Our son, who had been in the hospital for two weeks, was released on the first day of May and is doing very well. I have an abundance of Olivia June pictures since besides babysitting every week this month, we saw her on Mothers Day. Here she is playing with Gabriel's treat ball, then offering it to him. . . .
I hosted a Tasha Tudor gathering. We made needle-felted flowers. I also made a Westie and served Tasha's Nanny's brownies at tea. . . .
Mother's Day they came here. I showed Olivia June the acorns in the Fairy pot and told her to enter the Enchanted Woods you must put an acorn in the Fairy's apron, so she did! I didn't even have to show her. She knew what to do! In the photo on the right I'm holding her on the little fence around the Dogwood tree we planted for her right after she was born. . . .
She loves taking Gabriel for a walk on his leash. . . .
I had a Susan Branch book Give-Away for Morning Musing's 3rd anniversary. . . .
Our second son hosted a roof-top party to celebrate his wife's becoming a U.S. citizen. . . .
We went on the Frederick Beyond the Garden Gate tour. . . .
Olivia June's Daddy had a birthday this month and so did Gabriel--the same day. . . .
I stained the deck railing while Ken did the deck. Then I stained the arbor. You can see how badly it needed it. I'm almost finished here. . . .
Gabriel was barking wildly one evening after dark so we turned on the outside lights and let him out. This is what he was protecting us from. . . .
I spent the day painting while the plumber came out to clear a clogged sewage pipe in the basement. . . .
The humidity has curled Olivia June's hair! Grandmommy has the same problem, but it looks so much better on her. She loves her new swing hanging from the oak tree in their yard, but it takes a moment before she gets over the initial shock of flying through the air. . . .
Several of the members from my Tasha Tudor group attend a garden club in their town so they invited me to speak about our Chapter at their program one evening. We also showed the Take Joy video about Tasha. Aren't the flower arrangements on the table lovely. . . .
Gabriel in the garden. . . .
The new cottage for my miniature garden. . . .
•*¨`*•. ☆ .•*¨`*•
Take Joy!
What a busy month. Glad to hear your son is on the mend. Your Grandaughter is beautiful and such a sweetheart with the dog, precious moments to treasure. Have a lovely June.
ReplyDeleteI hope all is well in your family!
DeleteThankful to hear your son is doing well. I'm thinking Olivia is still a baby and she's walking! And dog walking! What fun. I love her sweet curls. It's nice you had the opportunity to share with others about your Tasha Tudor group. It sounds like you had a month filled with good things.
ReplyDeleteThe video was taken earlier in the month when she was just 13 months! She started walking at 10 months. She is something else! I found a little potty for her at a yard sale and brought it last week. It has a handle you "flush". I showed it to her. Then when her Daddy came in the room all I said was "Show your Daddy how it works" and she went over and pushed the handle down (it makes noises when you do that).
DeleteVery glad to hear your son is doing so well! Olivia June is beautiful and so cute with Gabriel. I love that miniature garden, too! I've always wanted to try something like that.
ReplyDeletePattianne, you SHOULD try a miniature garden. You can always use a wooden box or any large container. It doesn't have to be very deep. They sell miniature plants, or you can just buy small plants and dig them up and replace them when they grow too large.
DeleteHappy June, Cathy! I join with the others in rejoicing over your son's improved health, and in marveling over Olivia June's growth. Your monthly accomplishments are admirable, and make quite an impact when summarized. Always a pleasure to visit with you!
ReplyDeleteThis is why I have this Out and About post every month, Sharon! Otherwise, I'd feel like I hadn't gotten anything accomplished. I have to look back through my photo library and calendars and it helps me "organize" my life a little better to see how it's going. ☺
DeleteSuch a wonderful post, Cathy! Your month of May got off to the best start ever with your son being released from the hospital. You were busy with so many activities, and that little Olivia is growing like a weed. A totally adorable weed, I should add. :-)
ReplyDeleteI know, I know! And I won't see her for 3 weeks this month because they're off to Italy for 2 weeks! I expect she'll be having conversations with people by the time I see her again.
DeleteYou've had a busy month. I'm so happy to hear your son is home and doing well. Little Olivia is adorable. I hope your June is off to a great start. My best to you :)
ReplyDeleteSo far so good! Thank you for your lovely thank-you card! You are quite the artist. I just found your posts about your watercolor cards and will read them this afternoon. I love how you attached them to the card. You've given me some great ideas!
DeleteSuch a wonderful month for you, Cathy. I love to hear good news! Gabriel is a wonderful dog to be so tolerant of Olivia. How fun for you to watch them together.
DeleteYour little bridge is just what I have been looking for - but then, I would really have to make a miniature garden to play in and the weeds would overtake the rest of my world!
Now I'm thinking about the bits of fractured slate I've noticed... I think I'll go collect them, just to be ready...
Hello Elaine, Yes, Gabriel is very tolerant. However, if she backs him into a corner he will give her a growl. She'll stop what she's doing, and once I intervene everyone is happy again. I can't remember where I got the bridge from but places like Hobby Lobby, JoAnn, AC Moore and Michaels all have "fairy garden" paraphernalia.
DeleteWhat a lovely post-love the miniature garden! And your grand is adorable. Gabriel too!
ReplyDeleteHey, Cathy. These "Out and Abouts" of yours make me feel like a bit of a slug, since lately my months aren't nearly so active. Guess that means it's time for me to get serious about my knees. Yuck, I'm not looking forward to that. But it WILL be great to have pain-free mobility back so that's what I'll concentrate on. I can remember my uncle George, after his knee surgery, going on saying "I should have done this [his knees] years ago!! What was the matter with me?" Gee, Olivia is really growing up, isn't she? In some of the photos, the ones in the sleeveless green dress in particular, she looks more like a little girl than a baby. But she still has her baby face in others, so I guess she's "transitioning." She's always have a serious dose of the "cute" factor though. She and Gabriel are quite a pair. Is Grandma planning some stories? The Adventures of Olivia and Gabriel! She's one smart little cookie too. Interested in everything! That's so important. Hopefully she'll never lose that innate curiosity that born into most of us. Life can be so limiting to people who have no interest in thr world around them, who don't care about knowing more. But something tells me Olivia could even be reading by the time she's 3 or so, if Grandma has anything to say about it anyway. And now she's going to Italy - I'm SO jealous. I hope she comes home with some stunning Italian fashions! Seeing Italy, the southern coast of France, the Greek Islands - the whole Mediterranean region - still near the very top of my 'Places to Go' list. I'd like to have about two months to drive around from place to place. Not just Rome, Florence, Milan, Nice, Monaco etc but lots of the sleepy little villages between the big cities. To try all the local specialties and see the gardens and all the old old museums, churches and other buildings. I love it how, especially in Italy, the pace of life is so much slower. There's actually "nap time" built into the business day after lunch, and dinner can take 3-4 hours from the antipasto right through to the cheese, nuts, fruit and espresso. Often eaten outdoors too, weather permitting, and with lots of conversation around the table. Oh, [heavy contented sigh] that sounds like such a civilized way to live, doesn't it? Anyway, another busy month for you as usual. Very glad your son is doing so well too. Take care and talk to you soon.
ReplyDeleteJanet, you really MUST get your knees fixed so you can go to Italy! You sound like you already could find yourself around there just fine. My daughter-in-law's parents have been there before so plus they are veteran travelers so I know they're being shown a great time. I would be surprised if Olivia June comes back speaking Italian! She is such a mimic. She laughs now whenever she hears someone laugh. You'd think she understood the joke! ☺ I've been so focused on other things I haven't thought about children's stories. I'd already put a little girl in my Poetry & Gabriel Adventures in Scotland--before Olivia was even born in fact. The family has 3 boys (like I do) and get a little sister while in Scotland. In the next story Poetry & Gabriel are to move to the Lake District with the family and hang out with Beatrix Potter characters. I'll have to make Olivia June old enough to join them in their escapades!
DeleteThe photo of Gabriel is adorable, he is so sweet.
ReplyDeleteI loved catching up with all your going on's & seeing the felted animals, they are lovely.
Fondly Michelle
Thank you, Michelle. I hope you are all well now!
DeleteCathy, I'm trying to catch up with visiting my favorite friends. We returned last evening from our wonderful adventure in England. Hopefully after sorting through some 2500 photos I can write a post soon. I enjoyed very much seeing your adorable granddaughter growing up before our very eyes. I know she brings you so much joy. You've had quite a busy month---I'm so happy to hear that your son is continuing to do well. ♥
ReplyDeleteHello Martha Ellen! I was concerned at first and then I finally remembered you'd said some time ago you planned to go to England in May. It sounds like you have material for the rest of the year to write about! I look forward to hearing your stories.
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