A Mickey Mophead

In an earlier post I had photos of some of the Mickey Mouse items I have in my garden...Imagine my surprise when this mophead hydrangea opened and it was a Mickey head.

Crabs and Beer...Signs of Summer

Thinking either of these would be a wonderful addition for a porch or deck for the summer.

Father's Day and Steamed Crabs

Although yesterday was the first day of summer... in Maryland it isn't official until until you eat your first steamed crabs of the season.

The girls decided for Father's Day they would treat their Dad to steamed crabs and cold beer. They also invited Erik's Dad and Mom to join us for the Father's Day Crab Feast.
My Mom was here as well, enjoying her first crabs of the summer.

...and good time was had by all.

Another Sunday...Another Shower...Baby that is

Last Sunday we had Meagan's bridal shower at the house, given by her sister Holly. This Sunday we had Holly's baby shower, given by her sister Meagan and Holly's friends Kristen and Julie. It's been a busy couple of weeks...and with all the rain we've been having here...we were so blessed to have sunny Sundays for both.

For this party we had different colors and a different set up and a different menu. The favors were movie popcorn boxes filled with Fishers Popcorn from Ocean City. Erik, my soon to be son-in-law took care of getting the food out when it was time,
clearing and totally cleaning up the kitchen.

Mothers...Grandmothers...Great Grandmothers...Aunts...Sisters...Cousins...Friends gathered on this beautiful Sunday afternoon with gifts wrapped in pretty pastels for
Holly, Chad and soon to make his appearance, Baby Dylan Louis.

Several months ago, I took a photograph of Holly and her cousin Leslie who is also expecting her first baby in July. Yesterday we took an update photo. It will be wonderful to have two new members to the family making their first appearance in a couple of weeks.

So now we eagerly await the arrival of Dylan Louis and Calista Kay.

Porch Sittin'

I painted this new sign to welcome friends and family
to "Come Sit On My Porch".

The porch is located on the side of the house and I sit in the morning with my coffee watching over the changes that take place everyday in the garden and saying hello to the visiting birds who make a stop at the feeder or the birdbath.

The hydrangeas are starting to open and the colors change all summer long.



I found some interesting plants to fill the large pot at the corner of the patio. I love the lime green of the sweet potato vine. The purple plant is a summer snapdragon, the pink is New Guinea impatien and the white flower I can't remember but I thought it had such a wonderful texture.

Happy Anniversary...

Holly and Chad, my dear children,
it's been three years today since you tied the knot...
sending you love and blessings on this day and everyday.

Surprise!!!

After a week of worry about the weather...yesterday turned out to be a beautiful day for a surprise bridal shower. Holly gave her sister, the Bride to Be a wonderful shower with an Asian theme. Meagan was surprised, which is a miracle, as her house is just a hop, skip and a jump from our house, where the party was held.

Holly did all the planning and searching for just the right menu, favors and decorations. She baked and decorated the cake . While Meagan opened her gifts, Holly's darling husband, Chad, prepared all the food. Beef and broccoli, asian chicken, vegetable stir fry, rice and more.

Early yesterday morning we popped up the tents, put up the tables
and began to transform the back yard.

A gathering of family and friends came to shower the bride to be and her future husband.

The favors were wooden chopsticks tied with red ribbon and
small Chinese food carry out boxes filled with Wockenfuss chocolates.

The soon to be married couple received so many wonderful gifts.

Meagan's friend Lenore made the beautiful hat for her
to wear from the ribbons and bows on the gifts.

How blessed Lou and I are that our dear daughter has found
such a wonderful young man to spend the rest of her life with. Meagan and Erik have been together for over eight years...they were high school sweethearts. In our hearts, Erik is already family but we are just so happy that the couple will be tying the knot in the fall.


And now...time to get ready for the baby shower next weekend.
Need to start to worry again about the weather.