Saturday, May 5, 2018

A bit of this and that on a Saturday.....










Happy Saturday everyone, well unless it is Sunday where you are then it is happy Sunday to you.

Another busy week for me but I seemed to get through it with no lice exposure so that is a bonus.  I started off my morning today with one little boy I know sleeping in.  I checked on him twice thinking he was unwell, he slept till 9:00, a record for him!  We had to rush a bit to his gardening club eating breakfast in the car.  While he was there I decided to not run any errands, instead I walked around Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs, Florida.  It is surrounded by beautiful homes and is right in the heart of downtown Tarpon Springs.  Usually there is a manatee or two out there swimming along but none were to be found today.  After my walk I sat in my car and listened to an audio book while crocheting away on this shawl.  Once again I am making Olivia's Shawl.  I need to get this done as it is an end of the year present for Little Buddy's school assistant.  School is out in just under 3 weeks so I better get moving.  

My gardenias are blooming and have been for a few weeks.  The scent when you walk outside is intoxicating.  I have loads of flowers blooming right now, it is a perfect time of year.  Soon it will be much to hot for anything to survive, just when all of you will have abundance in your gardens.  Gardenias are one of my dear friends Gracie's favorite flowers, this one is for you Gracie.  

A couple of years ago when my Father died I rescued this wee little Christmas cactus from his back porch.  It was dried up and I thought it was dead.  I took it home and re-potted it and it grew to four times its size.  Well until this past Winter when I thought I had lost it.  I broke it all apart, taking off the bottom of the plant and stuck it in the soil.  Only this tiny little bit has survived but it looks like it is doing well.  The same thing happened to my gigantic Christmas cactus, well one of them anyway.  It is now half the size it was, it was almost rotting, but hopefully now is on the mend.  I also rescued two ginormous mother-in-law tongue plants from my parents, one of which is with my sister.  I had to split mine in two they have been growing so well.  You can see it hiding behind my geranium, which must be over ten years old.

The photos of the boys are pre and post facial haircut which was performed this morning.  I could not even get a photo of Hank in the post stage, he would not sit still.  The boys have had a difficult week with Bear having an infection from his surgery that needed antibiotics, and Hank hurting his right front leg somehow.  They are both doing much better now.

I have several friends going through some difficult times right now.  Know that I keep all of you close to my heart and am always wishing you all the best.  Blog friends mean every bit as much as friends that live near.

After an afternoon in the pool with Little Buddy we are in for the night.  Tomorrow is another beach adventure, wish me luck.

I better get going to work on that shawl.  Have a great evening.

32 comments:

Judy S. said...

Love all of your photos, Mere. That's a really pretty shawl, too. Your plants are far ahead of ours here; I love that you have "adopted" some of your folks' plants. I'll bet they bring memories whenever you see them. Have a Happy Sunday. We are singing in our Worship through Music concert at both services tomorrow morning. This morning was a rehearsal so this is our music weekend!

Mac n' Janet said...

Glad y o u didn't have any lice problems this week. Sorry the boys had problems this week. Sometimes it's one thing or another. Love the shawl.

Chris said...

Gardenias, oh my! I can just imagine how fragrant they are. Your plants look great- sometimes plants will tempt the compost pile but pull out another life. Our winter killed a bunch of stuff. What a beautiful lagoon!! So nice to get out by water. Your pups look great and full of that crazy puppy energy. Glad to hear you are lice free!!! Have a super Sunday!!

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

I'm enjoying outdoors this p.m. with planting flowers I bought Fri. Sitting on step after I took photos on camera. Nearly done and need to water. Sometimes I wish I crocheted. I like all the shawls you make. So pretty and quicker than knitting. Enjoy your cacti. Glad they're still growing! Happy weekend too Mere!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful place to take a walk.

I so agree with you. My blog friends are every bit as loved as the ones I see in real life.

Wishing you a nice, restful night at home with your hook and yarn.

Teresa Kasner said...

What a neat lagoon.. I can't imagine being able to see manatees swim by. You'll enjoy it when your little man sleeps in more as he grows. But you raised 2 boys so you know that! LOL! I'm glad you saved your parents plants. I'm exhausted from the big event today, we just got home. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Anonymous said...

I could eat those 2 dogs, so cute!!!
When my mother died I gave her Christmas cactus to her best friend. I forgot to ask that friend how the plant is doing now. But I remember that my mother never moved the cactus, because the 'leaves' are too delicate to turn to the light. And I also remember that she didn't gave it too much water. It was her favorite plant. She also had some other plants and they are in my house now. They must be more than 35 years old.
I wish you a very lovely day at the beach, Little B will steal all the hearts there again :-)
And yes, when I feel a little irritated or sad, all the sweet blogcomments make me feel better again. It feels like I've known my blogfriends for ages, although it can't be more than 3 years. But I couldn't miss them anymore.
Take care!

mamasmercantile said...

So glad to hear there were no lice problems. Your furry boys are such a handsome pair and growing so quickly. Glad to hear they are now on the mend. We were disappointed to have missed the perfect time of year for a visit to your wonderful part of the world, but have a lot to be thankful for. Hope you manage to get the shawl finished.

CJ said...

Dear puppies, they're so gorgeous. Bertie's due for a full trim at the end of the month, his moustache is getting rather long. The beach sounds like a great plan. It will be busy here at the beaches though this weekend, as there's a bank holiday on Monday and it seems as if EVERYONE goes. We'll be heading inland I think. Although I'm tired and I'd really just like to stay at home. But, boys, dog, you know how it is. All must be properly exercised with vast amounts of open air galloping. I am bracing myself. Have a lovely day my friend. CJ xx

Jo said...

It's good to take a rest from errands and go for a stroll instead, especially in such beautiful surroundings. Good news on the lice front, not so good news on Hank and Bear, I hope they're both recovering well.

Janice Smith said...

Glad you had a bit of time for yourself while Little Buddy was at his gardening club. With your work and busy life, it's good to grab as many quiet moments as you are able.

The shawl yuou are workingon will be a lovely, thoughtful gift.

Have a wonderful week.

Delighted Hands said...

I'm glad you got some restorative time at Tarpon Springs while you waited for your patient! Down time is mental healthy!
The plants are beautiful-I'm glad you rescued them again!
Ahhhh, I can almost smell your Gardenias! I need to plant a bush!

Lilbitbrit said...

Happy your week was lice free. Love your stories and the rescued plants, there is something that makes you feel good about helping it back to glory again. The boys look like double trouble. Glad you had a little time to wander instead of the errands, nice to do that sometimes. Enjoy the weekend.

Nance said...

There's nothing more charming than a Big-Nosed Closeup Dog Pic!

Wanderingcatstudio said...

That's a lovely spot for walk!

Christmas cactuses tend to rot when they get too much water or have gotten too small for their pot (harder for the water to drain properly).
I've got a 60-year-old Jade tree - it belonged to my best friend's grandmother, it was passed to her mother, but when her mother didn't have room for it, none of the siblings wanted it. Her mother knew I loved plants, so Jade came to live with me. I hope to keep it going for another 30 or 40 years.

Anonymous said...

to just do quiet things and let the grass grow by itself...
sometimes it's preferable.
i'm reading a book on my kindle that was written by a fellow blogger who is also an accomplished writer. it's hilarious really! and like all good comedy with a poignant underbelly. it's This Time Next Year by Liz Hind.
the reason i mention it here is because little Bear made me think of a line she says in it...
"happy as a dog with a wet nose!"
i like that.
have a wonderful week dearest bean. xoxo

Christine W said...

The pictures are beautiful! Good to see that you had some time to crochet.

Helen said...

Lovely pictures :) Glad there have been no lice, and also that the boys are doing better. The shawl is a gorgeous colour! x

karen said...

hurrah for no lice treatments, that is progress, ha ha. Your walk about sounds lovely - we walked on Saturday after dinner and it was nice but then I got side tracked trying to identify a plant (googling) and lost all my 'zen' feeling. Googling is not being in the moment. Gah. Love the photos of your pups :)

Needles and Wool said...

Lovely photos of your plants, dogs, nature, and crochet. Your puppies look so cute and happy! They look nice post haircut. Hope your blog friends are well.

Betsy said...

I’m glad you had a better week with no lice and that your little guy slept a little bit later for you on Saturday. Your new shawl is beautiful as always. I’m glad you found some time to crochet and relax a bit. I really enjoyed hearing about the way you rescued the plants from your family. I had an African violet of my mothers for over 25 years after she died. It finally gave up a couple of years ago. I cried more about that plant dying than I had anything in a long time. I hope you have a lovely week this week my friend.
Blessings, Betsy

Vera said...

Such pretty pictures and what a beautiful spot for a walk. Yay for no lice!! Hoping your beach day turned out lovely. Do Hank and Bear get in the pool?

kathy b said...

Love each photo. Love your plant revival stories!
Im glad you never got those nasty lice. UGH.
Im so glad Lil B is learning to sleep in! Such a treat for you both.
Prayers for your friends' needs.
As you know I adore your crocheted shawls. Mere.
I love hearing from you on your blog. I know you are busy, I appreciate the love you share!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Your photos make me smile. I'm heading into a busy week but with Mother's Day next Sunday I'll be celebrating with my Mom and I know I"m blessed!

Una said...

That water looks so inviting. I could just jump right in. Just catching up on your other posts and am really pleased that Buddy can now go to the beach. Well done.

Lee said...

Just saying hi and catching up.Love the photos.My Christmas Cactus is flowering for the second time this year ! strange lol.Do hope you are ok and not getting too stressed and tired,you have so much to do all the time.I Love manatees they are so Beautiful,I made a manatee birthday cake years ago for a friends daughter who also loved them.How are the pups doing are they any better at behaving,do hope so bless their gorgeous furry hearts.Huggles xxxxx

kathy b said...

Oh thank God no lice. That would do me in!!!
The boys hair cuts.....oh so cute. It is always something right? Fezzik finishes his torn back nail antibiotics tonight.

Christina said...

Isn't it funny, we always wish for our youngsters to sleep in and when they do, we worry? Mine were still asleep at 8 this morning, while I was working downstairs. It sounds like you are on top of things Meredith, I am glad all is well. Wishing you a good week xx

Melanie said...

Glad you finally got a little free, relaxing time! Your plants are beautiful. I have a mother-in-law's tongue plant that I inherited from a friend when she moved several years ago. It's doing well, but the taller stalks fall over. I notice on blogs that other people's plants don't seem to do that. I wonder why mine do? Guess I'll Google it.

krishna said...

Love the hand painted pot.. I also love pot paining..

Please visit: http://from-a-girls-mind.blogspot.com

Babajeza said...

It's midweek already, I'm way behind. :-) Enjoy the beach (there will be a next time). Regula

Gracie Saylor said...

Yay for some lovely stitching time!!! :-) xx