It's Nice To Be Back

It's been awhile since I posted, but it sure is nice to be here again.  I think the girls did a pretty good job filling in, don't you think?  I want to thank you for all the e-mails you sent me while I was away.  It kept me connected with you, and I appreciate that very much.  Even though I was taking a break, I still took lots of pictures.  And now, I'll share with you some of the happenings that went on during the year.

 

January

Cold foggy Winter days.  There is a stray cat that always hangs around at the Rose Garden.  She has the prettiest eyes.  I often lit the white candle that my son-in-law gave me on those dreary Winter days and nights.  I love it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

February

This was a cold month - so cold that frost appeared on the plants and lawn making it look like a thin blanket of snow.  This little white flower was the first sign of Spring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March

Rain!  After the rain, the skies looked beautiful, and the white fluffy clouds were so lovely.  My son made another pot of Jambalaya.  It's his third time making it, and it seems to taste better each time.  The geese always make their way to the pond at the library, which is a pleasant sight.  And Francesca caught the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  : )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April

More rain!  The roses started to bloom at the rose garden this month.   I had fun making an Easter basket for Francesca.  Jess tells me that bunny ball  is her favorite stuffed animal.  Do you know that I made Easter baskets for my kids until they were in their 30's?  So, you can imagine how much fun it was creating one for this precious baby.  Nel baked some bunny cinnamon rolls, which I thought were very clever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May

May is always a busy month, and this one especially.....my birthday month, a fundraiser for children, a baby get together for Nel with the family, Francesca's Baptism.  I met my friend, Mea, on my birthday, and it always feels like we are still in grade school when we get together....
good friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June

Not a lot of happenings in June.  It starts to get warm in California, even at the beginning of Summer, and much of it is trying to stay cool inside.   I went to a purse/jewelry party at my friend, Vickie's house.  The purse I bought was handmade with a soft material, and the strap was sewn with pearls.  It's an evening bag, and I may or may not give it to one of the girls. ; )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for bearing with me on this long post.  It's so nice to be back here again with all of you.

~Sheri 

Secret Garden

This weekend, we made a trip to the beautiful Filoli Historic House and Garden, located near San Francisco. 

Tucked away in the rolling green hills of the Bay Area is the Filoli Estate. 

The public can tour parts of the mansion, including the ballroom, kitchens, and library. 

My favorite was the library, of course.

The gardens were gorgeous. 

I felt like I was exploring an enchanting, secret garden!

We bought some preserves at the garden gift shop. I'm looking forward to enjoying them with fresh bread and coffee in the morning. 

I love the blend of people and nature, of architecture and landscape.

~Jess

"Star Spangled Spectacular"

We started the 4th of July celebrations early this weekend at the "Star Spangled Spectacular," an annual concert and fireworks show put on by the local college. 

There were food trucks and frozen lemonade stands, activities for kids, and big band music. This song holds a special place in my heart. ( :

And, of course, there were fireworks! 

This 4th of July, I'll be celebrating all the many different people, past and present, who serve our American democracy: civil rights leaders, service men and women, educators, engineers, doctors and healers, scientists, builders, socially conscious policymakers, and all Americans doing their part to ensure we live up to our ideals. 

picture from Google images

Wishing you and your families a very happy 4th of July, friends!

~Nel     

Summertime, and the livin' is easy...

A few summer blooms for you, friends.

It might be sweltering, but summer is my favorite season here in Georgia. 

I love the symphony of frogs and cicadas and the sweet perfume of gardenias in the morning. I love the flickering fireflies and swooping bats at dusk. Even those wild summer storms--the thunder and lightening and torrential rains that seem to come out of a clear blue sky--hold a certain kind of electric magic for me. It must be the sweetness of summertime in the south. 

~Nel

It's All Greek to Us!

May seems to be the month when a lot of Greek Festivals take place. Our family loves to celebrate our Greek heritage with the delicious food...

festive dancing...

and religious art. 

This year, my brother treated my mom to festival tickets and a hearty sampling of homemade dishes.

In addition to the baklava and powdered sugar cookies (my mom's favorite), there was a scrumptious new chocolate dessert, which went perfectly with the rich coffee.    

My mom and brother admired the beautiful brick buildings, ornate lanterns, and paintings of two very special saints. 

I wasn't able to make the festival myself this year, but the pictures made me feel like I was there. Hope you enjoyed this little taste of Greece yourself!

~Nel