What can I say?  The internet was out for almost 2 weeks...
I've been horribly busy with work.  
The kitchen floor is being replaced... 
The weather is terribly hot...

And I'm very tired.   Yup. That pretty much covers it.  
the lovely flowers pictured were at a roadside store... I thought the prices were rather high...but they were so pretty I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get a picture.   

 I've been working on characters that could represent who we are as a family..without having to spend time on getting pictures made of the real human beings.  It would have been better to scan the image...yes, I know..but I couldn't wait to share what I had made.   I wanted my "character" to wear pink..I love to wear pink shirts, sweaters, tops..or anything accented with pink.    I'm also "drawn" to pink & violet flowers..the real kind.   I wasn't sure what colors to pick for hubby's character.  He likes to wear whatever is comfortable at home..however, he dresses nice for work and for going out.

Alright, well...that's all for now...have a good day.  Mary

Blackberry Jam Cafe

I thought I would join in the fun and list some simple pleasures, from my side of the woods...here goes...

When I'm getting ready to take a picture, I look for something interesting like a dragonfly sitting atop a flower or a butterfly enjoying a drink of nectar.

Here's another doodle I made.

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We can either allow ourselves to dwell on the depressing news we hear everyday...or embrace good thoughts. Everyday there are Simple Pleasures all around us!

Butterfly in flower

Momma & baby

This is just too cute!  We've been watching & waiting to see how many babies this momma bird is raising..this little one looks almost as big as its momma. 

I have realized....

I have realized after much pain and discomfort, I cannot eat chocolate of any kind.  Today, I FELT that pain again.   I had whipped up some Gluten Free peanut-butter chocolate chip cookies.. well...the bowl was just sitting there with the dough all mixed together...oh, my finger scooped up some dough...yummy...I thought to myself.   I just HAD to try some...soo good.   Then later this afternoon...I paid for every bite I put into my mouth.   Well...eh I've learned my lesson all over again.   I simply cannot enjoy the same foods I knew and loved before...and its a major bummer.  I've been doing well in passing up the soda pop. And been trying out new ways to fix ground turkey without having to add in tomato sauce or chunky salsa.   I made meatballs for dinner...using turkey meat.  It turned out very good.   Although, I've not had any comments lately...I still manage to post...even tho its not everyday.  I've been so busy with work, I've not had time to sit down and gather my thoughts.  There are many things I want to accomplish over the summer time.  I want to teach myself how to make pillar candles.  And how to be more creative making soap.  Not the laundry kind...but the kind for my face.   I never buy soap from the store anymore.  I like, in fact enjoy making my own homemade soap.  Never dries my skin...always gentle.  Gosh, I need to get off my buns and check the laundry...I needed something to wear for work in the morning.    Have a good rest of the week...  

Scenes from around the yard

Iris Blue

March of the Clouds

I snapped these just before the storm hit.  I just love the beautiful blue sky looks like the ocean.

Flowers planted

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I just planted this a couple of days ago..moss rose, verbena, bacopa.

T

I just love hostas. They'll do fine here as this area gets lots of shade.

Sun-loving plants.

Resisting temptation

I'm having to adjust my eating habits...doctor's orders.   This all started in a very bad way last week...I remember it well.   After eating a rather big meal...my tummy didn't quite settle.  Around 4 in the morning I ended up having to go to the ER.   They gave me a lovely thick pink cocktail to drink...it numbed my tongue and throat so much I thought I would gag!   Thankfully nothing came up. The medicine in the drink took care of the major pain, but left my right side with a bad ache.  The doctor on duty came in for a little talk.   He said, "You'll need to stay away from all citrus type of drinks, no caffeine, no chocolate, no foods high in fat, no soda pop, no tomatoes....we're trying to see if you might have an ulcer."   I thought to myself- oh goodie- that just wipes everything I like out of the ball park.   Now I'm taking a pill to help reduce the acid that builds up in my tummy....and by the way it works great!   And guess what?   I've been able to stay away from soda pop...my favorite being Pepsi...but hey,...its not worth all the pain to drink even a little sip.   Take it from me.  I've been weaning myself away from eating too many sweets.   Its hard to go cold turkey, so I'm taking it one day at a time.   The temptation to indulge in heavy sugary sweets like frosty cupcakes, bakery donuts, mouth watering delights... are ALL AROUND in grocery stores...and believe you me...its hard to walk away from it all...especially when they're on sale...or someone hands you a cookie to sample...but I've got to walk or run away... I love to eat chocolate...I love chocolate cake....I mean, who doesn't?!?    I attended a wedding on Saturday afternoon...and my gosh! the main part of the decorated cake was CHOCOLATE!!!  Be still my heart...er stomach...I did not let one piece of crumb past my lips!   Lets talk about the food...wowie...all kinds of food at the reception...oy!   I had one piece of fried chicken...I removed all the skin...and ate only the white meat of the chicken...no spices of any kind.  A small dollop of mashed potatoes, no gravy...and some green beans....that was it.   Thank goodness there was a fountain to get some water.   I watched as others enjoyed every last morsel on their plates.   You know...I've got a long way to go before I reach my goal of resisting all temptations of sweets...it will be hard...but I've got to have will power...and help..or should I say...MY main help comes from the LORD...He knew long before I even ate the last bite...what would happen....He knew about the doctor's orders...He knew everything.   With His help I will come through it....and maybe one day I will say....I'm tempted no more.  In the days ahead...I will be exploring new recipes...that will encourage good eating habits.  And I'm hoping to drop a few pounds as well.     Oh yes...I can do this...and if you want to come along...then come.   :O)