Deck flowers

These flowers are blooming just outside our living room to be seen from our favouite chairs. I asked Siena to stand among the flowers. See the BBQ in the background>

Too Cute!

Staci brought Siena and Tegan to visit for an overnighter. What fun. My camera always in my pocket...hard to choose what photos to share.
Here is Tegan, 11 months old. She is exploring my garden and contemplating pulling herself up on that post on the little bridge.

I stole an hour and took Siena to the beach this morning. She make a 'sand castle' by gathering the 'softest' sand from far away to make her pile-with a tiny blue shovel.

Tegan, on our deck. She is scooting towards me. She will crawl and almost take a step but scooting is her preferred mode to travel when no one is holding her hand to assist in walking.

We attended a local school carnival and Siena was mostly entertained on the playground. Here she is backwards on the slide.

My garden this week

I have a lot of gardening to do at home before the Garden Club luncheon here mid June. Now is the time to fertilize and clean it up. I am finding a couple hours here and there...
Here is the front garden with a rose seemingly blooming red and white. The white Iceberg Rose is blooming red-it is a geranium that I have let climb through the rose. Very striking.


A walk around the corner reveals Texas Gold Columbine blooming, my Mom's Donkey Tail (I rescued it a few years ago). The walk across the bridge past the herb garden and fountain leads you up to the recently rebuilt ramp. You can see the kitchen window in the photo...nice view back on this garden.

An overgrown herb garden in the foregrounds, a hint of the Cecile Bruner Rose and the new ramp.

Looking down the ramp, the Cecile Bruner Rose is taking over the San Clemente ZIP code! It is so much more beautiful that this photo shows. I planted it on the bank a few months after we moved here (seven years ago) have done nothing to it since!

Ramp replaced

We have this ramp leading up to our deck. We use it most of the time although there are steps along the side. The ramp has been feeling pretty soft as we step on it the last few months. We finaly embarked on the ramp project...First removing the wood that was deteriorated (not easy) see the shreds in the trash can. Unbelievable what water will do to plywood in a few years.

Took a couple of weekends of long days but here it is finished with a new rubber based pad over the top. Lots of hammers, nails, glue and sweat! It should be good for another few years.

Mother's Day

I received precious tear producing cards from my kiddos. They are still on the mantel:) Wish I sent more cards to people!

I picked up Mom and my Brother for an overnighter at our home to share Mother's Day. This was a special adventure as David has been in assisted living for a year and Mom has had a year to play and not be in the role of care giver, after 25 years since David's accident. It was special for all of us and a time to make memories. Happy Mother's Day, Mom. You deserve this break at 86 years of age!

Friends and Flowers

I always look forward to Monday mornings. I have a faithful group of volunteers that show up at the Casa to work. We take a walk through the gardens to assess what needs to be done then get to work. I never know who or how many will be there. Yesterday we set a record! Eleven volunteers showed up and worked till noon!

This flower bed of Calendrina is a show stopper. One year ago the bed was just dirt. Volunteers stuck cuttings in the ground. Wow, look at it now.

The agave attenuata are blooming. See the tall yellow spikes. The street in front of the Casa is lined with them also...looks like they are guarding the place.

My friend Sheila is fighting a huge uphill battle with cancer. Saturday she performed with the San Clemente Choral Society. Then she threw a huge party celebrating friends and family. Her sister came in from France and brother from New York. We all watched her perform with enthusiasm and spirit for probably her final time. What an inspiration she is!