The "Sweatshirt Club"

You've heard of the "Breakfast Club", the "First Wives Club", the "Mickey Mouse Club"... 
but have you ever heard of 
the "Sweatshirt Club"?

No I hadn't either, all I knew for sure is that I wasn't a member and to

be honest I was very SAD not to have been a member.

We were up in Mammoth recently with

a great group of couples.  
6 couples

to be exact, and we did everything from eating, laughing, hiking, fishing, and drinking to shopping.

For some it was their first time camping, 
for others it was

their first time 
NOT 
camping.  

(but that's a different post)

One of the days, we went our separate ways.  

A few of us (not me)

went on a hike to Rainbow Falls in Devil's Postpile  

A couple of us (not me) went on a motorcycle ride.... 

and

Others of us (me included) 

went to a pretty little lake called Virginia Lake.  

It was so still, calm and serene.  

Just beautiful!  

It was my first time fishing from a float tube and I couldn't have

done it on a more perfect lake.

I had a very successful afternoon

on the float tube.  Which is code for

I didn't fall in and I caught a couple of fish.

That evening however, I found

out what those 2 fish cost me....that's right!

A spot in the "Sweatshirt Club"

Well as luck would have it, these ladies went on

the hike to Devil's Postpile and did a little

light shopping.  While they

were waiting for the bus to take them back from the trailhead they picked up

these sweatshirts.... and preceded to flaunt 

them in front us.  They coyly waited until the evening got chilly

and one by one put on their sweatshirts.

It was all in good fun of course, because

I am happy to say  

the next day Sheryl and Sue

headed me down into the village and I

got my very own sweatshirt.  

Can't wait to get back up there and wear it!!!

Baby it's Cold Outside.........Really?

Summer is here,

not in full swing of course,

but here just the same. 

We are swimming, barbecuing,

having outdoor movies, pool parties of all shapes and sizes

and have even made a batch of homemade ice cream or two. 

 

I know when I say not in full swing...you say...are you kidding? 

The 4th of July has come & gone,

and school supplies

have begun showing up in the stores. 

We are a 

"WHISKER"

away from Fall for gosh sakes. 

What I really mean is we haven't quite hit the full "Summer Heat". 

Mornings are still a bit cool

and overcast and just the perfect time to putter in the garden.  

A couple of my favorite people spent the night this past weekend. 

It was spur of the moment,

so they didn't pack for the occasion.

(which is a post in itself) 

No one could accuse them of not coming prepared...

or overly prepared. 

This time however, it was just them, the clothes on their backs and a lot of enthusiasm.

On Sunday morning, after breakfast,

Pop Pop decided to head out to clean the pool. 

Well if someone is about to start a project you must expect some HELP...

and of course the HELPERS jumped at the chance.

But before they headed out to that cool overcast morning...they needed to prepare themselves.

Tim said they looked like Hobbits
(I can see it)

Adult supervision??

Well luckily the weather wasn't much of deterrent and the pool got cleaned, the plants got watered, and snacks were had. 

By the time all

the puttering was done, the sun came out

in all her glory and we enjoyed a little summer swimming.

All in all it was another perfect day!!

"So nice to be back!!"

Pixie Hollow

Yes, I do love a pixie...

Pixie Hollow is almost done, but since the houses are so fragile 

(I will re-do them as they fall apart)

I decided I better show it at it's newest,

even before the flowers and

ferns have had time to grow.

The girls and I decorated fairy houses 

a while back

for all of the fairies we know, 

I have

been told by more than one person

that Pixie Hollow is not for the 

grand girls but

for me....

and I must say there is more truth

in that statement then you know.  

I realized that I have

been decorating the play area 

as if I was going to

play there myself.  

I guess I must still be 

a little girl at heart.

Why is every little girl's favorite color Pink?

not orange....

not green...

...but pink!!

As I was taking a few pictures

of Pixie Hollow

a fairy flew by 

and offered to take this

picture 

of the new seating area for me.

A Fairies Eye View...

Some fairies don't like to have 

their houses in the

trees...

some just moved 

straight into the tree itself.

The little crocodile holding

the rose was my Grandmother Rose's.

My dad captured it from her yard after

she passed away.

He knew it would be perfect for me some day.

We have fun sparkling things hanging

from the branches...

and comfy pillowy places to sit

on butterfly shaped pillows...

 and little donkeys hiding behind trees...

This guy

was in my Grandma Mary's garden...

and now is in mine.

This little girl size bench was 

in my mom's garden 

as well as the

butterfly and dragonfly hanging on the trellis.

So you see this garden doesn't 

only welcome 

fairies...

it welcomes memories and holds treasures 

from all the little girls

in my life....

old and young....

but most importantly.....

forever young at heart....

and forever little girls.

Weekend Happenings and a Bunny Spotting

We had a little luck this weekend...

the rain was only a little misty 

so we were able to get 

our patio covers up.

We were getting a little worried 

about the raw wood,

so Kevin painted

the beams to make sure 

they didn't warp and twist.

This is the

"CASTLE" 

so nicknamed

by Madi...

from her own little imagination.

It stuck, so now we will be referring to

this area as the 
"CASTLE"

Here's the 

BEFORE

and here's the

Firepit.

"BEFORE"

"maybe we need a 

nickname for this area too...perhaps...

"The Dragons Lair"

or not"

and this could be the dragon

Here's the 

"AFTER"

(of the Dragon's Lair)

and the

"AFTER"

of the 

"CASTLE"

(Do you think somehow I can

put little castle-like flags on the corners

and a small turret or two ???)

We even had lunch there after 
Sean and Kevin hooked

up the speakers...it was soooo nice.

A few other happening....

Grapes have been spotted on the vines.

The garden is completely in and planted

(Doesn't look like much

is happening right now does it?)

and we have finally had a
bunny sighting.

Just in the nic of time 

A little new spring feel on the door. 

and a carrot or two or three...

just to entice a few more bunnies.

We're almost

ready for the Easter

festivities on Sunday...

Favorite Things and This and That!

We are getting close to finishing our grove area...

well closer

than we have ever been...!!

I was out shopping for a little ironwork table and chairs

to put in Pixie Hollow for the girls

on Saturday,

but the little ironwork shop

in Murietta is now out of business.

So sad!!!

But as we were turning around we

came across a fountain and

water feature store.

I want to take our fountain

up by the house and move it down

to the new "Rose Garden".

 I had a style of fountain in mind

to replace it with, and I think I found it.

The one I want actually has a different basin, and

I think I want more of a gray stone look but this is

the basic design with the 4 iron spouts,

and I can order it in whatever color I want. 

It reminds me of something

I would see in an old English garden

and it has a lovely sound.

Now all I need is money....maybe

I should plant this first.

It would definitely come in handy!!

I recently painted my downstairs

bathroom and have been looking for accessories. 

My inspiration pictures

are butterflies of all things.

Ballard was having a sale on wall art,

so I ordered this set of 3 wall plaques.

I think they will be perfect in the bathroom.

They are all 3 different.

Don't you just love ordering things online? 

It feels

like your birthday every time something

comes in the mail.

We also planted the vegetable garden this weekend,

(partly in the rain)

and started plans for an herb garden.

The herbs and herb seeds are purchased ... now

all I need is a little water to my whisky barrels.

So much to do and so little time...........

P.S. Is anyone watching DWTS????

Spring is Springing....

The weather is definitely not cooperating

with my Spring yearnings...

With a few gorgeously warm and

clear days last week, I was really feeling

Spring was going to be right on schedule. 

Little did I know we

would have snow in our local hills.... yikes.

The weather hasn't gotten in the way of fun however. 

Tammie hosted our

lovely March bunco,

embracing the green of the Irish.

with lots of food...

(that was friendly to the waistline)

It was a fun night....and I even won one of the

top prizes. 

I must have been channeling the luck of the Irish.

Thanks Tammie!!!

The Irish fun continued into St Patrick's Day!

The Rush's hosted

a delicious dinner which included all

the best things you would expect from the Irish.

Everything was so festive and fun....

and did I mention Green?

Tim took the opportunity

to speak with an Irish brogue for the day.

If I didn't know any better, he

may have some leprechaun in him.

(which he did an imitation of ...oh

how I wish I had gotten a pic of that)

The girls were sporting their new St Patrick's Day dolls

(I know really?  Mermaids??)

and of course most importantly...

The green beer...

We also had:

Corned Beef Rubens

Cole Slaw

Mac & Cheese

Fruit....

Soooooo yummy!!

and even a low fat chocolate and pistachio filled cake.

Thanks Tim and Kristi!!!!!!!

It was so much fun!!!!!!

On Sunday I had

2 projects I wanted to finish.

I wanted to put up a frame collage in my hallway

 (including new pictures)

which I did and LOVE!

As you can see the rug

is going to stay.

I think it looks great with the dark frames.

2nd

I wanted to do my entryway arrangement. 

I am happy to

report I got them both done.

Lastly, I would like to

"WELCOME SPRING"

with my new little sign

and my new and I think happy welcome mat.

Now if I can only get those bunnies out

and hopp'in.....

Happy 1st Day of Spring...tomorrow!!!