outside. . .

Love the feeling that summer has finally arrived. Today we spent the day outside. Getting the boys our very first sandbox that fits all three at one time. [Which will be a welcome replacement to our "redneck sandbox" that was the sandpit at the curb next to the drive way.]

The cars lined up the roadway by the nursery. We weren't the only ones happy that summer seemed to finally bring her warm weather this weekend. It looked as if all the plants might be gone... But there were plenty. Sam was able to find lots of yummy things for our garden: cucumbers, tomatoes, [I picked up a watermelon... determined that we will have one of our very own this year], peppers, two kinds of lettuce [bringing back memories of PapPap and his daily salads], and some herbs.... He does such a beautiful job with the garden every year. It makes me so happy just looking at it....

The centerpiece of the garden.... Father's Day gift 2009....

We aren't the only ones to think the garden looks yummy. Some Italian rabbits on a gourmet stroll?

Right off the back porch I spied these little guys. They make my heart so happy. These plants were from the little grey house where I first lived as a little girl. They're lilies of the valley. There was a giant patch of them to the right of the front porch. And every spring they would bloom and fill the yard with their heavenly sent. I love them even more because they were planted by my Great Grandma Smith... It's like a visit from her every spring. I planted them two or three years ago. Two little plants. And I didn't think they would survive. Last year there were three. I didn't even see them at the beginning of spring and thought I had lost them. Today's count: 15.

Off the side of our front porch.... The purple rose bush that Glenn gave us when we first moved in. It bloomed purple for the first year or two. After that, it never seemed to do very well. And a few years later we thought it died. It came back bright pink. And would bloom a couple roses and then succomb to bugs each year. This year is it's year. Beautiful..... And I love that it has multiple shades of bright happy pink.

Not to be outdone by Glenn's wifes roses..... This is Miss Jean's rose bush that stood outside her sunroom door. Taken out when Dave moved in. We rescued it and hoped it would survive (seems to be a running theme with our plants...). This year we found five beautiful blooms. One for each of us.....

And here's a happy dog who loves nothing better than to lay cool, cool grass againts his belly on a hot day.

I love his spotty tongue.... Look at him. He's so happy....

My plants from the nursery. Some geraniums (Luke picked the ones with the white tipped leaves). Jack chose a redish orange flower that looked "magical" because the flowers have a sparkle to them. I chose some white petunias. Love how they "vine" and spread down the sides of my planters.

My asparagus ferns from the kitchen "summer" outdoors. And signs taht little boys (who love cars) live here. Love their little reminders here and there.

And here too.... Magic (sticks) wands for Harry Potters in training. And my ivy creeping up the side of the house by the basement. All the way to the porch this year. Love it. Love an old house with ivy creeping up the side. So very English.... any mysterious. I imagine an old home in the countryside. With a huge attic full of treasures. And secret passageways. And crystal chandeliers that sprinkle the room with rainbows when the sun shines through the old dusty windows.... Can you tell I read lots of gothic novels growing up?

Around the yard.... Love that summer is finally here...