A Walk in the Garden

I had a chance to wander my garden the other day.

I toted my camera along ;~)

Here are some of the pictures I took.

Come take a walk with me........

Givaway

There is a great new give away over at

The Continuing Adventures of Mama Rose and the Pink Princess Blog.

You have an opportunity over the next three days to win a $50 gift card for products from Paper Culture. What's the catch? Submit a comment to this post telling my why you want the gift card. It's that simple. All comments must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM 7/19/2009.

So hurry on over!

Berry Cobbler

I decided to make a cobbler

with the berries we picked the other day

and thought I'd share my

quick & easy recipe.

You can use most any fresh fruit with this.

*

Quick Fruit Cobbler

*

4 Tablespoons Butter/Margarine,

cut into squares

1/2 cup unsifted Flour,

spoon into cup

1/2 cup Sugar

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

1/2 Milk

2 to 4 cups fresh Fruit or Berries

*

Dot bottom of 9-by-9-by-2-inch baking dish

with Butter squares.

In a bowl, mix together Flour, Sugar,

Baking Powder, and Milk.

Pour over Butter and spoon

Fruit over all,

allowing space for dough to bubble up.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven

for 30-35 minutes,

or until golden brown.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Don't forget to join my giveaway!! 

Day Trek Continued

After the Lake we headed south, back towards home.

There were a few unusual sights....

we caught one on film.

Now usually at the entrances to farms there are

related farm items attached to the entrance posts,

ie. horns, brands, western iron silhouettes, etc.

As we passed a few farms in the area where we were,

we started to wonder exactly what they had put on these.

I slowed down and stopped at the next one.

Yes it was a bike!

A little further down the road we stumbled upon a treasure!!!

Wild Berries!!!!

Lots and lots of Wild Berries!

We had a plastic bag so TJ & I got out & picked & picked! Then, wouldn't you know it, I got the bag stuck on a thorn, it ripped & all those berries went flying! GRRR I tied up the bag as best as I could. I wasn't leaving empty handed! We picked again ;~)

Not too bad a haul. They were sooo sweet. We headed home after that...thanks to Garmin ;~) You didn't think I'd go get lost without a surefire way to get back home did you? hmmmm, now what to make with all those yummy berries.......

Speechless

We were doing pretty good today until we received a knock at the door.

The local Florist was there with a pretty bouquet of

Carnations, Gerberas, Bells of Ireland, Statice & more inside a sweet

ceramic Coffee Cup with the quote

"Friendship Are The Flowers In Life's Garden".

We looked at it & couldn't figure out who it could be from.

We opened the card...

they were from our Veterinarian's Office with condolences for the loss of Toby.

We looked at each other and none of us could speak.

Needless to say we cried all over again.

This was such a touching gesture

which in today's world of bottom lines & business

have gone by the wayside.

We were so lucky 15 years ago to have moved to this small town

where my Father was born,

where people are still friendly, know most everyone by name

and still has compassion.

We have the best Vets & staff in the world. They are always there, even for the smallest questions and available 24/7. Dr Wallace & her family live behind the office. She has met us there in the middle of the night when my daughter's cat had heart failure. Then again when our 14 yr old Husky's body failed her, to supply us with answers and guidance. And when my youngest son's new kitten couldn't stop coughing to find out she was born with an enlarged heart and would need medication for the rest of her life...and many more too many numerous times to mention.

Doing their job? Yes, but they are so devoted to the animals

and to the people who care for them.

So it is comforting to have a professional who takes time to do the little things, sometimes it's the littlest things that mean the most.

Thank you Dr. Cathy Wallace, Dr. Tina Faulkner

and staff from the bottom of our hearts.

Day Trek

When I was little, Mom & Dad would pile us in the car and go for "a ride".

Usually we drove by neighbors farms to see how the crops were coming.

Sometimes we would drive to places we hadn't been in a while...

usually into the hills & canyons.

I always loved those. Guess it was the country girl inside me ;~)

A few days ago, I decided to take my 3 youngest on a trek/adventure.

Destination unknown.

They took turns telling me which way to go, they liked that!

We went through tiny little farm towns and

ended up at a State Park we didn't even know existed!

Turlock Lake State Recreation Area

What a neat place and had such a nice Park Ranger.

When she found we were only staying for a bit

she waved the entrance fee!

then she gave us a free "Save Our Natural Resources" Frisbee,

How cool is that!

The Lake had different areas,

a boat launch, viewing area, campground, picnic area with bbq's,

swimming areas, campfire center and.....

a little beach...

Even islands...

Then we saw Canadian Geese They were picking and eating the grass and probably bugs too As we got closer some decided to head to the water The we remembered we had some popcorn in the car. When they saw we were throwing it out for them they came flying back! I think they enjoyed it, we did ;~) No this isn't photo shopped. Just happened! Then we found........ More to follow....

Toby Pics

A dear friend of mine made this for us.

Thank you Sara & Critters of Love

Just wanted to share a few more pictures of Toby...

Toby, Whitley RIP Better times...

We Love & Miss You Toby

Today was a most difficult one.

One of our fur babies has been suffering and fighting

Prostate Cancer for about a year.

Toby our lovable Basset.

The last coupe of weeks I've noticed slight changes.

3 days ago his tail stopped wagging,

no more "thud thud" throughout the house.

We was starting to suffer and his cheerful demeanor was gone.

He was put to rest today.

Toby we will never forget you,

the guardian of our yard...

from cats, gophers & those pesky mice.

Our feet will be cold this winter

and our hearts are empty.

Go, run , jump and play with Whitley...

she is waiting for you across the Rainbow Bridge

Toby 5/5/99 - 7/11/09
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown...

Summer Backgrounds

Hope everyone had a fun 4th of July. We sure did!

Since we are pretty much smack dab in the middle of summer I thought I'd share some summer backgrounds with you.

Here ya go : ~)

More Comfort Dolls are on their way to Pat!

I've finally gotten around to sending this latest group of

Comfort Dolls off to Pat Winter .

Been spending allot of time in Dr's. offices lately with Hubby.

So much time wasted just waiting...not necessarily so!

Took my doll bag with me & have been whipping up these

little treasures for Pat's Cause.

Be sure to find out more about

The Comfort Doll Project & Pat!

A very noteworthy cause indeed!