Mountain Mama

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 00:03:00 +0000

Well hello again. Seems like Blogger just keeps calling me back. I've had a facebook account for several years but I miss my blog friends. I have found that many have stopped blogging and a few have passed away. Sad. I guess I will just play this by ear and see where it goes.
We are having a very hot summer. My lawn is dried up and the trees are looking very thirsty. I have to water my gardens daily but they are doing well.
I hope to check in at least weekly.
Have a nice 4th.

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 17:56:00 +0000

I have no idea if this is going to actually post. It has been so long since I blogged and everything is so changed I feel like I'm lost!
I miss blogging and my dear blog friends, so if any of you just happen to stop by and see this give me a shout. Blessing of the God kind!

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Wed, 29 May 2013 02:18:00 +0000

I'm back!

I've been away too long. I hope I haven't been forgotten! Spring is here and once again I am drawn to the flower gardens, camera in hand to capture the beauty our Father has blessed us with.

This Rhody is the most delicate lavender and it looks like an Orchid to me. I love it. We have had so much rain that I'm surprised anything can bloom.

These are the flowers of some kind of tiny hen & Chick plant. You can see it better if you enlarge it. The tiny red dots in the center seem to draw these little black beetles.

Here is an Iris I have posted before.It's so pretty. I used to have it growing beside my fish pond but had to move it when I filled in the pond. Blue Heron's and raccoons ate the fish and dedtroyed my beautiful pink water lily. I wonder what Roasted Raccoon and Barbequed Blue Heron taste like? LOL

I need to post a picture showing the entire plant. This is Clematis Paul II. This year there are so many blossoms I couldn't possible count them. I have fish net up so the deer can't eat them, one of the reasons there are so many flowers. I didn't use any fertilizer on it this year but last fall I dumped grass clippings around it. I think I'll be doing that again!

This is apparently a cross between a white and a lavender Foxglove. I like the delicate pink. These blossoms always look sweet and shy.

Here is my gorgeous and very fragrant Patty Rose. As always it's blooming up a storm. When I step out to the back deck the wonderful smell greets me. Unfortunately we are having a horrible plague of tent caterpillars. They are everywhere. I cut a lot off the old Gravenstein Apple tree and the Fuji tree too but they are in the gravel, the dirt and the grass too. I sure hope we don't have them next year! They can defoliate a branch in no time at all.

The last red peony of the year. It had been raining so it's covered in rain drops. There's a fly hiding under a petal trying to stay dry. I had never thought about it before but I suppose if their wings get wet they wouldn't be able to fly very well. Does that make me feel sorry for them? Nope!

The Hen & Chicks growing in this old teaketle came from my late mother in law who was born in 1892, I'm so glad I could get a start. I love using old things to plant in. I have an old beat up bucket that is growing pansies this year. I have my moms teakettle too but it isn't shaped right for planting in.

Two of my nieces are visiting from Colorado. Here they are in the dark pink shirt and in the red, white and blue heart shirt. The other three are my girls.

I hope you all had a nice Memorial Day celebration. I stayed home and ate soup! LOL
Be blessed!

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 02:28:00 +0000

OLD PHOTOS

I can hardly believe this picture was taken nearly 24 years ago. My youngest sister and I took a bunch of kids to Birch Bay clamming. We got our limits and the boys got a lot of crabs. It's hard work but fun. I doubt I could dig up a big bucket full now. Age does mean things to us.

This is a neat old Burl. Moss is trying to cover it but it's still pretty. Burl's used to be cut into slabs and made into tables. Maybe they still are but I haven't seen any lately. I like this one just as it is.

Here's the beautiful variegated Lilac. My oldest daughter and her family gave it to me one Mother's Day. I love it. Yes it is fragrant!

I guess I could call this an Heirloom Honeysuckle. I got a start from my mother who got hers from her mother. Three generation Honeysuckle. It smells wonderful.

Out back and down the hill is a table and benches with woods and flowers all around. This little wooden bucket is tipped so it looks like the Sweet Woodruff is falling out of it. Woodruff has a sweet fragrance.

This is another one of the Lord's surprises. I didn't plant these flowers by this fence. I did have some growing in another place but apparently some seeds got dropped here the year before. I think the Purple Pansy and yellow Calendula look lovely together. The little yellow buttercups sort of add to the picture.

If you can, enlarge this picture to see it better. High on a mountain we can see forever.....I love the clouds too.

Some of you might remember me talking about Martha. She was an elderly lady who gave me a start of this rose. I don't think I have ever smelled one so lovely. Martha passed away a few years ago. I hope she has roses now too.

****

Well it's the week of President birthdays. I don't celebrate and I don't go shopping. LOL I can just imagine the crowds and I hate waiting in lines.

I hope all is well in your world and old man winter is preparing to retreat.

Blessings

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 00:09:00 +0000

IT'S A MIRACLE!!!! I CAN POST PICTURES AGAIN!!!

the snow hunt

My daughter invited me to ride with her and 4 of her grandkids up the Mt. Baker Highway to find snow. And we did! Lots of it.

This ancient Cedar stands alongside the highway tall and strong.

This is the north fork of the Nooksack River, Moving slowly with mounds of snow piled high around it. The snow in the foreground is from the snowplow.

Water falling off the rock cliff is all ice now and fascinating to see,

Here's a closer picture of the icefall. I love to enlarge this and plan to use it for a desktop background.

Just look at the huge piles of snow!! The river is way in the background. Notice the footprints on the snowy log to the left. I didn't see any coming back. ??? Maybe he's still down there!

When we were coming back down the highway the sun was shining through these moss covered trees. The color was really beautiful but some looked like grotesque, green monsters!

Well that's all for now. Hope you are having a blessed week!

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:26:00 +0000

I was planning to do a new photo post today but apparently something has changed since my last post or blogger is having a tantrum again because I cannot do any photos. So I will simply wish you a wonderful day and hope I can post pictures later.

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 01:53:00 +0000

*WISHING YOU A BLESSED NEW YEAR!*

I have had a certain Texas Blog friend Bev, almost from the time I began blogging. This sweet lady sent me three boxes of pecans this year. I have them all shelled and in the freezer except those I shared with family. I appreciate her generosity so much. The last time I went to buy pecans here they were nearly $15. a pound. Outrageous! Thank you again dear Bev for your precious gift. I made banana pecan muffins a few days ago. Mmmmmmm! I am so blessed.

OK, so don't laugh!!!! I think these sole less sandals are just as cute as can be and if I were a young girl with beautiful feet I would definitely want some. I found many patterns on the net and plan to make some. Maybe my granddaughters and great grand daughters would like them for summer. Wouldn't they be cute with shorts and a halter top or peasant blouse?

These next two pictures were taken a few years back. Yes I walked out on this terrifying thing so I could get a better picture of what's below. I am not into heights!!!!

Snoqualmie Falls is a 268 foot fall on the Snoqualmie river between the towns of Snoqualmie and Fall City, WA. One and a half million visitors come each year to enjoy the beauty of this place that has a very interesting history.

Each time I look across the road I see this stump. It has so many little bracket fungi that I couldn't count them all. The picture only shows a few. I learned that some Bracket fungi are used for medicine. I think they are really pretty.

Well this isn't exactly a picture I like to show but I need to share. You see I have had a serious problem for many years with the bucks ripping my shrubbery to pieces with their antlers during rutting season. I have tried so many things I can't name them all. Blood meal worked but it has to be replaced after each rain and when you live in Washington rain is what it does! Besides, it has become very expensive! So last fall I went to the harbor and got some discarded fish net and covered all my Rhody's and the other shrubs that the deer attack. Twice I saw pieces of net laying on the lawn because a buck had got tangled and after that they totally left my shrubs alone. Another way to recycle. Just be sure to dispose of it properly so it won't cause a problem to other critters.

blessings!

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 03:31:00 +0000

A CHANGE OF PACE

Shortly before our 25th wedding anniversary, my husband sent 25 long-stemmed yellow roses to me at my office. A few days later I plucked all the petals and dried them.

On the night of our anniversary I spread the petals over the bed and lay on top of them wearing only a negligee. As I hoped I got a reaction from my husband.

When he saw me he shouted,

"ARE THOSE POTATO CHIPS?"

*****

I found this in an older magazine and had to share!

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 03:47:00 +0000

party time

Some of my very busy family found the time to come to my house last night. They brought food and I made some too so we had a wonderful feast together. For dessert my great granddaughter Hailee made a pumpkin cheesecake that was incredibly delicious! There were lots of other desserts too but I'll get to that later.

A few days ago I baked a batch of gingerbread people and got a lot of candies, frosting etc., for decorating. Then I covered the table with clear plastic and let the great grand kid's 'go for it!' I think they had a good time turning these cookies into their own works of art.

Here is one of Kenny's delightful little men. Kenny is 9. He gave this one to me. I need to mention that this great grandson has the most delightful sense of humor. Just being around him cheers me up and keeps me smiling.

Kenny's sister Tori who is 5, made this one for me. I think she did a really good job. Her brother thinks we should make a bra for it. LOL!!! See what I mean about that sense of humor? :) Love that kid!

Our meticulous Maddie has her first one started. Notice how carefully she is placing the little candies? She took her time and thought it all out carefully before beginning. She is like her grandma, my daughter Cyndra. Not like me. I just toss and have a great time. HAHA Maddie is a very deep thinker.

Here is Hailee and Maddie looking at Hailee's creation. I need to mention that these kids were so neat that there was hardly any clean-up at all to do when they were done. Some awesome training happening with these children and I am very proud of all those who are teaching.

Tori and Kenny. She's digging right in just like I would and Kenny is contemplating 'what next.' Kenny writes some super stories.

My granddaughter Brandey joined in the fun and created her own gingerbread person. Why not. Fun for all. Hailee and Tori are hamming it up for me. :)

As usual, Miss Julia is quiet and thoughtful. Maybe thinking about what Santa is going to bring, or could it be she is thinking about a white Christmas? No, No. NO! I'm old but not totally gone. Miss Julia is having thoughts of romance concerning a very nice looking, dark haired young fella who I have met. Believe it or not Julia, Great grandma was young once, and she had dreams too. Just keep on 'dreaming' at least till you are 30 honey girl.

My pup's Tildy and Tudie up on the couch to avoid all the feet walking around. They aren't used to having a lot of people in the house even though they love the company.

"Tis the season to be silly, fa-la-la-la-la---la-la-la-laaaa!" Tori made several different poses for me with this 'thing' she was holding. I just love her little Shirley Temple dimple! Tori has a wonderful personality. I love hearing her talk and hear her stories. She is very expressive and has a great imagination. What a delightful child.

Here is my beautiful Great granddaughter Hailee who is 11 years old. I have many pictures of her and truthfully they are all beautiful. This girl couldn't look bad even if she tried. She is beautiful inside too. She's the one who baked the yummy pumpkin cheesecake.

Here is Hailee's cheesecake on the far right. to the left is gumdrop fruitcake, the rich chocolate cake and date balls and the jar of chocolates. Out of sight are the pies and ice cream.

Throughout all the festivities, the fun and food, the laughter and wonderful family time, let us remember what we are celebrating and give thanks for the most incredible gift of all. Thank you Dear God for the gift of your son. Thank you for loving us so much.

God bless each of you with a meaningful Christmas. God bless our troops and God bless America.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 04:14:00 +0000

IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME!

Here's the ice skating village my daughter Kathy's family gave me quite some time ago. I don't set it up every year but decided to this year because some of my family are coming.

Here's a close up of the skaters. They are magnetized and skate around while carols or old fashioned music plays. It all lights up too.

I added some things like this chowder shack.

This horse & carriage is so cute.

This wacky driver better look where he's going. Hee-hee.

Had to have a musician too.

It looks like papa is giving the girls a pony ride.

Here's my tree all lit up. Can't see much of the ornaments this way.

Here's a little angel blowing you a kiss.

I love these frosty looking balls with violets. My favorite flower!

Yep, I had to hang a stocking for my puppies. I'll wait till Christmas morning to put their treats in otherwise they would be climbing the tree!

This isn't actually an ornament but who says we can't use whatever we want. I found this belt buckle at an antique shop shortly after my son Michael was taken from us. He was a logger. The picture reminded me of him.

My sweet sister painted my youngest son's name on this ornament and gave it to him. It hangs on my tree now.

Here are some cute carolers! I can't decide if they are squirrels or what.

Here's some more carolers. I do like snowmen but Santa's don't do much for me. This is a musical but it sounds awful so I don't play it.

And the Angel. I have several but this one is so pretty I decided to post it.

*******

I hope you all have a blessed Christmas.

God bless.

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 20:49:00 +0000

SUMMER IN WINTER

I finished putting up Christmas lights outside today. It was raining and I got wet,cold and a little grumpy! As I was untangling the strings of lights I dreamed of spring and summer hot days and flower gardens. So just to make myself feel better I decided to post some flowery summertime pictures.

Here is the pretty pink Rhody's my Patty gave me, a pale pink Rhody, White perennial Candy Tuft and Moonlight Broom with the neighbors red shrub in the background.

Oh I used to have such a colorful front yard when I had my big, faithful dog Barnabas but after he was gone the deer came and now they eat everything in sight. I loved walking through my yard and just enjoying all the flowers. If I could I would have another big dog just so I could enjoy my flowers again.

The seal of King Solomon found on old coins etc., is in this shape, thus the name of this interesting flower, Solomon's Seal. This picture was taken from under the blossom. Interestingly it is also the shape of the Star of David. Now I wonder if seals were passed down through the generations.

Under the Old Apple Tree. The tall bright magenta blossoms are Rose Campion. Also there are many Sweet William's, Roses, Lillie's, Lemon Balm and much more. On the warm days when I walked out here the Sweet William was very fragrant.

I loved this pond. Iris, Foxglove, pansies and a lot more growing all around. I named some of my goldfish which grew to about 7 inches long and kept having babies. Sad when the coons & Herons got in and ate most of them. I also had a gorgeous pink water lily, a waterfall and a fountain. You can see all this much better if you enlarge it.

Here is a macro shot of a pretty pink peony. I love macro because I seldom take time to really 'see' a blossom. This way I can enjoy all the shades of colors, and the beauty of the single blossom. This Peony is very fragrant.

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 03:24:00 +0000

My apologies to all. I had to add WV again because the spam won't stop. I know how we all detest fighting with WV to figure out the letters but until I learn of another way to fix this demon of a problem it will have to stay. It's either this or stop blogging.
*******************************************************************************

WISHING YOU ALL A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING.

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 20:12:00 +0000

FROM MY ALBUMS

I never thought much about the small blossoms on my Siberian Laurel until I got a macro shot. Aren't these little beauties exquisite? enlarge for a better view.
****
I have given this Laurel the wrong name. It is a Cherry or Northern Laurel. Thanks Cathy.

We are getting some frosty mornings. It's cold but pretty too. Thank goodness no snow yet!

This was taken during the summer. I love the forest with the moss and ferns. even the fresh woodsy fragrance is exhilarating. It's a wonderful place to walk alone and meditate on all the wonderful gifts of the Lord.

This is a pretty lane at Lake Terrell, where dad took mom on their honeymoon so he could hunt ducks. HAHA!

My sisters and I love to go to the beach and our favorite is called Cherry Point. In this picture what you see is not a snake. It's sea kelp. Kids love playing with it and some people used harvest it and make kelp pickles. I have never made them. I don't know if that is still done as it is illegal to take anything from the beach these days. Stupid laws.

Taken at my daughter's a few years ago. Her hubby is cleaning up after dinner as the doggies patiently, or impatiently wait for a treat.

Just so you know, I have been having a serious problem with spam. I am trying to get it stopped so you will have to jump through a little hoop to comment. Please don't let that stop you.

Blessings

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 04:39:00 +0000

A LITTLE OF THIS A LITTLE OF THAT

I can't remember where I found this cute little French perfume bottle. It's only about one inch high, black glass inside the ornate metal cover. I don't know how old it is but the perfume fragrance inside is still strong. It has a turquoise colored bead on top of the lid and there is a chain of beads the same color that I think were attached at one time.

This old brooch was in mama's button jar as long as I can remember. I don't know where she got it or what it is made of but the metal surrounding the floral piece looks homemade. So many things I wish I had asked her about.

This cameo came from my aunt Pauline. I have no idea where it came from but it looks quite old. The metal appears to be gold.

This is my paternal great grandparents, Andrew and Lovina Ecalbarger in front, my grandma Lucy in back left, then uncle Sam and aunts Effie and Thelma. I think this was taken around 1915.

My maternal grandma Lillie Fitzpatrick and grandpa Percy Ferris probably taken in the 1930's. He was an

engineer and she was the warmest, sweetest most loving lady ever.

Here I am in 1940 with grandpa Percy Ferris. He died in 1943 so I don't remember much about him except he was warm and smelled like tobacco and Beeman's chewing gum.

I found this button in my front yard while digging another flower garden. Maybe it's a badge. It has a threaded post on back. Strangely it wasn't rusted or eroded. The back has a ciricle with cw1812 inside. I love finding treasures like this when I'm out digging!

A sunset seems the right way to end this post. Don't you just love how every sunset is original?

God bless you and all your loved ones.

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 18:30:00 +0000

THE DEVIL AND THE DUCK

My dear friend Bev sent me this and suggested it would be nice on my blog so here it is.

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner.
As he was walking back he saw grandma's pet duck.

Just out of impulse he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved. In a panic he hid the duck in the woodpile, only to see his sister watching.

Sally had seen it all but said nothing. After lunch the next day grandma said, "Sally lets wash the dishes." But Sally Said, "But grandma, Johnny said he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes.

Later that day grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need sally to help make supper." Sally just smiled and said. "That's alright because Johnny told me he wants to help make supper." She whispered again, "remember the duck?" She she went fishing and Johnny stayed to help.

After several days of doing both his chores and Sally's he couldn't stand it any longer. He came to grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down and hugged him and said, "I know sweetheart. You see, I was standing at the window and saw the whole thing, but because I love you I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."

Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done, the devil keeps throwing it in your face. (hatred, anger, bitterness, lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits etc, whatever it is, you need to know that God was standing at the window and he saw the whole thing.

He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that he loves you unconditionally and you are forgiven. He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you.

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 03:59:00 +0000

NIGHT BLOOMING CEREUS

Seven years ago I joined an online group called the Epi Forum. This is a group of people who like Orchid cactus (Epiphyllum). Through a trade I received a plant called a Night Blooming Cereus. I had heard of this wonderful plant and was happy to get a start. I had read that the buds only bloom for one night and die the next day. It sounded mysterious and fascinating to this plant loving lady! When it came in the mail it was one just one pad so I stuck it in a pot of dirt. And waited.....it didn't die.

It didn't grow very fast at first but before long it began developing new pads. I had to treat it for some kind of cottony bug things but it snapped out of it and continued to grow. I wondered how soon it would have flowers.

Each year I put it out on the back deck along with all my Orchid cactus. They all thrived in the fresh air and a little sun. New branches grew. After four years the Cereus was beginning to look rather ugly. Well actually it looked very ugly. Some of the stems grew over four feet long, whipped around like a giant rat tail and turned a brownish color. They looked like dead sticks. I was disappointed but determined the thing was going to bloom for me someday so I kept watering and fertilizing, packing it into my little cottage in the fall and back out to the back deck in the late spring, and it's heavy! Six years and no flowers. I thought about dumping this dud into the compost but something told me to 'hang in there.' See her above at 7 years old taking over the window. Show off!

One day about a month ago while I was watering I noticed some little red bumps beginning to develop along the sides of a couple of those ugly dead stick like branches. I wondered.... could it be? YES! YES! YES!!!!! She has buds. 14 of them! I watched them so carefully you would think they were my babies. In a way, they were. Then the nights turned cold as they do here in the Pacific Northwest come fall, and I had to bring all the plants in. Unfortunately the shock made 13 of the little buds drop off. I was so disappointed I gathered them up as they fell and considered a funeral. My heart was so heavy! One bud clung tight to the ugly mama and grew. I really wanted so much to see what it would look like when it bloomed, if it did.

It seems like it took ages for it to get this size and a few days before I took this picture it looked like it was going to drop off too so I sort of gave up for a few minutes but then I decided to do what I always do when there is nothing else to do, I prayed that the Lord would let it bloom for me, and he did. As you can see by my clock, I took the picture above ad 9:29 pm when I noticed that the petals were beginning to separate. I figured since it had been so slow getting a bud and growing it that it might take a few days or even a week before it bloomed so I watched some TV. Then out of curiosityy I peeked in again and I was sure surprised to see this! God must have shook His finger at that bud because it sure opened fast!
Notice the times and date on the pictures.

September 13, 10:21 PM

In fact I was so excited I was giddy and forgot to use my macro lens correctly. Thank goodness I still got several pictures of this rare beauty. The blossom was big and had a mildly sweet fragrance.

September 13 10:21 pm

September 14 9:17 am

Dying but still beautiful

September 14 5:53pm

Done

I wonder if it will bloom next year and how many flowers it might have, I know that none will ever be a beautiful or special as this first one.

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 02:56:00 +0000

BLACKBERRY LILY

A dear lady in Texas who I met through my blog several years ago, sent me some seeds for the Blackberry Lily that grows at her East Texas ranch. I love seeds and was really excited to see what the plants would look like. She told me that when they went to seed they look like a blackberry, thus the name.

I planted some seed as soon as it arrived but the little plants didn't survive our extra cold winter. I planted more seed in pots on my back deck where I could keep an eye on them and the slugs couldn't have them. They thrived and about six weeks ago I planted about seven of the plants out in a garden. Within just a few weeks one of them shot up a tall sturdy stem and a flower appeared on top. I planned to go out the next day and get a picture but it had shriveled up. Apparently they are like a Daylily and the blossom only lasts for a day. A few days later it bloomed again so I rushed out with my camera and got this picture.

I think it's one of the most sunshiny flowers I have seen with the orange petals and red dots.
Thank you Bev G for sending the seeds.

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 03:37:00 +0000

KENNY TURNS 9

We celebrated my great grandson Kenny's 9th birthday last Friday evening. His grandma planned his party with a Titanic theme since he has been interested in that subject. His cake had blue icing with sparkles that made it look like the sea and a beautiful ship sat atop. Kenny was delighted.

My granddaughter Jenn came with her new baby girl Tiffany Grace who was born on the 5th of July. I got to hold her. LOVE!!!

Tori who is now 5 showed us how to do the hula hoop. I love her expression. What concentration!

Ethan who is also 5 gave the hula hoop a go too. Ethan is Tiffany's big brother.

You will need to enlarge this to see the effect of the raindrops sitting on top of the blade of grass. I love these kind of pictures. Those purple flowers in back are violas.

We had a hard rain last night and this morning I noticed some tiny raindrops seeming to hang in midair near one of my plants. When I took a closer look I found a tiny spider who's web is so fine it is nearly invisible with small raindrops clinging to it. I don't mind these spiders. They keep pests off my plants.

On my way home a few nights ago I stopped along the Boulevard to take some pictures of the sunset over Bellingham Bay. It was getting pretty dark so the foliage from the trees looks black but it makes an interesting frame for the scene beyond.

I hope all is well in your world. Blessings

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 23:51:00 +0000

CONGRATULATIONS PATTY

My daughter Patty graduated from WCC!!! It has been a long, hard struggle for her but she did it!
We had a party for her on Saturday. Above is a picture board I put together with pictures of her from birth to now, with pictures of her at every school year. I used to always take a picture of the kids on the first day of school.

We had a wonderful feast focusing our potluck offerings around Patty's favorite foods. Here my great grandson Kenny is showing us how to eat spaghetti while behind him his grandma Cyndi watches.

Guests watch as we get all the food set out. We had two canopy's and the tables beneath were loaded with spaghetti and meat balls, Manicotti, Calico Beans, Fried Chicken, three kinds of chips and dips, several salads including a wonderful Orange Jello salad my 11 year old great granddaughter Hailee made. There was so much I can't remember it all. We had lemonade and desserts were a big sheet cake, carrot cake, Chocolate chip cookies, black bottom cupcakes, Angel food cake with bananas and whipped cream, Cherries and Butterscotch pecan desert. I have made the butterscotch desert twice and both times it was totally wiped out. It's awesome!

My dear little doggies wanted to come to the party too so I brought them out and their noses were going miles an hour as they tried to sniff out the fried chicken! LOL This is Tildy Rose. Yes I did pick the meat off a chicken leg for them.

AFTER THE PARTY

This picture makes my heart smile. When everyone was gone except my two oldest girls, Kathy in blue and Patty in red, and myself all leaned back and there was this trio of huge sighs. I had to get a picture! It was a great party and totally worth the work that went into it. I didn't do it alone but had my daughter and son in law, grandson and his wife and some great grand kids to help. A joint effort, Family honoring one of their own. Congratulations again sweet Patty. We are SOOOOO proud of you! Did I say that Patty made the Dean's list several times?
;-)

OK, SO WHATS A POST WITHOUT SOME POSIES

I planted this Clematis about four years ago and this year it has bloomed just beautifully. It is blooming for the second time right now. I don't know the name of it but I like how there is a sort of pink stripe in the center of the petals. I have them growing on each side of my blue shed and one grew so tall it is also growing and blooming inside the shed!

This picture is better enlarged. It is my red Crocosmia. I think it's called Lucifer but I call mine Cardinal. No Lucifer in my gardens! The deer only ate a few branches this year so it's giving me a nice show.

The three sisters, Viola, Violet and Verna! haha. I do love pansies and violas. I think they have sweet faces. They reseed wonderfully too! I have some growing in pots on my deck.

Laying in the warm gravel, my sister's cat seems to be thinking, 'do not disturb!'

My sister lives next door and has two cats, both of whom enjoy speeding between my legs while I am concentrating on my weeding and scare the dickens out of me. I kittysit when sister and her family are vacationing so the cat's know me. I don't have cats of my own anymore. They have a habit of bringing things in the house like mice, rats, birds and snakey things. My doggies only bring in their dirty paws. I can live with that.

I pray summer is good for you, not to hot, not too cold and not to dry or wet.

God bless

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 23:11:00 +0000

HELLO

The gorgeous pink Peony my daughter Kathy gave me bloomed beautifully this year. Unfortunately I didn't tie it up well enough and the stems are not strong enough to support the huge, heavy blossoms. I need to get some large size tomato cages. They work wonderfully to hold Peony's upright.

Strawberry season is nearly finished so the berries are smaller but they still taste good. I gave a lot away but finally decided I should have at least one good shortcake before the season ends.

I made old fashioned shortcake biscuits like my mother made and used real whipped cream, not that artificial stuff. My-oh-my, this is some good eating!

This beat up old galvanized bucket had been kicking around here for a long time. I bought some Ganzia's a few weeks ago and stuck them in the bucket with a pale lavender Lobelia. It looks sort of lopsided but I think it works with this rustic container.

I found this picture on the internet and had to use it. This is what my hands look like most of the time. I have a big yard and lots of gardens so my hands are in the dirt a lot. I wear latex golves but like today, I wear holes in the finger tips. Nevertheless, I love getting my hands in the soft warm earth. I love how it feels to squeeze a lump of soil and have it give away in my hand and fall through my fingers. I love pulling weeds when they come up easy. It wonderful therapy.
Well I better stop. I need to go empty the wheelbarrow and chop out some mean blackberry vines that are trying to strangle my yellow honeysuckle.

Wishing you a happy and save Independence Day. God Bless

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Thu, 10 May 2012 02:34:00 +0000

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

The heirloom Gravenstein Apple tree is like a pink and white cloud. I am praying for pollinators so there will be many apples to share.

I have a few double daffy's. I love how the sun shines through the petals.

This tulip always makes me smile. The pointed tips on the petals give it sort of a prissy look.

I don't know what this sweet flower is. It comes back every year. The flowers are on a tall spike. I love the purple and blue.

Here's the lovely heirloom Lilac my daughter Patty gave me. I wish I could share it's heavenly fragrance as well as the picture.

This is the east side of my front yard with the old Apple tree. The midnight bloom is really nice right now and all my Rhody's are blooming nicely just in time for Mother's Day.

My daughter Kathy gave me this little greenhouse a few years ago I as you can see I am having a wonderful time with it. Right now I have Tarragon growing and several kinds of flowers, Portulaca, Pansy. Aubretia etc. Also some squash, and a few twigs from my neighbors gorgeous red Camelia that I am trying to start. Oh yes there are also several small Cyclamens I started from seed that I found on my plant.

Heirloom Green beans from seed my daughter Patty gave me that she got from Thomas Jeffersons Estate a few years ago. I grew these last year and they are delicious! Thanks Patty.

One of my favorite places to be. Under a bunch of my sweet grandkids. Taken around 1993.

Aimee is on the left holding a stuffed toy, Johnny in the center and Britty on the right. These kids are all grown up now and granny is much, much older.

This is one of my favorite pictures. My girls, Joan, Patty, me, Kathy and Cyndi. This was taken a few years back on Blanchard Mountain here in Bellingham. I wish my two sons had been with us that day. The view of the bay and islands is spectacular. Sunsets are awesome.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Well it's been a while since I posted but I finally found my way back. Blogger is changed....again!! Wish they would leave things alone.

I hope you are all enjoying some warm Spring days and your flowers blessing you.

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:00:00 +0000

I think this just may be the best pro-life message I’ve seen.
A Point well made!!!

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said, “Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 year old and I’m pregnant again. She said, “I want you to end my pregnancy, and I’m counting on your help with this.”
The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the woman, “I think I have a better solution for your problem. It’s less dangerous for you too.”
She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.
Then he continued, “You see, in order for you not to have to take care of two babies at the same time, let’s kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we’re going to kill one of them, it doesn’t matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.”
The lady was horrified and said, “No doctor! How terrible! It’s a crime to kill a child!”
“I agree,” the doctor replied. “But you seemed to be OK with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution.” The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point. He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that’s already been born and one that’s still in the womb. The crime is the same!
Learn from Yesterday, live for Today, hope for Tomorrow.
“Love says I sacrifice myself for the good of the other person. Abortion says I sacrifice the other person for the good of myself.”

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 23:43:00 +0000

SHOES!

Growing up in the 40's during war time and for a time afterward, shoes were hard to come by. If I remember right ration stamps had to be used for one pair a year. Kids feet grow faster than that so it wasn't unusual to see holes in the toes of the serviceable oxfords we wore. By the end of the school year the toes were often cut out so growing toes weren't cramped. I hated the oxfords and longed for pretty sandals like I saw in the sears and wards catalogs, but that was only a dream. I still remember how those new leather oxfords smelled. PU! They smelled just as bad new as they did after I wore them for a year!

Yep, our shoes often got holes on the sole. Stepping on a sharp rock was painful enough to make a little girl say a bad word too. We cut pieces of cardboard to fit inside the shoe for protection but it wore through fast and if it rained it was ruined. Another dilemma was when the stitching on the sole wore out which it usually did. Every step we took caused the loose sole to flop making a telltale flap-flap with each step. I remember trying to hold it in place with a rubber band but it didn't last long.

Summertime was barefoot time. Oh how those cramped toes loved the freedom to wiggle in the fresh air, and feel the cool grass. We had fields to run in and trees to climb, a polliwog pond to wade in, and the soft soil in mom's garden to sink in up to our ankles. Oh my, life was so good to our feet in the summertime! We got some cuts and stubbed toes but after some doctoring, we were right back out there running like new fawns in a meadow.
Well.... that is until I had the misfortune of catching a snake between my toes. That was bad enough but the slithery thing wrapped it's tail end around my ankle to get a better grip so it could bite me to death. Well, at least that's what I thought back then. I remember rolling on the ground screaming like a banshee till dad came running to save me. He saw what was troubling me, pulled the thing off my foot after he was able to catch my leg which was kicking in more directions that I have joints. Hindsight: if that snake had let go my foot it could have fallen on my face. If that had happened I would not be here to post this. Dad carried me to the house where I cried and shook for a long long time. I have been terrified of snakes since then.

I know we carry childhood issues throughout our lives. I suppose we all have some little thing that has stayed with us.

Now about the shoes. I remember in the 50's having some pretty ones. I loved the black velvet ballerina slippers that tied at the ankle, and the Joycies, I even liked the penny loafers and saddle shoes and when white bucks were the fad I adored mine. I still remember how proud I was to wear my first high heels! I think the heels were two inches high and I also wore my first garter belt and nylons, the kind with the seam up the back, without the pantie part. That was separate. It was at my 9th grade graduation and I thought I was really grown up. HAHAHA

Well I still like shoes and recently decided to take inventory and found over 60 pair. I parted with a few bags of them but still have too many. After all, I only have two feet.

It's time to get out the sandals

HAPPY SPRING EVERYONE!

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:43:00 +0000

OLD ABANDONED HOUSES

There's just something about them that draws me. Maybe it's how lonely and forlorn they appear. Some standing in what are now pastures for cattle. Windows long gone, roofs caving in and doors hanging open on rusted hinges.

I wonder what the inside looks like? Is there a sink in the kitchen or was water hauled from a well and a dishpan used for washing dishes and people alike. Is there an old rusty bed frame, springs broken and falling apart? Is the wood cook stove still inside?

What might there be tucked into the dusty corners, of the family who once lived here? A button? A little toy car? The leg of a broken doll? Has the floor rotted away and grass growing where the mother once stood to wash the family's clothes?
Do mouse families now enjoy the shelter?

I imagine the children playing inside in the cold winter months, and outside running in the soft grass in spring and summer. I see the father carrying buckets of warm milk to the house and tending the animals, and the mother at the clothesline with chickens wandering close by, scratching for breakfast.

I wonder how many children there were. I imagine each one, the clothes they wore, the color of their hair and their personality too. A little red haired boy with a mischievousous smile, I see them walking miles across the fields and through the woods to go to school, book tucked under an arm and a sandwich in the other for lunch. No Twinkies, no candy, or cookies, just wholesome homemade bread and cheese sandwich and it was enjoyed. Hunger is the best appetizer. A young girl who likes to read and is mama's helper and maybe a baby who is just learning to walk.
the family dog lays sprawled under the apple tree while a batch of kittens plays with a patch of dandelions.

I don't know why I am so drawn to old abandoned houses. Just something in me I guess. It's only the very old ones, bare boards, shingle roofs caving in and rickety porches.
I do have a huge imagination and am a curious person. I suppose that's a lot of it.

I hope all is well in your neck of the woods. Spring is trying very hard to shove old man winter out of the way at my place. My tulips are up about 6 inches with a patch of snow under them, but the sun is out today and my heart sings.

noreply@blogger.com (Mountain Mama) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:41:00 +0000

SEVEN YEARS OF BLOGGING

MY WINDING ROAD

There is a long and winding road

High in the wooded hills

Where deer graze silently in the trees

And a tinkling waterfall spills.

Nature's symphony the only sound

Whispers softly in the breeze,

Embracing me oh so gently

Caressing the tall, majestic trees.

Small pebbles on the dusty road

Crunch softly as I stroll,

A spotted fawn watched trustingly

From a fern enshrouded knoll.

The scent of wild blackberries

Drifts through this woodsy place,

Whilst Buzzing bee's polinate blossoms

With accuracy and grace.

The peace and serenity in this place

Quicken deep within my soul,

To the youthful years long gone past

When once I walked a winding road.

{Just so you know, my winding road was actually a long sort of winding lane that took us to my grandma's house.}

This month I celebrate seven years of blogging and chose to post one of the first posts I did on my first Blog, Holytornado. I am not blogging as much as I did in the beginning, Face*book takes some of my time now as well as many other things, but I still post occasionally and I frequently check out my friends blogs.
I have met some wonderful people through blogging and have seen it as a sort of ministry in a way because we learn who has a need and can pray for them.
I have thoroughly enjoyed Kerri's flowers. Joyful Chaos has taught us about her Amish life, Merle has shared Australia and her loads of jokes with us, Susan has been a great ministry pal, and Nezzy has kept me in stitches with her wonderful way of writing. Pea and Mary have entertained us with their life in Ontario, and Ralph's jokes keep us in a good humor too. My friend Ken is not blogging at present but this young man is very knowledgeable concerning political affairs and much more.
Thanks to all of you including those I haven't mentioned. We touch so many lives with our blogs. I just pray that mine has had a positive influence on all my readers.
I hope to continue blogging as long as my computer will hold out.
I pray the Lord's blessing on each of you my dear friends.