Birthday Girl

 A special someone turns another year older today.

She wanted pierced ears, so my sister said she'd spring for the piercing and first earrings for her birthday. Miss Adventure, my sister, the chemist and I headed for a downtown jewelry store.

And so she is now pierced.

Cupcakes to celebrate.

Happy birthday Miss Adventure.

Summer's Glory

 My garden and my flowers are doing so well this year.

I've planted a riot of color along the wall.

Lovely spider lilies.

Glorious zinnias.

Mammoth marigolds.

Watermelons growing plump.

Anaheim peppers stretching out.

A surprise sunflower by the back fence.

My garden is really thriving this year.

Makes me smile.

Making Paper

 My sister had a couple of paper making kits she had purchased long ago and wasn't using. She asked if I would like them. I thought the girls and I might enjoy trying it out this summer.

Today was the day, with Miss Adventure sporting a crown she had made from gold energy drink cans that she had collected from friends. I thought it turned out pretty cool.

Anyway, back to paper. First shred up discarded paper, mix with water, and put through the blender. First, a pale yellow for the chemist.

Then a lovely mint green for Miss Adventure. (Color courtesy of old Et Cetera shop tags.)

Pour it into the sieve/mold.

After it has drained, press more water out, then place between some thick paper called couch (kooch) sheets which will absorb water without damaging the new paper.

These turned out very nice. I want to try again, this time with marigold flower petals and other plant materials. Fun to experiment.

Sassy in Lilac

My little one, looking sassy in lilac.

She does have her own unique sense of style.

:-) 

Late Spring Beauty

 

Our clover lawn is in full bloom and the bees are loving it.

My irises are looking so pretty.

My peonies are full of blooms this year, finally.

And this handsome fellow came for a visit.

We are having such a lovely spring!

Project Search Graduate

 My guy has graduated from Project Search, a program for special needs kids to transition into the work force.

So proud of the hard work he has done. Now, if he can find a position that will fit him - not an easy task.

Return of the Kites

 Each spring we have a pair of Mississippi kites that return to nest near our home. This spring not only did that pair return, they brought friends!

We had about a dozen and a half kites flying around. Most of them traveled on after a few days. But it was pretty weird for a couple of days, shades of Hitchcock.

oooOOOoooOOO.