Wedding in the making..

Sweet, sweet, sweet, Karmen and our little Sofie.

Yes, there will be a wedding, but the plans have changed. Not sure what will transpire as to where and when, but I believe sometime this summer. I will continue to keep you posted.

Nails oh beautiful nails...

It is isn't often that I indulge my nails to the beauty treatment, but these feet and nails were aching for a little TLC...So this morning I broke down and went for it, much to the delight of tired feet and worn out nails. So it's not the prettiest picture, and feet age as the rest of our bodies do, but what the heck, I'll share it with the rest of the world. I do this 2 - 3 times a year, spring and summer and my whole body is delighted when I spring for it!!

So enjoy, and perhaps I've inspired other tired feet to get the treatment of great luxury..

Stars and Stripes....

This represents a life long dream of mine. Ever since growing up in Norway (where the flags are, for the most part, proudly displayed on in-ground flag poles) I have wanted a flag pole of my own. I did it, I did it!!! I put it in myself; an 18th foot pole with the most beautiful red, white and blue flag waving in the wind. I dug a flower bed around it and planted red Penstemon, blue Salvia and white Lobelia...Both hubby and I sat by it this evening and enjoyed and soaked up the beauty of it and the result of my labor.

O say! can you see, by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof thro' the night, that our flag was still there.

O say! does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

A Deer in the Woods..

I had a lovely trip to our vacation home in Yachats, Oregon, nestled between the sea and the forest along the Pacific Ocean. Two girlfriends and myself on a journey of luxury and great rest.

No cooking, no bills to pay, no appointments to make, no stress. Need I go on?

And right there, above our property line was this beautiful creature grazing in the lush green.

Such a peaceful sight...

Be sure to click on the picture to enlarge it.

Graduation...

Sweet family

Proud Daughter, Father and Mother

Oh what JOY for Mormor and Pappy to see our Sofie....

I am so proud of this girl, our daughter, Kari-Anne. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from an Oregon University and in spite of many adversities and trials, she was brought to this place of Honor with many accomplishments under her belt. With her little Sofie in her arms, she received her diploma commemorating her achievements, and she was one thrilled and thankful graduate. And she is not done as she is off to start her Master Degree in Special Education in the fall.

YOU DID IT GIRL!!!

Strawberries galore.....

The daughter of a friend is getting married, the shower is Sunday afternoon and I am making the cake.

Since it is strawberry season, what better choice than Strawberry Shortcake....On the way home from the farm I couldn't help munching along, oh what glory!!! The weather was pleasant, and from my Mini Cooper I threw the stems out the moon roof and enjoyed every moment of it...Glory, glory me...

These are a few of my Beautiful things.....

In the midst of some personal issues, when I look at creation (made with a purpose), I am reminded that life has purpose as well. In flowers I see beauty and strength, I see that they are made for US and perhaps to remind us that as the flower, we exude beauty and great strength never to keep to ourselves, but to freely give...We KNOW what a flower gives to us, but do we recognize what we have to give others....

A Day in the SUN!!!

These happy little faces greeted me early this morning.....

........and so did the rest of my garden. Can you see the grape vine growing on both sides of the arbor?

Two Monkey faces

The Ducks were not interested in food!!

I awoke this morning to a BLUE sky!!! Couldn't wait to put my robe on and outside I went. Had my tea and breakfast in the sun and took in the beauty that only the sun can bring forth. And I was reminded that so also does God's Son; bringing forth the beauty in US....

But this was only the beginning of the day. My son and I took his daughter and her brother to a fun candy house in Sellwood (looks like Hansel and Gretel's House) and ended up at the park in Sellwood. Ducks galore, but non were hungry. D(M)ating season is on and the pairing had already begun...Their eyes were only on the opposite sex, and another male intruder was quickly booted out...

We walked the neighborhoods, older, charming, small cottage houses with the most adorable gardens, it was a sight to see.

They say RAIN tomorrow (I hope they are wrong), so we savor and enjoy what we have and when we have it..