July 4th

Well I'm a little late posting about July 4th but better late than never!  John and I spent a nice, quiet 4th!  We were busy though.  I went to The Home Depot by myself and that was trouble for John-LOL!!!  I bought tons of plants and when I got home, I decided I wanted to put them in right then and there!  We pulled out 5 shrubs we never liked that the Builder planted.  We replaced them with some of these plants:

Large Pink Coneflower

Limelight Hydrangea

Pink Phlox

Pinkish Orangish Coneflower

Red Coneflower

Zinnia

 

 

We also planted a huge Purple grass and a double black-eyed susan plant.  The pictures of those didn't turn out very good.    Here is the ended result:

The daylilies are almost done and now there will be other perennials to make the front flower bed look really good!  I love gardening and it felt so good to do this yesterday even though it was hot and humid!

My double orange hibiscus decided to start blooming again yesterday!!  I love this plant! 

Last night John and I decided to just chill out on the front porch after a day of hard work.  Teddy decided to join us. 

John and I had a really yummy dinner too!!  Sirloin steak grilled, corn on the cob, hot German potato salad, caprese salad and sunflower and grain bread!

I think we had a pretty good 4th!!!  Hope y'all did too!

Little Jack turns 2 years old tomorrow!!

My grandson, Jack turns 2 tomorrow!  Where has the time gone?  This little boy has certainly captured all our hearts!!  Nana and Papa love you Jack!!! :)

Jack loves playing with his plane at our house.

Jack laughs so easily!  All you have to say is hi to him and he starts laughing!!

Papa and Jack in the middle of a tickle fest today!!!

Spring has Sprung in Charlotte!

After the long, cold winter here in Charlotte this year it is so nice to finally see green grass, pansies, flowering trees blooming and warmer temps!  On my drive home from work today I snapped two photos.  It was raining so the photos didn't show as much color as I saw but I think everyone will get the idea.

This is a lovely section of Charlotte on Colony Road.  There is a beautiful brick wall along a portion of this road with lovely lamp posts.  I took this photo mainly for the green grass.

I was waiting at a traffic light when I snapped this photo.  This is also on Colony Road in the Giverny section  The pansies were such a bright purple-blue color.  Of course with the rain it didn't come out as bright as it really was.

Hopefully tomorrow I can take some more flowering trees, daffodils, etc.  Enjoy this lovely Spring weather!!

My Love of Amaryllis!!

When John and I were Christmas shopping, what did I see but an amaryllis kit!  I bought it and planted it that night.  I woke up a few days ago and this is what I saw:

I just love the color and I just love amaryllis!  There are 4 almost 5 blossoms out on this plant and it is just stunning!!

The other day my lemon tree started blooming!  I never even noticed but then I smelled that wonderful lemon blossom smell!  There is nothing like it.

Hopefully I will have lots and lots of fresh Meyer lemons in 7-8 months!!

I then took a walk outside.  Love the sunshine finally after so much gray and rainy weather.  I planted 8 cabbage plants in my raised bed garden in September.  Look what I have in my garden!!

I will hopefully be harvesting this baby not too long from now!  Alot of wonderful gardening things for being in the middle of winter!

Hope all of you are enjoying your weekend!

Hugs xxoo

Books Read for 2014

I wanted to read more books in 2014 than I had in 2013 and I accomplished that!  Hopefully in 2015 I will have read more than I did in 2014.  Everyone have a great book reading year!!

1. English Trifle by Josi S. Kilpack. (BOCD)
2. The Supreme Macaroni Company by Adriana Trigiani. (BOCD)
3. Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman. (BOCD)
4. Billionaire Blend by Cleo Coyle.
5. Invention of Wings by Susan Monk Kidd (BOCD)
6. Ocean Beach by Wendy Wax (BOCD)
7. The Vintage Tea Cup Club by Vanessa Greene
8. The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro (BOCD)
9. Steeped In Evil (Tea Shoppe Mystery) by Laura Childs
10. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley (BOCD)
11. The Last Camellia by Sarah Jio (BOCD)
12. Beautiful Day by Elin Hilderbrand (BOCD)
13. Postcards from Cedar Key by Terri DuLong
14. The Love Season by Elin Hilderbrand
15. The Whole Enchilada by Diane Mott Davidson
16. The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand (BOCD)
17. Save the Date by Mary Kay Andrews
18. The Hurricane Sisters by Dorothea Benton Frank (BOCD)
19. Spinning Forward by Terri DuLong
20. The Girls of August Anne River Siddons
21. Sunrise at Cedar Key by Terri DuLong
22. A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley (BOCD)

23. The Next Always by Nora Roberts (BOCD)

24. The Matchmaker by Elin Hilderbrand (BOCD)

25. The House at Mermaid Point by Wendy Wax
26. Nantucket Sisters by Nancy Thayer (BOCD)
27. The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck
28. Last Wool and Testament by Molly McRae (BOCD)

29. Key Lime Pie by Josi S. Kilpack (BOCD)

30. Southern Sirens by Alicia Lane Dutton
31. Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand (BOCD)
32. An Island Christmas by Nancy Thayer

What a Great Way to Start the New Year!!

John and I had a really relaxing night last night and we did stay up to watch the Ball drop in Time Square!!  We actually stayed up until 1:00!! 

This morning Jenny texted if I was home and when I said we were could she and the boys come for a visit.  Of course, I told her sure come on down!  When they got here John and I hadn't had breakfast.  We all loaded up in my car and drove to Cracker Barrel.  The little boys loved the rocking chairs out in front of Cracker Barrel.  It was pretty cold out but they didn't stop the little rockers!!

 Jack rocking out!!

Owen rocking out too!!

Then we finally decided it was just too cold.  We went inside and didn't have too long to wait to be seated. 

Here is a picture of Owen and Papa keeping themselves occupied until their breakfast came!

They stayed for a little while after we got home.  Jenny helped me with some of my Mary Kay stuff and she placed an order!  What a nice surprise and a great way to start 2015!!

Happy New Year!!

I wish everyone a very Happy, Healthy New Year!!  Welcome 2015!!