June Blooms

I wandered around my garden yesterday taking a few photos of what was blooming. The hydrangeas are looking lovely...

as are these petunias that LOM planted in the hanging baskets and several pots around the yard.

We have about 40' of star jasmine along our driveway and it is in bloom right now, so the whole garden is full of its sweet perfume.

And this pretty blue flower is on the endive that I let go to seed. It started out as a spring salad mix, but I left some of them too long and this huge flower stalk developed from the endive. Its blue flowers remind me of bachelor's buttons.

The Making of a Wall Dog

I recently volunteered to paint a wall sign for a local teen music venue and today was the day to make good on my promise. So I dug out these OLD brushes and cleaned two of them. These brushes are called "fitches" and some of them are probably 30 years old. I can't tell you who they really belong to, because in a sign shop no one really owns the fitches; they just belong to the shop. (Now quills are a different story; NOBODY shares their quills. In fact I used to put a dab of pink paint on the end of mine so none of the men would want to use them.) I can't remember the last time I even painted a wall sign - that's what it's called when you paint letters directly on someone's building - but it had to be a long long, time ago, because those brushes were filthy.

Next I made a paper pattern and perforated it. In the old days we would have hand drawn the letters on the paper, but I used the computerized plotter.

Then bright and early Teen2 and I got to the jobsite and hauled our stuff up onto the canopy of the building. Working on a canopy is pure luxury - you have a wide stable work area and you can drip paint and no one knows! We taped the pattern up on the first side, pounced it, and got to painting by 8:00am. My helper looks happy, doesn't she?

The making of a "Wall Dog" typically starts with the helper doing the heavy lifting and filling in behind the journeymanwoman. Teen2 is good with a brush and caught right on to the painting, but she's a little nervous about moving the ladders around up there. But here it is 8:15 and she's still happy!

We were really hot even though it was only 9:30 when we finished the East side. Thank goodness the other sign faced North.

On the second side we decided to work from right to left; it doesn't make any difference when you have an exact pattern, so here she is finishing up the last letter at 11:20 and she still looks happy! I guess my little "Wall Puppy" could turn into a "Wall Dog" someday; I'd be so proud.

Here's the finished product. Not exactly the font I would have chosen, but the customer is always right, even when the sign is donated.

Another Graduation

The years have flown by so quickly and suddenly Teen2 is graduating from High School. I put this banner up for her like I did for Teen1 two years ago. (It doesn't really say "Teen2"; I photoshopped over her name.)

Soon she will be going off to college and I think I'll miss her! Luckily she is only going about 2 hours away so I can visit when I need to. But in another way I'll be glad to see her on her own, making her own decisions, charting her own path, growing into a responsible adult.

Fly, Teen2, fly!

♥ Mom

Holstee Manifesto

I like this. I'll bet most folks agree with these ideas, but why do we find it so hard to actually follow through on them? Are we afraid of change? Are we afraid of success? Are we just too tired to try?
I'm going to print this out and post it where I can see it every day so I can keep track of my progress in meeting these goals. I'm having a lot of trouble with the first idea right now. As a wife and mother I seem to be living my life for everyone else and never taking time to do what I love. Hmmm....gotta work on that one for sure.

Artsy Car

I've always liked playing with little towns, roads, houses and the like. So when I saw this street scene recently ON A CAR ROOF, I just had to take a picture. The whole car was decorated with jewels, toys, sayings and other fun stuff.

Here's an overview, but to really appreciate the car you have to get up close.

Lizard and peace signs on one of the mirrors.

A nice saying and some flowers for gardeners.

Love and peace and celebration on the driver's door.

And the best "Day Brightener" on the passenger door. One can't help but be happy after seeing a car like this. I sometimes think I'd like to decorate a car. I think I'd do something like this:

Cool Door at UOP

Asparagus Festival 2011

It's Asparagus Festival time again. Today is the last day so if you want some deep fried asparagus, you'd better hurry.

They also have asparagus ice cream again this year.

And of course the other food booths have all kinds of treats like strawberries and whipped cream.

I like to visit the Asparagus Commission's booth where they display asparagus as it is grown. Here are some spears that are harvest ready.

And here is a bunch of spears in the old fashioned trimming/grading gadget.

And since the festival is all about food, here's a last shot of one of Lockeford Meat's hot links. Yum!

Masses of Wisteria

Our wisteria is now in full bloom and I spent quite a while outside Sunday admiring and photographing it.

I is beautiful in every form from these unopened tips...

to these about-to-open buds...

to this fully opened nectar filled flower.

Surely wisteria is one of my favorite pleasures of spring.

Victorian Costume

Just imagine how cool this dress would be if she'd had a pattern! This kid continually amazes me.

Heavenly, Heavenly Wisteria

The wisteria is a little late this year because of all the cold wet weather, but since the last few days have been deliciously warm, it has burst out with a mass of purple flowers. You can find me out under the trellis with eyes closed, inhaling deeply.

Here's a couple of cute little butterflies that visited my yard several years ago. Aren't they adorable?

Finally Spring

I think it's finally spring here in California. We've had a cold wet windy season up to now, but yesterday and today are looking perfect: blue blue skies, white puffy clouds, gentle breezes, and green fields. Here is a photo of the wind generators on the Altamont. We drove by them Saturday on our way home from Nova Albion and I was reminded of a certain someone from Arkansas who snapped a photo of them last December. And who just happens to have a birthday today. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to that very special person!