Bloomin' Tuesday

It's been a month since I posted a Bloomin' Tuesday post. To say that August was a busy month for us is a gross understatement, however September has arrived and things are beginning to slow down, so I'm happy to have a few photos to share. We were out of town most of last week attending additional wedding festivities. We managed to travel to two states -- Utah and Georgia. On Sunday we came home from the east coast. We had attended a wedding reception for the bride and groom in Georgia hosted by the groom's family. I'd never been to Georgia and I was so impressed -- such a beautiful state. I flew home thinking that my garden, which had been flagrantly ignored for a week would be in shambles. I was pleasantly surprised. Temperatures have cooled and our garden has had a bit of a resurgence. I love it when this happens. The flowers seem to want to express their loveliness one last time before fall comes bustling in. Here is a sampling of what's happening in our garden this week:

Some annual (for Colorado) hibiscus still strutting their stuff..

and our delicious perennial hibiscus, "Luna Pink Swirl."

Bougainvillea and clematis are still gracing us with their vibrant colors...

and my impatiens are appreciating these cooler temps.

For more Bloomin' Tuesday posts,
visit Ms. Green Thumb Jean's to see what's blooming
in other areas of the country...

Peaches 'n Cream

Next week I hope to get back to a little sewing, creating, and stitching, but I couldn't resist posting this photo of my granddaughter, Berkley. She gives the phrase a "peaches & cream complexion" new meaning!

Wedding Weekend...

Goodness me. It's been a whirlwind of a week. Our youngest was married on Saturday and we hosted their reception that night. Then on Monday we hopped into the car and drove to a neighboring state (Utah) for an Open House hosted by the groom's family. Yesterday we dropped off our son at college and we drove home today. This weekend we're off to Georgia for another Open House. We are a bit tuckered out, but it has all been wonderfully fun!

The above photo is a shot I took today of some of the wedding flowers. They were beautiful. Sarah, of Boulder's Painted Primrose, outdid herself and I will, hopefully, post a few more photos of her creations when we get back the photos from the photographer.

We had two photographers for the wedding. The first, Amy Wadlington, of True Photography in Littleton took photos right after the wedding ceremony, and the second, Angie Wilson, of Angie Wilson Photography in Longmont took photos at the reception. I can't wait to get all of the photos back. These are two very talented ladies, and I'm anxious to see the results of their hard work!

On Sunday Amy sent me a link to her blog to give us a sneak peek of some of her favorite photos of the bride and groom. I thought you might like to see them. I just love Amy's work. It's fresh, fun, playful and (most especially) beautiful! Check out her favorite photos of the day here and let me know what you think. Just scroll down to "Joe & Jillian - A Wedding."

a teensy weensy preview

I should be cleaning my house. Guests are arriving in six short hours. Instead I'm browsing blogs and fabric sights. It's a lot easier to do that than getting on hands and knees and spit shining my hardwood floors. You can related, I'm sure.

Er you all think that I have forgotten how to turn on my sewing machine, I thought I'd give you a teensy weensy preview of some fabrics for hang ups that I recently purchased. Oh yeah.

How I love the colors of autumn. Moss green, amber gold, pumpkin orange, brick red, eggplant purple, and, of course, chocolate brown. These colors speak to me. I recently purchased an array of fabrics in fall color palates and I'm looking forward to whipping up a few hang ups come mid Setpember. Might even have to have a give-away around that time. See what you think...

ain't it the truth...

If it weren't for the occasional visitor,

this house would never get cleaned...

Can you relate? I can. We have a houseful of family arriving this week for the wedding festivities this weekend. As a result we are giving the house a good once over. I used to run a pretty tight ship when the kids were young. My house was spic and span back then. Now, not so much. These days I tend to put off the heavy duty cleaning until necessary. "Necessary" meaning -- until someone visits. Fortunately, we have visitors fairly often. Otherwise, I would be in trouble. Our first arrivals are due tomorrow. By Thursday night all of the family will have arrived. So excited. So very excited. Not only is there a wedding at the end of the week, but it will be the first time in over two years that our immediate family will all be together. Let the festivities begin!

{life's little pleasures}

I thought I'd post a few photos of two of my adorable grandchildren. We had such a good time helping when the new baby arrived...

Thankful Thursday...

What surprised me this week?

I had a nice surprise this week. My daughter, the bride, and I arrived home from Omaha yesterday afternoon after helping with the new grandbaby for a week. I had very little contact with the internet while I was gone. This morning I opened my email and realized I had won a Soirre honey bun from Karen at Badlands Quilts. I squealed with delight. My husband was sitting next to me working on his computer and asked what the commotion was about. I responded that I had won a "honey bun." His eyebrows raised. I guffawed. All around I am one happy lady. Thank you, Karen, for such a wonderful surprise!

What moved me this week?

I had so many lovely moments this last week. There's nothing like a brand new baby to put life into perspective. Even with all the wedding preparations looming in the future and things waiting to get done here at home, nothing seemed more important than attending to that little one. He is an angel -- pure and simple. There were so many sweet tender moments while we were visiting, but the ones that moved me the most were when I caught my daughter mothering her little brood. She is such a kind, sweet mother. She shows so much patience and love toward her little boys. It is such a compelling experience to watch your children as they mother and father their own little ones so beautifully. To the left is a picture of my daughter and her newest little miracle. That picture alone moves me.

What inspired me this week?

I had a number of people respond to my Thankful Thursday post last week about what "inspired" me that week, but I had even more that responded by email. These blogging friends, who I've never met and who I don't know well, were so sweet to agree with my assessment that through God's help we can bear our burdens and endure our trials more easily. They related difficult experiences in their own lives when they felt the strength and encouragement that only the Savior can provide. I just wanted to thank those who shared their very personal thoughts with me. Your reflections and stories inspired me. Testimony truly gives us the eternal perspective necessary to go through and see past the challenges we inevitably face in this life.

Thankful Thursday...

What surprised me this week?

Long before I jumped on the Thankful Thursday bandwagon, I wondered whether it was something to which I wanted to dedicate myself. I had always enjoyed reading the Thankful Thursday posts from friends and relatives who participated in this weekly journal. Their posts were often poignant and sweet, and I appreciated their willingness to share their personal experiences and feelings in a public forum. Still, I wondered if taking part in this weekly gratitude journal was something I wanted to take on, as I knew it would take more time and energy than my other quick posts.

What surprised me this week, was the realization of how much I look forward to writing this post each week. It's not that it has become easier or less time-consuming for me to write. It hasn't. I usually deliberate over what to write about for hours, but that quiet time spent pondering has been a blessing in itself. Examining my life and searching for the blessings evident in it, has made me more aware of all the ways -- both big and small -- we are blessed. It cheers one to spend even a small portion of one's week focusing on these positive thoughts!

What moved me this week?

Our seventh little grandchild, Charlie, was born on Monday, weighing in at 7 lbs. 8 oz.! Much too adorable for words. Moved to tears with gratitude. I'm so grateful for this little one and so thankful that his momma and he are doing well.

What inspired me this week?

I was sitting in Sunday School this week when I had a bit of an epiphany. Many of you have probably experienced this realization, but this subject became more clear to me at that time. The lesson was about overcoming life's trials, tribulations and heartaches. The thought was thrown out that God won’t let us be tempted or tried more than we can handle. I've heard that statement before, and it has always puzzled me. It certainly seems to me that some burdens are simply overwhelming and unbearable. There are certain circumstances where anyone if left on her own, no matter how strong or tenacious she might be, would buckled under the pressure of such grief and suffering. I've known people that have gone through this type of serious heartache and adversity. Without exception those who turned to God, allowed him into their lives, and learned to lean on him seemed to endure their trials with more ease. Not because of their own strength or fortitude or willpower, but because of God's strength, fortitude and willpower. I realized in that moment, that the reason God won't let us be tried more than we can bear, is because He can bear it all. If we allow him to lift our burdens, then we can truly endure anything. It was an inspiring realization.

• Update: I wrote the above post on Monday night, a few days early, because I knew I would be going out of town on Tuesday morning to help my daughter and her family with their new baby. Tuesday morning my youngest daughter, the bride, and I were driving to eastern Nebraska on our way to the new baby's family, when we received a call from my son-in-law. During the night the baby had developed a potentially serious complication. Charlie had spit up bile and his stomach was distended. This occurrence almost always signifies some type of intestinal abnormality or problem that requires surgery. Charlie was transferred to the NICU unit, and Neonatal specialists were called in. Many tests were performed. After all the results of the tests had been gathered, the pediatrician looked my daughter in the eye and called the end result a "miracle." The baby was deemed perfectly healthy. The doctor said there was no scientific explanation for what had occurred. I am so grateful for miracles. I also believe in "tender mercies" from a loving Heavenly Father. I don't believe it was coincidence that I was given the insights in the previous paragraph so shortly before we faced our own trial. I'm grateful for His support and love during the trying times in our lives. I'm also grateful for miracles -- especially this new little miracle in our life.

Bloomin' Tuesday

First things first: Good news -- the baby arrived and mother and baby are doing beautifully! ;o) Happy Bloomin' Tuesday! This week while working in my garden, I was struck by all the beautiful colors and hues that are represented in my garden, so I thought I would create a few colorful collages for my Bloomin' Tuesday post this week. Hope you enjoy!

Conspicuous Corals...

Sunny Yellows...

Picturesque Pinks...

Pearly Whites...

Brilliant Blues...

Provocative Purples...

and Razzle-Dazzle Reds...

To visit more Bloomin' Tuesday Posts,
go to Ms. Green Thumb Jean's!

On pins and needles...

Things have been pretty exciting around our household these last couple of months. We've been working hard to get wedding plans finalized. The wedding is less than three weeks away, but we have a little something else to concentrate on now. We're on pins and needles. A little bundle of joy is coming our way tomorrow. His mama, my oldest daughter, is going to be induced tomorrow morning, so we imagine sometime tomorrow the baby will make his appearance. Oh happy day! On Tuesday this grandma and the mama's little sister, the bride, are going to hop in the car and high-tail it to eastern Nebraska for a little toddler entertaining (the baby's big brother) and newborn baby snuggling. Plus, we will manage to whip up a few meals and perform a few more favors for the mom and dad. We can't wait to meet the little guy. I just might have to post a photo or two...or three or four...

(The items in these photos were all found on Etsy.com)