Well, the redbud tree it was under was dying and had to be cut down a week ago. Our many grateful thanks to our friend Paul and the crew members he sent over to help us out with that tree and several other projects!

We watched from the east porch.

The girls were really happy to see the chip pile being replaced. They had accused Pa of “melting the mountain” when he used the last of the old chips. The truck was loud, though…

Once the tree was gone, the hostas were in need of a new home. We worked on moving ‘Sagae’ this evening. DH began by digging around it. It was tangled with the redbud roots.

“Give me a place to stand and a lever long enough…”

It came up in one large piece and one small piece. The small piece was planted under the redbud tree east of the kitchen.

The larger piece was planted in the long bed under the Southern Red Oak.

Done!

Tomorrow, we’ll work on moving the other hostas that had been under the redbud tree. With a good soaking drink and the shade returned to them, they should be fine.

~~Rhonda

We talked about a lot of things…butterflies and birds and ants and beetles…

…flowers and trees…and wind…and the bright warm sun…

…and frogs…and ponds…and eggs…and tadpoles…

…and rocks…and seashells…and dragonflies…and lizards…

With a good peppering of “I’m hungry…” and “I need a drink, Ma…” and “I have to go potty!”

Just the usual. ~~Rhonda

And they helped clean out the mixing bowl, too.

~~Rhonda

“Look at the baby ants!”

Fascinating!

Having the ant crawl over her fingers and hand didn’t bother her at all. Different story for her sister.

Had to show it to Pa.

Putting the ant back “so he can go home and find his Mommy and his Daddy.”

Long after her sister lost interest, she kept watching and playing with the ants. Her ability to focus on one thing over a long period of time always surprises me.

~~Rhonda

The first few strokes were a little hesitant.

Zak is so compliant and easy-going that it didn’t take the twins long to relax and enjoy brushing the kitty.

The girls also enjoyed playing with the collection of rocks we keep on the east porch.

And Saturday afternoon DQ treats were much appreciated.

Just another day at Pa and Ma’s house.

~~Ma

“Pink’s my favorite!”

“I like blue.”

Sprinkles on toast are good, too. I said “smile” so she did.

On to haircuts. She kept repeating, “I don’t like a haircut. I don’t like a haircut.” But she sat still and did a great job.

Sister did well, too.

Then we cleaned up.

When haircuts were done, we got down to business. Time to hang the snowflakes in the kitchen! Twelve foot ceilings give us room to suspend three to four foot mirrored garlands with large snowflakes suspended from them. It’s always a hit with our guests.

It was fun to do this with the twins this year. And they LOVE to help! Everything is a big adventure for them. Every time we open another box of decorations, they say “Is this Christmas!?”

Twin2 was fascinated by the mirrored garland and kept trying to see herself in the little mirrors. Don’t you love her hat?

Pa’s little helper.

Mission accomplished!

It’s wonderful to have our son’s family nearby. It’s still odd to hear his voice calling “Mom?” when he pops in to say hi while in town on an errand. There’s a split second when I don’t remember he lives here now! And having the grands over for bits of every day life is great! It adds a lot of joy to our life!

~~Rhonda

After the candles were placed on the cakes, they kept saying, “We need fire! We need fire!”

Have you ever seen anyone cut her ice cream with a knife? Had to have bite-sized pieces, you know.

Fun presents…jump ropes, coloring books, story books, and cookie and brownie play sets.

“It’s for baking!”

We had a great time. The day had been long for me. I was tired today, was having some trouble with pain in my right leg and right arm, and felt a bit over-whelmed by a few things. But my girls worked hard to make things come together. And it was all worth it in the end. We had so much fun. The twins are a hoot! Their excitement is very entertaining, and they make us laugh by the funny things they say. Laughter is the best medicine, right? It was a happy ending to a less than stellar day.

~~Rhonda

This afternoon we’ll see how that goes when she, et al, move into their new home and stay the night.

~~Ma

The bright yellow gold of the hickory tree was beautiful against the blue sky.

DH raked enough leaves to pad the wagon and we took the twins for a ride through the tiny woods and around the yard.

The crepe myrtles are so pretty this time of year. These shrubs and small trees are worth the garden space. They bloom late in the summer season for a long period of time and add wonderful autumn color.

A few autumn violets poked their faces above the rough end-of-summer plants under the apple trees.

The violets weren’t the only spring and early summer flowers blooming. The hydrangeas had a few stragglers, too.

The girls had fun. They climbed the mulberry tree…

and tried to catch butterflies on the asters.

When they got tired of riding in the wagon, they got out and walked for a while.

The Southern Oak behind the house has turned a bright gold this week.

The dogwood near the fenced garden is a particularly gorgeous red.

The beauty of God’s creation is always amazing, even in the waning season of autumn. And now, added to that blessing of beauty in the garden, we have the blessing of our son and his family living nearby. There is always something to be grateful for!

~~Rhonda

These grapes were particularly good. The girls finished them off in record time.

Sometimes the TV is a nice babysitter. A snack of Pa’s good homemade rolls and a nice Richard Scarry story equals quiet in the house. :-}

For a while anyway…

~~Rhonda