Pink!

I wonder if God invented pink clover last night and put it on the earth while I was sleeping, because I have certainly never seen it before!

And I notice such things!
This little patch of loveliness just plain stopped me in my tracks today, (which almost caused a traffic jam, of people not cars!)

I am willing to acknowledge that it is possible that pink clover did in fact exist before today and I just didn't know about it.
But, I also don't mind thinking that God knew I would be right there in that spot and be so filled with wonder for one of His humble creations that He came up with it just for me...well, so that I could share it with you.

Be sure to really look at your world and appreciate the humble blessings of God. He will be glad you did.

I really don't have much more than that to say today!

Phenomenal

Wow, the day flew by today as I worked on accomplishing the laundry and other assorted household tasks.
I went outside to try to catch a picture of something worthwhile or phenomenal before my day was no longer my own.

I have 3 miniature rose plants close to my front door and they are busting with blooms ready to explode.
Those tiny little buds cry out for notice just as loud as any full grown variety!

However, I am not charmed by anything else in my front yard quite as much as this geranium.


That color!
Sigh...how I love it!!!

I thought it was the thing that had made me most happy today.
And technically I was right.
Visually, colorfully this was the thing that helped to make me the most happy today.

Then,
this happened.


And,
this happened!


I knew immediately that technically or not, I had it all wrong.

Those little feet walking in...mmmm-mmm!
NO comparison!!!

Color me happy!

Uhhhh...

This is all I've got...sorry!
I ran out of time today and got desperate when at a friends house for a rushed supper.
These were sitting close to where I laid my bag.
Maybe something phenomenal tomorrow!
Or not.
Hard to say at this point.

Cheering for Sam

I know someone who has decided to run a marathon.
You know what, I don't even care how far that is...the decision just to make the commitment to do it and actually train is enough to push my proud button hard!!!

We are gonna call this person Sam.
You see Sam hasn't told many people about this huge undertaking.

Sam is just not ready for the masses to know about this journey, though I wish that wasn't the case, then I wouldn't have to be so secretive and weird about it in this post.
That's okay...in time.
And don't even try to ask me who Sam is...I won't be tellin' ya.

Sam suggested in an off-hand manner that I might show up to be at the finish line of this Saturday's 5K run.
I walk approximately 1.18 miles in the morning with my gimpy ankle and wounded knee dog, and am trying to imagine keeping up the stamina to go that much more. Ugh!!


I checked the soccer schedule, saw that I had an opening and agreed to come.
I showed up early with my camera bag in tow.
I wasn't sure if I had arrived at the right place and bravely asked a very fit looking girl carrying a water cooler if I had made it to the right place.
She assured me I had, and tried to hand me this sign to hold to cheer on the incoming runners.

I told her I was sorry, but I was there to take pictures of Sam.

There was an official camera girl there.
She kept sprinting ahead of the finish line to get the runners rounding the corner, then back to get them as they finished.

I noticed she was shooting in Manual mode and I was real proud of her for that.
You could tell she was no newbie to this camera thing...like I am.


There were a few people there to cheer on their loved ones.
This sweet dad and daughter really stood out to me with their fun sign and freshly picked bouquet of wildflowers.


Beautifully and lovingly arranged wildflowers bound together with a handy scrunchy, which the girl had pulled out of her hair to make the arrangement really special for her mom.

Oh, I just love those roots hanging down!!!




As the runners rounded the last corner and began to race to the end, the assembled crowd would shout out cheers and encourage each runner to make it those last few steps to the finish line!!
The first to enthusiastically cheer each and every time was the adorable girl who had assured me I was in the right place.
She had a vested interest in each of these people who were obviously touching her life as she leads them toward their goal.
She proudly shouted their time to them, and then with great pride bestowed each with a medal, that I assume she took the time to make herself!

That is her there in the sunglasses. Her enthusiasm was infectious.



I know I cannot possibly convey to Sam how proud I am of this accomplishment.
How good it was to stand there and see those feet round the last corner and finally cross the finish line.
I want Sam to know without a doubt that this is AMAZING!!!
When the struggles come and it seems like the ultimate goal is impossible, I want Sam to remember that I am waiting patiently at the finish line to see this thing done!!!

Way to go Sam!!!

Call me crazy!

No really, it is okay if you call me crazy, I won't be offended.
I know you have no idea what I am talking about, just refer back to this when you come across anything that you may deem crazy as you read!
There is so much going on in my yard right now, I am fairly bursting to share it with you.

I am a bit of a detail girl, so I am seeing tiny little bits of amazement each day and I can't help but want to share them.
I highly doubt though that you will be interested in the 2 new leaves on the cilantro, the macro growth of tiny little bell peppers, bean plants in three different sizes though planted at the same time, or the slight variation in color of my two crape myrtle trees.
Well, I dunno...maybe it would thrill you, who am I to judge your detail geekiness!!
( I just love it when a word isn't a real word and my computer freaks out on me!)

So, here is what I was thinking.
How about we make Friday our day to catch up on all the action in my backyard world of wonder.
It can be a consistent day to show you changes that have occurred in a large enough amount that you might even be able to recognize.
I am shaking my head at myself because I am such a visual addict, nerd crazy person!!
I suppose if you are sick to death of seeing the 1/8th of an inch growth of a squash each week, you will know not to show your face around here on Friday.
Consider yourself sufficiently forewarned!!!

That said....oh man, I am so excited!
I don't even know what to show you first.
Okay, how about the lilies.
The last time we saw these, they were about 2 inches out of the ground.

That tallest one is a good 7 inches up. Those tips are filled with what will be a stunning red lily!
Your eyes are gonna bust out of your head when you see them in bloom.

Yesterday morning my wisteria did not look like this.

It is growing so fast I can't even keep up with it in a day!!


Here is our dogwood!

Aren't you so proud at how nicely it is filling out?
It is because I speak encouraging words to it.
Okay, maybe it is really because I water it and God gives it sunshine and root growth.
I like to think I am doing my part though...you know, emotionally.


Are you ready for this....



BAM!!!!
The first little tomato bulb!

Sigh, just gorgeous isn't it!!!

Wow, if I didn't like myself so much I would think I was really weird!!!
Ha, just think how my husband feels.
Though, with 20 years of time together you can bet he knows how weird I am.
Why do you think he created this lovely place for me??

I must warn you.
What you are about to see will be life changing.

Are you ready?

Deep breath please.

Could you just die????


This is a tiny little arugula which got accidentally sown with a green bean seed.
I had to end their friendship last night when I put them in their respective beds, but if things work out right, they may just see each other again someday.

Don't tell them I said that though, it may stunt their growth!

I need to introduce you to a new member of our backyard family!

(I have a deep and passionate love for all Terra cotta pots, in fact I am thinking about creating a business based solely on TC pot pictures. I will call it I love Pots and shoot orange pots all day long.)
This is a rare yellow bougainvillea.
I made up that rare part, and the business part.
I just have never seen one before, but that doesn't really make them rare, does it?
My neighbor from the old 'hood brought it over last week.
It was a sincere and loving gift meant to replace the one I had to leave behind at my old house.
Did I tell you that my husband HATES this fast growing, take over your life, weed of a plant?
Yeah, he does.
They are gorgeous but have wicked long thorns that can disable even the strongest of men.
The last one was by our front door and it grew as fast as my husband could trim it.
He made sure to place this one in a nice, out in the open, harm to no man, safe distance from all entrances and exits kind of place.
In a pot!
So that should the need arise, he could move it...or chunk it in the trash can when I am not looking.
Just kidding honey, I know you love me and would not accidentally do such a thing.


Well, while I have got you here I will show you the brave teen cardinal who stopped by this morning.

They are this fantastic dark red orange color, with lovely gray accents.
His daddy is a much truer red. It is interesting to see the two of them together.

Man, he was gorgeous.


Well, I must skedaddle.
My munchkins have an early release day and will be home in less than an hour.

Color Thursday!

Orange!

Photos

Do you see this squirrel?

He is the enemy!
It wants my bird seed and waits patiently for me to leave so he can creep up to steal it.
He mocks my dog behind the glass and she chases him.
This activity makes my trusty companion suffer with a bum knee.
An expensive bum knee.

When this squirrel and his friends begin to mess with my plants....watch out!!!

After the squirrel noticed I had once again greased the pole which leads to the seed he took off to tell his buddies to come all take a turn sliding down the pole so that the slip would wear off....
...I sat and looked at my deserted bird feeder for a full 15 minutes, camera in hand waiting for the tiny little brown birds or teenager cardinals to return.

Yes, 15 full minutes of watching the birds soar overhead but never land.

And then another 5 minutes passed.
I mean really, all I needed to get done today was some laundry and it was spinning!
I actually have an exceedingly long list of things to get done, I acknowledge this and deny its presence all at the same time.

Suddenly one tiny brave soul happened by.



He kept glancing about nervously as my shutter clicked, but didn't give up the seed.



Oh, ho...he is a messy little fellow!!


Do you think these birds eat tomatoes???
If so, we are gonna have issues!!