A GARDEN SUMMER...

Hope everyone had a

 glorious Independence Day!

The reason for the sunsets is:

First,

 that it was a beautiful sight

  I wanted to share

 and

Second,

 that I knew

 I would not be able 

to capture the fireworks 

with my camera...

... and as you can see 

I was right!

...a good substitution!

Don't you think?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our garden 

is not as prolific this season,

 as you can see,

 when comparing last summer (above)

 with this summer (below).

Nothing ever changes,

 so it must be a result

 of lack of rain

 this year.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I decided 

I would try a garden theme this summer

 in decorating 

the tables and mantles...

...nothing too fancy, just a few small touches.

The sunflowers were a good buy

 from the grocers this week. 

 They are getting refreshed,

 one by one,

in a few of the Captain's 

empty, non-alcoholic beer bottles

and placed 

in a cute little country carrier.

I'm finding that,

 although I love

 the quiet color of the new paint,

 it really doesn't photograph well.

 It appears much warmer

 and more pleasing 

to the naked eye.

As I am editing these pictures

 of the sitting room, 

I notice how bitterly small

 that candle stand lamp looks

 at the side of the sofa.

It is an antique lamp 

and would be much better suited

along side of a chair.

 Not a good look

 in this room

 and I am dealing with it 

as we speak...

...and like magic --

 what do you think?

Found a lamp in another room,

 switched lamp shades with the lamp on the right,

 picked up a burlap shade from KMart

 for the lamp on the right

 and added a little table

 that has been scuffing around for years.

 I still might be on the lookout

 for another table.

 This one seems a little 

too tall to me. 

You never know!! 

I kind of like it though.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We are celebrating,

 once again,

 the Grand Illumination

 on the summer porch.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tami and I

 are once more

 making the trek to San Francisco

 for the Avon 39 Walk for Breast Cancer.

  It will be our 12th year

 of participating 

and as many years for her

 as a survivor.

I am really looking forward to a couple of cool, foggy mornings...

...as the Cottage

 is melting

 in this heat!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Are any of you signed up

 to follow my blog by e-mail? 

If so, 

would you let me know 

if you are receiving it 

in your in-box.

I have had some say 

they are not receiving it 

even though they are signed up.

 I re-did it

 and I think it is right

 but it did say that

 I should send it

 to myself to check,

 and I've done that twice

 but have never received it either. 

 I keep trying 

but Feed Burner just says

 I'm already signed up 

and that's all.

I would appreciate knowing

 so that I can try

 to correct this problem.

 It is very hard to keep up with everyone

 if you are not signed up for e-mails,

 so I know how frustrating 

it is 

if it doesn't work.

Thanks so much.

...Judy...

Sharing today at:

Roses of Inspiration at The Enchanting Rose

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Share Your Style Linky Party