Happy Birthday to James!!!!

It was off the the Arlingate park for James' birthday on Friday. He and his friends are loving the swings, especially being pushed by the two grandpas.
James wanted a baseball party and there was a big baseball pinata that Dan finally had to break. Here is LJ with his buddies Charlie and Riley. Dad got LJ to eat a good part of that hotdog by "challenging" him to a race to see who could eat theirs first. Shauna was real excited (not really)...likely envisioning a choking episode in the making (Dad...not LJ :o) ). He didn't want to wear the birthday hat, but obliged yours truly for this shot.

Hats off!

When I went to New Mexico, we went through a lot of my parents stuff to see what we could give away or keep. We came across a hat box with these beauties in it. My Mom was a big hat wearer and I have memories of her wearing each and everyone of these. There is a picture of us at Easter time and Mom is wearing the little pillbox hat that I have on. We used to say that the hat she is wearing looked like whipped cream. Yes, I know...it's all about the food!
My favorite was this pheasant hat I am wearing here. Krisite took a couple of hats home for her costume collection. Good times.

Battle of the Backyards

Again with the landscape postings...what can I say? Compare and contrast the differences. This is my brother, Sean's backyard in Albuquerque. I think they have done an amazing job. It is truly a desert work of art. As you see, they live on the side of a hill.
< Ah, the flat terrain of Marysville, Ohio. It is so green and lush and some of the trees have not even budded out yet.

My beautiful lilacs! When I am done, I hope to have about 50 of these babies in my yard.

The Cutest Puppies!

When I got to Sean's in Albuquerque, I was introduced to their new puppies, who promptly started to lick my toes. It tickled. They are so tiny and cute!

Trixie and Chewy are a shitzu-yorkie mix and just 4 months old. Den calls this type of small dogs... yapping, rat dogs. I have often told him that this is just the kind of dog I would like to have in my house!!!

New Mexico Architechture and Landscapes

While in New Mexico, I got up each morning to walk. I am always enchanted by the big difference between the homes and yards there and in Ohio. One day, I took my camera, so I could document just what I mean. Because it is a desert and water costs money, many homes have opted to completely use stone in their front yard. This is pretty typical and low maintainence...also pretty ugly.
Now, here is NM landscape gone wild. Trying to jazz up the rock, they have overdone the yard art.
This was actually the yard next door to my parents. These were made from car parts...pretty clever... if you like that sort of thing.
The dry creek bed is very popular these days. Notice the lovely trailer, made from a pick-up bed, in the yard next door. My brother said it had been there for years.
I like the way they use the glass blocks in designs for windows. Look, they have a little grass.
Here is the xeriscaping at its finest. Native drought tolerant plants in a naturalized setting.
No grass here, but check out those windows and ever popular tiled roof.
Aspens are the tree of choice, here. Gotta love the use of the natural stone.
This was a cul-de-sac that I walked by everyday. I thought they did a great job!
Not much of a backyard, but oh, what a great view. There is something in me that still likes the Pueblo/Spanish style home, must be from growing up there. If nothing else, you have got to love the blue sky with no clouds. That is how it is everyday! There is no humidity and I swear, by the end of the week, I thought my skin was going to crack off!