Home Again Home Again Jiggety Jig

As some of you know I've been away on vacation for the last 2 1/2 weeks.  The time flew by faster than a bee stung stallion but also seemed like we were away from home forever. 

We visit our friends and family in California at least once every other year and this was the year.  I've got lots of pictures to share about some wonderful places we visited but the most exciting thing was the two week wedding. 

Dino's cousin and fiance decided to get married while we were there and planned the entire wedding in two weeks....really...it was gorgeous. 

Beautiful!!  Uncle Tom was the officiant...his son is the groom.

Lydia was the flower girl.

Mathew and Bella, husband and wife

They married on the bluffs in Santa Barbara and had a farm-style reception at a lovely home in Montecito.  Almost all of the food was made by friends and family. 

We made Italian cream and pizzelles shaped while hot to be custard bowls.  This was using Dino's Zia Skinney's recipes (groom's mom).  Presented as make your own, filling the pizzelles with cream and fresh berries ~  it was delightful!

Zia Skinny and me

Beautiful sister Claudine dancing with her brother

A special day.  I just love weddings!

Summer hugs,

Jenn :)

"Bloom where you are planted"

~Mary Engelbreight

It's such a lovely time in the garden right now.  We seem to be getting enough rain that everything is in bloom or rebloom at the same time. Here is my English border...aka the big rambling mess which I love and Dino does not...in the front garden.

 

and this is "Dianna"....my favorite Rose of Sharon ~ pure white and blooming way early this year.  Please ignore my two flag stone pathway...it's a work in progress :)

We also have been blessed many times over with peaches this year.

 
Enough to share with one of our many bunnies, Lydia calls her "Petunia".  She never leaves and will sometimes just lay on her side and nibble away!

Sorry that I've been so quiet.  I miss you all.   Lots of family activities and trips going on over here.  I'll be back to normal in August with lots to share.

Sending big hugs,
Jenn :)

God Shed His Grace on Thee

Happy Independence Day! Food, fun, and family....Fourth of July already, can you believe it??  I need to take a deep breath and slow down the summer.  It always seems like that is the halfway point when it's only just begun.  We have our little American flags displayed on our front porch, in window boxes and flower pots...proudly displaying our pride in our country.  How lucky I feel to be an American and have freedom.  Thank you to the brave men and women who fight for our freedom.

Have a great holiday weekend!

"You're a grand old flag, you're a high flying flag and forever in peace may you wave.  You're the emblem of the land I love.

~George M. Cohan

Inspiration Friday ~ Band Boxes

This is a short inspiration Friday...although technically it's now Saturday morning.  I had a cup of tea around 9:00 p.m. and have been wide awake ever since.  (Should have stuck with herbal.)  Trying to be quiet, since everyone else was asleep, I started "organizing" my old magazines and got lost in articles about cottages, decorating, English gardens and on and on and on.

One interesting article I found in an old Country Living magazine from 2004 was on Jeanette McVay and how she creates her own bandboxes...they are just gorgeous!  I have always been intrigued by vintage band boxes, which at least 40 to over a 100 years old and most where made with wallpaper.  To read about this craft and how Jeanette makes them click here, you won't be disappointed.

Good night all.