~Bokeh Bouquets & Other Favorites~

raindrops on roses…

A few storms rolled through, this week.  Wednesday morning, the sun peeked through the clouds; perfect for camera practice. 

While J and Gabi (visiting a few days) were occupied with bike riding and other pursuits, I shot a few photos around our patio. 

Lots of practice, definitely needed.  I learn something new from each of these practice sessions.

Points of light, in the background, are known as Bokeh.

Hosta…

 

 

Rainy day view, from the master bedroom bay window, Thursday May 13.

Culinary Delight 

Remember these berries from Sunday’s post?

warm cobbler with ice cream…

Celebrations

 Pre-Kindergarten Graduation 

Most of the family was there to celebrate, when Gabi graduated, Tuesday May 11th. Her cap, tassel, diploma, and a rose from one of her bouquets are seen in the photo, above. 

The KC kids were unable to attend, due to time and distance. Even though Xanti’s parents and brother, Noah, weren’t there, she was.  What a joy, she is.

Family celebrations are shared with my daughters’ dad and step-mom.  They were there, Tuesday evening.  We always sit together, at functions, as a family.  We know this isn’t always the way it is when parents divorce.  We are all very grateful parents, to share in celebrations, together.

As with everyone, life hasn’t always been easy, for J and Pat.  We’ve paid a few dues and we are, appreciatively, reaping the benefits, in our golden years.  One of those benefits is being a part of special celebrations.

A Rainy Day Dining Room View

Small changes are taking place in the dining room.  More about that, soon.

This post is added to Laurie’s Saturday Favorites.

Hope your weekend is beautiful.

***I used my Canon Rebel Xti Camera and Tameron 18-200 Lens, for the rose and hosta photographs, in this post.  The setting was AV, ISO 400.  Most of the other photos were done with the Canon G11 Powershot.

~NEW YEAR TRADITION~

A New Years Day Tradition

Having black eyed peas, for luck or prosperity, on New Years Day, for 60+ years hasn’t hurt.  Who knows, it might have helped a time or two! 

January 1, 2010, we’ll have our black eyed peas with ham, fried potatoes and cornbread.

Do you have a New Years Day tradition and/or resolution?

We don’t make resolutions. We just try to do the best we can.

I’ll be back Sunday, with a regular post. I’ve enjoyed visiting with you during the holidays.

Wishing you all the best in 2010, from our Back Porch to yours!

Pat, J & Molly

~A Rooster Party~

 

THURSDAY

A rooster table is my contribution for Tablescape Thursday.  Stop by Susan’s Between Naps on the Porch, for wonderful table settings, all around blogland.

FRIDAY

Barb, of Bella Vista, is hosting a Show Us Your Roosters Party. There are over 100 participants. Stop by Bella Vista, for rooster inspiration, Friday August 28.

I found this rooster lamp, at a garage sale, about 6 years ago

More roosters in the laundry.

 

Carpe Diem is written on the wagon. 

Seize the Day!

Answers

A reader asked if I leave the table set.  I don’t, usually.  However, I did leave this tablescape, on the dining room table, because we were leaving for the lake and I didn’t want to take time to put the dishes away.

J’s physical therapy is doing wonders for his neck. He is noticing great improvement and hopes to be finished with PT, soon.  Thanks to all for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers!

Ozark Sunrise

This is just one of the reasons why we chose to buy our condo, at this location on the Grand Glaize Arm…Lake of the Ozarks.  I took this photo, bright and early, this morning (Wednesday August 26, 2009).

Thirty eight years ago, today, was a busy one for me.  I ran the sweeper, did the laundry, fed my two older daughters; all the while timing contractions, that began between midnight and dawn.  At two PM, just as Days of Our Lives was starting, I decided it was time to make a trip to St Joseph Hospital, Saint Charles.  I arrived with only minutes to spare.  Just after 3PM, youngest daughter was born.

Happy Birthday, Gabi and Drew’s Mommy!!

~February 14th~

It's Pink Saturday and Valentines Day!
Pink Saturday, is hosted by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound.

I took the photograph, on the card, last summer, at the Missouri State Capital, Jefferson City. The flower is Mandevilla.

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh!", he whispered. "Yes, Piglet?" "Nothing", said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you."

~A.A. Milne

~Christmas Past & Tablescape Tuesday~

A view from windows, at a home on the 2007 Garden Club Christmas Tour. We have our tickets for the December 14, 2008 tour. I'll have my camera, in hopes of taking a few photos.

My contribution for Tablescape Tuesday is all about Christmas past. Many of you have seen these photos, previously. I thought you might like to see them again and perhaps find an idea or two, to use for your tables, this Christmas.

Please visit Between Naps on the Porch, for more Tablescape Tuesday posts, from all around blogland.

A beautiful mantel decorated for Christmas, in the home where I took the photo of the outdoor scene, in the top photo.

Our front porch, Christmas 2007. An old metal sled, child sized wooden skis, a wooden Santa, a lantern and rustic tree, are among the elements used. This year, the porch is done in a simpler style, using a greenery filled white wicker plant stand and greenery around the door, accessorized by red ribbon.

The dining room tree, as it looked in 2007. The gold ornaments will be used in the living room tree. We'll use the tree, shown in the breakfast room, in another photo.

A table, in J's "lodge", as it was set for the Christmas tour, two years ago. The postcards, under the glass are from our travels and those of family and friends

The dining room table, set for the 2006 tour, of our home. In many ways, I went over the top, in staging for the tour! The elements include, J's mother's stemware, a wedding gift to his parents during the 1940's. Plates from Wal-mart and garage sales and Santa bells from a shop at the lake, were also used.

I used twig placemats, bird houses, Jim Shore snow folks, birds and raffia on the breakfast room table, for the 2006 tour. The dinnerware is Lenox Winter Greetings Everyday. I've collected this pattern for several years, picking up pieces at after Christmas sales and outlets. Just the other day, I found a tealight lamp at HomeGoods.

I tied wreaths to the backs of the chairs, using red and cream gingham ribbon.

The 2007 breakfast room table is set with Mikasa French Countryside and red and green trimmed Christmas plates. I don't remember the pattern of the Christmas plates and since I'm posting from the lake, I'm unable to check.

The carved swan was used as the centerpiece. The tree is decorated in red, silver and white ornaments and the red checked ribbon, also used to tie the wreaths to the chair backs. The packages are wrapped in craft paper and tied with the gingham ribbon.

A glimpse of the hearth room, during 2006. Molly, lying in the sun, is wondering if we will ever cease to decorate for Christmas. As always, we hope to continue for a long time.

A collage of photos, from Noah's first birthday party, last Saturday. His mommy chose a cowboy theme. It was so cute! She made a vest and chaps, from felt. Noah wore them with jeans and chambrey shirt. There were cowboy hats for Gabi and Drew. Noah thoroughly enjoyed his own personal 1st birthday cake. Bet you would never have guessed that by the photo! Many gifts were enjoyed along with lots of hugs and kisses.

~Our 25th Anniversary Getaway~

Falls Lodge, Big Cedar.

Our anniversary getaway began early Monday morning, October 27th, when we drove from our place at Lake of the Ozarks, to Springfield. We had breakfast at Hemingway's Blue Water Cafe, located inside Bass Pro. Hemingway's provides a delicious breakfast buffet.

I thought this sign, at Marshfield, Missouri, was worth recording. This was the lowest fuel price, during our trip.

Arriving in the Branson area, a few hours before we were to check in at Big Cedar, we revisited some of our favorite places.

The photo, below, is the view as we turned into the road that leads to the resort.

A sign over the doorway in the registration building.

~Cabin 601~

A look inside our cabin.

We've stayed in Falls Lodge and cabins, at Big Cedar, previously. Even though the lodges are wonderful, we prefer the cabins.

Tuesday morning, we drove to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. While there, we visited a wonderful shop. Upon our return to Branson, we had lunch here.

An iron skillet of cornbread was served while we were waiting for our meal.

A view of Lake Taneycomo, through a window of the restaurant.

An interior view of the restaurant.

This is the shop we visited in Eureka Springs. We balanced Bass Pro Shop with a bit of lace and sparkle, for me, at Something Simple. It's a beautiful shop. Carol, of Raised in Cotton, published a post about the shop, recently. Click HERE for a look inside.

As we were leaving Eureka Springs, we saw this gorgeous view.

This sign, above the door of a conference center, at Big Cedar, says it all!

A mosaic of photos from our stay, at Big Cedar Resort. Each evening ginger cookies, in the shape of cedar trees were delivered to our cabin. We stopped at Stone Hill Winery, for a tasting and a bottle or two, for our stay.

The weather was crisp and cool. Perfect for an autumn stay at Big Cedar.

If you would like to know more about Big Cedar, click HERE.

We arrived home, Thursday morning, in time to meet Noah, Xanti and their Mom, Kim, at Eagle Fork Farm. Noah, dressed as a penguin, certainly enjoyed his first Hallow e'en. Gabi and Drew visited us, Hallow e'en, during the day. Drew was to be Steve of Blue's Clues, but decided he liked being a spider, too!

This chandelier hangs in one of my favorite shops, in Branson. I found a couple of things to decorate the "new" dining room, for Christmas. More photos of this shop, in an upcoming post.