1. Scottish Shortbread Cookies

Sangria

Flowers Past

Binding Threads

The Threads That Bind

Let go of the people who cause constant pain; let go

of the negativity that colors a room more darkly

 than any coat of paint.

 Keep close the people you love, the ones

who stay engaged and open to life, 

who bring joy and

peace the the house and garden.

                         -Dominique Browning

Mumzie

A Balancing Act

I dream of an art of balance, purity, tranquillity, devoid of distrubing or disquieting subject matter . . . something akin to a good armchair.    -Henri Matisse

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Mumzie

Evening Comfort

Comfort in the old yard!

"If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway." - Mother Teresa

Testing

Cotton Candy Sunday Afternoon

Playing around with Photo Shop!

Eight Foot Volunteer Sunflower

 

Sunflower 2013

Magic of a Flower

Pink Magic


To believe in magic as a viable way of enhancing 
our quality of life 
does require a leap of faith.  
We must see life in slightly romantic terms; 
recognize falling in love or
 growing a flower or even cooking a perfect pie 
as a demonstration of the magic of balance, 
of everything coming together in just the right way. 
- Titania Hardie

"From Romancing The Ordinary" - Sarah Ban Breathnach


Mumzie 

Photo taken in my garden February 2009

Arianna

Our new golden girl!

Primroses

The cheerful, bright flowers of primroses can be enjoyed inside the home as well as outdoors.  Certain species, such as the dainty fairy primrose and the Polyantha primrose, do especially well as houseplants.  Place them in a cool spot with indirect sunlight and keep the soil moist.  The plants will reward you with spectacular color in late winter and early spring.  Depending on the species, flower color may be white, red, pink, yellow, blue, or purple. - -

The Old Farmer's Almanac 2013 Gardening Calendar

I planted these last month and they are doing very well!

Mumzie

Toast to the Now

I heard someone say:

Yesterday is history

tomorrow is a mystery

today is a gift

and this is why

this moment is called the Present.

Listen, look, taste, touch,

breathe. The present.

                 - Susan J. Erickson

Being Happy

Being Happy

There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy.

By being happy we sow anonymous benefits upon the world.

                                                     -Robert Louis Stevenson

My purple African Violet makes me happy!

What makes you happy?

Mumzie

Coffee Tea

I'm working on my Blog....and hopefully will be able to post again soon!  

 Mumzie

Pat & Sarah's Wedding - September 22, 2012

We attended our nephew's wedding on the first day of Fall.  It was a beautiful garden wedding held in Sarah's mom & stepdad's backyard in Orangevale, California.

The Arbor and bridge were build by groom for this special day.  Notice all the detail. Redwood trees & creek run through the backyard. 

Each quest was made to feel very special...These were our places.

Each box was build by groom and filled with special succulents, old jars, and stones.  I LOVE them!

Sarah's step-dad with his granddaughter.  I thought this was so special...you can tell how much they love each other.

Sarah's sister.

Sarah's other sister..

Exchanging of vows

Elizabeth and Marty...Pat's little sister.

A special brew for the occasion.  Plus the food was awesome!

Bride & Groom Table

Grandma Bernie & Grandpa Bud

Happy Couple...getting ready to PARTY!

Fun Time!

 Congratulations!

May your flight of love never end.!

Mumzie

A Psalm for Life

Tell me not in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou are, to dust thou returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each tomorrow
Find us farther than today.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act, - act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o'erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sand of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solenm main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us then be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.

                                             -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 * * * *

One of my Sunflowers - August 2012  - Mumzie