The Cottage Around the Corner

We had the most fun trip to California. We surprised my father in law and showed up for his 75th birthday. He and Mom have not had very good health lately, so we wanted to make sure they got to see Mikey, the only grandchild they had not yet seen. Boy did we have fun. Everyone there kept apologizing for the "heatwave". Haha!! 105* there is like nothing!! Dry heat is not a big deal. I could have gone without air conditioning...!! When you are used to the humidity of the south, California's dry heat is pretty easy to take.

I can cook really well. And I certainly enjoy eating the fruits of my labor. So much that I might be on a diet pretty soon... after I am done nursing Mr. Chunk. Yet, this little guy has something pretty big over me... the chubbier he gets, the cuter he is. The chubbier I get... well... not so cute. Why is it that he can look so cute with chocolate all over his face and everyone gags when I do it? I don't know.... so I will just enjoy watching him in all of my green glory. Besides, these pictures will come in REALLY handy when he starts to date!! ;0)

I will never forget what our forefather's fought, bled and died for. I will never forget what our soldiers are doing right now. I will never forget September 11th. Yet, our government is forgetting. We need to remind them. We need to remember that freedom is never free, apathy breeds stupidity and if "a man hasn't discovered something he will die for, he isn't fit to live."

I am now!! Seriously!! How out of touch can these people be?!? They want to double our power bills. How many elderly people will freeze to death, die of heat stroke, or starve with the passage of the cap and tax? How about people on one income? Could they have picked a better time to pass this? No. Why? If this passes, then we will NEED the government just to survive. Who could afford food, electricity and medical bills? Not me and my husband with our 5 kids. How is this not an attack on middle income, single parent, lower income, fixed income or large families? Maybe if we were all "environmentally responsible", we would have known that we should get abortions after our first child... or we couldn't afford it. Can you see a limit on children coming? If they even try that, I would be more than happy to die for my beliefs. How is our government not becoming more like China.... you know... the ones that "own", I mean let us borrow money. Our government is getting so into our business, I don't see much hope for our country. Seriously, it will either come down to the death of our country or a revolution. Why doesn't anyone else seem to care? Why are we so transfixed with the death of a pop start and not interested in what will happen to our children's futures? Who could begin to afford all of these taxes? Oh wait!! Members of congress could. They make insane amount of money off of our backs already.... and can't pass a state budget. When was the last time you went out and spent $50,000 more than you had and then demanded that other people pay for your idiocy? That being said, why should Alabama pay for the dippity-doo-dahs in California that didn't notice that they are spending $25 billion over what they have. WHAT? Aren't they a state that legalized medical marijuana? Ok. Now I get it. They are all high. That is the only conclusion I could come to. Can you come up with a better one?

I never remember to do these, but I must really be on the ball today!! Thank you "A Southern Daydreamer"!! If you have no discovered Susan's incredibly inspiring blog, do yourself a favor and check it out!!

Here are some roses, a spirea and a weigela. I can't wait until they grow in. This fall, this bed will be expanded. I plan on making this bed pretty big. The more I can plant in the front lawn, the less I have to mow. I really don't like much grass in the front yard. I like it in the back, where we play. I would prefer a cottage garden in the front.

This willow tree is one of the kids' favorites. I plan on planting one in the back. They have made it into a fort. I remember doing that when I was little. Willows have always been my favorite tree. Everyone always warns how messy they can be, but I think their beauty is worth it. Watching my children enjoy this tree, I know I made the right choice!! Thanks for stopping by!! I hope you enjoyed yourself as much as I enjoyed your visit!! Next time I will make sure I set out some lemonade and some of the missile popsicles. Always yummy!!

Quite well, thank you!! It has grown quite a lot!! I must say that I am really excited. Both my husband and I both thought that it would look nice for a while, but that the veggies wouldn't actually grow. I figured it was worth a try anyway. Well guess what?!?!?!? That's right!! Everything is growing!!! Yeah me!! Admittedly, I wasn't sure how it would go so I planted a bunch of herbs, flowers, squash and tomatoes. I think I might be eating my very own organic tomato sandwiches soon. I only have a little bit of weeding to do. Had I done the mulch like I was supposed to, I wouldn't even have to do that. I think I will write "An Ode to Mulch" later today. How are all of your gardens doing? What have you found to be really helpful in your gardening? I hope that next year I will be able to plant even more!! Have a wonderful third day of summer!!! :)

OK. I admit it. I watch Jon and Kate plus 8 every week. Even though she comes across as a huge egomaniac, I doubt I would look much better. You end up looking however they cut the tape. It isn't all reality. I won't go into who is wrong... I don't know them. I am just feeling so very bad for the kids right now. Regardless of how amiable they are (or say they will be), they can't get along for an hour. They admit that. I doubt that will get better. If she is anything like me, I would spend the time apart coming up with great zingers. Funny thing about that is that I can ever think of them when I am in the situation. Kinda like Meg Ryan's character in "You've Got Mail".