Saturday, June 1, 2013

...and Chicago thought THEY were the windy city...HAH!

 This is the first peony of the season. It's a short season,  and full of ants.  LOL


  Well...we closed out the month of May with a BANG! around these parts. 5 tornadoes in various areas, all where I had family and where I live. 10 miles from me a high school was hit,  and all around me varying amounts of damage, from demolished houses to ripped off roofs to uprooted trees to thrown around patio furniture. Whew.  It came from across the river and headed straight for us. We personally had about a half hour of crazy winds and lightning and rain...the bulk of it sailed over us and went straight to Gillespie.  That was the tornado portion of the program. It had already been raining and blowing some. And afterwards it continued raining like hell and blowing like crazy.  But there's no mistaking those tornadic winds from , well, WIND. It sounds like a freight train. It feels like nothing you've felt before..it has an energy all it's own.  And then BLAM! it's over.  Leaving decimated buildings, overturned cars, and broken pink plastic flamingos in it's wake.  So far, there doesn't appear to be any fatalities this time. Thank Goodness.  Oklahoma got hit again too last night.  Mother Nature is on a rampage lately.



 It's eerily quiet right now. Every single animal I own is outside. (Well, not the bird, but he's even quiet). I think they're all suffering from a bit of cabin fever from the past few weeks of rain rain and more rain. This time of year, the cats especially take more to the great outdoors.  They all turn into wild things, and you can find them stalking the garden or sleeping under a lush bush. They love the heat, laying up in the shade or where ever their little hearts desire. They are cats, after all.


Sometimes they like to supervise. Other times they just want to stay in your way.  lol


  Tomorrow is the family reunion. I am making bbq country ribs and Asian slaw and some kind of dessert.  I just talked to my sis and she's making her world famous peach cake, so maybe I'll do something with blackberries or strawberries.  I don't know.  I was also supposed to go to a grad party, but it's an hour and a half from here, and I just don't think I have the energy to do that and make the food and make the drive tomorrow there and back (2.5 hours each way).  arrgghhhh...I'm pretty sure I'll see the little one tomorrow, so I'll just bring her card and gift then. And that reminds me that I have to get the gift wrapped and card made for my baby brother, who turned 52 today !!!   I just called down and talked to him. He's in heaven--rocking his baby grandson to sleep. They came up for 2 weeks from Florida, and he's crazy for that baby.  lol


  We will be going to Wisconsin in 2 weeks for the family reunion for my husbands family. More for Fathers Day, really...but we'll be gathering  and camping at a little place with cabins. It  will be fun. I am trying to figure out what all I need to take...and have to call my SIL and find out for sure, because my husband is absolutely no help when it comes to that stuff. He's talked to her at least 3 times since I asked him to get the info from her (she's the one that set it up...who knows the facts).  I should have just called her in the first place.  LOL  He's been making these trips by himself for the last few years...I need to go this time. My son is going to look after the animals, so I can go.  


  Well...here's a couple of more pictures of my beautiful flowers...it occurred to me that I haven't taken one shot of our wild roses, which are so beautiful this year-loaded with flowers and fragrant as all get out.  I should go do that... 


Wild Roses


And more wild roses


And Budding Hollyhocks



A Garden Update--Edamame !


And the salad bed.


And just to show you how different things were this time last year, here are snow peas:


And here are snow peas.  

  And I did not plant early last year, like lots of people did...but I sure planted earlier than I did this year.  Weather and all.  You know...sigh.

 Walking around outside taking those rose pictures, I got an even better idea of just how much rain we got last night. I was sloshing and schlurrping through the grass.  And there are standing puddles of water on the lawn, where the ground is so saturated it just can't even absorb any more.  All I can say (once again)-- is thank God for raised beds ! Otherwise I suspect all my plants would be rotting at the roots.

  Okay. I'm outta here. Lots to do, and the Irishman was hinting at going to a movie (matinee) this afternoon. Probably won't, but I'd better get busy anyway. Lots to do....

  Have a grand weekend all.  And Beth---love and extra lovey hugs coming your way.




Namaste.












12 comments:

Beth said...

Thank you for the love and hugs Annie. I really appreciate them.

Your garden is looking great. I tried 2 potted tomato plants this year and one floated away in the last heavy downpour. I am tired of it raining all of the time.

Mariodacatsmom said...

So glad you are okay down there. Those tornados have been horrible this and so much destruction. Happy you can get to your family reunion. Safe travels.

Akannie said...

Beth--I love you! You're definitely one of my top blogging friends...I still plan to come see you this summer !

I hear you on the rain...it's beyond absurd now. :)

Akannie said...

MDCM--It was a little scary for a minute there, I'll tell you. And this has been a bad year...the town I live near was leveled by a tornado back in the 50's.

I am doubly blessed--I get to go to both reunions this year...one to the south tomorrow, and one to the north in 2 weeks. Woohoo!

Annette said...

Oh Annie, there is no one else like you. You just emanate a good feel. You know what I'm sayin? lol

My daughter's boyfriends parents were fine. Damage in all surrounding areas. I am glad that you and yours are all alright too. Scary stuff!

Sally Wessely said...

Your garden is impressive and the roses are wonderful. I'm glad you are ok even if your deluged with rains.

Have fun with family.

Akannie said...

LOL..Annette--when I was a flirty twirty young thing, I used to say..."I really feel GOOD! (wanna feel me ??") giggle...probably shouldn't tell anybody those things about me. lol Glad the daughters boyfriends family are okay. Miraculously-there were no casualties.

Akannie said...

Thanks Sally--your deck is looking pretty darned good too. I love having lots of potted things on my back decks. This year I decided to go with a few flowers and a LOT of herbs. Last year it was all flowers. And it was gorgeous. When I do that, I find myself sitting out there more...

DJan said...

Raised beds are such a lifesaver at times like this. And I am really envious of those edamame plants! Wow!

Akannie said...

Djan--those things grow like crazy here. And I am sooo glad. I made an Asian slaw tonight that has edamame in it...I use it all the time...

Unknown said...

"Elegant Blessings" has been included in the A Sunday Drive for this week. Be assured that I hope this helps to point even more new visitors in your direction.

http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-sunday-drive.html

Akannie said...

Jerry--thanks so much for coming by, and including me in your "Sunday Drive"...

I have a good friend that lives down your way- a beautiful part of the country!

Hope your Sunday was fabulous.