

 have a wonderful night. 

 We will do the usual during the day, 

take a trip down to In N Out burger for dinner 

and watch the fireworks 

from our hospital parking lot.  

 Some things never change. 

Until next time...

...xxoJudy...

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SUMMER ROMANCE...

As I write this, I have just received the newest issue of Victoria Magazine.  

It is a beautiful summer morning, and I am having my coffee on the screened porch 

looking out into the Secret Garden.

The Star jasmine is climbing up into the gazebo 

and blooming against the cooling backdrop of green ivy...

...and the hummers have started to come sip 

the nectar prepared just for them.

I think I mentioned in my last post (long, long ago) 

that there were signs that the little house wrens might be checking into our Airbnb cottage again. 

 Yes, they were.  

They seem to be settling in, bringing little treasures to make their stay a comfortable one.  

Mama Wren is already sitting on the eggs,

 and Papa Wren is very busily bringing her whatever her little heart desires.  

Such a sweet sight.

As I open the pages of my magazine and take my first sip of coffee, 

I notice that the theme of this month's issue is Summer Romance.

  I have taken the liberty of using those words as the title of this post.  

That exactly describes what the time has been for me this season so far.  

I have been lucky enough to do only the things that make me happy this summer.  

I have not felt pushed or obligated to do any mundane projects, 

although there are plenty of those remaining,

 and I don't feel guilty that I haven't.

  I did think about starting my holiday decorating on Memorial Day 

but then decided that I would wait for July 4th. 

 So far, our weather has been quite lovely which is always wonderful.  

We got some planting done in the garden and I got my hair cut.

  It hasn't been cut since the beginning days of Covid.  

Now, none of these things are exactly what you would call "romantic" 

but if I can call this summer a time full of quiet and peaceful endeavors, shared with my Captain, 

then that is romance enough for me.

I have been painting a lot.  I have almost filled three journals so far. 

 I am only doing flowers at this time and trying to perfect my style the best that I can. 

 I am watching a lot of YouTube channels, and I do feel I am improving.

  I actually am quite proud that I am now drawing all of my content myself 

and am starting to be more confident about putting paint to paper without any guidelines first. 

 I remember when I first wanted to ride a bike.  I thought I could just get on and go.

  Painting is a lot like that for me, but I have learned

 that you have to do a lot of practice before the magic can happen.  

So, I keep going.

The kids came up last weekend to celebrate Father's Day with the Captain. 

 While they were here Bean had an accident. 

 She stepped on some gum while out on a walk

 and her medical staff, AKA Jacenda, Tami and Jake performed emergency surgery.  

They used peanut butter to soften the gum, 

but I think the patient ate most of the medication.

The gazebo is not the only place that has Star jasmine this summer.  

The dining room porch is really showing off this year.

The garden is nice and colorful now 

and the Old School phlox is very green and full, preparing to bloom soon.

  The Captain is very excited about the tiny tomatoes that are showing up on his plants.

I hope everyone is well. 

 It feels so good to post again.  

Probably won't be back until next month with hopefully some patriotic decor to show off.

I hope you all are enjoying your own special style

of Summer Romance 

and basking in the words of Anne Shirley of Green Gables:  

"I believe the nicest and sweetest days 

are not those in which anything very splendid happens 

but just those that bring simple little pleasures."

...xxoJudy...

Until then, we will all be here just watching birds.

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HAPPY EASTER TO ALL...

 

Spring is here and Easter is on the horizon. 

 It isn't always a pretty sight 

as the sun plays hide and seek with the clouds

 but, on the days when the sun wins, 

it is more beautiful than you would think possible 

and The Olde Crow Homestead basks in its warmth.

The Lady Banks rose is ready to peek out 

from behind the lace curtains

 and pretty Cecil Brunner will not be far behind.

Inside the Cottage an attempt is being made

 to showcase a bit of Easter.  

The parlor mantel is a temporary home 

for a white bunny 

that I made many years ago 

during the "French faience" ceramic phase of decor. 

(Back in the 70's or 80's if I remember correctly.)

 I had a stable full of white ceramic farm animals 

but, with the exception of two sheep, 

this bunny, minus one eye and a few whiskers, 

 is all that is left.

The dining room is hosting 

the majority of Easter this year.  

Here are some of the vignettes sprinkled around...

...these little daffodils 

are the dried remains of 

the first spring blooms from the garden.  

If handled carefully, 

they can still linger for a while longer...

...and this sweet bunny is standing guard

 by a lamp that was put together 

with a candle lamp 

ordered from K.P. Creek

 and an old, rusty grain scoop 

that we have had laying around forever. 

A pretty cute and bright spot 

for only $12.

Two little spring chickens 

sit beside another lamp 

that the Captain put together 

from one of my crocks. 

 I bought the shade from Amazon.

If all else fails 

a small bouquet of old faux tulips

 will still bring a bit of brightness to the kitchen table.

I am forever trying to achieve

 the elusive watercolor painting.  

I will admit that it is becoming more comfortable to me 

but there is certainly a long way to go.  

The above are actually done with watercolor pencils.

My dad painted these little chicks 

when he was in the first grade.  

That would have been around 1918 or 107 years ago. 

 If you were to compare my abilities at age 85

to his at 6 years of age,

 I would say there is a really long way to go!  

BTW, the little ceramic bunny in the photo 

was a gift given to me on my first birthday.

The grass is continuing to green up...

...a spot of color surrounds the Secret Garden...

...and the fairies and dragonflies 

are eagerly awaiting this sign to become reality.

Remember the little pink house

 by the Secret Garden? 

 Papa Wren was perched on the garden gate 

with a piece of straw in his beak 

and Mama Wren flew out of the house. 

 They both flew off and I didn't get a picture

 but it looks like they might be 

setting up housekeeping. 

 I'll keep you informed. 

 We have noticed them 

flying around, casing the joint,

 so hope they decided to stay.

Have a wonderful and blessed Easter.

...xxoJudy...

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SPRING IS BUSTING OUT ALL OVER...

The beauty of springtime is upon us 

and we are all the better for it. 

 We need a reprieve from 

all the darkness that surrounds us

and I am declaring that this is it.

The garden, 

though not quite as beautiful as it soon will be,

 is making a statement 

by bringing exclamations of color 

that can brighten even the darkest corners.

As I add more blooms throughout the Cottage,

 I can feel the lifting 

of heavy burdens ever so slightly

 and a calmness is spreading out before me.  

The windows are open to let the sunshine back in 

and the lace curtains seem whitewashed by its warmth.

 

It feels good to be back. 

 I didn't ever mean for my time away to last this long 

but it did 

and I can't promise that it won't happen again.  

My thoughts are that after fourteen years,

 I'm just not as spontaneous as I once was 

and I don't want to become boring, 

so if that means a little time in between

 then that is how it shall be.

The garden is calling. 

 It is time for tidying up and feeling the sun on my back. 

 I certainly don't mean to oversimplify all that is happening around us now. 

 There is pure evil at work, 

trying to destroy our way of life, 

don't kid yourselves, 

and I know that a few colorful spring blooms

 won't change any of that

 but, if you let them, they and a little bit of sunshine, 

will put some beautiful magic 

where we need it most.

I hope all is well with everyone.

 I wrote this post last week

 but didn't make my time deadline for publishing.  

Now, this week, 

the weather has gone back to gray skies 

and lots of rain so, just like bad pennies,

 the weather and I will show back up when you least expect it.

 

HAPPY SPRING DAYS...

...xxoJudy...

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