Sunday ...

 Church, as always, was amazing.  We baptized another three in the creek after the first service.  If you are ever curious to watch one of Pastor Garrett's messages, you can view them <here on the TRC website>.  The second service yesterday was a Song-Fest with several members of the church performing, including yours truly with the adult choir.  No ears were harmed from my singing.

Between services, there was the Dandelion Festival Parade in town.  Frequently, the parade participants will drive/ride/walk back down the street I live on, from the end of the parade to get back to the starting point and where their vehicles are.  Yesterday, I didn't walk into town for the actual parade but instead waited until they came by the house.  

A knight in shining armor came by looking for a fair maiden [clearly he didn't stop at my house].  He was with a group of riders advertising the [link>] WV Renaissance Fair which happens every weekend in June.  I didn't go last year since it was when I started to be sick, but this year I'd like to see if I can get a ride to go up on the 11th for their Celtic Crossing weekend.

I'm scheduled that morning to make a faerie door craft at Wren's Nest, so it will be a fun day if I can do both.  Or even if not, it will still be a good day.

One of my four surviving peonies bloomed, and it gives me hope that next year, and the years after, I will have a beautiful garden by the front door.

Finally, I won a coveted book this month, and from just the introduction, I know it will be a good read and that I will likely buy others from this author.

It is NOT fiction, but a fascinating story of birds of prey that she has owned and worked with.  As you may know, I'm an amateur birder and love all things nature.

Tomorrow we honor the memories of those who have fought and died for our country.  I have several in my family tree who fought, and a few who died in wars.  One who always comes to mind was a young pilot in WW2 who disappeared along with his airplane somewhere in Alaska.

If you served, thank you for your service.  If you lost someone, I'm so sorry for your loss.  And as Ukraine continues to fight, I pray that one day, there will be peace for them.

Hugs,  Ci

saturday ...

I love going to Wren's Nest. 

It is just so beautiful and relaxing.

Today was an acrylic pour class.

She has an amazing garden.  These are flame azaleas.

Charlie spent the day getting spoiled by his aunties and has been renamed "Prince Charles."

tgif ...

Today is the start of a thankfully long weekend, and it started off with a wedding reception for two wonderful people ...

... and I got to spend some time with this sweet boy, the nephew of one of our church members ...

It is the [link>] Dandelion Festival weekend with a lot of events planned in town.  Including several live bands that I can hear from the comfort of my back patio!

Tomorrow I'm taking a leisurely walk through town to see all of the booths while on my way to an acrylic pour art class.  I'll share lots of pictures, but first this one from after today's rains ...

irises

 Just because.

They grow on the corner of a neighbor's yard, and the purple is just so bright and beautiful.

dunked

I was rebaptized on Sunday.
It was an amazing experience and day!

 

it has been a minute ...

This was a week-long project I did with metallic watercolors and
raised fabric (Tulip) paint for the outline.
I put verses from Proverbs 31 on it,
and it is hanging in my office.
It is a fairly large piece ~ poster-sized.

 

The stones I painted for my pugs are in the garden,
and ones for some of the cats I've had,
and Trooper.  If I made stones for all the companions I've 
lost, they might cover it completely.
I have a wind chime for mom & dad, and will probably add more.
I'd like to get a picnic table & benches for the side yard.

I picked up some plants for my angel garden.
I love the calla lilies most of all I think, but also
the ferns and hostas.
I didn't realize the impatiens were just annuals here,
so next year they will be replaced with trailing perennials.
I'm also planning on getting two more of the large cinder blocks
for the right side.

This is a decal I got for the front of my dryer.
Not because I need the reminder,
but because it makes me smile every time I see it.

weekend

 

tears ...

 

   

     This has been a hard week for me.  

     It was my first birthday since my mom passed away, and not getting a call from her, or flowers, made the day seem incomplete.   The day was good, it just felt like something was missing.  And there was.  She was.

     Sunday will be the first Mother's Day without her, and I've been avoiding the card sections of the pharmacy and grocery stores like there are free-floating Covid bugs in the aisle.  I know to read even one card will start a flood of tears I may not be able to stop for hours.

     Tuesday marked six years since my soul dog, Trooper, died.  Not a day has gone by that I haven't missed him.  Or my cat, Oreo, who died the year before.  Of all the companions animals I have loved and lost, those two have remained the hardest losses.  Gracie, Charlie, and Lucy have been comforting but not replacements.

     I'm working on a few art and craft projects, but nothing completed yet.  Planting an angel garden in the side yard.  What I'm really doing is procrastinating putting away clean laundry, organizing the office, and other less fun house chores.

     Wishing you a blessed weekend and a happy Mother's Day.  

                                    Hugs, Ci

rabbit chases ...

      A week ago Sunday at the creek baptisms I was catching frogs with the kids.  That Monday evening, I sat quietly on my back patio and watched seven rabbits playing tag and chasing each other in the yard next door.  This morning before church, I sat listening to the birds.  Warblers are migrating, and the sound identification with my Merlin bird app put several new names on my life list.  [links to click>]  Yellow Warbler.  Nashville Warbler.  Bay-breasted Warbler.  Yellow-rumped Warbler.

     I tried a new art project last week.  Smashed flowers.  A good way to get out some frustration during a hectic week.

     Using some violas growing in my yard, I placed the flowers face down on some thick paper used for watercolor painting.  Covered them with a paper towel and smashed them with a hammer until the color started to bleed through the paper towel.

     After I gently rolled the smashed flowers off the paper, I lightly sprayed a clear sealant over them before gluing the paper down on a wood frame.

     I may try to make some cards to mail with flowers on them, and am experimenting with different flowers.  Wild violets aren't as detailed when smashed.  Dandelions are too flooffy, and the stems and leaves of both have too much moisture so they lose their definition.

     I hope you have an awesome week.  Hugs, Ci