Fathers

Some special fathers in my life......

I love this picture of my dad- taken about 50 years ago. He looks pretty cool, don't you think!

Dad is someone I admire for all he has accomplished in his life. He has overcome obstacles along his way with a great deal of determination. I am so proud of him and love him so much. I am so thankful that he is well once again!

My love- the father of my sons. I can't believe that this picture was taken 28 years ago! Time goes too quickly!

Here is that baby in the picture above. He is now a father, a very good father. I am so proud of him as I watch him car for Hannah.

Happy Fathers' Day to each of you!

I love you all!

(The Beatle's song you hear is special because that is what my youngest son, Tom, chose it for his mom and son dance at his wedding.)

Babies gone...waiting on some more

Roberta's brood flew their nest. We have several other babies waiting to hatch and waiting to fly away. We can hear them but can't see them like we could see Roberta's babies. We have so much fun watching the birds in the yard. The goldfinch love Thistle Patch Hill.

Gramma and Hannah

Hannah is growing so quickly. She is so interested in what is going on around her now. I am delighting in every moment. As soon as she hears mommy's voice, her head turns that way and she follows mom. It is so clear that mommy is her favorite person- just as it should be! She is such a blessed little girl to have such a wonderful mommy (and daddy!). She and I watched mommy water her flowers. Don't you just love the hat!

Home Again!

What a wonderful week! Next year I want two weeks in Cape May. We had a chance to be together as a family-four generations. Unfortunately I am not known to be a photographer- brought the camera and realized today that I never took pictures. Too busy enjoying every minute.

It is so wonderful how the Lord plans surprises in our days. He gave us a great one on vacation. A fisherman walked by as we were sitting on the beach. Tom said, "Hey Mom, isn't that Ray." Knowing he was on vacation that week and assuming he had gone out of town, I said, "No, doesn't look like him." Joe walked down to the water and the fisherman approached him. It was Ray! A dear friend for more than 30 years. What a delight to spend the evening with him!! It truly was a gift perfectly timed by our Father!

We hated to leave Cape May but it is also good to be home. It is the first time we have returned from vacation to plants that are still green and growing- thanks to our faithful waterers! I missed my peonies and small iris in bloom but came home to lots of roses....and weeds! There is a reason I call my blog Thistlepatch Hill!

My husband knows me through and through. While on a bike ride through Cape May Point he found a bucket just like the one at the right sitting in someone's garbage. He rescued it for me! I can't wait to plant it and add it to the others that I have throughout the yard.

I've gotta get things in shape for Tracey's Garden Tour.

Roberta's babies are getting bigger. It was so hot today that I wanted to leave the front door open so they could get some air conditioning.

Welcome babies!

I have not sewn another stitch since my last post. Too much work to do. But there is excitement- Roberta's babies are here!

The sewing will have to wait because now I am going to pack for ......VACATION! A week with my favorite people!

Patio Putzing

Before-looking tired but still in good shape.

After-some spray paint and fabric

One down, three to go, plus a table. Will share it when it is ALL done.

Busy Saturday

We started the morning doing yard sales and came home without one purchase!!! We did stop at the Salvation Army store and I found a Ralph Lauren denim dress for $3 that I quickly turned into this glamorous garden gal.

She is missing two things: 1. An apron- which I will find in my basement in a box of aprons I ordered on Ebay several years ago and 2. A name. I need some help with that. All suggestions are welcome- leave your names in my comments below.

I also got just about all of the planting done in the yard. Tomorrow we have lots of mulch to spread! Let's hope the rain stops so we can get it spread before it's back to work on Monday. I have also been busy painting and sewing for a little patio spruce up. Hope to show you the before and after tomorrow. For now, here are a few more pictures taken this afternoon.

This birdhouse looks so sad but is home to a happy family. For some reason of all the birdhouses in our yard, this one is about the most favorite, serving as home to several families each year. By the way, Roberta, the robin, continues to sit on the nest she created in the basket on our front door.

Remembering

My Aunt Mildred.....I have not seen her since I was nine years old- that would be 42 years ago! The world has been made smaller because of email and the internet but still too big when you can't visit with those you love very often. This is when I last saw her- she visited us in Aruba and was there for my birthday. I still have the beautiful Bible she gave me for that birthday.

Happy Mothers' Day

Mom and me...more than 50 years ago. My mom is not only beautiful but she is also wonderful! She created such a perfect childhood for my brother and me. We had picnic lunches at the beach everyday; she was always the mom who volunteered to help at school and all of my friends would tell me how beautiful my mom was. She always made our home cozy and pretty. She created the best birthday parties. More importantly, she has always been there for me and lets me know she loves me in so many ways. I am so happy to be her daughter.

I love you, Mom!

Weekend of gardening

We began Saturday at the flower auction. Once we had the car filled we stopped. Next year I will be sure to have a truck as I never even went out to see the trees and shrubs.

Then the planting began!

One Mama Robin took my note literally and has made her nest in the basket on our front door. So far no eggs. We will be using the garage door for a while now I guess!