Author Archives: ~~Rhonda

Living in a small town, I share my life with my husband Russell (married in 1977), five children (one still at home), and six cats (one indoors, the others outside).

I teach an online class called “The Christmas Notebook” which is about all things holiday prep. The many facets of celebrating Christmas comprises one of my favorite hobbies. Other favorite things include gardening, reading, cooking, and scrapbooking.

menu plan monday ~ June 7, 2010

Daylily season is here and we are spending every possible moment in the yard. While the daylilies call from the garden, our menus will contain a lot of quick and easy food. The exception to that general rule is tonight. Yesterday afternoon, DH and I drove to my niece’s house and picked up ten chickens […]

beautiful hydrangeas

Last summer, our hydrangeas did poorly, but this year, they are loaded. Tricia, they remind me of your wedding. 🙂 Happy anniversary, soon! Hydrangeas along the north wall of the addition. Next to the front porch… This is the first year this particular shrub has bloomed well for us. I don’t know the cultivar name. […]

end of spring, beginning of summer

I don’t know about you, but in my book (official calender designation not withstanding), the end of May is the end of spring. June 1 brings summer, not June 21. For me. In my garden. In my mind. And I can see summer coming on strong as I take a look around the garden. I […]

menu plan Monday ~ May 31, 2010

Happy Memorial Day! I hope you had some meaningful celebrations as well as some fun today. This morning, DH took his mother to the cemeteries and she enjoyed being at Old Salem for the Memorial Day service. This afternoon, we got outside for a bit and I took a lot of garden pictures. I’ll post […]

an in-between week in the garden

The irises are done, except for the last few stragglers. And the daylilies are not in full swing yet, though the first few have been showing themselves now and then. It’s that in between time in the garden, the lull between spring and summer. The coreopsis is providing the main color in the garden for […]

menu plan monday ~ may 24, 2010

My side of the family came yesterday to celebrate my Dad’s birthday. And my birthday. And other family May birthdays. 🙂 All my sibs were here with bits and pieces of their families. With so many family members (and some living across the ocean) it is hard to get everyone here at the same time. […]

menu plan monday ~ may 17, 2010

The church picnic was great, as usual. Yes, we had great food and the weather cleared up for the party, which was also great. But it’s our church family and friends that make the day wonderful. As usual. 🙂 Thanks to all who came! Sadly, no pictures. If anyone took pics and would like to […]

menu plan monday ~ may 10, 2010

After several delays caused by car trouble, the girls finally made it home Saturday evening, safe and sound. Just in time for Mother’s Day! 🙂 DH did some surprise shopping and brought home the ingredients for my favorite Mother’s Day meal…grilled chicken, veggie packets, and corn on the cob. So good! Veggies packets are marked […]

irises and peonies

This week, the garden is showing off its irises and peonies. Lots of color and the wafting of heavenly scents! Peony ‘Kansas’ Peony ‘Mons. Jules Elie’ Peony ‘Dancing Butterfly’ A beautiful time of year in the garden.  You can see more garden blooms at Flower Friday. ~~Rhonda

the early may garden

The yard is bursting with beautiful colors. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves. I love spring! 🙂 ~~Rhonda