Hmmmmmmmmm

I have seen a few hummingbirds this year.  I have a total of four feeders---2 large and 2 small---and I need to keep them filled.  Love when they buzz right by my head.  :) 

Mother's Day Take 2

We visited my mother-in-law on actual Mother's Day.  We picked up J on our way, because we knew Mr. GV's mom would enjoy a visit from him. 

We took some pictures, first of mother-in-law's men.  Here we have Mr. GV, father-in-law, nephew, and brother-in-law. 

We slipped mother-in-law in for this picture.  J wanted to be in it too, so he was included.  I also took a closer picture that didn't include him, but he didn't need to know that!  lol

 In this picture he was trying to look at both me (off to the side a bit) and mother-in-law (who was more straight on) since we both had our cameras. J had a good time playing in Grandma M's footstool that doubles as a toy box.  He also had fun with my other nephew, who although he is 14 didn't mind entertaining J a bit.  A few days ago J referred to him as "...that boy that played with me with that ball."  I had told him that day that he was also my nephew and J got a little bit perturbed about that.  Pretty sure he wants to be the ONLY nephew. 

J moved into his own room that day as well!  I know both he and his mommy were ready for that.  Here they are decorating with the Phineas and Ferb wall clings that the Easter Bunny brought him. 

Mother's Day

I feel so lucky to have my mom.  She is a great person, and a great mom.  She makes the best of ANY situation. 

This year for Mother's Day we gave Mom her gifts and had dinner with her, nothing fancy, but it was good to be together. 

Mom with her new bonnet.  lol

Mom, her girls, and her Doodlebug. 

J tickled that he is hiding B's eyes. 

J being J. 

Growing

Fall is my favorite time of year, but spring is a close second.  I dread the heat that is around the corner, but I do love to see everything growing again. 

Day lilies, which thankfully hang around for quite a while.

The tulip poplar tree, which Mr. GV planted when it wasn't much more than a twig.  Now it provides shade and I just love it. 

The first year we've had groupings of apples growing on our Fuji apple tree.  I have my doubts about whether they will be allowed to stay and grow though, as I fear the critters will get hold of them.

Magnolia flower, with its sweet perfume. 

Crayfish tower.  We have a red tail hawk that lives in our yard and Mr. GV informs me that most likely he feasts on the crayfish while sitting atop the mailbox post.  Thus the crayfish shells stuck between mailbox/old newspaper box. 

I enjoyed watching this bee on the clover. 

Tiger lilies.  One of my favorites. 

Gabby, giving me her usual stare .

Pasta

I placed my first order from Spencer's Market * recently.  We enjoy pasta around this house, and I jumped at the chance to get some different flavors and types of artisinal pasta. 

Our box included:  rasta pasta, Thai chili mafaldine, lemon garlic orzo, sweet potato orzo, whole wheat spinach garlic fettucini, and chipotle-cilantro paperdelli.  So far we have tried the whole wheat garlic fettucini and the chipotle-cilantro paperdelli.  At first I thought the garlic was going to be too strong in the fettucini with the sauce I made to go on top, but the flavor was much more mellow than I expected, and very good.  I don't enjoy chipotle or cilantro so Mr. GV got that one all to himself, and he liked it as well. 

Spencer's Market has different offers for all sorts of food products every few days, and it's always fun to see what comes next. 

*This link is my invitation link.  I did not know until I went in my account a few minutes ago that there was such a link.  There is no cost to join, but it appears if you do and use my link, I get credit toward a discount or free shipping.  If you are interested and want to click this link, thanks a bunch!  If you don't, feel free to just go to www.spencersmarket.com and go from there. 





Tree

We had a tree that fell down during storms last fall.  It was a pine, which is the case with most of the trees along the side of our property line.  This spring, when it was time to mow, it was time to cut up the tree.  First Mr. GV used his truck and a chain to pull it out in the open where we could work on it. 



Next we plugged up the chainsaw.  Yes, I said plugged.  Mr. GV decided on an electric chainsaw as opposed to a gas one because the upkeep it much easier and it's much less polluting. 

After the tree had been moved, it was time to tackle some of the weeds that had grown up around it. Mr. GV got out his trusty ol' weedslinger (sling blade---"I like them french fried taters."  Anyone get that reference?)  He took down most of the weeds and the mower has it looking much better.

Carnival

This year we went to the carnival that comes along with the festival.  J was old enough to enjoy himself, and that was reason enough to give it a try. 

Mr. GV and J walking towards all the fun!

There were a few kiddie rides that J could do by himself.

J in his jalopy.  I love the detail of the cracked windshield.

And a few that he could not.  Fortunately Mr. GV was game to ride along with him, as I was not. 

On the Ferris wheel.

And then the big fun came, the jumping, bouncing, flying through the air 'ride.' 

J getting on his safety harness.

He absolutely loved it!  I thought he might get scared or sick, but nope, he was thrilled.  The guy kept bouncing him up higher and higher, and J showed no fear. 

One last ride with his uncle, then we were out of tickets. 

We played games too---a racing game, throwing the ball, fishing for magnetic fish, etc.  Mr. GV was of course the designated holder of the winnings---a sword, ball, and something else I can't quite remember right now.  lol

Candy apple and shaved ice drink.  Yep, let's sugar him up right before bedtime.  I think he ate one bite of the candy apple that night, and he still passed out not long after we got home. 

We had a great time, and J behaved wonderfully at the carnival!  We'll be ready to do it again when the opportunity arises.