Back to my Camera (lots of pics)

Since getting my iPhone I hardly ever post on my computer anymore. First, mostly because Papa Bear ALWAYS has the computer and second because it's so much easier to post pictures from my iPhone. However, those photos aren't always very clear. Sooooo.... yesterday morning before my eye appointment I wanted to check on my roses armed with my camera! Friday night we had a pretty bad storm, super stong winds, hail and spurts of heavy, heavy rain. We were under a tornado watch. My favorite rose was my multi-colored Peace rose, so naturally this was the first one I checked on. And sadly, the high winds ripped the leaves off of my sole bud. I looked in the flower bed and I saw the delicate leaves scattered throughout.

My white Kennedy rose also took a hit. Lots of it's petals were gone. I dead headed it (just learned that word yesterday) and am hoping that new blooms will come. I don't know how long it takes but I will be watching, patiently (or not so patiently) everyday.

More of my Peace rose petals, with a different setting. I was trying them all out to see which gave me a better picture. There are so many and I've truly only attempted about five or six different ones.

Papa Bear and CC were so excited to bring me this one home. This is a double-knocked out deep fushia rose. It didn't have any blooms on it when I got it, so I don't know what it looks like. I did notice a total of five buds on it yesterday morning though. By late yesterday afternoon the stems were super droopy and sagging and I was afraid the previous nights storm's damage was setting in. BUT.... this morning the stems are up and perky. The bloom at the top has even changed since I took this photo about an hour or so ago. The leaves have dropped and the bud is starting to open. That will have to be a photo with my iPhone though. I can't insert photos where I want them on the computer!

See...it's starting there already.

What was left of my Peace rose after the storm. I am awaiting a new bloom. Gosh... I hope I get a new bloom!

The leaves looked like this after the storm toward the bottom of the bush. I don't know, but it sure doesn't look normal.

My red Olimpiad rose held up fine. This is the sole bloom on it and I just dead-headed it as well. I don't see any new buds anywhere but I'm just going to keep waiting. As this is my first roses I have NO idea when or how long it takes for buds to appear after dead heading. This is definately a learning process for me. And...like with many other things in my life, I feel this is another way I am being taught patience.

I took a few photos with my iPhone of the whole garden, but of course they weren't this good and didn't show a whole lot. So, this was one of the first photos I took yesterday morning.

When looking over the roses yesterday morning CC noticed one of the Olmpiads leaves had holes in it. She said, "You must have a catapillar mama." Then she screamed..."LOOK, LOOK!! YOU HAVE A CATAPILLAR!"

Making it's way to the leaves.....

See again here how the double-knock out perked up and opened up.

Through the storm and the stress of replanting, my yellow rose seems the strongest. It smells so good and has five new buds on it. I dead-headed two today. I didn't think I would like this yellow as much as I do. I was blinded with love for my Peace rose. Wasn't there a night-time soap called "The Yellow Rose of Texas?" I seem to remember watching that with my mom.

I know the blooms look droopy, but it's just set lower in the ground and the bloom happen to be on bottom stems.

I have truly enjoyed sitting out here and looking at my babies. The morning has been so quiet and calm. Charlie and I came out early this morning. I certainly wanted to stay in bed and sleep a bit longer, tomorrow starts again at 4:30 a.m. but I couldn't resist checking my babies as soon as I woke up.

My Roses

In my last post I told you Papa Bear and CC were bringing me home a present.... And did they ever deliver!




For years they have heard me complaining about our neighbors roses and how bad I want a rise bush. Now I have 5!!!
They also picked up Miracle Grow for roses. I hope it works!



CC and Papa Bear did most of the work.....



King Charlie was enjoying being outside....



We turned the soil.. Removed rocks and pulled weeds. And Papa Bear put up a cute little fence border for me.



Half way finished. Right about here I had to run to Lowes for one more border piece we were short.



Even Lena helped out.....



We dug holes.... Poured in some Miracle Grow...



Put that black thingy down to prevent weeds....



Added cedar mulch....



And put in my roses.... I absolutely LOVE them! I told Papa that was THE best I have ever been given and now I can NEVER move from this house because I can't leave my roses!




And this beauty is the reason for my Pink Saturday post. The "Peace" rose. I love it! It's my most favorite. It's multicolored and so delicate... It's just perfect!




So I have a yellow rose bush, white (Kennedy rose), deep fushia double knock out, my multicolored Peace rose and a beautiful deep red Olymipad rose.
I am so excited to have them.... You seriously have NO idea how bad and how long I've been wanting a rose bush. Everyday when I come home I run to the back and check on my babies!

Thanks for stopping by and if you have any tips on growing healthy roses please feel free to share them. Have a great weekend and happy Pink Saturday!

And if you have time... stop by and visit Bella of Bella's Rose Cottage. She has THE most beautiful pink posting always and her photos are so fun to look at. Today she's showing a really cute...pink house!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

My 32nd B-day

Yesterday was my thirty-second birthday. I was a bit down...just for a second though. Yes, I'm getting older but I'm also appreciating the little things more. I know it what's inside that counts and I can really care less how it looks to others on the outside. I can honestly say I'm happy where I'm at and have all that I need. Of course there are things I want but I'm doing just fine with out them. (Like an extra day off during the work week or a knack for sewing or quilting.)
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So yesterday as I was leaving work Mom called and told me I should come pick up my cake. Mom makes the MOST wonderful cakes.... She made my favorite, white cake with fresh raspberry filling and seven minute frosting! It us delicious! We each had a piece before I headed home with it!


I was so tired when I got home. Tuesdays are long days for me. (8 hrs) So I came home and napped and Papa Bear and the girls cleaned the front and back yard so pretty!
When they were finished he and the girls took showers and told us to all get ready, we were going out. He took us to...... Luciano's!
The meal was so delicious! Truly one of the best meals I have ever had. An Italian family owns it and it is one of a handful of Italian restaurants in South Texas that actually uses 100% authentic italian ingredients and recipes. The owner and his family were there occupying a large long table. (I wish I would have gotten a photo of the decor. It was so pretty!) Anyway it was so fun to hear them speaking Italian and laughing so heartily. They enjoyed their food and their wine.
So.... What did we have? For appetizers we had fresh mozzarella with basil and cherry tomatoes salad, fried calamari and zuchini sticks and fried raviolli. I didn't get pics because we ate it up so fast!
I had Cannolini with ground beef, sautted spinach, lots if different cheeses and Alfredo sauce. It was AMAZING!



Lena had a mediterranean
salad. She loved it!


CC had chicken alfredo and Papa Bear had this dish. I don't remember the name but it had red and green bell pepper, freshly made pasta, Italian sausage, and a wonderful tomatoe sauce!



We ordered two slices if tiramisu to spilt but they only had one left. Believe me, I wanted to take a picture but it was so good it was gone before I had a chance!



This was seriously THE best tiramisu I have EVER had! I then ordered a cappuccino and Papa Bear had a double shot of espresso.


All in all this was the BEST birthday I have ever had and a truly PERFECT evening!
Lena was kind enough to show me my favorite face she makes!


The girls had a great time!


And so did Papa Bear and I!


Now Emil and CC are driving home with my present. They picked it out together, with Lena's help and are now bringing it home. I can't wait to see what it is!!

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Date Night -> Ruined

My Papa Bear decided a while back that it's really important that we spend time together once in a while. So, last night my mom kept the girls so we could go on a date. Papa kept asking me where I would like to go and I kept telling him "Luciano's." but he really wanted this Mongolian restaurant Hu Hot. So we went to Hu Hot. There were four Indian men ahead of us in the line and we got to see all the spices and sauces they put in their bowls. Well, it looked like new cooks at the grill as well. They didn't chop the food as fast or clean as the others AND they didn't wipe off their spatula - thingy's between piled either. Papa Bears pile was right next to one if the Indian mans pile and I saw lots of their juices spilling over to Emils pile. We sat down and started eating and both of us noticed our food was super spicy and just didn't taste right. Papa Bear started sweating on top of his head and swelling under his eye. My
mouth and throat and stomach were in fire and his were too. After a few minutes Papa Bear said "We HAVE to go home.... I'm feeling so sick!" I drove us home and he ran to the restroom to up-chuck. His stomach was hurting so bad. He got really bad chills and now I have them too. I couldn't stop my body from shaking. This sucks! I don't think we will EVER eat Mongolian again!
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Pavil Happy Hour

This week has flown by! It seems I was dragging through Monday and Tuesday and then before I know it the weekend is here! I couldn't be more ready for it.
Lisa always invites me to different places for different events with her but I hardly ever go. I am just usually so tired I can't even fathom getting dressed and going out when I could be at home in pj's at home with the girls. But... Lisa had been telling me about this French restaurant, Pavil's Brasserie. Drinks and appetizers were only $5....and I really needed to just get out and relax. So Lena and I met Lisa for a couple of hours. I ordered the Pear Tart Martini. It was soooooo good! But it consisted of four different liquors and I'm not a big drinker, so one was more than enough for me.


Lena and I each ordered Provecal pizza. It had a few duffernt types if olives, sun dried tomatoes and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. It was super good!



Next we ordered fried calamari that came with delicious dipping oils and sauce.





I took an order home for Papa Bear. He loves calamari.
I was in the mood for something sweet. I ordered Creme Brulee and Lena didn't seem to thrilled about it.


But once she tried it she feel in love. She told me "just take it, take it away from me. I can't control myself."
Brenee Griffin was singing there. She is so very amazing! She was singing everything from Sinatra to Sade.


Lena really enjoyed herself. She was swaying with the music. When Brenee took a break Lena asked for a photo with her.


We had a great time. I can't wait to go back.


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First Cluster of 2010

Nic came over last night and pointed something out to us....


We have our first cluster of grapes on the vine! So exciting!! I can't wait to get home and look for more. They will grow pretty quickly from here!

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My Garage Sale Quilt...

This past weekend we went to visit my sister in Shiner. Shiner is a pretty, little quaint town. My sister often goes to garage sales and comes home with some of the cutest things. I think my favorite "deal" she's come home with is the weathered tin tray above her stove with a floral motif painted in it. My goodness.... What I would do for that tray! And the best part.... It was in the "free" box!!!
So Saturday morning when they were going to a garage sale I thought I'd meet up with them there. The people had depression glass listed in the ad. So that was really what I was interested in. I didn't care much for her depression glass but what I did find made me oh, so happy!



My $5 quilt! I have been interested in quilting, or at least learning HOW to quilt for a very long time. And I've always admired my sisters quilts in that pretty cabinet she stores them in.


So when I saw this one and the lady told me only five dollars I knew I HAD to grab it!



She had another quilt but it was much newer and in perfect condition. I didn't want that.



I wanted a quilt that had bern loved. One that had stories to tell and a character to admire.



I look at the flaws as pieces that have been loved many times over. This one is all handmade. I wish I knew the story behind it.



I know nothing about this quilt expect that it is handmade and has a star pattern. All obvious things. BUT... I love it so much already!



I've found a few pieces of material that are my favorite already. I imagine they could be fragments of a favorite apron or shirt.



Lena told me I should make a quilt with their baby clothes. I told her I want to try it out with some old flannel shirts from Goodwill before I cut into their baby clothes!



I was scared Papa Bear would fuss that I brought home "more junk" but....



He loves it!

I'm watching another quilt in eBay. It ends in three days so I'm keeping my fingers crossed on that one! If I do win it, expect to see many more photos of it on here!
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. We don't have much if anything planned... Just staying around home, cleaning, planting, relaxing. I love those kinds of weekend!

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