Where does the day go?

It's Sunday and it's almost 1pm. Haven't gotten a ton done yet......breakfast,dishes, some Bates Mercantile Co. stuff for etsy, took the trash out, but not much else. The bed isn't even made. Ah well, who cares, it's Sunday!

A quick post so I can get outside to weed and enjoy the glorious sun and pool.

Yesterday we took a ride, just to feel some air moving. Passed these horses on Frying Pan Lane (isn't that a great road name?) and wanted to get a shot. I usually make Gar stop at the side of the road so I can talk to them for a minute. Yesterday there was a guy on a motorcycle behind us. He came out of nowhere and was behind us too close, so Gar didn't want to pull over quick and stop short in front of the guy. So all you get is this driveby shot. It makes me smile though, because both horses look like they're in the same exact position and because you can see part of me in the rearview mirror!

They're usually more than happy to saunter over to the fence for a chat.

Spent time in the yard yesterday........ well, mostly the pool, but I did get this shot of my Stella D'Oro lily before I hopped in.

Wish me luck on the weeding.......it's a jungle out there.

Happy Sunday. Relax and enjoy it, for tomorrow is Monday.



A Fish In Water

Olympic Gold Medalist-To-Be

Our friend Charlie (remember, he brought the big steel plate over for the 4th) called yesterday to see if the pool was open, which of course it was and is. Did I say it's hot? His granddaughter Makenna was supposed to go to a friend's to swim in her pool, but the play date got cancelled. Once she hopped in, I don't think it mattered too much anymore.

She insisted on showing us her 'Big Jump'.

Then her colorful nails.

Then her toothy grin (before she loses those pearly whites).

While Makenna was swimming about the pool, Lucan was rolling about the lawn. Cracks me up when dogs do that.

Plus I like the noises they make when they do it. It's quite a routine.

Then it was time for Makenna to dry off and chill with 'Bumpa' for awhile.  You've gotta love the look.

Later, That Same Day (cue dramatic old movie music)



I went to check on my Mom at the end of the day. She had cataract surgery in the morning. All went very well. Of course she did have a clear dome over her eye, giving her a kind of Cyborg effect, but other than that she looked great. Right Mom? (She's lurking. Hasn't quite figured out how to post comments yet.)

Got to see my great niece Sophia too......aka Punky Brewster. She's not always so sure of everyone and she lets you know it.

Giving me the Sophia scowl.  Hmmmm, who does this remind me of......as if I didn't know.......my niece Cait!

Uh oh, Daddy got her to crack a smile! Now put some music on and she will not be able to do anything but give you a little Sophia Shimmy. Unstoppable on the dance floor.

It's a Tropical Heatwave

We're having a heatwave, a tropical heatwave........another hot one today. Supposed to reach high 90s and humid! Remind me of this when I'm posting the 'latest snow' pictures this winter.  Just watered the veg and the flowers so they didn't croak.

Love the shot of this Admiral Nelson lily I got from my sister in law Kelly. Didn't have to make one adjustment in Photoshop.

Guess it's not hard to take a good photograph of lilies. Gorgeous color.

On the way to the other garden, I spied the raspberries. Unlike our neighbors, ours are a little slow and not so prolific this year. That's OK, as I mentioned, the neighbors haven't had this problem. Joanie brought us over a pint last night. Freezing for future use. Joanie's Freezing Berries Tip: place in one layer on plate or cookie sheet in freezer, let freeze, then put in freezer bag and back in freezer. That way they don't freeze in one big clump.

The Queen Anne's Lace is in bloom.

This flower is honkin'! I'm talking BIG.

Played 'catch the stick' with Lucan before it was too roasting. OK, 'catch the branch', which he then thought he was bringing inside. He really does give me a laugh  every day. I had to wrestle it out of his mouth.

Hope the sun is shining on you today. Have a great Thursday in your corner of the world.

Ode To Orange

Last night's moon is my inspiration of the day.  It was a lovely sunset, but as I pulled the covers back and was set to hop into bed the moon caught my eye. A bright orange crescent.  It was so pretty I had to go back outside to snap a shot.





Copyright Pamela J. Bates, 2011

Pretty cool, huh? Worth going back outside in my Pj's.

 
I've always liked orange, maybe it was growing up in the 70s when pops of orange were common place. Regardless of the reason, I still like a pop of orange here and there. It's a happy color and there are so many hues, it doesn't have to remind you of Halloween.

When we were decorating our addition, and specifically our lounge, we needed a chair that would fit in one of the corners. We wanted it to be comfortable and the right size. Gar and I hadn't even discussed color. We walked into a local furniture store and lo and behold, a chair we were both drawn to immediately. You gotta love a guy who can, not only handle a chair this color, but who actually loves it. Made in the USA-- right on Cape Cod! It was ours. Now, I'll admit, this chair flirts both on the orange side and the pink side. Is it watermelon? Or is it persimmon? Call it what you want, we call it comfortable, well made, and perfect.





Copyright Pamela J. Bates, 2011

Orangey crushed velvet. An unexpected pop of color. Sweet. Plus it went perfect with our Dollar Tree dishtowels that were the color inspiration for the lounge.

  
My friend Sylvie gave me a felt purse in a wonderful burnt orange color. It's bead work was so pretty, I decided to put it where I could appreciate it everyday. I've never carried it on an evening out. It hangs on the side of our game cabinet in the lounge, and it seems very happy there, so that is where it stays. 





Copyright Pamela J. Bates, 2011

A gift from a friend, this bag hangs on a cabinet instead
of in my closet waiting for the right occasion.

 
Our Tiger Lilies have popped!  Just like I knew they would, just in time for 4th of July.  These were transplanted from my sister Dianne's yard, and each year I have to conquer and divide. They are prolific spreaders and their bright orange color really add to any garden. Easy to maintain and care for as well. A gardener's dream.





Copyright Pamela J. Bates, 2011

This morning's sun really shows off the beauty of this Tiger Lily. Gorgeous.

   
I realized I had even more pops of orange in the house beyond the lounge.  We came across this beautiful print on one of many trips to Ireland, in a little restaurant in Cork. It was hanging on the wall and for sale. It came home with us. The artist is Val Byrne of Wicklow, but this painting is somewhere in the West of Cork.   It used to hang above the mantle, but right now I'm still trying to figure out where to put things on the wall after painting the front rooms. So, for now, it sits on the mantle.  Alongside Bates Mercantile Co.'s 'Be Happy' Pennants printable wall art available in our etsy store.





Copyright Pamela J. Bates, 2011

A wonderful color explosion in this signed Val Byrne print.
Love the little orange house vying for attention amongst the bigger buildings. 

 
Orange makes a regular appearance in our sunsets. This is one of it's more brilliant nods at dusk this past May. Glorious.




Copyright Pamela J. Bates, 2011

How absolutely beautiful.

 
Isn't it time you added at least a little orange to your life?

Happy Wednesday. Make it a good one.