Originally we had a chain link fence between the house and the shed! Then, when our obnoxious neighbors behavior forced us to put up another fence that stretches the length of our home front to back, Earl and I took down the chain link fence and turned the little area that was grass, into another little garden area! We also used the chain link pieces to close off the house to the new wooden fence and that makes sure that Rufio stays in the back yard. We put in the red scalloped concrete edging, the wood chips and plants and I found this sweet cherub on discount......could not resist!!!!!

It makes the patio look bigger and I always like pretties in the yard! :) I put some clematis against the fence and some ground cover that will flower blue and some other flowering plants too! I sure hope they all survive! They were all on sale from Stein's. A good price, sometimes mean they do not make it......too close to the end of the season, but fingers are crossed! I love the new area! Ahhhhhhhhh!

Our weather has been so hot and humid. The other week, we had a swarm of dragonflies going nuts around here! Just tons! Today, as we worked outside, it was finally comfortable enough to get outside for a bit, the dragonflies were flying around us like crazy! They are stunningly beautiful really! I have never seen them this close.....but today, they landed on my Rose of Sharon bushes and I was able to get some pictures! There are 3 on one shot , you can click on the pictures to see them bigger! The wings are just amazing aren't they, and look at the little fuzzies on their undside! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

More flowers as they bloom in my yard!
Cone Flowers......so pretty, Hollyhock, my first year with these, wild rose bush yellow, and my two colors of Rose of Sharon bushes, light pink and deep pink. There is something magnificent about the world of nature......this is my little snibbit to enjoy! :0)

Now to share a bit of what is blooming, and not quite ready to bloom in my garden areas!

Something about all this color has to make you smile right?

A lady shared some hollyhock seeds with me last year, and this is what is coming of those. I look forward to next year when they are established well. :0)

My cone flowers are not ready to bloom YET! But they are so pretty when they do!

I so enjoy the garden areas and what nature brings for us to enjoy!!!!

These are some of the very scary but beautiful skies we had as crazy storms passed through lately. The trees and house tops, had a layer of dark clouds and then above that more clouds like a ceiling of color as the sun went down!

Also, Martino's (where I work) had an article in the Milwaukee Journal this past week, by a writer who stopped in and wrote this wonderfully article. We had no idea who she was, but am so glad she was pleased and the article was great! You can click on the image and read the article. I mounted it to a piece of foam core so customers can pick it up and see it if they had missed it in the paper. I added some font and some pictures of items mentioned in the article too!

All of the waiters sang to us in the dining room on the stairs of the 3 level open dining room! It was ssssuper fun!

This is the curtain to all the dancing and singing broadway like shows, comedians, etc. we saw! It was not allowed to take pictures during shows. There was an ice rink and we saw an ice skating show also!

Here is a peek into our families cruise on the MARINER OF THE SEAS with Royal Caribbean and our wonderful cruise director......Casey! You see the ship, on on board 3d map to help you find your way around and the ROCK climbing wall and basketball court on the upper deck! Amazing right?

The GORGEOUS and scrumptious food and cooler than cool TOWEL animals in our rooms! Amazing right?

Yup, that is a WHOLE PIG! Amazing right?The food was delicious and beautiful! More than anyone could eat!

This is a port, we went to the Mexican Riviera, and visited, Cabo San Lucas, Puerta Vallarta, and Mazatlan. It was near 90 and hot!

These are some of the BEYOND fantastic staff that served us in the dining room! We felt like kings and queens and of course......you see the smiles right? This is Albert, our assistant waiter.

Below is Stevensin and Jose, the main waiter and dining room manager! Amazing right?

Bats..........look out! Hehehe, LOVED these! Fun surprises from our Room Stewart, Norbert!AMAZING RIGHT?

Mini golf on the upper deck! There was something to do if you wanted! Fun fun for all!

Handsome Earl at the back of the ship..........ahhhhhhhh dreams do come true on a cruise ship! :)

It was a super fun trip, Earl, Amber and boyfriend Anthony and I had a ball! These are pictures from my camera, and I had as much fun as they did.......believe me! Hope you enjoyed the tour. Take a cruise if you get the opportunity! It is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!