SUMMER SWEETNESS!

(pic taken 6/30/10 ~ patio)

“What happiness there is 

when I awake
to find near me 

the gift of a MORNING!”
~ Abbie Graham, American author

 I LOVE the smell of sweet peas!!

 the purple ones are my favorite color!

Some info about sweet peas...

It is believed that the first sweet pea seeds were harvested from the wild, by a monk living on the island of Sicily, then sent to an English schoolmaster in 1699.

The sweet peas we enjoy today were cultivated by English & Scottish horticulturalists to produce a larger, ruffly  flower, a stronger fragrance and a wider variety of colors.

American seed companies discovered that the cool, mild coastal area near Lompoc, California was ideally suited for sweet pea seed production. Currently, most of our American sweet pea seeds are still produced in this area.

It's best to gather sweet peas in the morning 
when the dew is still on them. 
This is when their fragrance is the sweetest.

 

GOAL:

plant more 

sweet peas next year!

I've had the best luck with Renee's Garden seeds.
http://www.reneesgarden.com/seeds/seeds-hm/flowersSP.htm

DOING NOTHING!

(pic taken 6/25/10 ~ Big Sur)

"How beautiful it is to do nothing, 

and then rest afterward." 

~ Spanish proverb

I've done NOTHING today!

Actually, I started my day

at the local "imaging" center

having an MRI & CT Scan.

Based on my bone density test, 
my Dr ordered some additional tests 
at the recommendation of the 
radiologist.

I'm pretty certain the tests will reveal there are no "serious problems" with my spine or surrounding organs... other than 

"OSTEOPENIA"

(with a "medium risk" for fracture

- as stated by the radiologist).

My Dr suggested taking

extra calcium

& vitamin D

DAILY ~ no excuses!

So, I am.

My morning started

with a headache & a queasy stomach...

which, I thought would go away after getting the "go-ahead" to drink water &

being able to break the 14 hour fast.

ummmm... the day didn't progress

the way I thought.

headache ~ CHECK!

(not as bad, but still pulsing)...

dehydration ~ green tea has helped!

Perhaps a "swift" tap with a stick 

will knock the headache out??

kidding....

See you tomorrow!

BIG SUR ~ ART

(pics taken 6/25/10)

Nepenthe ~ Garden Art

"It isn't the great big pleasures that count the most, 

it's making a great deal out of the little ones."

~ Jean Webster, American Author & Feminist

Nepenthe ~ Bathroom Art

 

Nepenthe ~ Garden Art

 

Big Sur Bakery ~ Mural Art

 

Big Sur Bakery ~ Henna Designs in COLOR

Big Sur Bakery ~ Fiber Art

Big Sur Bakery ~ Musical Rattles

NATURE & COLOR

=

CREATIVE THOUGHTS!

What gets your "creative 

juices" flowing?

BIG SUR - PART 2

(pic taken 6/23/10 ~ Andrew Molera Beach)

We took a morning hike to Andrew Molera State Beach (a couple of miles north of our campsite). 

It was comfortable temperature, with a slight breeze... 

Lydia spent a lot of time looking for bugs; dodging the horse sh** on the trail; & keeping up a constant "chatter"... 

We found four large driftwood shelters on the beach & sat out of the ocean breeze while we checked out the crashing waves... 


left a message in the sand... 

threw rocks in the waves... 

watched the seagulls... 

 


Lydia was the "trail-blazer" on the way back to our car.... & VERY eager to cross the river on the wooden bridge... FIRST!!!

The morning hike (a "blink" over two miles) required a STOP at the store for an ice cream... 

Traveling with kids = burning extra calories!??! 

DOSE OF NATURE

(pic taken 6/25/10)

VIEW FROM NEPENTHE ~ BIG SUR!

More camping pics to come!

...after I tackle the mounds of laundry

...after we drive Lydia home tomorrow

Nothing helps the "spirit" 

than a dose of nature...

Campsite 99 - Pfeiffer Big Sur

GIFT FROM SLE!!

(pic taken 6/20/10)

LOVE MY NEW 

PLANT HOLDER / CANDLE HOLDER!

THANKS SLE & MB...

(they bought it in Cancun)

JPE used it to showcase

some of his roses!

Father's Day

celebration was quiet ~ 

JPE got home from

a weekend trip about noon...

We had an early dinner of

tacos & a fruit salad.

Nothing too involved!

Picking up Lydia tomorrow

& will pack for a camping trip 

to Big Sur.