Yea, that Monique is a natural beauty....isn't she? And I too *love* that picture. Sue...you little stinker, I would have never guessed you had it in you to climb into that pot...LOL! Marian - actually hubby is the one who loves gazing balls...I really have never been very good with ornament, but I admit I really *do* love the gazing ball that Sue took a picture of. Yes Sue, I did notice the house. In fact I was thinking...wouldn't that make a unique picture to use if we did sell the house? :-) Did you guys know I painted the stand for it myself?... and the birdbath stand as well...have to brag a little cause I'm going to tell you guys something and I am being truthful and *definitely* not looking for compliments. I really don't like my garden much in late July or August. It always looks so busy to me. You guys were very sweet with your compliments, but I know in my heart, that it wasn't up to snuff. Admittedly, it was more messy because I left all the reseeders up, intending to share them with you guys and then forgetting to collect them...LOL! And yes, I admit it *did* kind of bother me to have you guys see it that way. Marian...I was nodding my head in total agreement when you had said you hoped they would come visit you in spring...that is my season too! :-) Late summer is the worst for me. Oh well, I'll be better about making a design in the next place. It's the backyard that mostly bothers me. For years it was just a collection place for all the plants I wanted to have and could get so cheaply when I was working in that biz. For the last couple years I have been trying to be more selectively and deleting some - trying to make it more cohesive and then the drought killed off areas I had fixed, but no matter, I'm not blaming it on the drought, I feel like I will never make the backyard look how I want it to...short of digging the whole thing up...LOL! Anyway, you guys know me well enough by now that I can't hold anything back and I spill my guts, so there I go...sorry...just ignore me! Marian...I wish I could give you a big *real* hug right now...well, you know what I think of you. I admire you, respect you, think the world of you. You remind me so much of my dear Mrs. Shack. Maybe I'm just getting sad and melancholy. It's been tough these last two years and every time I think I'm seeing the light...bam! Okay, here's the other news, my mom has broken 4 ribs and they are keeping her in the hospital for observation for at least 3-4 days, concerned about possible pneumonia or a punctured lung. Oh well, I was going to post this at the regular Idyll, but then just started spilling my guts, like I always do... geez, sometimes I even make myself sick of me.... Ei

My box arrived today. Hubby took it down the basement until I got home and things were nice and cool when I opened it. Darrin packed his box FULL. I couldn't believe how much he was able to put into that box. Amazing!! Keep in mind he went with a patriotic theme beginning with a nice note that included a poem he wrote. Job well done too. centranthus alba Iris (All night long?) rain lilies ranunculus anemone orange trumpet vine, (I have always wanted one of these and although I discovered one along the side of the ditch this year, I want one by the house.) Gladiolas, red and yellow Horseradish, can't wait to read up on this and get it growing. Along with the plants was Bag of tootsie rolls Hand sanitizer Strawberry marshmallow cream lip balm 2 notepads with flowers on the front notepad with a bluebird on the front, (I use a lot of notepads) 2 packages of Jobes fertilizer spikes, one for flowers and one for vegies Patriotic cushie for my cans two small keychain flashlights, handy!! Seed baggies Lady bug magnets a two pack of lipbalm Blue dolphin windchime Pocket phillips screwdriver, (keeping this away from hubby) Squirrel pot hugger, cute Plant markers AND a crocheted patriotic butterfly pin, (I am sure this is another one of Elly's creations. Be sure to tell her thanks for me Darrin) Thanks for the wonderful, wonderful box. I am going to keep it all wet and get it in the ground on the weekend. The temperature is supposed to reach 102 tomorrow so there is no way I am planting these lovely things now just for them to cook out there. Dan, I had one of the best times in this swap. Thanks again for hosting it. You did a super job. Margo

Hi! I'm a lurker here because y'all have such wonderful ideas. kittypawz-WOW! You live across from the Priddy Fountain? I went to junior high and part of high school in Highland Park and used to drive past that thing (before it was rebuilt) all the time. oceanna-Your siding pics are too funny. My last home had a huge picture window in the dining room that was 6' from the neighbor's house (all brick). I finally built a trellis on the outside to grow vines over the window and block the view :) Here's what I see outside my windows now..

One of the shelves in our living room wall unit. The old "Six Thousand Years of History" books were copyrighted in 1899, and belonged to my paternal grandfather. The small book (standing up) is a Webster's Dictionary from 1928, which belonged to an old family friend. The large Bible belonged to my beloved paternal grandmother. It is one of my most-prized possessions.