Blooming Things....

     Our black eyed susans  are blooming. Ted used his new weed whacker to cut some down in the flag pole flower bed. Grrr.

  The cone flowers at the back fence are growing. I really like these.  They are getting to the point where I could move some around to a new bed.

 Our mums are budding out and blooming also. Gee, I am thinking this is early. I am not sure, I just do not leaf through or read my gardening books as I should.
  On my way to Zumba Silver. Taking my camera to get a picture or two. I'll go by Horton's if I am not just a big sweaty puddle when class is over. LOL. Get some photos there.
  Hope everyone is having a good day.  I am saying prayers for our friends in need. XO

Horton's Greenhouse Area.....

    I loved all of these stars. They are made from old barn lumber.  This is the greenhouse area of Horton's.  I have always liked  the old brick walls.

  These pots of red petunias  , just pop. I need them on my porch. LOL

    This fountain is a pretty attraction. As you can see they were not totally set up for the French Market at the time I took these shots.

  Here's the cute sign outside , announcing the coming of the French Market.  This area will have venders of all kinds around and in it.

  My containers never look this pretty...I am so envious. LOL

 Last year and this year, I have not bought any potted ferns. I think ferns in pots standing or hanging can just add such charm to a porch. I sure hope all of you are having good  luck with your plants and flowers. We have had just a bit too much rain. 
  Ted's been in the shop making a chair for my daughter, as hers blew away and broke in the high winds that took out our hickory tree.. I have been trying to edge the walkways....but honestly the mosquitoes love me when I am all sweaty. LOL... After getting one walkway and another's one side  and two bites...I am done for today.  Dang, the fun is gone !!!
  Wishing you a day with mosquitoes. XO

A Bridal Shower....

  We had a bridal shower from my step-granddaughter, Margo , on Sunday.  This is the cake Angie ordered and it was nothing like she wanted...things should be really talked out. LOL. This cake was big enough for two showers. The cake was to look like the invitation , which was a strapless dress on a purple back ground. It was just a big white dress. But it worked.

  Here's some friends, aunts and Margo's  mom(blonde) and one of her grandmothers.

  This is one of the games...where Margo has oven mitts on and tries to guess what something is , then put it on. Bless her heart...she laughed and we laughed too. I missed a shot of  the final outfit. :):)

  Here I am with 3 of my granddaughters. Lynzie her sister Emma, me and Savannah.

 Here's Emma putting her shoes on and trying to blow up a balloon and pout at the same time. LOL. She was not ready to leave. We enjoy ourselves and everyone's being together one more day . It all went so fast, Angie said she felt sad afterwards.....that our family picnic and the shower were already over.
    Margo is getting married on the 15th of August,  and my step-grandson Brandon is also getting married...yes on the 15th. One wedding in Cincinnati  and one near Indy.  I understand my daughters will go to the wedding of the child they helped raise. I loved both these kids and I have decided to not go to either. I will send them a nice gift....but I did not want to choose.  My granddaughters better never do this to us. After Margo marries  and her cousin Brandon,the  ones not married will be Savannah, Emma and Sierra. Then there's the boys..Jake, Brock, and Skylar. 
   Hope all of you are enjoying some summer weather. We are having rain....again. Looks like from the weather map it will be on and off all week again.  I am really tired of the rain and bugs. LOL.
    Take care. XO

The Sweetest Part Of My 4th.....

    Look at our adorable  Layla Rose. She is all decked out for the 4th of July.

  Here are her sweet parents, Brock and Emily.  This girl is a like  a natural mommy.

 I loved Layla's outfit. She was the best baby. Tried so hard to talk. I think she is getting a tooth. She is 4 months old now. She gets a bit of cereal in her bottle now. But she is basically breast fed. It must be agreeing with her, look at those cheeks.
    Not everyone came today. They may have had just their own families over to their own houses. We sure had plenty of food, the weather was perfect...70's. The sky is clear. Even now, so fireworks tonight will be fine. I never go watch them any more.
  Hope all of you had a  wonderful day. XO

Summertime Is Here......

  As kids growing up, summertime began on Memorial day when school let out. Now I think of the 4th of July as the true summer. I am sure hoping we have some summer days ...and I am not talking about high temperatures....we had that along with the rain in June. Our June, which is usually the sweetest month was actually a rough one.

  The top photo was from last July. I did not decorate for the 4th this year...other than flags outside.  This cute picture is from the Horton's store last summer. I think someone bought that cute truck, as I have not seem it in any of the displays.
  This 4th will be our family's first without our brother Mark. He always made mommy's potato salad. He could make as near to the way she did. Mom did take some pride in how everyone loved it.:):)
    I know that many of you will be without loved ones also.  Sending hugs to all of you. Let us keep a happy thought for those that are no longer with our families.  May God bless us and keep us safe. XO

Sneak Peek.....

   The  French Market  Is coming to Horton's Emporium (hardware/gift shop/ greenhouse)  Aren't these big angel wings a good start?

  I noticed many tiered items. Tarnished silver is so in. I just can't let mine get like that though.

  A big group of rabbits...could be left-over from Easter. But then they seem to be a new thing for collectors.

  Tiered cake holder with a huge candle.  I like how it is sitting on an old plate.

  These  little bird houses hanging around are made from old paperback books. So cute !  I love the chalk paint color of this dresser. There were faux boxwood wreaths  and apothecary jars.

 The mirror hanging here is in the bottom of an old wash tub. Strawberry scented soaps and lavender.

 This is the postcard announcing the French Market. The store was not officially set up. So I just took a few photos. I did see a dear friend there. Debbie was meeting up with her sister. I'd like to do a blog on Debbie, she's a very good gardener of flowers.  A sweetheart too. She needs to start her own blog, I am sure.
  Hope you have enjoyed this peek into the market being readied.  Wishing all of you a great day. XO
 

Magic.....

  Thank you dear friend Diane at Lavender Dreamer.   Diane sent me a card to bring me elfin magic.:):)  So cute.  I think it worked too.

 Here's the magic it brought me. I looked at my hydrangea and it had grown many flower heads.  So I picked one for inside. One flower filled the jar vase...one flower makes a bouquet.  Now that's magic ! One year these hydrangeas were green, now they are pink.  I have a hydrangea that I am absolutely going to transplant, it's only about a foot tall. I do not know what is happening with it.
   The fourth is just around the corner now. Time to be preparing veggies for making salads for the family get together. It's going to be a busy weekend.  Wishing all of you a  good Wednesday. XO