Tag: backyard

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Life Pets

Saturday Ramblings: House and dog sitter extraordinaire

A couple of weeks ago my son asked me if I would be willing to stay at his house for a few days while he accompanied his wife to New York City on a business trip.  While I would have been a little more delighted to have been invited on the trip, I said, “Absolutely!”  

Even hubby/dad agreed.  I would stay at Matt’s house, care for his yard and his dogs, and do a little shopping and sightseeing in Dallas.  It’s only about an hour and a half from my home, but they have a beautiful new older home which would be almost like staying in a hotel!

It’s just that I haven’t been away from home in awhile.  Since I retired from teaching, I also retired from membership in two different professional teacher associations which sometimes required travel to Austin for conferences and business meetings.  I had even considered getting rid of my attache and travel-size toiletries!  Glad I didn’t.

It turns out I hadn’t forgotten how to make my packing list (yes, I’m one of THOSE) and pack my bags.  I loaded down with several back issues of magazines and newspapers I hadn’t gotten around to reading, as well as my laptop, thinking I would finally really get going on my next novel.  (I’ve been here two days now and haven’t gone there yet!)

Matt and Taylor were already on the way to NYC when I arrived at their home.  Their dogs–Brody the pug and Bailey the miniature schnauzer–were happy to see me and helped me get settled in.  They have been absolutely the best doggies ever (besides my own, of course!)!  

I have been pretty busy so far, but more about my thrifting adventures later. . .

Aren’t they cute?  Bailey on the left with little Brody.
Those coleus in the back look much better now after watering!
 My car’s thermometer read 106 today in Dallas!

XOXO

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AT HOME MONDAY: Remember that lantana?

Remember that day when I showed you how I (or my mother) planted a special lantana flowering plant in my backyard and bordered it with old bicycle rims?  My sister who now lives in Indiana sent it to me as a get well gift after my hysterectomy in May.  It started life in a plastic hanging basket and almost died before I was able to rescue it from my porch where the floral delivery van left it.


The Texas summer sun will scorch anything green if it isn’t tended to pretty quickly, but thanks to my wonderful mother it was transplanted into a less severe environment in one corner of my backyard.  Here is how it looked the day we planted it.

And here is how it looks today after three months of 
braving the heat and three Boston terriers!


Look at the colors in those beautiful blossoms.  The grass and pink metal flamingo haven’t faired as well. . .How are your outdoor plants doing right now?  

In Texas we call these days the “dog days of summer,” but even the dogs hate it.  The weatherman says there is a cold front coming next weekend.  I’ll believe it when I see it.  Tomorrow’s high?  The forecast is 100 degrees, and Labor Day is supposed to be the unofficial end of summer!  No one told Mother Nature, I guess.  I’ll just stay inside and take their word for it. . .

Stay cool!

xoxo







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Unexpected backyard splendor. . .

I’ve never planted sunflower seeds.  One day my husband came in and said, “Did you know there is a sunflower growing under the arbor in the backyard?”  I peeked outside and lo, and behold, there it was–this magnificent giant sunflower in my backyard!  Like a “Good Morning” surprise from the Lord above. . .