Walking, Garden Fun, and a Great Book!

 I really missed "the neighborhood" when I was away all day teaching.  Yesterday I went for a morning walk and it was quiet and peaceful (because everyone is at work, right?)

 I found this little bird feeder in someone's pretty yard.

 All of the fresh new leaves still look juicy and lush.

 Can you name this rose?

 This backyard looks like a park!

 The treetops and the clouds in the sky make the outdoors so welcoming.  Peaceful.

 Bill got to hold sweet baby James on Father's Day.

 We celebrated with a two hour fun fest!  Chicken wings, potato salad, fruit and chips! 

 All of the females wanted to hold James, too!

 I've had a collection of stuffed singing birds for almost ten years, but now the girls are all having fun with them.  

 Aw, Miss Bug!  YOU are a wonder!

 We LOVE Christie!  She's full of calm and cheer.

 Go, Plum Cake, go!

 I love Birdie's dress!  She likes being close to her mama.

 She got to hold baby James, too!

 I finally cozied up the plastic deck chairs.

 I'm just about finished with the planting.

 Pool things and balls in the spider pit.

 Here's my kitchen herb garden.  Smells sweet!

 Toadstool spotting!

 I broke a leg on this 5 dollar garage sale cricket chair.  I sawed the legs off so we can have a garden perch.  Bill says the grands will fight over it.  Oh well.

 Hello, Robby!

 Something tells me this is the summer of the hollyhock!

 See how my Peter Rabbit garden grows?

 Come on over!  You can sit in my garden perch!

 Sorry about the security system sign, but aren't the roses lovely?

 Do you like the bird church? We missed you last Sunday.

 The peonies are still brightening up the front garden!

I just finished The Doll's House by Rumer Godden.  WHAT a wonderful children's story.  Have you read it?

I've always loved dolls.  My favorites are rag dolls like Ann.  This story is about a farthing doll.  The story centers around the little "family" of dolls and their desire for a house.  It's so cheerful and sophisticated, too!  

Thank you for your encouragement regarding letter writing.  I sent two yesterday.  I know it is VERY important to keep an updated address system.  That way it's easy to decide who to write to.  
Summer is so beautiful right now.  We've had warm breezes and moderate temperatures.  Otherwise, I would not have been able to endure an entire afternoon of gardening.  I'm planting red today.  I plan on drinking another BIG glass of lemonade when I finish.
The birds are frequenting the feeders and yesterday a flicker spent a good deal of time eating seeds.  His gorgeous plumage cheered me.

It's time to tidy my desk and turn the iron on.  Thank you so much for stopping in.