In my garden grows...

My flowers and plants are really doing well this year and not due in any way to my care. Rather, despite my lack of care so far. My time has been consumed with the kiddos (cheerleading, drumline, etc.), church events, "The Project," and a very fun visit from my BFA&F. However, we've had a mild spring this year. And, this is the forth or fifth spring for most of our plants so they have really matured. Lots of them are already in bloom with more to come.

My carpet roses are already well into their first blooming. I love these roses because no "dead heading" is required and they'll bloom right up until the first few frosts. Actually, they'll grow so prolifically throughout the summer that I'll have to really whack them back (that's a technical gardening term for those of you new to gardening) at least three times to keep them from getting all "leggy" before the end of the season. ("Leggy" is not a good thing in the world of carpet roses.)

Look closely. Do you see my little friend?

He's my friend as long as he stays right where he is. Yes, I know "they" say he's more afraid of me than I am of him. Right. Let's not test that theory, okay? (And, just who would "they" be anyway??)

I wish you could smell my Star Jasmine vine. This is growing on a trellis right outside one of the family room windows. It has completely covered the trellis, though. So much for picking out a really pretty trellis rather than one of the ugly, utilitarian (cheaper!) ones. It's location is nice because I can open the window and the lovely fragrance floats right into the room.

The Stella D'Oro lilies have almost doubled in size this year. Look at all the buds on this one! I have these plants in all of my front and back flowerbeds. I love them because they are so easy and they will provide color right up through the first frost, too. Are you seeing a trend in my choice of plants?

I do have some in pots, too. Bright red geraniums. So bright I couldn't get my (cheap) digital camera to focus properly. (Psst... Bud! Hint, hint. May 11th is next weekend.) By the way, notice the thick carpet of grass. That would be entirely my Prince Charming's efforts. Thanks, Bud!

Purple petunias hanging from the patio roof.

This pot sits by my front door.

Soon, spring will be gone and the scorching Texas heat will make it difficult to keep these plants so lush. Spring in Texas. It's a good thing!

It's all history now.

It seems like we plan and plan for special events and then the next thing you know... they're history. Memories.

What a fabulous visit I had with my BFA&F, Stephanie! We packed a lot into the visit but, as usual, the time went by much too fast.

Wednesday… After school, Kat and I dashed to the airport to meet Steph. I’m certain the other folks in the baggage claim that day had to wonder about us – we couldn’t stop hugging each other! From there, it was off to a Tex-Mex dinner at Ninfa’s, one of our favorite Tex-Mex restaurants. Ninfa’s is credited with being the restaurant that brought fajitas to the US. What else would be more appropriate for her first night in Texas?!

My discoveries/rediscoveries for the day:

• Our tastes are so similar. After more than two years of not seeing each other in person, we both showed up at the airport with the exact same nail polish on our toes and very similar flower designs painted on our big toes!
• We can both talk at the same time and still completely understand each other.
• We can finish each other’s sentences with astonishing precision.

Thursday… We skipped the original plan of attending my Bible study group (sorry, ladies!) and opted to stay in our jammies ‘til noon, drinking way too much coffee and catching up on things. Leftover Tex-Mex for lunch and then off for some shopping at the nearby outlets. Steph said she didn’t really need anything. Funny though, she found several “perfect” things that just had to be bought! Afterward, we picked up Burrito from his drum lesson and then headed over to watch the end of Kat’s cheerleading practice. Dinner was barbeque at home. That evening, Steph, Kat and I had a “girl’s night out” at a local ceramic shop. Steph and I both made a set of coasters and Kat made a light switch cover for her room. Very fun!

My discovery/rediscovery for the day:

• We already knew our daughters had similar looks. We discovered they also have almost identical personalities and habits. The next generation of BFA&F in the making!!!
  Friday/Saturday… We got the kiddos off to school then jumped in the car to head to Galveston. It was a nice day for driving and it gave us lots of time to catch up on things with no interrupted conversations. We arrived in Galveston in the afternoon and checked into our hotel. We decided to beat the dinner crowd and had an early dinner at Gaido’s, our favorite seafood restaurant.

Afterward, we drove to the west end so that she could see where we stay in the summer, the house we tried to buy (the deal fell through), and the beach we call “ours.” We walked off our dinner on “our” beach, collected seashells and snapped a few pictures along the way. Of course, we had to stop at some of the touristy souvenir shops on the way back to the hotel. The long drive, heavy dinner and walk on the beach meant an early bedtime and a good night’s sleep. I didn’t even hear the thunderstorm that Steph says rolled through in the early morning hours!

Saturday, we checked out of the hotel and headed to a quaint soda fountain for an early/light lunch. The hotel clerk recommended The Star Drug Store (billed as the oldest, continuously-operated drug store in Texas) near The Strand. From there, we spent the afternoon shopping at the various stores on The Strand. After a fun-filled day shopping, we headed to Casey’s for one last seafood meal before heading home.

My discoveries/rediscoveries for the day:

• We can sit in silence and enjoy it.
• We still laugh at the same jokes and laugh harder at the new ones we create.

Sunday… up early for church. It was nice to worship with Stephanie again. She knows my passion for women’s ministries and it was good for her to see where that happens for me now. We had planned to take the boat out in the afternoon but the weather didn’t cooperate with us. So, we headed for a nice lunch at Cheddars after church and then home to relax. Stephanie took her turn at jumping on Kat’s new trampoline. She’s still got the moves and I’ve got the pictures to prove it!

That evening, Steph and Kat worked on a new manicure. Steph had found a really neat nail art kit that she brought for Kat and she spent a good amount of time giving Kat a manicure and showing her how to use the kit. While they sat at the kitchen table doing nails, I prepared some of the food for the next morning.

My discoveries/rediscoveries for the day:

• It’s good to worship with people we love.
• Our daughters’ similarities were reinforced!
• Steph is a great mom/aunt!!!

Monday… I planned a brunch in Steph’s honor and invited all of my closest Texas friends. It was an opportunity for all of them to meet this woman they had heard so much about and had prayed for so many times. It was a time for Steph to put faces to the names she had heard about and to meet people she had also prayed for. What a fun morning it was! All but one neighbor and friend were able to attend. Nine ladies and three little kiddos spent the morning at my home enjoying food and fellowship. Thank you to all who attended and helped make Steph feel even more a part of my life here in Texas!

After the brunch, Steph and I headed to the craft store. We purchased cork to glue to the back of our new pottery coasters and beads to make earrings to match a necklace Steph had purchased in Galveston. Later, we headed out to watch another cheerleading practice and then home for a pasta dinner.

It was hard to go to bed that evening knowing that the next morning would be the end of her visit.

My discoveries/rediscoveries for the day:

• One glance between the two of us can equal a complete conversation.
• You can mix old and new friends with great success!

Tuesday… This day arrived all too quickly! Burrito didn’t have to be at school until noon, so he was able to join us for breakfast and was around to help load the heavy suitcases. We added a few pounds to her luggage with all the shopping we’d done! It was “that time” all too soon. We dropped Burrito off at the high school and headed to the airport. We sat in a coffee shop inside the terminal until the very last possible minute, getting in that last minute, oh-so-important conversation. It was hard to choke back the tears as I watched her go through the airport security checkpoint. Steph, thank you for coming here to visit me. I do love you so much and you are truly my best friend – always and forever!!!

My discoveries/rediscoveries for the day:

• When someone asks you if you’re decent and you're not, you better make sure your “no” sounds forceful enough or they’ll assume you’re fooling around and enter the room anyway. Seriously.
• We won’t let two years pass before doing this again! (We’re thinking about a fall trip to Virginia and want to include the daughters!)

My BFA&F arrives today!

This is Stephanie... This picture was made the last time we were together - I visited her at her home in Virginia. Autumn in Virginia is beautiful! (We don't have those autumn colors here in Texas.)

Stephanie and I met on the first day of 9th grade. Yep, that means we've been friends for a really long time! We rode the same bus and were the two "new kids" in a very, very small private school which meant "blending in" was not possible. Maybe we became friends out of that desperate situation. (Hey, it was high school and we were girls - that makes it a desperate situation!) Or, maybe it was because we just truly liked each other. Either way, I believe God intended for the paths of our lives to cross and we've been best friends ever since. Together we've been through high school, college, boyfriends, break ups, engagements and weddings, trying to have babies, having babies, raising families... and all the highs and lows of life. We know each other intimately and love each other deeply. We started using the acronym "YBFA&F" (Your Best Friend Always & Forever) somewhere along the way in high school and still use it even now to close letters and emails. It's even been engraved on jewelry.

This is Stephanie with her hubby, Sam. He's a great guy! He encouraged her to make this trip to visit me here in Texas. Gotta love him for that!

Steph and I talk on the phone several times a week. Sometimes several times a day. But, we haven't seen each other in person in more than two years. Did I mention she arrives today?! And, she'll be here for a whole week! I'll tell you all about the fun details and post some pictures next week.

"The Project" is FINISHED!

Finally! (No drapes yet in the family room... another project for another time.)

P.S. - Very important company arrives tomorrow at our Bed & Breakfast! Details later...

To our helpful friends...

May I tell you what fabulous friends we have? Yes, we had friends who actually did show up for the dusting party… and then some!

A huge thank you to my dear friend Anita for arriving early yesterday morning, armed and ready to help fight the dust storm that had overtaken our home. She worked tirelessly for hours to clean each and every slat on the numerous sets of plantation blinds we have. From there she moved on to dusting the bathroom, laundry room, shaking out and rehanging drapes. The words “What do you want me to do now?” flowed from her lips more times than I can count. Then, she helped me compile my shopping list of all the felt pads I needed to buy for the furniture that would now be sitting on the new hardwood floors. Ah, it’s so nice to have a companion in list-making!

Then there’s Brenda. Thank you! This sweet friend showed up with coffee both mornings during the demo phase of The Project. She even brought breakfast tacos one morning. I’d like to think it’s because she cares for me and knows how much I love a morning cup of coffee. But, deep down I know she visited those days because she truly loves the demolition. (She needs help!) But, she didn’t stop there! Knowing that our family had survived almost a week with no kitchen, eating cereal bars and fast food for meals, she and her family arrived last night with a home-cooked dinner and insisted on helping us move the heavy furniture back into their proper places. Thank you, too, Barry – I know you didn’t ask to be a part of this remodel!

Ed, you sure picked the right/wrong time to return Bud's lawn edger! We appreciate the fact that you walked in during the moving of the really big pieces and didn't turn around and walk right back out on us. Your extra muscle was a huge help with the wall unit pieces and the china cabinet!

And, last but not least, is my friend and the best next-door neighbor ever, Tammi. She was available, at the expense of her own family and schedule, to come over and babysit the workers when I needed to run out to pick up/drop off/transport the kiddos. Thank you for your willingness to always say "yes" when I need something!

“I always thank my God when I pray for you, (friend), because I (know) about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. Your love has given (us) much joy and comfort, my (friend), for your kindness has often refreshed (our) hearts.” (Philemon 1:4-7 New Living Translation... Dawn's version!)

P.S. – The Completed Project pictures will be posted tomorrow! (Update: Pictures will be posted Sunday... maybe Monday... or Tuesday... we're still cleaning...)

Under Construction!

The demolition was in full swing around here yesterday. This is NOT my favorite part of a project. Ideally, I'd like to make the plans and then not be involved again until the “make it pretty” stage. The in between, messy stage is hard on my orderly/list-making/can-you-turn-that-noise-down personality.

And the dust. Oh, my. You just can’t imagine! It ranges from a light, fine coating in the upstairs rooms (even after keeping doors closed and completely turning off the HVAC system) to actual “piles” of dust on the downstairs door frames, mouldings, and on everything in the kitchen and hall bathroom. As excited as I am about what’s happening here, I must confess that I went to bed last night with that little voice in the back of my head saying, “Have you lost your mind?!” (I hear that a lot.) Well, actually... that’s the gist of what Dad said when he called from Ohio after seeing the pictures I posted yesterday. Apparently, he really liked my old carpet and tile.

Then I woke up this morning, still slightly tired from the work of the last several days but with a renewed vision and the drive to get this project finished! The major work will be finished today (hallelujah!) with just some touch up work and a little paint left for tomorrow. We should be able to move the furniture back in on Thursday.

Progress. Love it!

P.S. - I'm still taking RSVP's for the dusting party. Please? Anyone??

It really was a lovely house...

This is what the house looked like the day we moved in. The landscaping is much more mature now, of course. We’ve enjoyed living here for five years. The house was exactly what we were looking for when we moved to Texas.

I especially love it decorated for the holidays.

But I truly love everything about my home even when it's not decked out for a special occasion.

Well, almost.

We began to notice a few things that could be changed. Just a few, minor things.

So, that's how we got started with "The Project."

Curious? The finished project pictures will be posted in two days. Or, maybe three. You know how projects go.

P.S. - Anyone available for a dusting party on Thursday? Don't know what that is? Stop by and I'll show you!