Peony In Bloom

My peony is blooming. I bought this at the end of winter a year ago. Last year, I had only one flower. This year, there are three buds and the largest is opening up.
I took this sequence of photos over about 2 hours as it opened. I know nothing other than it is a peony but I sure do love it. Has only a hint of fragrance now but there is promise of more to come.





I am enjoying spring here at the little cottage by the creek in the redwoods. Token and Goldie are spending a lot of their days lounging in the sun on the deck. They sat still for the picture at the top of this post, but Token refused to look at the camera. That is the peony pot they are posing next to - their size is why they will always be called puppies.

Spring Has Sprung

Yeah, I know, this post is yet another overdue one. I'll just say keeping the little cottage by the creek in the redwoods looking like no one lives here (and exactly as shown in the pictures several posts below), well, that is hard work as bushie would say.

But, in addition to doing all that dreaded housework every fricking day, I've also been taking some pictures of what will be my last spring here at the creek.

Here is the maple tree off the deck as it blooms.



Here is some eye candy of the creek in the redwoods springing back to life.

Nothing Much - Just Got Engaged

That is what my first born, Jennifer, said last night on the phone. She called a little after 8pm, unusual for a Wednesday night. Her response was to my asking what was up. Mike proposed during dessert after they had dinner at Jen's Dad's home. Mike brought her desert plate and, instead of dessert, there was a box from the jeweler's. Mike got down on one knee and in front of her father, asked her to marry him.

Awwwwwwwww. Makes me tear up just thinking about it.

Of course, I asked for details and pictures so here are the camera phone shots. She says of the pictures:

My phone can only take semi-blurry pictures. Dad took some pics but I’m sure I wont get them until he learns how to download them.

You can describe the ring to whomever you are sending to: ½ carat center stone with ¼ carats as side stones with 2 more diamonds in the band on each side. 7 total.
This one is a little better. You can see the 2 diamonds in the band



I once described Jennifer as being born with a hairbrush in one hand and a telephone in the other - which she was using to plan her wedding. In response to the buttload of questions I fired off to her in an email this morning (I was too happy and surprised to think last night) she says:

Ok, so this is what I know.

We are getting married in May 2008, no specific date yet. That all depends on the girls last day of school next year.

The wedding will semi-formal with green and orange as the colors. (pastels). It will have an Irish theme & bag pipes. The wedding will be outdoors with the reception indoors. We are thinking of having it in a hotel but that is just an idea. We aren’t sure of the time of day but we are thinking that we want it around sunset. Getting married during the day and the reception will be at night.

So I immediately asked the obvious question and this was her response:

And NO Mike will NOT be wearing a kilt.

Dang.

Token Tuesday

It has been several months since I have done a Token Tuesday. With thanks to Jacqrat for help with the picture selection, here is the cutest dog in the world in full grump mode. I took this yesterday afternoon out on the deck - he was not cooperating is a polite way of describing the process.




Since Jacqrat does not have Bravo's picture posted anywhere (for quick linking when we are all comparing animal companions), I've included Bravo's picture here for Jacqrat's linkage. Bravo is a chow/pit mix and Jacqrat describes her as adorable. Just look at those eyes!



I think Bravo's head is bigger than Token. Bravo is a chow/pit mix and Token is a mix of toy poodle and lhasa apso (mom) and scottie and yorkie(dad). Bravo weighs 65 lbs and Token weighs in at 8 lbs.

For Mrs. K8

Mrs. K8 lives in the Arizona desert where spring bulbs do not bloom and is missing the spring eye candy they provide.

Mrs. K8, these are for you.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Busy, busy, busy. Between showings, previews, and open houses for the sale of the little cottage by the creek in the redwoods and working backstage as a moderator over at the lake in the evenings, I've been a busy little bee.

It has rained several times since I last blogged - my year to date total is 25 and 1/4 inches. Token, the cutest dog in the world, turned 2 on February 27th. He certainly enjoyed his birthday ice cream but I'm sure he had no idea why he was getting such a fine treat.

Took this from the bridge. It is one of my favorite views - tied with the view from my deck looking toward the bridge. Eye candy I'll miss when the place sells. Lots of activity but no offers. Am getting lots of positive feedback from other agents and their clients but until I get an offer, I'm keeping my expectations very, very low. I refuse to get caught up on that emotional roller coaster that the real estate market can create, hoping each buyer is "the one".

Have the short notice routine down to about 15 minutes and am keeping the house in 15 minute notice condition. Totally sucks. It is comparable to doing the once a week and the once a month cleanings every day. Last chores before bed every night are dusting, chasing spiderwebs, sweeping and then moping floors. That way, I can get up, make my bed, turn on all the lights, light the candles in every room, put on classical music playing softly, and be out the door with the kitchen trash bag.

That's what's been happening in my corner of the world. What's been happening in yours?