The Rhodies and Lucy

The "Rhody"

Making it's appearance in every garden, and just about anywhere you 

go around Washington.  I guess that's one of the reasons the 

Rhododendron is our state flower. 

This lavender Rhody adorns one side of our front yard.  

 These large, hot pink blooms hang over our yard 

from the neighboring yard, 

brightening up our dining area and kitchen. 

I remember one year ago (today in fact)  that I arrived here from 

Las Vegas and I saw the colorful blooms from the windows, 

 I knew I would love our 

new home. 

This red Rhody corners the other side of our front yard.  

This shrub comes in so many different colors and varieties. 

Large blooms go from this...

...to this!

While I was taking some of these shots today, 

I walked around the corner and saw 

Lucy in her spot looking out the window.  

I'm pretty sure it wasn't  the colorful Rhododendrons that was 

catching her attention.

More likely, the squirrels that run up and down the large pine tree 

near the window.

I guess that's why she loves this spot. :-)

Time to close your eyes Lucy and take a little cat nap. 

Those squirrels will be there when you wake up. 

Becca 

Fern Leaf Doily

Finally!  

Oh my, I was beginning to think I was never going to finish this doily! 

This one was a bit difficult for me, and tested my patience for sure. :-) 

I've lost count how many times I had to rip out a round or two and 

start over. 

Whew! 

Fern Leaf Doily

This doily measures about 16" in diameter, which makes it the 

largest crochet doily piece I've ever made. 

I'm really kind of surprised it blocked out like it did because when I got it all

pinned down I could see a big mistake...can you?  

I'm not telling! LOL

I found this pattern from a fellow blogger and crochet buddy. :-)

Thanks Kate

for answering my questions and for your words of 

encouragement!  

If you'd like to see this doily in a different color and get the 

pattern, I hope you'll visit Kate 

HERE

You know, I don't really know why I'm so obsessed with making doilies.

I don't really use them in my home, however, 

I think this one found it's place in our guest room, and the lamp

kind of hides my mistake. :-)

So, what's next you say? 

Well, I'm thinking of something a bit smaller, however,  every time

I visit Kate's blog,  I see another beautiful doily she's made, 

and I'm hooked. 

The ferns I'm showing you today, are from my front yard.

Such an interesting plant, and they love the wet climate here. 

Hope you are enjoying the weekend.

I'll be over soon to get caught up with you! 

Becca

A Mother's Day Wish

I just wanted to drop in and wish all of you 

beautiful women out there a 

Happy Mother's Day today! 

I chose a lovely, white lilac I picked from a

neighboring tree down the ally to share with you

on this special day. 

If only I could share the scent of this magnificent bloom! 

Even though I am only "Mother" to 3 fur baby cats, and my own 

Mother has since passed, I am spending my day 

reading, crocheting and simply being around those I love. :-)

The weather this past week has keep me outdoors, away from my computer, 

gardening, enjoying the sunshine, 

and working on this crochet piece.  

I only have two more rounds to go!  I'm also hoping it will look better once

I get it blocked.  Stay tuned for the final showing! :-) 

Overcast skies and rain have returned, so maybe now, I can spend some 

time indoors, visiting blogs and baking cookies! 

Becca 

Rainy Day Tulips

It's not raining today... 

In fact, we are expecting beautiful weather over the next several 

days with highs near 80 degrees!  

So, with that being said, I'm going to go outside to play. :-)

Hope you enjoyed my "rainy day tulips!" 

Becca 

Discovering Lilacs and a Tribute to Betty

Hello everyone! 

This past week brought lovely weather to the Seattle area, and  

even though I still confess to loving the rain, there's just something about 

the sunshine here that's so wonderful this time of year! 

It's so much fun being outside, working in your garden, seeing your 

 neighbors out and about,  sharing seeds, ideas, flowers, and

maybe a "happy hour" on the deck, in the sunshine admiring our 

days work. :-)

(my first little garden...lettuce, sweet pea, basil, onion, and cumber)

Just two doors down is a lovely and heavily blossomed Lilac tree, 

belonging to Bob & Betty.

(Sadly, Betty passed away last year, but always loved to 

share her lilac blossoms.)

My neighbor asked if I wanted to walk down there with her 

and cut a handful of "Betty's flowers."

Talk about one of life's simple pleasures! 

 There I was, strolling down the ally in my flip flops with a handful of 

 lilacs that I cut from a tree!

For me, it felt like pure bliss! 

(remember, I grew up in the Nevada desert..."lilac" to me was a 

scent that a candle had.) 

I'm only sorry I didn't get to know Betty more before she passed. 

I am enjoying my lovely bouquet so much, and 

what a lovely memory of our neighbor and friend.

The scent of the lilac is so powerful, I thought I had a candle 

burning when I walked into my studio.

I think I found a new, favorite flower to love. 

(well...that is until the blue hydrangeas come out again!) 

Still trying to paint stuff. :-)

Need work on my drawing skills.

Thank you for being here, and sharing my discoveries! 

Happy weekend to you, 

Becca 

Pasta!

Hello friends, 

I'm here today to show you some fun photographs I took of my 

neighbor teaching her friend how to make pasta ravioli.

I've had Anna Maria's homemade ravioli before, and it's fabulous! 

So, I was very excited to have the opportunity to see the process 

first hand and share it with you! 

She makes it look so easy and wanted me to give it a try, but I decided 

to stick to just being the photographer for now. :-) 

It didn't take long before Anna's friend had it down.

Nice!

Spaghetti too!

So...

Are you getting hungry yet? 

Thanks Anna Maria for giving me the opportunity to share 

this homemade goodness on my blog today!

Becca