Timeout!!

My boyfriend just got home yesterday from being out to sea for 3 (THREE) months.....I will get back to ya'll later!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blew Bayou is all nestled snug in her bed in Florida for hurricane season!

Spinnaker(the sail that makes you go fast!!!!!) in an LSU color scheme!!

SCORE!

Look what I won over at Artfully Graced!! An original by jane and I'm so excited. Will look great at our lakehouse!!
Thanky ms. jane...............glad your mr. picked my number!!!

One of my favorite things...

...to do after I clean out and plant new flowers in my beds is to "stroll the real estate"!! That's one of my boyfriend's fave sayings!! We just walk around the yard at the end of the day and see what new blooms have opened up and how the grass is growing!!! I know, I know......sounds like such an "old people" thing to do. But it's nice. A time to walk together, to talk, to laugh and just catch up. And hey!! we are old people!!! Just ask my kids!!

Since my boyfriend is not back yet...altho he IS back on American soil as of 1pm today....I strolled this afternoon at the lake. Looky what I saw...............new plants in clean flowerbeds, some of my favorite things!

And if you like beachy/lakey art, you really should go check out Artfully Graced where Jane is having an awesome give-away for her blog anniversary. She's an awesome artist....her stuff is so fun! Check her out!!

On a Gorgeous Spring Saturday afternoon.....

Lilli's mom and dad invited me and my daughter in law and babyboy's BFF, which would be his girlfriend! over to their house for a crawfish boil!! YUM-YUM!! My first of the season and these were monsters......he caught them himself! And everyone knows that we southern gals can eat us up some crawfish.........like there ain't no tomorrow! Heh.

And in that crawfish pot goes corn, potatoes, mushrooms, fresh asparagas and green beans! One must consume mass quantities of cold, cold beer to wash the Tony's down with!! So, with her daddy looking on, Ms. Lilli was about to take part in her first crawfish boil!!

Now, ms thang was not quite sure WHAT to do with these smelly, crawly things at first but was assured that yes, she too, would soon learn to peel them with the best of us! Is 3 months too young for that?

Well, let me just show you some of her facial expressions when looking at the pot in front of her!!

And when it's all over? While they're all cleaning and putting away? Ms. Lilli was left to watch the seasoning jar!!! heheheheheheheh.........NOT! She just happened to be the last thing to be put away!!!! (Is this the cutest kid........or what??!!!!!) (pardon the grandma brag, plz!!)

Ain't it the truth??!!!!!

This sign hung outside the sweetest lil restaurant that we stopped at for lunch.....and I couldn't resist putting it on blob........brings back the sweetest memory!! Food was awesome and everything on the menu was made with wine!!!!! Even my burger had been marinated in cabernet...........that's MY kinda eatin'!!!

Beauty in the West!

So I was going to write an indepth post about my trip to Sedona with my gal pal, Clisa.....that's short for Cool Lisa.....cuz, well, she just is! But the more I wrote and the more I laughed, I realized that most of it would be boring to you, so I'm just going to hit a few highpoints and call it a night. It's impossible to relay the beauty of those mountains on paper. It will remain in my memory as one of the most beautiful places I've been lucky enough to visit. And yes, there is a certain amount of "spirituality" there that cannot be put into words. Let's just say that both of us, often, would look to the other and say.......Do you feel that? That weirdness? That mellowness? Suffice it to say.............unexplainable.
So, between the spa services and the shopping and the exploring and the eating and the drinking and the art and the wine tastings and the eavesdropping! and the sharing of all of this with a good buddy....................well, it was magical!! I'll just leave you with a few magical images!!





















And then, on top of all of the natural beauty in this place, we found this sweet sign at the most glorious church built into the side of a mountain. And once again, that mellow feeling creeped into our souls!!

Mayan Riviera and Blew Bayou

That's where they are right now! Beachin' it. Hangin' out......Chillin'! The last crew, my middle son and his friend, left last Friday and now it's just the cap'n and first mate......oldest boy! They did an overnight sail from Belize City to the mayan riviera over the weekend and are now tooling around different areas of coastal Mehico!! And having a mighty fine time.

If you have time, click on the link below to see the coolest video of the dolphins that swam along with the boat and crew!! It was off lighthouse reef -belize(home of the blue hole)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mXCjMvWhFs

the dolphin watchers!!>>

On Friday, the babyboy joins back up with the crew to help with the crossing across the sea to Florida..........Fair Winds to all my boys!!!

So. Much. Fun.!!!

Exhausted. Hoarse. Face hurts from laughing. Just got home a little bit ago and have loads to tell and many pics to show you from my leetle girl-getaway trip...but now? Sleep. Must have sleep. But here is one little peek at what we looked at during lunch one day! And no - the beer glasses are not blurry because of mass quantities of beer..........I was actually trying to focus on the rocks with a blur in the fore picture!! hehehehehehehe........(so she said!) It is here that I experienced 'fried cactus' for the first time! Deeeee-lish!

Be back in a few.....

Sitting in Phoenix airport right now, waiting for my galpal, clisa, to arrive from WA! We are renting a car and roadtripping to Sedona!!!!!! For a 4 day spa retreat.....doctor's orders, of course, for my back, don'tcha know? He told me to get regular therapeutic massages......I just ASSUMED he meant at a spa resort in the red rock mountains!!! heeheeheeheehee!

Hopefully, I'll get some great images while we're on our 6hr. winery tour!!! Ok...Ok.....seriously, so excited to see my buddy again and catch up. It's been a yr since we've seen each other!!

Blasts of Color!!

Remember a few posts back when I showed you my flowers all starting to bud out??

Well, look what lots of sunshine, a lil bit of rain and hot temperatures will do!!

Sometimes, I just have to gasp with delight when another group of fleurs burst open!! It's a sure sign that God is everywhere!! And my, oh my......what a great artist He is!

Crew Change!!

One group out..........another one in!!
(I have no pics today but hopefully will soon......)
Yep, oldest son's wife and youngest son and his girlfriend came home Saturday night. Wife has been onboard for 6 weeks.........a little waterlogged, very tan and a huge smile on her face.....she's home with me now!! (insert big smile here!!) Babyboy worked hard aboard the boat, helping his dad and big brother sail. Girlfriend found out that maybe.......just maybe......swimming with the BIG fish just may not be her cup of tea!!! But they all had a blast together and really? Since the oldest and his wife have lived so very far away since they were married 6 yrs ago.......the brothers really have not gotten to hang out much together since they've all grown up. I'm so happy that the cap'n has been able to give them this opportunity.....to travel together and play together...
So as they were loading up in the airport, the middle son and his longtime friend were landing and climbing aboard Blew Bayou for a week. I think their plan is to fish and fish and fish some more. Oh.....and to chill!! Then when their time is up..........looks like babyboy will go back to help make the crossing back across the ocean to Florida......where Blew Bayou will rest during hurricane season this year. And once again, another yr of Good Times and memories have been made for stories to be told and filed away for the grandkids!!!
And so.....................the circle of life continues!!

Saturday...

No time to write....must get out in yard on the most glorious day of spring yet!!!

These pics were taken on Thursday.....just wait until you see the ones I get today -- full bursts of color!!

Purple iris just starting to open up!

Clematis opening!! On yellow jasmine...

The beauty of southern azaleas!

I have missed the last 3 yrs of spring blooming at our lakehouse because of Blew Bayou traveling. So to be here this yr watching each day is thrilling for me. I love, love, love my cottage garden and have so missed seeing the action of new fleurs burst from the ground, form the buds and finally explode with color. The yellow and white jasmine...the purple iris'....the blue, pink and purple hydrangeas...the pink knockout roses...wild green ferns and hostas...and the true beauty of them all? The glorious azaleas!! By this weekend, they will be wide open and I cannot wait to photograph them. Thought I'd get a few shots today of the buds to show you ...they're even pretty before they open!

And Simple Daisy, here's one for you....can you find the special surprise in the next pic just for you??

My post today is in memory of my father-in-law's birthday. He loved beautiful flowers and laughing. I miss him all the time, but especially on his birthday...he loved presents! Didn't have to be much - one more shirt to add to his collection, anything....as long as it was wrapped!! He loved unwrapping gifts..........sigh~~such fond memories!!! Happy Birthday Papaw!!

Travel Routes of the Sailors!

This is where the kids are right now!! Goffs Caye. Just talked to the cap'n and he's back at the boat preparing their dinner......Sauteed tilapia over rice! He's a very good host/cap'n!!

Goff's Caye is a small island off the shore of Belize City, Belize. It is situated north of the English Channel and is 1.2 acres (4,900 m2) of sandy land. It sits right on the edge of the Belize Barrier Reef with waters to the south and east being only 0.6 to 3 meters deep. Goff's Caye is registered as an archaeological site due to its Colonial era settlement

They were at Caye Caulker yesterday,http://cayecaulker.org/ and if the wind is right tomorrow, they'll be going to Lighthouse Reef.

BLUE HOLE, LIGHTHOUSE REEF The most easterly of Belize’s three atolls, Lighthouse Reef lies 50 miles southeast of Belize City. The 30-mile-long, eight-mile-wide lagoon is the location of the Blue Hole, a dive spot that was made famous by Jacques Cousteau and that is a favorite destination of dive boats from Belize City, Ambergris

They're all having a blast!

Happy Easter!!

Aren't we blessed??

May I share another Easter blessing with you? I call it my "lil Easter egg"!!

Ms. Thang had 3 changes of wardrobe today! You know... a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!!The primary polka dot dress was for church and the black/pink was for brunch afterwards. I didn't get a pic of the last 'bunny cottontail' onesie that was for naptime!!!!! (that mama is so fun with her dress-up doll --such a blast for me after raising three BOYS!!) And then, there is the grandmother who is bursting with pride and happiness for her kids!

Spring......Easter.......Re-Birth!!

what more "signs" do we need besides the Easter Bunny...........green grass and sunshine.......and most importantly......Jesus rising from the dead on Easter Sunday?? Well.........not quite as important as the aforementioned, but also a true beauty for us nature lovers ~~

HUMMINGBIRDS AND LIGHTENING BUGS!!

First sightings: Hummingbirds - April 1, 2010 6 pm at feeder at lake!!

Lightening Bugs - April 2, 2010 10 pm.....in my backyard!

Easter and The Dogwood Tree

This story has always been special to me and makes me a lover of dogwood trees for even more than their beauty. Here, in the south, we have dogwoods covering the yards and filling the woods with white glory. Read these words and then carefully look at the dogwood bloom I've shot for you from my backyard....you'll see the "blood stains and the crown of thorns" in the image! Then share the story with all the children you teach!! Happy Good Friday!

In Jesus' time, the dogwood grew

To a stately size and a lovely hue.

'Twas strong and firm it's branches interwoven

For the cross of Christ it's timbers were chosen.

Seeing the distress at this use of their wood

Christ made a promise which still holds good:

"Never again shall the dogwood grow

Large enough to be used so.

Slender and twisted, it shall be

With blossoms like the cross for all to see.

As blood stains the petals marked in brown

The blossoms's center wears a thorny crown.

All who see it will remember Me

Crucified on a cross from the dogwood tree.

Cherished and protected, this tree shall be

A reminder to all of my agony." ~~Author unknown~~