Magical

I saw two different hummingbirds today in our yard. A very dark colored one in the front yard sipping from a penta, and a lighter one in the back yard flitting around our smaller crepe myrtle. It made me wonder if the people who lived here before us had a feeder, or at least more flowering plants planted in the backyard. So I felt guilty and found the very cheap hummingbird feeder that I bought a few years back but never did anything with, made the homemade nectar, and now it's hanging from the back patio. Hopefully the little guy will come back and try again.

Nature in motion

We went to the Japanese Gardens over Fourth of July weekend. My grandparents used to take my brother and I when we were young, and now I like to go there about once a year. It's very peaceful and beautiful, but the best part of our visit was The Bird. We've been trying to figure out what kind of bird he was since this happened. We were sitting in one of the many gazebos, feeding the koi and turtles, and all of sudden this bird flew up and landed on a branch above the water, about three feet away from us. He was grayish blue and pretty big, as big as some of those big ole crows that we get, and he had a really long skinny feather going from the back of his neck down his back, mullet style. Jav wondered if he was native to our area, and we both decided he probably wasn't. Then we wondered if he was brought in on purpose, or if he was migrating and discovered a Garden of Eden and decided to stay a while. He remained very, very still for a LONG time. We thought he wanted some of our fish food. But he had no interest and just kept sitting really still and watching us. All of a sudden, he dove in and came up with a fish! He swallowed it in about three or four big gulps, then fluffed out his feathers on the back of his neck, and flew away. We were awestruck, and feeling a little humbled that we didn't figure out that he wanted was not our fishfood, but what we were feeding with our fishfood. I know he must've been sitting there thinking, "and they call me a birdbrain!"

I've also never seen a gull with a feather mullet. 

He looks a little like a seagull, but I've never seen a seagull stay that still. They're always dive bombing trying to get snacks. 

Brain-dead entertainment

Jav and I have this strange thing in common. We like to watch those Time-Life CD compilation infomercials late at night. We caught the Best of Disco last Saturday night, with KC (yes, that one, formerly with the Sunshine Band) and a very perky and bouncy infomercial model/aspiring actress. I guess this shameful habit is made up of part reminiscing, part amusement at the clothes and hairstyles in the music clips, part competition (Jav had heard of way more songs than I had - which means I won because that makes him older), and part just loving the fact that you can completely turn off your brain to watch it. You'll find us there, remote in hand, searching for Classic Country Hits, or Instrumental Favorites, after we've given up on Saturday Night Live and lost all TV watching dignity.

Great meals

We went to my brother and sister-in-law's for lunch today, which is always fun. But I had to comment on the food today. You couldn't have paid for a meal better than that anywhere. Philip cooked a brisket in the crockpot and grilled some chicken breasts, both of which just melted in our mouths they were so tender and juicy and full of flavor. April made red potatoes with cheese, Mom made Golden Glow (a lemon and orange jello mixture with shredded carrots and crushed canned pineapple that was one of my grandmother's favorite recipes), and I contributed with fresh green beans with walnuts and lemon juice. April also made a wonderful cheesecake and topped it with strawberries and blueberries. Cade's award winning comment of the day was, "Daddy, I gotta tell ya, I love this brisket. I reaaaaaaaaaaally love it." I think we all felt that way.

There's nothing so special as sitting around a table with your family, sharing laughter and good food. We are so blessed to be able to do it so often.

The Cheesecake 

Nothing like a little leggo creavity to get the gastronomic juices flowing. 

Macy was still happy even though she had canned green beans and mac and cheese. 

Philip and April busy in the kitchen 

Bugsy was hoping for sloppy eaters and brisket pieces 

Easy money-and less clutter

We had a successful first-time Ebay sale a few weeks ago. We sold Jav's old kitchen table and chairs. We ended up getting more than twice our starting asking price, which just made me giddy thinking of more possible sales. We named our Ebay store Molly and Stanley's Attic after our dogs. I thought it sounded very old-fashioned and grandmotherish and would pull in people's curiosity. So now we're going to try to sell my antique green velvet couch.

This week we also gave our other garaged couch to a friend of mine at work who just got her own place. Even though we were hoping to sell it, it felt good to be helping her out.

And today, I sold our old A/C window unit for $50.00 to a guy a work. He had said he really needed one yesterday, but I told him we needed to make sure it was cleaned up and working well after sitting in the garage since we moved. When I called him this morning, he said he had already bought a new one, but he'd still take a look. Well, I talked up that it was barely used, and that it still blew really cold air, and he eventually gave me cash for it right on the spot. Of course, I did come down on the asking price by a little. And of course, it was 100 in the shade at the time. But still, I was pretty proud of my salesmanship skills.

We're getting closer to saying hello to our other garage car space! And without any mention of that most dreaded of all dreaded things - a garage sale.

This is Laggan Farms, where we stayed in Mull-a working sheep and highland cattle farm doubling as a B&B. It was like going back in time.

Patio update

Ever since we changed up the back patio, it's been too dang hot to go outside. My car thermostat said 109 today. Every summer about this time I start wondering why I still live in Texas. I checked the weather for The Isle of Mull, our favorite spot we found in Scotland. High of 64, slight chance of showers. Heaven!

Every happening patio needs a Tiki Torch candle. Thanks, Gracie, for one of the coolest presents I've ever received! 

Nighttime view of our new lights.  

The caladium and salvia have thrived so far this summer.

The back porch

Since we've only been in our house since November, it's taken me a little while to get adjusted to our new yard. But I'm discovering that the Nesting Stage of pregnancy involves more than just getting the nursery ready. My project for last week was the back porch. It's not a big space, but it's cozy enough for a porch swing, bistro table, and a grill. And the dogs to lounge on.

I added some old but comfy pillows to the porch swing, bought some cool lights (on sale-yay!!) at Target, and instantly our porch became a funner place to hang out. Of course, it's helped to have some slightly cooler weather lately. I still want to paint the porch swing and add a few sturdy side tables to put books and drinks on - then I'll be done, at least until next spring!