Yard Art ~ Is that a Scarecrow?

This lady caught my attention on a back road through Lake Forest Park close to Seattle. So what do you think? Will she scare the crows away? A policeman staging a speed trap must have wondered what I was doing when I zipped off the road into a driveway to take this shot. Thankfully I was going real slow so I wouldn’t miss this art.

Please visit Mary at Work of the Poet to see more yard art.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with ugly black and grey boxes and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

I Tried to Sell this…

…but no one wanted to buy it and now I’m glad it didn’t sell.

This salad bowl was hard to store at the condo so I thought I should sell it at our garage sale. It didn’t sell and I realized here at the house I had the space to store it comfortably. It really looks nice with a good salad in it don’t you think?

This Greek salad has 3 pickling cucumbers, 1 green bell pepper, a cup of grape tomatoes cut in half, 1/2 cup of garbanzo beans, 1/4 cup feta, and 1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives, and 1/2 cup of finely sliced red onion, 3 T. chopped fresh mint and 1/4 cup Italian parsley chopped. The dressing is 3 tablespoons Olive oil, juice of 1 lemon, 1 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp. salt. 1/4 tsp. pepper and a clove of garlic crushed and all whisked together.

Enjoy your Wednesday.

Ruby Tuesday ~ My Little Visitor…

Time to visit Mary at Work of the Poet to see lots of ruby around the world. This week I’m sharing more photos of my little friend that visits me in the early evening.

Hummer is swift and sure and sometimes stays a while enjoying the sweet nectar we provide in our ruby feeder. Other times Hummer just shows up looks at me in the window and flies away.

Hope your week is off to a good start. We’re having a 4th of July barbecue at our house on Sunday so I’m getting all my ducks in a row. Today I payed all the bills ( now I know what cut of meat I can afford to BBQ…chuckle), weeded the planter, helped Dear paint half the deck, and did laundry. Tomorrow it’s vacuuming and dusting and finishing the deck. I love an event that motivates!!

Mosaic Monday ~ Painters With Issues!

After church today we headed to the Bothell Art Festival being held on the grounds of Cascadia College/University of Washington Bothell Campus. We were hoping to see one of our favorite contemporary artists Patty Forte Linna. Here she is with her friend and fellow artist Pepper Peterson. Can you guess what color is Pepper’s favorite? Hint…look at her shoes, top and hair! Both of these gals are so full of energy. They are starting a blog called Painters With Issues. You can see some of Patty’s art at her website here. If you click on the link the first photo you’ll see is my daughter’s new favorite. Patty painted it from a photograph of her mother and father as a gift for their 63rd wedding anniversary. Go ahead and click, you’ll be happy you did.

This is the Patty Forte Linna painting we own. It’s beautifully framed and hanging in a prominent spot in my living room.

After our walk through the booths we strolled around the campus and to the wetland area adjacent to campus. Such a lovely setting. (The top right photo in the mosaic is a tree/wood sculpture)

To see more mosaics please visit Mary at Little Red House.

Twixt Gleams of Joy and Clouds of Doubt ~ Hymn

‘Twixt Gleams of Joy and Clouds of Doubt

’Twixt gleams of joy and clouds of doubt our feelings come and go;
Our daily state is tossed about in ceaseless ebb and flow.
No mood of feeling, form of thought, is constant for a day;
But Thou, O Lord, Thou changest not, the same Thou art alway.

Out of the weak, unquiet drift that comes but to depart,
To that pure heaven my spirit lift where Thou unchanging art.
Lay hold of me with Thy strong grasp, let Thine almighty arm
In its embrace my weakness clasp, and I shall fear no harm.

Thy purpose of eternal good let me but surely know,
On this I’ll lean—let changing mood and feeling come or go
Glad when Thy sunshine fills my soul, nor sad when clouds overcast,
Since Thou within Thy sure control of love dost hold me fast.

Words: John C. Shairp, 1871

Hebrews 13:8 (E.S.V.)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

FFF ~ Summer Arrives…

It’s time to think about the past week and come up with some favorites to share with Susanne at Living to Tell the Story.

We weren’t sure on Monday if summer was going to arrive but by Tuesday we had a nice sunshiny dry day and all was well with the world.

I should have mentioned this is not my garden. This is a summer garden in Cambria, California.

Then on the very same day that we had our hope for summer renewed our hopes in the U.S.A. soccer team were kept alive in the 91st minute of the game when Donovan was able to put in the winning goal against Algeria leaving us the winners of the group and advancing to the round of 16 playing Guana on Saturday. Here’s a link to some great videos capturing the moment that the goal was scored.

I’ve really been enjoying my fine feathered friends this week. They have been singing, chirping, and squawking away all week.

I have a hard time keeping up with them while they empty out the bird feeder!

My computer is back in the guest room now that our guest has departed and I can enjoy my little hummingbird friends again. A Ruby throated one has evaded my camera with it’s quickness. I hope to capture a photo of it soon.

Hope your first week of summer is going well and that you are enjoying the sunshine, summer fruit, and longer days while they last.

Yard Art ~ Bears!

Do you see interesting things in yards when you drive around in your neck of the woods? Visit Mary at Work of the Poet to see some fun and unusual examples.

It was a wet and drizzly day and I had to take some mail to the post office. On my way back I took the scenic route over Norway Hill and had to roll the window down in my car and take these shots. I think that the size of this yard and the location really does lend itself to this type of yard art.

What do you see when you take the scenic route? Hope you have your camera at the ready!

I’m sure you’ll recognize this yard Beth!!

After 91 Minutes of Torture…

…Donovan elevates the USA to the Round of 16!

What great endurance this team has to come back from having goals disallowed for no good reason. I’m impressed that they just keep going. What an impressive hard working team! With the win today the USA tops their group to go on. Next game Saturday at 11:30!

The photo of Donovan was taken at Qwest field in Seattle during the MLS Championship game last November.

June Blooms…

It’s time for Outdoor Wednesday with Susan at The Southern Daydreamer. I’ve been enjoying my June blooms in the yard.

The lavender is blooming which makes weeding in the beds an olfactory delight!

Lovely splashes of crimson are welcome in the planter. This rose is so prolific and I cut it back aggressively wondering if it will bloom again…and it does.

Last but not least my new addition this year a Sarah Bernhardt Peony which has stolen my heart. I will be planting more Peonies next year!

What’s blooming in your yard? We are so happy here in Western Washington to be enjoying some nice sunny days. We still have promises of more rain coming but we’ll enjoy the sun while it lingers and entertains us!

Ruby Tuesday ~ Daughter & Boyfriend

It’s time for Ruby Tuesday. Please visit Mary at Work of the Poet to join in the Ruby fun.

Our Daughter’s boyfriend Andrew stayed with us for a week to spend time with Katie before he starts Marine Boot Camp on June 28th. He planned a special date on one of the evenings which happened to be last Tuesday. Katie wore her red dress and Andrew ordered flowers ahead of time to surprise her at their table. What a guy! All just perfect for Ruby Tuesday.

Andrew flew back to Florida Sunday night and he starts Marine boot camp on June 28th. We are praying that all will go well for him during this grueling physical experience.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope your Tuesday goes well…

The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b.

To honor and encourage