Crystals and Pearls

It's been a while since I've made any jewelry - got these four necklaces finished for the bridesmaids.

Swarovski crystals and pearls.

They look so much prettier in person and have lots more sparkle! They are on a long runner I found at GW. I doubt that it was ever used as it's in perfect condition.

On to a necklace for Sarah.

Sea Shells and Lavender Bells

There's a third color of Canterbury Bells--Lavender. I'm lovin' these new flowers in my garden. This one fell over, most likely in one of our many wind storms.
On one of my trips to Denver, I found this 3 tierd shelf. Don't know what it's really for, but it was cheap, so it came home with me.
Had a box of 100 sea shells from a former student so decided to put them outside for the summer.
When I taught First Grade we celebrated the 100th Day of school by bringing in collections. Amber brought this magnificent set of shells for the kids to see.
Her mom said they were going to throw them away! She asked if I wanted them-what teacher in her right mind would say no??!!

I ♥ them!!!

I'm sure they came right from the beach and have a soft chalky feel. Lucky me!

Today's Flowers #149

Here's what was blooming today-PINK Canterbury bells. I hope they will produce seeds so they'll be back next year!
Missouri primroses. This plant just gets larger each summer and has interesting seed pods.
The mini roses are looking cheerful in the morning sun.
White mini roses.
Stella d'Oro day lilies.
Finally pruned these roses and cleaned out the bed.
Flowers everywhere at Today's Flowers. Click to join in around the world. With thanks to the team that makes it possible each week!
May your final days of June be filled with sunshine and happiness.

Sunlight: PM and AM

My newest flowers, planted last spring, are blooming.
They are lovely Canterbury bells, biennials, with soft sun light in the evening. These are the survivors of the grasshopper plague, Summer 2010.
And, yes, the little hoppers are back. Again.
The morning sun is brighter, but the flax is blooming so I had to take more pictures this morning.
Flax.
Pink makes me happy.
Company's coming tomorrow, so I need to keep sorting and cleaning. Then I promised my nephew, aka Santa, that I'd make his favorite meal for supper tonight. He's so easy to please-meatloaf.

Paradise

Other than the howling wind the last two days, not much was accomplished outside. This morning I had to remove a rose that didn't survive our winter and planted a new one. I borrowed this picture of one from a garden center, since I'm too lazy to look through my pictures right now.
It's called Paradise, planted in memory of Wally. Someday I'll plant the other kind again now that I know the correct way to plant full size roses. My miniatures are much easier to plant and keep alive.

From the Weeks Rose catalog:
"Paradise
(cv. WEZeip)
Medium lavender brushed ruby. Hybrid Tea Lavender roses were no Utopia until this heavenly rose came along. The exceptional colors of clean lavender with ruby-red edgings and the consistent spiraled flower-form can fill you with rapture. But true bliss cannot be achieved until you witness the abundance of large blooms and dark green disease-resistant foliage on each vigorous easy-to-grow plant.
Height/Habit: Medium/Bushy
Bloom/Size: Large, double
Petal Count: 25 to 30
Fragrance: Moderate fruity
Hybridizer: Weeks—1979
Parentage: Swarthmore x Angel Face seedling
Comments: Heat brings out the blush color but can burn the foliage"

Not much happening around here except cleaning and sorting and taking loads of things to the local Good Will, now that we have one in Fort Morgan. I gave away a big bag of shirts and kept some to cut up into quilt blocks-one set from the pastels and the other from all the western shirts. Both quilts will be someday projects.

Doing some wedding work but must do more! ♥♫

Colorado Columbines

Wednesday I went to Greeley to get my mom's groceries after priming walls in Denver on Monday and Tuesday. Although I wasn't as tired and sore as I was the very first night after we worked, I was happy to sit and drive.
These are my mom's columbines and we let them grow where ever they sprout.
And whatever color they want to be. Lots of blue this year.
Some white with pale yellow.
All of God's creations are heavenly to my mom and me.
Mine are getting very thin and I need to plant more seeds this fall. Maybe I'll find the packet Sarah and I brought back from our road trip last summer. ♥♫

Mexican Primrose

It was a perfect morning to be out in the garden pulling weeds. This is the first time I've ever had so many Mexican (evening) primroses blooming. The are in a bed where I put mulch last summer and they must have liked it.
They are pest free at the moment and I haven't seen the millions of baby grasshoppers that I expected. Maybe the cold spring helped to kill the eggs.
Now I must work on things inside this afternoon. Really. I should. I'll have to ignore the call from outside my door. It's really persistent and LOUD. Wedding details need to be taken care of INSIDE. INSIDE...

Barn Quilts

When taking various routes from Point A to Point B I'm sometimes lucky enough to find a new Barn Quilt.
This one uses the company's colors to create the pattern.
Last Sunday while showing off some of the BQ's in Fort Morgan, we saw this one across from the corner where we were ready to turn. Too many shadows for a great picture this morning, but I take them when I go to town, not planning very well for perfect light.

We spotted this one about a half mile off the road so I went to make sure it really was a BQ block. Couldn't get a clear picture--maybe an eighth of a mile away--so the zoom did its best. I'm not tramping through the fields to get closer!
I know where a few more are that I haven't taken yet, but would like to call and get permission to go in the yard as it is up a long lane. It is a thrifty pastime as all I do is take a detour or two on my way there and back home.

Owls in Love

We are having cupcakes and punch at the church after the wedding and want everyone to have a small favor. I found these owls at Crafts 'n Things magazine and know Sarah loves owls.
Printed some on lavender paper and cut them out with one of my fancy punches to glue on seed packets we found on clearance at JoAnn Fabrics.
Used glue dots to stick them on and covered up the wording that won't be necessary. Now I need to either put something on the top or fold them over so they stand up on each table.
Also got the ribbons on the bubbles. We've always loved bubbles and I just may need to make a batch of solution for the wedding picnic. I have all sorts of huge wands from my last day of school celebrations. We always loved making bubbles as large as bowling balls. They're magical~☺!! Hmmm...will have to ask Sarah and Alex if they want to act like little kids.

Today's Flowers

These sweet bulbs are now in bloom.

Star of Bethlehem

The plants love today's hot and humid weather.
Top picture was taken after last week's mini hailstorm and the one below this afternoon-same plant. They do recover quickly when the hail isn't so bad.
And one of the 41 pots I planted. Mostly with petunias as they do well here on the prairie.
I'm joining Today's Flowers. Thanks for letting me join in.

The End

Pots are finished. Last nine this morning. The end...except for a few perennials that need to be planted, but I won't count them. And the weeds, and moving a few plants, and mowing again and again. I love to work in the yard.
I need to bring some more watering cans around to the front. I moved these three last summer and ran out of ambition.

I might be going to the big city tomorrow to paint. Ali's house was broken into last night and wires were cut and bathroom pipes were ruined and flooded the bathroom in the basement. Sarah thinks we will be able to work on the main floor and flood people will have to evaluate the damage this afternoon. GRRRR! They need to camp out and put BUSTER on patrol!
Or should I hire my friend, Remington? Buster and BooBoo get along just fine, so he and Rem should be able to handle those intruders and scare the pants off of them.

Hazy sky this morning, perfect for more mowing.
And taking a few pictures.
A prairie sunflower growing in a crack on the back slab of cement. Not a patio by any means.
Wild roses with the scent that comes only once a year.
Boxes came today from Fire Mountain Gems~ crystal and pearl beads and wedding decorations/supplies from Nebraska's Oriental Trading. More WORK. Making jewelry for Sarah and her four friends will not be difficult at all.

Hope the flowers keep growing. Planted only three more pots today. Need to go to town for a few more petunias after I wash the dirt away from mowing.