~Sha-ZAMM!!! ~ & A Wee Surprise!

Once upon a time I wished ... oh, yes, I sure
did ... for everything from the moon to the
stars ... even a white stallion to sweep by
& take me to a fairy castle far away ....














BUT ... this was NOT one of my wishes. The well went down!
KER-SPLAT!!! What a mess, no water, NA-DA!! So we
became modern pioneers, once again.





Tho the weekend wasn't done with us!!
NOPE!! The kitchen stove decided to
'pass away'. Now don't you think this
would put your weekend on the back
burner?! Well, it sure tried ...









AND THEN, YES, & then ... we went to
our precious son, Emery & di-love Cat's
for a welcomed respite from this mess.


Emery & me ... yup! I am wiping away
a tear & wearing a crown.







As we are standing awaiting the table
blessing before we eat, Emery, Cat, Ansel
& Tatiana SURPRISED us with our 50th
anniversary dinner.


And, I do mean ... surprised!!







Sweet Tatiana & Ansel made our crowns
for the prince Poppy & princess Mimi for
the eve. They are just darling. Then Ansel
gave the speech thanking us for making
his Dad's life possible because without us
(Poppy & Mini) none of us would exist. Now doesn't this just MELT your heart?!







A quick peek at the beautiful table foods. I am looking at the rose wand that Tatiana made & scented with perfume, for me.

You bet there were plenty of tears ... & deep gratitude for our son & dilove, & those 2 dimpled darlings of ours.

Oh, yes, James & Alyssa were there with us but I don't have the pictures of us together with them.

THANK YOU all for the love & fun we had, it was an evening to treasure.

Sooooo, our weekend had a lovely HIGH note to it ... now back to no water, no stove & reality.

Hope you had a fabulous memorable weekend.

~ Love Is ... Remembering

A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable toThe United States of America for any amount, up to and including their life.

Thank you to all who serve & have served. You are truly appreciated.

Join our LOVE IS... ladies ~
Rita
Tete
Anne
Sherry

***We are taking a little holiday break. Please have a safe & lovely weekend***

~ Love Is... In Gratitude & Memory Of Our Veterans ~

A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable toThe United States of America for any amount, up to and including their life.

Thank you to all who serve & have served. You are truly appreciated.

Join our LOVE IS... ladies ~
Rita
Tete
Anne
Sherry

***We are taking a little holiday break. Please have a safe & lovely weekend***

Most of our rhododendron's we have ordered from Washington State, where we are originally from. 'Why', you ask ... varieties not ever found on the east coast, & many other locations throughout this country are available there.

We have visited near Olympia, a rhodie
nursery & I felt like I was in a little spot
of heaven. The variety was overwhelming, I would have needed a moving van to bring them home with me ... one of everything.


Enjoy ...

~ and The 5-Day WINNERS Are ... ~

We have had SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much rain that these little fellas have decided they are enjoying nestling amongst our blades of grass & throughout our gardens. We are now in a summer heat wave of humidity & daily thunder storms/rains.





Congrats! to all the lovely winners ... pop over & visit these lovely ladies ~

Ginny @ nana-faithhopeandtherapy
Theresa @ theycallmeganky
Julie @ theharwards
Elizabeth @ homeiswherethehertis
Spencer @ bellamarecottage
Sandi @ rosechintzcottage
Lynn @ trashtotreasureart
Cora @ heartfeltandhomemade
Kathy.Harris@verizon.net (write me Kathy) so I can send you your gift.
Shelia @ notesongs
Mary @ rosebrookcottage

... What Lovely Treasures From Beatrice Banks...

Sweet Tammy @ Beatrice Banks had a $125 Giveaway with several fabulous artisans.
I won, oh, yes, indeedy ... I did! All these marvelous gifts were chosen from each ladies shops ...

This charming wall memo/photo plague is from Kelly @
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CottonBreeze. The medallion just sets off her creation.



Kitchen Burlap & Cherry Ruffles Runner
Tracey @ raggygirl.etsy.com
Tracey has the most charming creations
for your lovely homes. TYSM Tracey. I love it ...



Jill @ Bella Rose Antiques has the most
elegant antiques china. Tammy @ Beatrice Banks also offered a cash gift. I combined
both ladies gifts & purchased from Jill these
exquisite pieces ... the Limoges delicate adorned rose scalloped serving platter & the fabulous yellow rose dessert set of Selb Bavaria.
Thank you Jill & Tammy, I adore them.





Ann @ 1803 Ohio Farm Baskets sent me this absolutely wonderful primitive basket
which I can use for my pencil collections.
Thank you Ann, I love it.

These wonderful coasters are gifts from Linda @ Burlap & Blue. She makes the cutest cake stands & coasters. I love the butterfly collection she offered, they look so nice on the table & lounge set we just bought. Thank you, Linda.



Carla @ Cards by Carla has a delightful selection of cards & boxes for all occasions. I selected the nest & bird tags that are adorned with aqua/green bling &
lovely matching ribbons & also (2) beautiful pink boxes with sparkly pink bling & elegant pearls. TYSM Carla. They are so
pretty.






Tracey Suzanne @ Cotton Pickin Cute
had a giveaway that I received this Yanni CD & tape from One2One Network. Such a sweet gift, Tracey, to enjoy often. TYSM.

~ Please visit all these wonderful ladies ~

Thank you everyone, I am truly blessed to have such wonderful gifts from each of you.

~Love Is... ~ Relax & Enjoy Our Iris

We dusted off the old furniture, then threw it out .... well, to the
curb where someone quickly snatched it up. It was fine wicker
but I was bored with it ...















& bought this great new set that reclines
like a chaise. Love those cushy pads &
the ottomans. The soft pale green floral
design blends nicely with our terrace
settings.









Now we can lounge, enjoy our birds at
the bird feeders & savor the beauty of our
gardens.












Come join us ...

Tete @ http://tete-beyondthegardengate.blogspot.com/

Anne @ http://annesphamily.blogspot.com/

Rita @ http://grammyssweetnothings.blogspot.com/

Sherry @ http://countrywingsinphoenix.blogspot.com/









The colors are so rich ... our iris are in full bloom & stunning.



















& warm.












They stand so stately ...





















amongst the garden florals.















Shimmering in the sun ...














a myriad of colors.












Soft & gentle ...












bright & warm ...















speckled & bright.














These flowers Mother always gathered to
create a basket bouquet for the graves ...












to remember her parents & brother every Memorial
Day ...














I love them, & the sweet memories they evoke.

~ Have a beautiful day ~

~ Melt My Heart ~ Pink Saturday

Sharing a little LOVE with each of you ...

Beverly, each week you have graciously presented us with a lovely venue to enjoy with one another. You truly are the loveliest hostess!

Join Miss Beverly & the other pinkies @
http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Our precious Ansel Emery, 10 years old, has the most gentle loving sweet kind heart.

When we bring the kid-lings home, Ansel always does a special piece of art for me. Many pieces are detailed Star Wars creations, that are fabulous ...

BUT ...

this one melted both my heart & soul, & brought tears to my eyes. I so love him.

Thank you, Ansel ... you are a very special, precious young man. I love you with all my heart. Forever, Mimi

~~~~
NOTE ~
Please pray for the soul of Linda Karr, Gardening By Trial and Error .. she has joined the angels.

~ Ringy-dingy-dingy ... Ringy-dingy, Sis ....... ~

Operator! OPER-A-TOR!!! I am here! Tell sis that I can't hold on this line 4-EVAH!!!. I have lots to tell her about this trip ... that she's missed. Fingers tapping!, Operator, this is the ONLY phone for many a mile ... I'm waiting!

http://countrywingsinphoenix.blogspot.com/2011/05/ring-ringring-ring.html

Don't you love that nifty new outfit I acquired? & that long blonde hair? and of course, I had to wear my hat for you, sis!!

(** click on the link to follow where this story is going, or maybe coming from)

Enjoy the beauty of this exquisite N. PA. mansion & elegant gardens.