Friday Garden Tour

After missing out last week, I'm jumping back in on Tracy's garden tour today. The gardens are finally abundant and beautiful. I'm so glad I placed Natalie's Garden where I did, right out our patio door. It's a source of continued beauty, especially as the perennials have grown over the last few years.

Natalie's Garden:

Boxed Flower Garden in the backyard:

Blooming this week:

Tickseed

Daisies

Lilies

Bee Balm


I also scoured a local greenhouse and found a few plants that were reasonable and still looked in good shape, so of course I couldn't resist a few new additions to Natalie's Garden!

Bell Flower

I was especially excited to find this one, since it reminds me of the huge row of Sweet Williams my grandma planted every summer. I have such fond memories of spending time with her out there picking my favorites to create a bouquet.

Dianthus

Larkspur

Delphiniums


It's definitely summer around here and you can tell by all the beauty in the yards you pass by. I'd enjoy seeing how your garden grows! Leave a comment if you join the tour.

Happy Weekend!

How Do You Edit?

Photos, photos...

I enjoy taking them and I enjoy working with them on the computer, but numerous hours can easily be spent messing around with this little hobby.

It's one thing when I'm doing the work in order to make them ready for printing and framing, but it's another when it's just simply to post here on my blog. Most often I just opt to post them and be done. Forget the cutesy effects or borders, it's just easier to add the photo to the text and be done.

But sometimes I want to do a little more and darn it if it isn't a frustrating feat.

I know I've got some very talented bloggers in my midst who follow or read here and I'm always inspired by so many of you. When you are working with photos for posting, how do you do it? I've worked with Picnik and Photobucket, but they tend to stall my computer and spend so much time thinking and progressing through the simple tasks I'm trying to accomplish. Like those collages from the other day, you don't even wanna know how long that took! And I even have wireless internet at home! I do have photo editing software that I use at times, but sometimes I'm just looking for something fast and simple to make collages, add borders, effects, etc.

So, leave a comment you computer-blogging-photographing savvy people out there and let me know what works best for you. Anyone use Picasa Albums? Hints? Tricks? I'm open to it all!


HELP!

Wordless Wednesday

For The Red, White & Blue

Whether it's on the street in the heat....

Or standing on the shore by the lake....

There's nothing like celebrating the 4th of July enjoying a parade (or two) with family!

It makes you proud to be an American.

Sunny Summer Days

We're doing our best to enjoy our summer days here in MN. The weather has had its ups and downs, but we're kind of used to it. So we enjoy the days we can be outside and try to pack in as much fun in several months as possible.

When you live in MN, you just never know how long you have until the dreaded cold returns. We frolic, we grill supper out on the porch, we swim, we drive here and there, gather with friends, picnic and enjoy every playground possible in the 50 mile radius of our home. Ahhh, Summertime.


There's the local Band Festival that we've never attended and just enjoyed on Sunday. They look so darn professional in their uniforms and we all appreciate their efforts of playing and walking in the heat!

You've gotta appreciate that percussion section of any band, they help keep it all together.

The Zoomobile from the Minnesota Zoo has been visiting local libraries and we just enjoyed the presentation yesterday with some friends.

Who doesn't love a rabbit?

And what mom doesn't like a FREE Zoomobile event? None, of course. So there we were all packed together in a nice cozy room.

Perfect weather = perfect opportunity for time at the playground

Nothing like sitting at the edge of the lake with a friend

Even the ducks come out to play

Plenty of time to splash in the fountain too

Don't forget the ice cream!

Summertime...something to really toot your horn about!

Summertime Ideas For Your Little Engineer

Does the little boy in your household have a bit of a fascination with that cheeky little blue engine? Can he sing EVERY Thomas the Tank Engine related song over and over again?

If he's like my boy, you might be interested in a couple of finds. We're strongly leaning toward at least one of these to add to our summer calendar. Check them out!



#1 This weekend, the latest and greatest Thomas adventure kicks off in theatres. Misty Island Rescue will begin showing in select theatres. You can click here to find your state's listings for the popcorn laden, boxed candy peddling, air conditioned and cushy seat viewing area nearest you. And yes, your little boy will probably sit through the entire movie with a big grin on his face because he will enjoy it just THAT MUCH. As for you? You will be thrilled that it is not a full length movie. Unless of course, you are equally as enamored with that engine as your son.




#2 If you are going for the Greatest Mom In The World award this summer, then you might want to check out a longer source of fun and entertainment. Day Out With Thomas is probably just right for you if you are looking for a day long excursion and willing to fork over a little more cash. Still, not a bad attraction. Find a station near you hosting the event by clicking over here.



If you decide to do either of these, be sure to take photos to cherish in the years ahead. After all, a little engine and all of his friends surely aren't the worst thing your little guy could be crazy about. You never know when this phase will pass and he'll be on to something else. These young years are precious ones.

What's In Your Pantry?

Okay, let's talk cereals. They seem to have become a staple around here lately and I'm wondering if anyone else's pantry and cupboards are stocked with several varieties? Good gracious those kids love their cereal selection!

If we have only three or four choices, we "don't have anything new" or "we still have the same cereals?" according to my kids. I know we do our best to limit the sugary cereals, but do buy them as a "treat" or in a moment of grocery shopping excursion weakness. Really though, how many options to we need to have? I think my kids are under the impression that our pantry should be a well-stocked supermarket shelf at ALL TIMES.

This is especially tough to understand for my husband who likes few choices and sticks with routine. Oatmeal, Grapenuts and Raisin Bran are sufficient for him and he fits them quite nicely into a set schedule. He's a creature of habit, that one. Why fix what isn't broke?

Our current cereal stock is what inspired this post. When I opened the cereal cupboard and the pantry this morning, this is what lined the shelves (keep in mind some of these are even in those huge, Sam's Club boxes and not the itty-bitty ones from the regular grocery store):

Raisin Bran
Frosted Mini Wheats
Grapenuts
Corn Pops
Apple Blasts
Honey Crunch
Quaker Oatmeal Squares
Life
Special K
Oatmeal

That's 10 breakfast options! I suppose this easily happens because I do have the storage space to fill with these cereal boxes, but still.


Today I'm wondering, what cereals do you have on hand and how many varieties does your household require? What's your favorite cereal?


Consider this a 'Tuesday Tally' of cereal goods and share your comments. I'm interested to hear how other households handle the great cereal debate.