Morning Walk at the Arboretum

Waking to a beautiful day, what else would one want to do other than enjoy it?  Mister wants to take a walk and I want to go to the Arboretum again so we decide to do both at once.  Yay us.  We go over an hour early to get our walk in while it is open to members only but no photography is allowed.  Once it is open to the public, we go back and snap some beautiful pictures of the things that truly caught our eye.

I have to tell you that the cherry tree blossoms are incredible and take me back to the Flathead Valley.  I grew up with cherry orchards everywhere and this was just a little touch of home.  Add in the tulips and it is simply magical.

We wander back through the gardens and at one point I sit down to wait while Mister takes pictures.  I turn around and he is focused on me, making me laugh.  Definitely not what I meant to happen.

Now, back to the flowers:

The new section of Magnolias includes a water feature that fascinates me.  What a cool fountain.

Don't you just love the single soul out there?

I love how the stream appears to go right into the lake although it is quite a distance away.

This area (above and below) is full of Japanese maples -- the colors are just so fun.

Fields of tulips --- WOW!

As we were walking, I noticed a rowing team down on the lake.  I think we should give that a try.

Another beautiful flowering cherry

The test gardens remind me of a patchwork quilt.  How cool is that?

I took a picture of this planter a week ago when it was fill with blossoms.  Today it has leafed out and has purple/pink flowers.  Interesting.  What a great morning.  Time to head back to the house.

An Unveiling

Our good friend Lisa Soderlund has invited us to an unveiling of her most recent work of art tonight and we are most happy to go and be supportive.  I absolutely am enthralled with her work and wish I had even an ounce of her talent.  Someday I will be able to say, "I knew her when."

She has been commission by Fuzi Fine Wines to do a collage for their wine cellar.  All that she was told was to keep it simplistic.  That can be a tough challenge for a collage artist, but she does such a good job meeting her clients needs.    Here is the unveiling.  I think he likes it!

It is a great time, with great friends and good wine.  Those are always moments to be treasured no matter when they take place.  Lisa is a gracious hostess who always makes everyone feel at ease and is more than happy to share her work with you.  A true artist through and through.

I catch Mister taking a picture (how on earth did we forget the good camera?) and thought perhaps you would like to see both perspectives of it.

Here is what he sees:

Amazing!! Nothing more needs to be said.  Check out her art.  You will not be disappointed.

Dining Room Light Magic

Yesterday, while I was sewing, it got really quiet in the house.  Now being a mom, that usually is a signal that someone is doing something on the sly and so I went on a hunt for Mister.  I found him in the living room emptying the box with the new dining room light fixture in it.  Some of you may recall the post when the entryway light was changed - yep over a year ago.  Well, we bought both lights at that time and this one has been sitting patiently in the back house waiting for it's turn to shine.

Apparently that time has come.

The next day --- ah -- a beautiful new light in our dining room.  Mister has once again done a wonderful job.

And yep, if you peek closely -- you will see the ever present "current" quilt project on the living room floor.  Mister only had a few days with this area clear.

Spring Pots Planted --- Love the Color in the Yard!

We are hosting a wine party this evening and after a week of spring cleaning, the yard needs a little touch up as well.  It is definitely time for flowers and I am ready to cook with fresh herbs again.  Yay weather change!  I made a trip to the nursery and once home, Mister set to work getting everything in pots and the yard looking lovely.  I was able to help a bit after I finished making treats for this evening.  Doesn't everything look beautiful?

Front porch:

Front Porch side view:

Best picture of them all:

Morning Walk at White Rock Lake

After the past week of spring cleaning and then sewing in the evenings, I am ready for some time outside.  When Mister wakes, I ask if he wants to go and get a coffee and then a walk at the lake.

The morning is still cool with a slight wind, but it is so refreshing at the same time.  I think that perhaps my favorite part of being at the lake is the wildlife.  The birds are abundant and the variety equally so.  As we walk along, I try and capture just a few memories of the morning.  We have neglected to bring a decent camera with us this morning, so my phone will have to do.

Nesting sites all over the place and being heavily protected.  These three give us a piece of their mind when we stop to take their picture.  However, despite how agitated they are, not a single one is willing to leave the area.

We spot this group of pelicans in the water and I absolutely LOVE pelicans.  Notice the blue heron as well?  The best part of watching the pelicans is that they do everything in unison.  Heads up:

Heads down:

Such a great morning --- now to return home to my sewing.  BUT -- I am revived.

Hosting a Neighborhood Wine Event

Each month our neighborhood association hosts a wine evening at different  homes in the area.  Tonight it is our turn to host.  Our neighbors start arriving with yummy hors d'oeuvres and bottles of Texan wine in hand.  Our theme is Texas - so everything is in that vein.  I have made a beer batter bread with Real Ale Brown Ale and it is soooo good.  I also put together a crab cheese ball to go with it.  Nice combo.

At one point --- all the girls (and a guy or two) want to see quilts -- so the tour is on.  About 6 of us even make it back to the studio to peek (the one room we didn't clean of course) in on the items out there.  There are about 20 people in our little home, but it works and we are all having a great time.

Some --- had to bring their own beer instead.  Not a problem for we love beer as well, but really?  Not Texas beer?

Clockwork

After cleaning house all day, I retreat to the office and my little featherweight for a little quilt time to myself.  It doesn't dawn on me for quite some time that Mister has not followed.  Time to go and see what he is up to.  Ah -- the grandfather clock has not been working correctly for awhile.  He has it in pieces and is cleaning and oiling it.  Perhaps this will do the trick.