Yellow and Green Spring

                 Our little field is full of yellow and green....so much color after all the rains and cold weather....

This last photo is of all the wild mustard that has sprung up in the field..it covers all the walking trails and is really a jungle...feel like we need a machete! Its about tall as I am in some sections and I'm about 5'6"...will be a fire danger this summer but wow, its wonderful now!

Please be sure to sign up for the giveaway..only have 5 people entered and if 10 enter, I will add a second set. Sign ups on the left hand side.......

Tale of a Beach Ball

Yesterday, we had two jobs in San Diego county....and while driving on the interstate...the car in front of us suddenly stopped....so we were able to slow down when they sped up again, only to stop abruptly in the second late on the interstate..we hit our brakes but couldn't get over as there were cars speeding at speeds up to 80 on either side..needless to say, we hit the car......come to find out..the lady driver stopped for this large beach ball was on the road...that's right..she stopped for a beach ball....and yes, I know what you are thinking..her car wasn't damaged  mostly the bumper but ours is another thing...

the front bumper, the  hood, the side panel and more will have to be replaced.....we're afraid to open the hood as it probably wouldn't be able to fasten again...no damage to the engine but our poor Honda! We also thought we'd be the one at fault as that is what normally happens with these type of accidents but it looks like her insurance is going to cover the damage..thank the Lord! No one was hurt, and we had been able to stop to a low speed (20) so the damage wasn't really bad...normally, we are going the speed limit which is 70...I hate to think what would have happened at that speed...I know I wouldn't be typing this post right now, that's for sure.

Guess what happened to the beach ball, you may ask?  as we looked in amazement, a large semi truck pulled up, the driver got out and put the ball in his cab..bouncing it along the frontage..weird, huh?

and even more strange..when we arrived at the house to do the re key..there in the living room....the same  beach ball..a little cleaner, but the same ball.....only thing in the room but a lone white beach ball.....

A Tag Giveaway

I am giving away these 3 Willow tags over on my Home Sweet Stitchery blog so please sign up....the link is on the left side......if I get more than 10 entries, I will add a second set so you will have a good chance of winning...I have redone the blog and getting it ready to list alot more things as I am downsizing some of my collections.....

We woke up to hear about the terrible storms on the East Coast and South.....my heart goes out to those who have been effected and my prayers.....can't believe Good Morning America is concentrating on the royal wedding instead as if that is really important while people here are suffering....having gone through our own emergency, I can really relate to this...these type of emergencies effect families in so many ways..not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually too.....and am praying....

Review: Bryton Pick, and more

I was asked to do a review about Bryton Pick....as someone who has battled with gum disease, I was intrigued needless to say....I have a hard time with dental floss..messy and difficult to use sometimes....so had to give these little appliances a shot...and was pleasantly surprised in how well they worked...the best part is you can use one for up to 30 days! no having messy floss strings in the trash...and also you can take them anywhere...think I'll be flossing more which is a good thing..so if this appeals to you...here is their website . the website has a video to show how they work... there are several places online (drugstore.com for one) where they can be ordered as well as many drugstores....I give them a thumbs up.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas a Minneapolis SEO and Web Design firm. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

I also received my giveaway winning creation from Carol at  Buttermilk Creek Farm..and he is very very cute..and everyone who has seen him remarks how well made and detailed  he is. Right now I sat him with my conservative books which seemed appropriate....

..Carol has a new vignette, just listed and I had to share....wish I had funds or I'd be a collector for sure...just look at THIS...

Continued Garden Tour....

As someone asked about our vegetable garden, I thought I'd share a few more photos.....we have several heirloom rose bushes on the first tier of the retaining wall....

Below the retaining wall is our vegetable garden.....originally we had put in lawn but about 3 years ago decided that with the economy it was time to rethink that idea and so the garden was born.....the ground wasn't very good, alot of rocks and pulverized granite...its taking time to get it better..we've rototilled in compost, manure and amendments every year and keep pulling out rocks..you'd think after 3 years we've  have found them all but there are always surprises..

in the foreground are red potatoes and onions, then bean, beets, melons and squash in the first bed..the back bed has mainly tomatoes (48 varieties) and corn....the whole garden area is about 50 ft long and 15 ft. wide....we haven't finished the walk way yet but do have the one side done.....its really helped keep the soil off the patio so far.....
we tried to get as many heirloom tomato plants as we could find..both from seed and bought......the first ones to have fruit are these heirloom Amish Paste tomato plants

Alan set up a drip irrigation system...which you can see...this will really help conserve water this summer...

and finally...we put two different types of grape vines in large pots..one is green  and the other is red seedless..grapes grow well here..Temecula, south of us is becoming increasingly known for its wine orchards...

the other pot next to the grape vine is garlic.....

Thanks for coming to see our garden..we are proud of all the work that has been accomplished and spend alot of time outdoors enjoying nature and what the Lord has done....lately we've noticed goldfinches so the next project will be getting a thistle feeder for them.......
I added another page with quite a few  photos of the Menifee area...some I've used as headers in the past....thought you might enjoy them.......

Because He Lives! Happy Resurrection Day!

I won! and the Sonic Scrubber...

 I got an email from Carol (Buttermilk Creek Farm) that I had won her giveaway! Just not very lucky so it was a complete and pleasant surprise....I won this darling little patriotic mouse...and will display him with pride....

 Isn't he cute? Please if you haven't already check out Carol's blog at Buttermilk Creek Farm
 


You've probably seen the TV ads for the Sonic Scrubber....and wondered if they really worked....I have seen them and wondered the same thing, until we fell heir to one...I am really sold now..everything they say in the commercial is right..this little tool is so helpful..and works so well, I don't know why we didn't get one earlier.....
Alan wanted me to show you how well it works..we have tile floors and the grout in the kitchen especially gets very..well...very dirty....its a small kitchen with  lots of cooks and traffic.......here is an example..

  very dirty, huh?

the grout is a medium brown...

now here it is after using the Sonic Scrubber

We use it for so many things..Alan used it this morning to clean out the little flowers around the hummingbird feeder that were clogged up...if you have a feeder, you know those little plastic flowers can be difficult to get into the nooks and crannies to clean..the scrubber does an excellent job....and its easy to use..no effort at all...the scubber does all the work.....I use it to clean around the faucets in the kitchen and bathrooms also...
We've tried several of the TV ad products with mixed results.....I am not crazy about Shamwows or Chia pets....I will always only recommend things we've actually used with complete success.and has become part of our cleaning routine...times are tough and if you are like me, we only buy something if we can really get some benefit from it...so if  you'd like one...I have a widget just for the scrubber...and they are very reasonably priced, less than what you may see on TV....you won't be disappointed...

Garden Tour

I walked around our garden early this morning.....and thought I'd share a few photos....this is the Don Juan climbing rose arbor, loaded with blooms right now...and  through it, you can see Mrs. Quack, and the African Sumac tree...way beyond that, our Beverly Hills apple tree and then the retaining wall...the apple tree has quite a few blooms also...

other roses are blooming ...these are very fragrant and lovely but the sun wasn't cooperating this morning...here is the same rose that Alan cut and put in the bathroom...I am not sure what the name of these are...
 this is the  true color...

what a difference the right light makes!

The vegetable garden is in..Alan planted 6 more tomato plants (Roma for sauce) so it makes a total of 48 plants which is about right for all the canning we do......we are planning on making  ALOT tomato soup this year as it was so good and we ran out early.
Alan put out a live trap for the squirrel...the cocky little guy was perched on the retaining wall, chirping away yesterday evening like he owned the place.....hopefully we'll catch him and take him out into the country for a new home....

Our weather has been cool, and overcast most days..in the 60s...but the sun does come out in the afternoons...
we are still watching the eagles nest and today its covered with snow.The parents are so good and are keeping the babies warm......Decorah Eagles...I was wondering how long it takes for the babies to mature..doesn't anyone know?
That's about it for today...hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday...

French Iris

My dear friend sent me some French Iris bulbs about two years ago...they've really grown and this year we are having the prettiest flowers! aren't these gorgeous? actually, they've grown so much, we will have to split them this fall as they're taking over....all the plants (3 large clumps) are just full of buds...we haven't really done anything special to get so many blooms..it might have been this last winter which was colder and wetter than normal....in any case, we are enjoying them!
As far as the weather....over the weekend, it got downright hot...over 90 on Saturday and 85 on Sunday..today, its gray and in the 60s...with drizzles....go figure.

We also went back to Louies and got more plants for the garden....2 more types of melons and 3 more tomato plants......the honeydew melon plant that we had disappeared! we think a squirrel got it......we have quite a few ground squirrels being on the edge of town....they like to eat munch on the ducks food..and last year they did some damage to the strawberries and tomatoes.. other than squirrels, we don't have to worry much . There are very few bugs...and the ones we do get, the duck eats...she absolutely loves slugs and grubs, crickets, stinkbugs, pill bugs, any creepy thing....and has even eaten a mouse which had fallen in her water bowl!

Billy Sprouse...In Memory

Alan and I knew Billy Sprouse and his sister, Nancy....Billy was involved with Calvary Chapel back in the very early days....he had a beautiful voice and great ministry...he was a very large person as was his sister....some said because of their physical limitations, God wouldn't use them..how wrong they were....many of the melodies that are still sung today, Billy arranged and wrote...the above song was one that came to Billy in a dream one night..about a week after recording this, Billy went to Glory...he was only 26 and  never got to hear the final recording...but it was put together by the Road Home singers and the Marantha bands.

The Road Home

Road Trip, Fallbrook

 We were called  to re key an escrow house in Fallbrook, Ca yesterday.....lovely trip as the weather has warmed up and it was only about 25 miles from home....the house was way up in the hills...lots of switch backs and wonderful views....we could hear all sorts of birds as we worked...and saw quite a few scrub jays..they don't have the most pleasant calls...sort of a screech but are pretty birds none the less with bright blue wings..
The house looked like it had been built and never finished...the inside was a blank canvas but so much potential! Lots of Mexican tile, two bedrooms, one bath (not finished), french doors, and a nice tiled pool...the views off the two acre partial were wonderful....the garage was huge also..at least a 3 car garage..
 

This view is of the two French doors, the one on the left goes into the living room, the one on the right is a bedroom....the house isn't very big, more a cottage size.....tile roof...

the inside living area..in the back would be the kitchen..as you can see, not finished..but the Mexican tile floors are very nice...on the far right is the bathroom..not finished but does have a tiled walk in shower....below are some views from the large yard in the back...

Pool and Spa

We both agreed we really liked it..even though it was way out in the countryside....be a long drive to get groceries or go to the doctor....but perhaps worth it for the peace and quiet.....
Here are a few scenes on our way back off the mountain.....we stopped along the road and took a few photos of some prickly pear cactus, and other views.....you can click on any one of them for a better view.

Avocado trees

Hope you've enjoyed seeing our neck of the woods!

Catherine

Please pray for this sweet little girl..Catherine..who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor....so scary and sad for her and her family..her dad is a Army vet (with 4 tours in Iraq). Funds are being asked for so she and her family can go to Sea World as she's always wanted to go...before her sight is gone....She's only 12 years old..
You can read more about Catherine and her family, where to donate, etc. on Nancy's blog, Inside Nanas Head...Please pray for a miracle, comfort and healing for her and her family as this has been devastating for them as you can imagine.....

Eagle Watching

We've  enjoyed watching the Bald Eagle nest and seeing the baby eaglets...if you haven't seen this video series..here is the link....about 10 years ago, we were in Decorah, Iowa and watched the eagles fishing in the Mississippi..there must have been over 40 and it was a wonderful site......beautiful birds....Alan shot a video of them which we discovered looking through our returned items after the garage fire...it had been misplaced and we thought it was gone forever..not so......Alan was able to video of an eagle flying over our heads which seemed so amazing..they weren't afraid of us...in fact, we were in awe of them!

As you probably know, bald eagles were very endangered in years past but have made a remarkable comeback and are doing well now..in fact, they've been taken off the endangered list....

Thank you for the kind words about our new grandchild coming....the kids read your kind words  and thanked you for your prayers too.....

Wednesday

Just wanted to say hello and hope you have a great Wednesday...been busy stitching and crocheting.....making a baby afghan...a ripple one..I haven't crocheted in some time and after getting it  1/4th done decided to tear it out and start over...using a smaller hook as  it looked too loose. It felt good to have a crochet hook in my hand though..been some years..I taught myself...my grandmother crocheted and I have quite a few of her pretty doilies and such but she passed before I was old enough to learn from her. My mom didn't crochet or knit...but did embroider and quilt which she taught me....

Why a baby afghan? well, we found out a few months ago, we are expecting our first grandchild! Our oldest son and his fiancee are expecting a little one....a boy...he is due  August 14th..they have  named  him, Jayden Alan.....please pray that all goes well as his mother is very small..we hope she will be able to carry him to term...so far he is very healthy and growing well.....only 3 more months so we are hopeful....

Gardening and a Trip to the Nursery

Over the weekend, we did more gardening..in spite of the cool weather and rain.....we looked for heirloom tomato plants at the big box stores and did find a few..then we went to our local nursery where we had been successful finding our fruit trees...after a visit..we kicked ourselves for even considering the box nurseries.....
so I thought I'd share a few photos of this wonderful nursery here in Menifee...Louies has been around for many years and is on quite a few acres of land in the outskirts of the town....we found so many heirloom (and non GM) there.....and bought over 25..they were also much cheaper than any where else...half the price actually.....

There is a huge green house with all sorts of tropical plants

Here are the racks of heirloom vegetables of all types..and where we found the tomatoes....

All types of flowering plants..we found a big pot of iris with dark purple flowers that we took  home..a dear friend several years ago sent us French Iris bulbs that have done very well and are a pale white with deep purple streaks so we thought the dark purple would be  nice too...we split the pot into about 5 plants...and planted the plants amongst the other ones already growing......should look lovely by next year.....

they also have orange trees heavy with fruit....ready to plant..we were wondering if the trees would do well in pots....now you know...

here are a few more photos I took as we browsed...they also have all types of hard scapes....patio tables, fountains, pots of all types...I'd like to get a small fountain for the front garden area..be nice for the birds, we have a neighbor who has one and she gets Orioles every day attracted by the water and a feeder full of thistle seeds...

as far as the eye can see, are all types of trees ..we bought our African Sumac tree here when we first moved in...bought the largest one they had at 15 ft..they came out and planted it for us too....its now over 20 ft..the same with our fig tree..
we did look into getting some stakes for the tomatoes...couldn't believe the price at the big box stores...almost $4.00 a piece! so Alan bought some boards and cut his own...we got 5 stakes for $3.00...we still need to get about 4 more boards but its a good start.....he hasn't finished the walkway but thought we'd better get everything into the ground as summer will be here....and our summers can be brutal....

I know they look too tall for the plants now...last year, Alan forgot to stake them and we had a real job with plants and tomatoes falling everywhere....he put in the drip system also..the front two rows are corn..last year our corn stalks got over 5 ft. tall and we had enough both to eat and to freeze.....
If  you are reading this and live in the area..Louies is on Haun Road almost across from Verizon.....well worth a visit....