AMERICAN charm

Table toppers for summer flowers 

Men's shirts.

2 1/2 inch squares stacked. 

Countryside

All star team.

I pledge Allegiance to the flag. 

Everyone should have a dog once in their life.

Missing my doggies that we said goodbye to yesterday. 

Summer sewing

Summer sweetness 

Treasure hunts. 

 

Little people love makes the world go round.

 50 star Salute 

Rhubarb Strawberry Jam

Freedom to worship.

Together time at the county fair.

Champion.

Little boy + big cow = BRAVE BOY 

Star Spangled Banner.

Something old.....

Into something new. 

The power of White paint.

It's all the American Dream .

Summer is passing quickly. Enjoy the moments.

Janita

Life is a whirlwind.

SWEET SUMMERTIME!

It is here! 

Much of the last few weeks has been filled with activity. 

We have had dance recitals and piano recitals.

Each day complimented with fresh flowers.  

First tulips then

Peonies front and center.  Just can't get enough.

I am a happy girl when the flowers start to bloom. 

We have had ball games and more ball games.

It is small town America in all of it's glory.

Ice Cream if you win.... sad if you don't.

The garden is mostly planted.  

 We just have to put in a few pumpkin seeds.

We have Potatoes, Tomatoes,  a variety of Peppers , Zucchini, Cucumbers,

Green Beens,  Sugar peas,  Red cabbage, onions,  sweet potatoes, kale.

More than enough to keep me busy.

I love the food that summertime brings.

I tried planting my own cilantro several years ago. 

It has been a bit of a learning experience. 

The first year it basically went to seed.

It doesn't seem to be as hardy and bushy as the bunches

 you buy in the store but tastes just as amazing.

I cut as much as I can until it gets hot and then I let it go to seed.

It is in my flower bed so when it starts to look kind of dried out and sad 

I cut everything off.  Harvest the seeds. 

 Then in the fall chop the soil 

with a rake a little bit, sprinkle the seeds on the soil, 

 you  don't have to worry about covering 

the seeds, I just tap it down with the rake,

  then wait and dream until next spring....  

 when you will have YUM YUM Cilantro all over again. 

It will reseed itself if you just let it go as well, I just don't like looking at the dried stalks and

want to make sure the seeds get to the ground before the snow flies.  

After I cut the fresh cilantro , I rinse it  shake off as much water as you can,

and put it in a plastic bag with a damp paper towel.

It will stay fresh for a couple of weeks. 

If you want a yummy recipe for Black Bean Salsa just let me know.

It is Deliciousness in a bowl !!

It could be my lunch everyday in summertime. 

It is my favorite way to use Cilantro. 

I am trying a few new herbs this year,

lemon basil and marjoram.  

With all the garden activity ... planting and keeping the weeds and bugs under control

and Grand children activities, I have not had much time for sewing.

I did make up this little 16'' quilt from scrappy blue and white squares 

and hope to have fresh flowers on my table as much as possible this summer.

The wooden bowl was a gift for Mother's day.  

The sewing for my Splendid Sampler blocks is on hold.

On a sad note one of our little dogs was given a sad diagnosis of cancer.

We thought he was going to die last week but he has amazingly bounced back 

to his perky self...

We will see what happens in the next few weeks.

The vet thought he could live any where from 2-3 weeks to 2-3 months.

He is a sweet little dog and there has been a few tears shed mostly by me.

I feel so bad for him.   The kids do love him. 

We took some memory pictures just in case he goes to doggy heaven.

Harley is my daughter's dog who has taken up residence with us because she lives in an apartment. 

I never thought I would be attached to a dog... but he is part of our family. 

Happy JUNE, JULY and AUG...

Summertime always flies by !!!

Janita

Where ya been girlfriend??

LIFE..... How does it go so fast???  Many days here have been full of goodness. Many days have been nonproductive....  can we just rewind and do summer again?  HUM I don't think I have ever wanted to say that.  I am usually not a summer girl but this has been a summer that  has gotten away from me.

Here  is a summertime  review of  my life in the fast lane.

I planted my flowers in AUGUST!

So they are a bit behind. 

I had decided I wasn't going to do flowers this year on my porch.

I thought I didn't have time to water and care for them everyday.

Then decided that I couldn't live without them.

So I bought them the end of June and they patiently waited  to be planted.

I have worked on Little Pink Projects 

which led to Bigger painting projects

Free from the curb ....  

finally getting it's long overdue

face lift. 

Miss Table , You look Marvelous :) my dear!

The pink basket..... still not sure about.  

But my granddaughters are always finding a use for it.

I couldn't be happier with white paint!

We have had  TWO Golden Birthdays

  

I have eaten pie and  I  have Stitched Pie

We traveled to Colorado for a family wedding.

We have gobbled down home grown goodness.

I have decorated and 

Celebrated Red, White an Blue.

I have Made enough for all....

The fridge is FULL of Strawberry- Rhubarb Jam

  I have been blessed.

Reuniting with Brother and Sister in Law

who now live in Alaska.

Good to spend time with family again.

I have been refreshed by Young Love....

I have Repurposed junk.

I have been inspired by Country Living.

 I have Enjoyed the beauty of the day.

I have clicked my heals twice and

remembered ....

There is no place like home. 

I have ridden my bike for PIE! 

 I Rode 150 miles of RAGBRAI

Eating pie at least once a day sometime twice a day ")

Not a guilty feeling in sight!

God Bless the Pie Makers!

New personal best.... 75 miles in one day

on my Bicycle! 

Good Job Nanny:)

We met this lady in one of the towns.

By the patch on her bike we discovered she is a

Fellow comrade of RAGBRAI #3  1975

Little bit of age difference here.  She is amazing. 

Always inspired by the People who do RAGBRAI  year after year.

I rode my bike through Sheldon where we once lived.

So many memories in this house for my kids.  

I have celebrated Christmas in July. 

Revisiting a bit of an overdue

Happy Birthday Present for Ariann. 

 I Sewed stockings from thrifted sweaters.

And she is pleased as punch!

(not sure why the toe looks so skinny here)

I've been Getting healthy...  the Pure and Natural way

Lemon water in my fridge daily. 

I have prayed continually while my Daughter went to

 AFRICA.

Can't describe the blessing it was for her. 

Do not let Fear rule ....  lesson learned.

summary of trip experience here

We have been to the County Fair

We got to touch Buddy.

The Reserve Champion.

Great Job Anthony!

I have found buried treasure in my flower bed....

The little bottle is in mint condition.

I have played with pinwheels that are begging to be finished.

Another jean quilt mixed with old shirts an some cottons.

We have been to the Iowa State Fair. 

Little miss Emerson with American Gothic Icon.

The young and the old have enjoyed singing old songs

with the fair entertainment.

I have loved Black- Eyed Susan flowers on my porch.

They have lasted for 3 weeks ...  Wow

We did not make it to the beach but

I have bought the beach to my home.

You got to love SUMMER TIME !

Thanks for the memories.

Janita