Wednesday, June 29, 2011

White Wednesday (with a hint of blue)

I, along with some friends, CG, Suebee, Kathy and Country Mouse have been hunting for and collecting white vases and pitchers for the upcoming wedding in our family.

Today I decided to take inventory and was surprised to see all that we have accumulated!


(Table on loan from Suebee!)


Mostly white, but a little blue here and there to go along will all the lovely Ball Mason Jars we have also collected for The Writer and Sammy's wedding.





Gals, I think we've done good!




Sammy, what do you think?  Should we keep looking?




Such fun looking for such prettiness!



My first White Wednesday! Don't know how to link to it though - can someone please assist?

Thanks Suebee! Linking to



Saturday, June 25, 2011

Sun + Rain = Flowers

We've been getting a good bit of rain lately and this is rewarding us with good flower and plant growth around Boston Manor.

I'm not much of a gardener, so when things grow well, they grow because they happened to be placed in the right spot or it rains just the right amount.

Anyway, here are a few of the pretty things we are seeing lately:


This is a gorgeous blossom that shows up once a year on the varigated ginger plants we have in the backyard.  They have suffered in the last year, but still valiantly produced these beautiful orchid-like blossoms.



I thought the Plumbgo would never blossom!  Everyone else it the neighborhood has huge beautiful bushes and mine have been pitiful, but since I only planted them last year I suppose I should be proud they are still alive.



I thought they would have filled this whole space by now!


I never knew clover could have blooms like this!  This plant is a warrior and survives no matter what it's put through.


The usual favorite, impatiens...



From a hanging basket above my problem children, the bromeliads.  What started out as a medium sized potted bromeliad has turned into land of the bromeliads.  I have given tons of these away - anyone else want them? Love shade and water, but are practically indestructible!



It's time to thin these babies out - it's a prickly job.  I deliver!

Take a look at this little air plant that has fallen from the oak trees.  These are all over the place.



You can see the bud shoots spraying out from the center.  So pretty.

My crape myrtle are bowing with the weight of the rain today - they will need a trim away from the house this week.



Here are a couple more problem children.



No, not the BTs (altho they can be brats at times). I'm talking about my massive hedges behind the bromeliads.  They are a huge challenge to trim, but that will be happening soon too.  If they get too tall, then it is an even bigger job.

Take a look at the jungle that is behind us.



Which part? You may ask. Well where all the tall trees are.  We are so fortunate to have this lovely wooded area up against our backyard, but it is literally like fighting an encroaching jungle in the middle of summer.  Those trees will eventually be heavy with vines and kudzu and they end up looking like huge dinosaurs by September.  I will have to remember to take a picture of that area when it's at it's peak.

Speaking of a peak, here's a pee at my sweet little rose bloom on my rose plant out front.  It's the only rose bush I've managed not to, ahem, kill.  I've stopped doing "rose" things to it and it just does fine on it's own.  I get many blossoms from this little bush.



Are you still awake?  One last shot of my super-huge staghorn fern, Bananas.  It started out as one small "horn" and in seven years has grown into one big Banana.  Why the name Bananas?  That's what they like to eat - the skins anyway.


I hope everyone had a good weekend!  We are having a rainy one, but we are happy with that!


Tuesday, June 21, 2011

My Mother's Birthday....


I couldn't resist putting this picture of my then 17 year old mother in one of the frames I've painted for the upcoming wedding.  I think it suits her beautiful young self very much. As does the garden setting, since she loved flowers and to work in her garden.

How she would have loved to know that The Writer is getting married and to such a wonderful young woman.  And how I wish she could be here to meet Sammy and share in the excitement.

Something tells me that both she and my dad are watching all the preparations and rejoicing in their grandson's happiness and our family's good fortune.

Yes, she was beautiful. But her real beauty was inside and shown everyday to her family through her grace, good nature and loving care for us all.


Maude Anderson Hughes
June 21, 1918 - March 11, 2002

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Happy Dad's Day to Mr. Tennis!


They've all changed a little bit since this was taken in 1992, but their love for each other has always remained strong to this day!  What a wonderful life you have given all of us, Mr. T.
Happy Father's Day!


Hope all the Dads, Dads-to-be, Spare Dads, Grandpas out there have a wonderful day with their families.   And to all those fathers that are no longer with us, our lives today are a testament to what you did for us and to what you showed us throughout your lifetimes.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Alert the Media! Darcy's First Time Outside!

Our favorite grandkitty, Miss Darcy, had her first outdoor adventure while she stayed with us this past week!


Our cats have mainly been inside cats, but we have always let them outside under supervision so they can explore their natural feline instincts.  Eventually they get old enough (and some of us think sensible enough) to go out for awhile in the mornings and evenings and not leave the backyard.

Of course, Darcy is not near that stage yet as she doesn't live here full time, but she enjoyed her first taste of the outdoors and the bostons after they have had tennis ball time.



Who wouldn't be slightly cautious when this face is sitting in the grass?


Nevertheless, Miss Darcy put a brave paw forward and explored.

I'll let her tell you how it a went down:

Do I dare go out to where that "post-tennis-ball" face lies?


Oh, yes I do!  I've seen it all here at Boston Manor and those dogs don't faze me at all!



Well.... maybe I took that a little too fast. That is one scary face! She's not like that on the inside!





I'll check out the patio and it's surroundings. 

I sure hope they won't have to use this electricity-maker during storm season this year.  I'm told it's very noisy and I am soooooo sensitive.



I'll just stretch out for a bit and relax.
As if I can with that flaming torch thing looming above me. What is with these people?

I will remain unflappable. Look I'm so relaxed I am even taking a leisurely bath...


It must be safe to venture out again, Sadie seems to be relaxing with the guy who feeds me bacon in the morning - have I got him trained!



I'll get out there quickly while THEY are busy with other things.



Holy Catnip! That Sadie sure moves fast! When can I have the yard to myself?? Never, according to Aunt Bumby.



Guess it's time to head in and reclaim my throne.



Aaaahhhhhh. Now, all is right with Princess Darcy's world. Meow!



Next time I will know what to expect!
Miss Darcy out!

Monday, June 13, 2011

More Blue for THE Wedding - this time "bud vases"

You never know what's going to happen while you are waiting to get a car repair done.  I was lucky that there was a Salvation Army right next door to amuse me for about an hour and look what I came away with to add to the wedding supplies:



Sweet little blue extract bottles (the larger one is a Lea & Perrins bottle) that can serve as bud vases!  The hue matches the obsession blue Ball jars perfectly and for the next few months I get to enjoy them on the sill of my kitchen window.

Have a wonderful week!










Sunday, June 12, 2011

Orlando's No Slouch, We're More than The Mouse!

Mr. Tennis and I had the opportunity to visit our new city arena, The Amway Center, home of the Orlando Magic, for what I would call a "fake" football game, but other's would call it "arena football".

It doesn't matter what we were watching because we were treated like royalty in a private suite with food and beverages, gratis (for us). Sometimes it pays to be in sales :)

After the "game" we visited the rooftop lounge and were so impressed with the views of our lovely city.



And the relaxed, breezy atmosphere.

By the way.  We will be back, because you don't have to be at an arena event to go up to the rooftop lounge at The Amway Center and there is no cover charge to admire the city lights.


We had fun and please excuse some of the photos because all we had were our cell phones.  Mr. T's takes much better pictures than mine does.


Saturday, June 11, 2011

Look Who's Been Ruling The Boston Roost This Past Week!


Yep, Miss Darcy is back and your eyes are not playing tricks on you. She is indeed on top of our cable box.  Apparently this is where she has been sleeping at night - high above our heads looking down upon her subjects.

Next week I will show you some pictures of Darcy's first time outside with us.  Talk about your Scaredy-Cat!

Friday, June 10, 2011

Yay for Ollie!


Little Miss Ollie Faith came through her heart surgery very well.  Her mom and grandma posted updates throughout the day yesterday. The most important update was that Ollie went through the surgery very well and is recovering well under the care of the wonderful nurses at the hospital and the watchful eyes of Team Ollie.

Please stop by mom, Annie's blog today and wish her a Happy Birthday!  She received the best present ever and so appreciates everyone's thoughts and prayers.



Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Please Keep Miss Ollie Faith and Her Family in Your Thoughts and Prayers


Ollie is the daughter and granddaughter of two special blogging friends. On Thursday, June 9th she will undergo heart surgery at 7:30am. Surgery is expected to take 4 to 5 hours.  Her mom, dad, grandma and other family members will be anxiously waiting for Ollie to immerge from her sucessful surgery and can use all the special strength our thoughts and prayers can give them.  Miss Ollie"s talented doctors need them too and of course Ollie Faith herself needs us all to be thinking of her and praying for her.

Thank you friends.

Please link here to read her mom, Annie's blog for more information and updates:


And here to read grandma Janie's blog, with updates as well:

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

The Singing Dog of Boston Manor!

Our dogs have many "talents", but by far the most amusing one is Sadie's singing while we prepare for a walk.  Sometimes she sounds human and even this video doesn't quite do it justice. 

 (Panda will be jealous that I'm not sharing footage of her "walking on my front paws only - while urinating" trick. Soon Panda, soon)



Hoping to link to Angela's Tuesday's Show and Tail later in the day...

Sunday, June 5, 2011

What's Your Favorite Woody Allen Movie?

If you even have one. I'm not crazy for his movies, and I'm especially not crazy about his personal life, but he has made many that are pop culture, some would say art culture, icons.

My favorites would include:  

Annie Hall


La-di-da. The breezy Diane Keaton matched up with the neurotic, introspective Allen was such fun and was a snapshot of the times.


Hannah and Her Sisters



with two of my favorite actors, Michael Caine and Diane Wiest.

I've seen many more of his movies, but I find that I prefer when he himself does not appear in them.  They are less self-absorbed and, to me, more interesting.

I also very much liked Match Point.

In my opinion quite a departure from his usual film as this one had a lot of mystery, intrigue and beautiful filming technique. Or to sum it up as it says on the poster "A Marvelously Sexy Thriller".

Today I saw what I now think of as another favorite to add to my list.
Midnight in Paris


 Woody was not present as an actor, but his character and personality were there in the form of Owen Wilson's performance. The city of Paris is a beautiful character in itself and the story line is one that will delight any avid reader of the classics, those that study or appreciate art and those with knowledge of the music from the 1920s.

I know of one fellow blogger, who has just returned from a trip to France herself, who will find this movie to be a delight.  Have you seen it yet Laura?

See it for yourself and let me know what you think!

But, first tell me, do you have a favorite Woody Allen movie - maybe even one of his crazy/silly ones?