Happiness is

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Debbie

Happiness is – Changing plans for my outdoor garden party when our beautiful weather turned cool and rainy. My party of 12 ladies enjoyed laughter, visits and friendship.

Unfortunately this is the only image I have to show for the ladies luncheon yesterday. It does make me a little sad that I don’t have pictures to remember our day.

Happiness is – a tiny begonia in full bloom.

Happiness is – Taking more than one picture of the plant, just because.

Happiness is – Receiving this lovely vase of roses from my neighbors garden.

And finding the right spot to enjoy them this weekend.

Happiness is – Wisteria in full bloom this time of the year. I sure wish I could bottle the aroma.

Happiness is – Picking a rose from the garden for my bud vase.

I spy an Egret! How about you?

Happiness is – Having the new alligator head in the pond to prevent this guy from helping himself to our fish. I decided to watch him today to see what he would do. He definitely seemed bothered as he made quite a commotion. After 3 or so minutes, he flew away.

Happiness is – Seeing a grasshopper for the second time this week. This guy crossed my path today and I decided to shoot him too. Makes me happy.

Happiness is – Getting a 3 day weekend with my love. That makes me so very happy.

Happiness is – Feeling blessed…

Blessings – Debbie

It’s Springtime

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Debbie

It seems the earth and every living thing with gladness sings “it’s spring”.

Birds are chirping, Birds are nesting, days are longer, veggies are growing and I can’t help but hear the echo “It’s Spring!”.

It’s also that time of the year when plans and projects take on a new high.

We had an early morning delivery last week – 4.5 pallets of rock retaining wall arrived. We’re still trying to get this project underway.

I love our springtime roses.

And we have our first baby strawberry blossom. How exciting is that?

Since our move to So Cal 4.5 years ago, this is the first I’ve seen a grasshopper out here.

You lookin’ at me?

I got excited and snapped a few images of him, Saturday afternoon. I can’t figure out if those are real lines across his eyes, or if he hopped into a spiders web. Hmmm…

DSC_2032B

Over the weekend, the hubs and I did a bit more shopping at a few of the local gardening centers.

We enjoyed a nice dinner date Saturday evening.

And worked around the house.

I snapped more images of roses. This one is still holding on to its last few petals.

And took this image of the top of our succulent in bloom.

And and snapped a pic of this rose. I love the layers.

Another thing I love – Monday (today) – The hubs asked me to be his lunch date. That made my day extra special.

Now it’s time to get a few more things done around the house before the hubs gets home from work.

Blessings – Debbie

Hey ~ Hey

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Debbie

Hey Peeps! It’s been too long. What’s up? I hope all is well in your world.

We just finished enjoying a nice 3 day weekend.

To kick it off, the hubs sent a message Thursday afternoon, asking if I would like to join him for a dinner date.

This is me (ready for my date) waiting for the hubs to get home from work Thursday evening. What a wonderful way to start the weekend!

We also spent a good deal of time at Home Depot. I think we made 3, if not 4 trips over the weekend.

I picked up a handful of green samples.

And pretty much picked out the (green) color for the walls in the guest bath and powder room.

The painting part of this chore is for next month.

Another run to Home Depot – This is the run we purchased the rock for the retaining wall in the backyard. It should be delivered sometime this week.

Hopefully we’ll have another backyard update soon.

Saturday Morning – I went to check out our neighbors yard-sale. I came home with a beautiful rose tree and 3 nice rose bushes. Now to find just the right spot in the garden for these beauties.

And Sunday, we went to our neighbors St Paddy’s Day party. What a treat!

We took this pot of gold for the host.

It was a also a weekend infused with a whole lot of dining out.

Thursday = Mexican
Friday = Pei Wei
Saturday = Panera Bread
Sunday Lunch = 5 Guys
Sunday Dinner = St Patrick’s Day dinner party + dessert

Um, I hate to even tell you what is going on with my healthy eating journey. But I think I just made it pretty obvious.

Let’s just say, I hope to be back on April 1st with a much better report.

Cheers to a wonderful weekend with the hubs and a new week with a fresh start!

And here’s wishing all of you a glorious week.

Blessings – Debbie

A Mix of Work and Play in the Garden

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Debbie

It’s been a great day! A day carved to spend in the backyard. I had some weeding I wanted to tend, trimming I wanted to do and to putter around too.

As I passed the rotten pomegranate, it got me to thinking about a photo challenge I wanted to participate in this week. The subject is fruit.

As I thought about it, rotten things are not photographed much. And I thought it would make for a great subject.

There were just a handful left on the tree.

So I picked them and made a little arrangement, like so.

And I took shots of the fruit at many different angles. The shot below is the one I used for the weekly assignment.

Back to pulling weeds.

When all of a sudden, I was stopped by this guy with all sorts of drops left from the sprinklers this morning.

Then is when I dropped my gloves and made a dash for the camera.

It was fun shooting this huge weed at different angles.

Then I decided it was time to stop playing and get back to work.

And I wrapped up sometime in the garden around 2:30 this afternoon.

I think I shall clean up, get comfy and go sit in the garden ’til the hubs gets home from work. It’s just too pretty outdoors to be indoors.

And I may sip on a cup of coffee, just because it sounds good.

Blessings – Debbie

About Last Week

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Debbie

Greetings from Home – It was so good to get home to my love.

Azaleas – The azaleas were loaded with all sorts of buds when I left to be with my family and say our final goodbyes to grandma.

And this is the pretty sight I came home to a week ago. On top of that, the hubs gave first class treatment as I was one pretty jet-lagged wifey.

The wisteria was just like the azalea. As in it was loaded with all sorts of buds before my trip. And now it’s in full, sweet aroma bloom!

Hurricane Weather – So the hubs told me of the hurricane like weather he had (with an eye and everything) while I was away. Check out what it did to the plant holder. Yes, that plant holder is buried in concrete and still secure at the base.

Last Thursday, March 6th. I had my girlfriend (Julz) over for coffee. We shared bagels and coffee on the patio and caught up with what was going on in each others lives. I was also privileged to have a look see at her new house. What a pretty place and I can’t wait ’til I get to see the inside – They have not closed on the house yet…

I cherish moments like this.

How sweet of her to bring the beautiful succulent (I love succulents!) and thoughtful card.

Sprouts – We planted our little vegetable garden (in the bay window) several weeks ago. Everything looks good so far.

Not Quite Before & Not Quite After (image) – Saturday, we worked on this area. We removed several roses, agave bushes and large succulents. And the hubs even removed several massive roots. This is the spot on the upper terrace where we’ve planned our little vegetable garden – coming soon!

Who knew we could use so many wheelbarrows around here? We have 3. This old one so happened to be on the upper terrace, so it’s the one I used.

I found homes for the roses and a few of the succulents. But there were some things that I had no use for. Perhaps one day I’ll regret getting rid of this stuff…

It’s SPRINGTIME – Been waiting for you to roll around, March 9th! I gladly give that hour back. That’s what I posted on Facebook Sunday and I have enjoyed the change ever since…Cheers to change!

Motives Motivate – I’ve had motives to get rid of all the fish in the pond. Motives like – I want prettier fish. Who’s to say what prettier is, as beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So in this case, “I” consider the Shubunkins prettier than what we currently have.

But the thing that really motivated me is when our beautiful “Shubunkin” was taken. Now all I want are Shubunkins.

And I don’t want to cross breed, so I have motives to have the same fish. Thus the motivation to get rid of what we have.

I’m talking with an adoption agency (AKA – the place where I purchased the goldfish last year) to see if they would be willing to come scoop out all the fish + the babies. And take them back with the promise that I will purchase our Shubunkins from them. I’m motivated to make this happen soon – Fingers crossed…

But there is one fish to remain. It’s this pretty fish with beautiful fins. It’s the only shubunkin in the pond.

I’m currently waiting on a call back to see if they (the pond store) is up to the task of removing all the fish and babies.

To be continued…

Blessings – Debbie

Two Weeks Ago

Posted on March 9, 2014 by Debbie

Two weeks ago today (February 23), right around this time of morning, I received word that my grandma passed away.

While the news came as no surprise, I was sad to receive it.

But I’m thankful for the priceless memories that will always be tucked in my heart.

Grandma was loved by all who knew her
Her smile was a constant
Her eyes have always held a very special twinkle
She always had a spring in her step. I declare she tried to answer her front door between the ding and the dong.
She was the best hostess ever! When I was a child, she always and I mean ALWAYS had a huge stash of homemade orange and red popsicles for her grandchildren. And homemade cookies too. Those two things were the constant staples I remember growing up.
She loved Wendy’s frosty’s. I had one in her honor while I was in town.
And she loved cleaning all the meat on her chicken bones. I too love to clean my bones! It runs in the family.
Her home was cleaner than Martha Stewart’s and I guarantee dust bunnies were non existent in her home.
She loved to laugh and I can still hear her laughter in my ears.

I’m blessed to have a bank of special memories made with my grandparents. An image of us back in the “good ole days” – the year 1997.

Two weeks ago today, the hubs secured airline tickets for me to go be with my family.

And I left San Diego headed for the East Coast, Tuesday, February 25th.

My baby bro picked me up at the airport and this sweet guy and my nieces, gave up their bedroom for me.

Family members began to stream in and it was good to be surrounded with the love of family.

My grandparents had 4 children – My mom is the pretty lady on the left. And my pretty aunt on the right. And my handsome uncles are in the back. 🙂

Celebrating the life of grandma and sharing memories was a great way to say “goodbye grandma, rest in peace.”

Sisters gathered flowers…

Cousins catching up – Grandma had 21 grandchildren. That’s my baby bro on the left and cousin with his new bride on the right. Love how she adores him.

Just a handful of grandma’s “42” great-grandchildren. WOW!

This sweet great-granddaughter captured my undivided attention. Such a sweetie. Grandma also had a great-great-granddaughter. She and her mom and dad were not able to make it.

My sweet aunt. This is the smile I remember.

My baby cousin.

Grandma’s oldest grandson and her great-grandson. I won’t go into too much detail, but oldest grandson spilled his cup and great-grandson photo bombed as I went to shoot my cousin cleaning up his mess. You had to be there for how that all went down…

My twin nieces and nephew…

My nephews…

After spending time with family, I returned back to “My Love” a week ago Saturday (Feburary 1st).

As I sum up my trip, I’m left with good memories. We’re a great big family filled with love and we’ll cary on with laughter from generation to generation. We’re blessed.

Blessings – Debbie

Two Weeks Ago

Posted on March 9, 2014 by Debbie

Two weeks ago yesterday (Saturday, February 22) we celebrated “BIG”.

Our longtime friends came to town! All the way over from the East Coast.

Al was on business, but they had Saturday wide open.

So we invited them over to spend the day.

We spent the beautiful day on the patio.

Enjoyed BBQ Brisket with all the fixins for lunch
Had the best conversation
Sipped coffee in the afternoon with cookies
Strolled thru the garden
And I just didn’t want this day to end…

The hubs played chess and backgammon with this sweetheart, who just turned 7 a few weeks ago.

I was completely smitten with the little cutie and awestruck with his focus on the game.

While it’s been years and years (about 6 & 1/2) since our last visit, we agreed not to let so many years pass ’til we meet again.

The beauty of a true friendship, is that we can pick-up right where we left off. And go on, as if time stood still.

Blessings – Debbie

I Call The Shot – one picture at a time

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Monthly Archives: March 2014

Happiness is

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It’s Springtime

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Hey ~ Hey

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A Mix of Work and Play in the Garden

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About Last Week

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Two Weeks Ago

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Two Weeks Ago

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