Home again, home again, jiggity jig...

We have been on a little vacation to Puerto Rico. Most of JP's family is there and we went over for a surprise birthday party for his Mom. She is a wonderful lady and she was really surprised! It was a whirlwind trip but it was good to see that part of our family. We were able to stay in their beach apartment with this view each day.

I know, we were really roughing it, huh? It is a beautiful beach with turquoise water. We had a party with family and friends for JP's mom. She had a great time and so did we.
This is JP, one of his brothers and all the sisters. We got a new camera before the trip and had not mastered using it obviously. I wish these pictures were clearer.

All the family that was there...

One day we went to the other side of the island where JP's grandmother lives. She is such fun. We had only met once before in all our 26 years of marriage but we've been pen pals for a long time. I love her; she is 96 and lives in this beautiful home built in 1873. She speaks and reads Spanish and English, is very smart and up on current events more than I am. What a wonder!

She looks so tiny in that big old door way.
We had great food. We visited family. It was great. Now, it is good to be home. We boarded the dogs at our vet while we were gone and boy were they happy to be home too. Now, the house is just now getting back to our normal and we are so blessed. I'm going to try to catch up on your blog posts soon. Blessings to you all from the holler...

Nothing like a new hairdo...

In the winter Speedbump's hair grows out really thick and long. That's why she looks forward to the snow and frigid temperatures--she is built for it.

But, in the summer I always give her a new "spring do" and she loves it. She lays there while I shear her and enjoys the attention. I have to stop a few times to let the shears cool off and she runs around barking at me and the rest of the pack. She really enjoys being able to get closer to the air vents. I put her hair in the garden tomato trellis to scare the rabbits away.

For some reason I can't take her picture without a German Shepherd or two crowding into the frame. Speedbump is all about staying cool!

Blessings from all of us in the holler...

Happy Mother's Day...

JP and I want to wish our Mom's a Happy Mother's Day. My mom will be here on Sunday for steaks and celebration. JP's mom lives in Puerto Rico and we wish we could see her too. They are both great and we love them mucho!! You can tell from the picture above that the flowers on the table will be pink and purple. I'm gonna try to stop taking pictures of those blooms - I know you're sick of them but I love them.

Today I picked enough strawberries for us to have a bowl each for dessert tonight. They're really producing now and I'm fighting the birds for them. I really need to fix a net or something out there.


Yesterday, I planted the tomatoes in the garden. I have some with these trays around them to keep the weeds away and funnel the water to the roots. I ran out of trays for the other side so I decided to put paper down all over to keep the weeds down. It feel so good to have them in the ground! They look so small out there but they'll be growing soon. I put a banana peel, crushed egg shells and one teaspoon of sugar in each hole. I read where these things provide the nutrients needed to be strong plants. We'll see.



These irises grow at the base of our flag pole.
We hope that you have a good Mother's Day. God's richest blessings to you all from the holler...

She almost dug to China...

Blessings from the muddy holler...
You know, I assume everyone knows my dogs like they're family. This little innocent (ha ha) face belongs to Scrappy.