Happy Mothers Day to Me!

We couldn't have asked for better weather on this Mother's Day Weekend, and my lavender lilies have suddenly burst open, and are calling to me "C'mon, we're the perfect backdrop for your family picture!" ...and so we did...

and just look at this Spirea in full bloom...

Kayli knows by now how photography "feeds my soul", so on this Mother's Day, she let me move and pose her and Sprinkles from here to there and there to here without a single complaint! Thank-you, sweet pea! Kayli's Aunt Eileen had taken her out shopping yesterday with her allowance money to pick out some very special gifts just for me. Kayli just couldn't wait to give them to me, so we broke the unwritten rule (something I always love doing) and opened my presents a day early! Now that's what I call living on the wild side, haha! First up, there were bracelets and a fabulous hand-painted frame...

then, this delicate heart shaped glass dish...

and inside, was this tiny red sack with a tiny rock (she said she took it from her rock collection that she mined for at the museum in Texas)...

so all I have to do is get it shined up, cut down, and mounted in a ring or necklace, or just display it in it's rough form, as is! Then, there was this package containing two leather bracelets that you could call Mother-Daughter bracelets because one goes to the Mother and one goes to the Daughter, haha...

Finally, Kayli chose these peppermints because she remembers that I always have peppermints on my desk at work...

originally I had told Kayli that I would be happy to take her shopping for a present for me, but she was not content with the fact that I wouldn't be totally surprised. So, when the opportunity came up for Eileen to take her, Kayli was thrilled! Now, as for the rest of the day, Kayli said we could do whatever I wanted to do. It was soooo hard to decide! I am not one that enjoys going out to eat on days that the rest of the world is doing the same thing. Shopping is usually fun to do, but I am also thinking about how beautiful the weather is, and how unpredictable it has been, and how much I just want to soak up this perfect sunshine, so I decided that we would head over in the direction of one of our favorite parks, where there is an antique mall nearby. We will go flea mkt/antique shopping first, then end up at the park! We will first, take our time, browsing through the antique mall, something we both love to do (Kayli loves "old stuff" and often asks "was that around in your time, Mom?" ha! I remember asking my mom the same question!) Anyway, wouldn't you know, as we made our way through these booths containing quite an eclectic mix of items that range from valuable antiques to garage sale caliber items, where there really is something for everyone, there in this tiny little jewelry case, I spotted this ring! It was so pretty. Opal and Amethyst (Kayli's birthstone) It would be a perfect "Mother's ring". The guy that worked there suggested that he call the vendor and offer a price, one that was quite a bit lower than I thought I'd be able to offer, and guess what? They said "yes!" and the ring is mine, woohoo!

and now we're off to the park to soak up that sunshine and fresh air...

then, we topped off the day back home in our relaxing yard where I grilled bratwurst and hotdogs. I just bought these fabulous pillows, lantern, and indoor/outdoor rug to add a splash of color to our deck...

now, for some more flowers in pots, and I say "Bring on SUMMER!!!"