7/1 - Harry Graduates!

Our sweet Harry Houdini is now a graduate of puppy school! He aced his final exam (obeying the commands he had been taught) and looks so cute in his cap. He adores his trainer, Cody. We're starting Intermediate class in two weeks. I highly recommend Petsmart Johnson Ferry for training.

7/1 - Harry Graduates! - Version 2

Our sweet Harry Houdini is now a graduate of puppy school! He aced his final exam (obeying the commands he had been taught) and looks so cute in his cap. He adores his trainer, Cody. We're starting Intermediate class in two weeks. I highly recommend Petsmart Johnson Ferry for training.

6/25 - Sibley Pond in June

Its ust keeps getting greener and lusher. Biggest difference this month is at the end of the pond - see all the new bushes? Stay tuned!

5/21 - Harry Houdini

We have a new pup. He's a four-month-old English Setter/Border Collie mix, and he's a bundle of fun, love, and curiosity. Welcome to the family, Harry Houdini!

5/19 - Sibley Pond in May

Grreeery is filling in.. Look at the top and bottom, and the greens on the far left bank. It's getting very lush out there!

5/19 - Progress!

A friend posted this picture of her preschool-graduate daughter. It could have been me or any of my friends at that age, except we only aspired to be nurses. The boys hoped to be doctors. Nice to see the progress! #youvecomealongwaybaby.

5/5 - Feeding Time

This chickadee has been flying in and out of this birdhouse with treats in its beak for several days. I can't hear cheeps yet, so I'm guessing it's papa, bringing food to nesting mama. I'm delighted this birdhouse is being used!

5/5 - Feeding Time

This chickadee has been flying in and out of this birdhouse with treats in its beak for several days. I can't hear cheeps yet, so I'm guessing it's papa, bringing food to nesting mama. I'm delighted this birdhouse is being used!

5/4 - Bluebird

I love it when the bluebirds come back to nest. Does this mama look pregnant?

5/4 - Bluebird

I love it when the bluebirds come back to nest. Does this mama look pregnant?

Classy

In a stunning development, no birds have chosen this as their new home. I still think it's funny. It was purchased in Helen, Ga, home of tacky.

Classy

In a stunning development, no birds have chosen this as their new home. I still think it's funny. It was purchased in Helen, Ga, home of tacky.

4/29 - Thirtieth!

My Darden MBA class celebrated our 30th reunion in style, with dinner at the beautiful Afton Mountain Vineyards owned by classmate Tony Smith. It was wonderful to catch up with so many longtime friends. So wonderful, this was the ONLY picture I took!

IMG_0166

Love all the layers on this pale pink bloom. And the raindrops (and ant!) add a nice touch.

IMG_0166

Love all the layers on this pale pink bloom. And the raindrops (and ant!) add a nice touch.

4/27 - Pretty Baby

Baby piney warbler in the window feeder. Love the bright yellow color!

4/27 - Pretty Baby

Baby piney warbler in the window feeder. Love the bright yellow color!

4/23 - Kangaroo?

John and I had dinner at Canoe tonight with Dad and Barbara. Everything was delicious, as always. We were surprised to find kangaroo on the menu, and ordered a plate to share. It was tender, flavorful, and quite an experience.

4/22 - Beauty and the Beast

Last night, I shot our School of the Arts performance of Beauty and the Beast. It was very professionally done, and it was so much fun to see kids I've known for years on stage. All the pictures here:http://smu.gs/2pTPn6Q

4/21 - Sibley Pond in April

Wow! What a difference a month makes!

4/17 - Life is short, use the good stuff

In honor of the first anniversary of Mom’s passing, I decided it was time to bring her mother's sterling silverware down from the attic and put it into service. It’s at least 90 years old, and has a soft luster that makes me happy every time I use it.

4/16 - Easter

4/10 - Zack Attack

Look who came to stay with us for a few days! This is Zack, a one-year-old male English Setter (mix?). He's a wonderful dog. All that puppy fun, and also mellow and well-behaved. He has a home to go to this weekend, but he's welcome any time.

4/10 - Zack Attack!

Look who came to stay with us for a few days! This is Zack, a one-year-old male English Setter (mix?). He's a wonderful dog. All that puppy fun, and also mellow and well-behaved. He has a home to go to this weekend, but he's welcome any time.

4/9 - Hosanna!

Look at the joy on these kids' faces as they bring in palms to commemorate Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem! More pics from the day here: http://smu.gs/2oY6ELX

4/7 - May All your Weeds be Wildflowers

I found this cool wildflower growing by Sibley Pond n today's walk. Reminds me of the honeysuckle of my childhood.

4/7 - Little Yellow Fellow

We have so many baby birds showing up in the yard! Birds of all the types we usually see, just smaller. These pine warblers are my favorite with their bright yellow feathers.

3/26 - Sibley Pond in March

It's definitely greening up, and look at all the pollen on the surface of the lake. Achoo!

3/8 - Welcoming Baby Eden

We surprised our FPU classmates Jesica and Justin with a little baby shower after class this week. Baby is due imminently, so we're just in time.

2/26 - Planting our Miracle

The past three weeks' sermons have had a common theme of gardening and faith. So I decided to sow some mustard seeds in good soil, and see what God does with it. I'd never seen a mustard seed before, and they sure are small! Hopefully, between God and me, we can do something with all this.

2/24 - Sibley Pond in February

Here's the second of my monthly views of Sibley Pond. Few changes, but the brighter early spring sun certainly makes the colors pop. And if you look carefully, there is a bradford pear in bloom at the very end of the pond.

2/23 - They're here!

I've wanted these wireless earphones for six months, since Apple announced them. I have been using wireless headphones for several years, and these solve all of the many complaints I had with them. Now I just have to not lose them.

2/21 - Bless Your "Not Enough"

Jody's past two sermons, what I call the "Miracle" series, has been awesome. I took lots of notes on Sunday on our new note-friendly program. Great job on the redesign, Lauren H!

2/20 - My Funny Valentine

This was my favorite score from the aisle of deeply-discounted valentine candy during today's shopping trip. I know John liked it, because he immediately texted a pic of it to his friends. Who comes up with this stuff?

2/19 - New Mercies

We sang the hymn Great is the Faithfulness in church this morning. The line, "morning by morning, new mercies I see," is often on my mind as our garden comes back to life in spring. Today, the white daffodils - my favorites - are in full bloom. And lots of other new mercies are coming up, too.

2/18 - Red-winged blackbird in the rain

This has been going on all day - dozens of blackbirds in the trees, on the ground, and at the feeders.

2/16 - The Last Leaf

Seems every year, one leaf stays on the cherry tree long after the others have fallen. It always makes me think of the O Henry story.

2/14 - Valentines from God

Look, God sent me roses for Valentine's Day. Lenten roses in this case. Glorious.