It’s so beautiful and cool outside this morning that you’d never know the temperature is going to reach 95° today. That means the heat index will be well over 100°. Same for tomorrow. Lately, I’ve had to grab some time on the porch early in the morning or not at all (except for the endless watering that has to happen during this heat wave.)
As I sat on the porch, I had a wave of gratitude for our property. From my perch on the glider, I saw all the flowers on our porch and beyond that, so many beautiful shades of green. A chipmunk ran by my feet, completely surprised by my presence. I heard a mourning dove and a carolina wren. Yesterday, I saw three goldfinches chasing each other in and out of our bushes.
The rose of sharon has started blooming. I’m so thrilled. A few years back, I brought a tiny cutting home, courtesy of my friend Noble. Actually there were two cuttings. One of the bushes is much smaller than the other, but in time, it will bloom, too.
I haven’t ordered clothes for the girls in a while, but when I discovered a seamstress in California who makes affordable Blythe clothes, I ordered two summer dresses. They came yesterday.
Holly graciously offered to model one of the dresses.
Isn’t it gorgeous? The fabric on the bodice is a peach polka dot, but it’s hard to see in this photo. I’m crazy about the fabric combination.
I have to say – and don’t tell anyone else – that Holly may be the most photogenic of my girls.
Ssshhhh!
In other news, the doll that is coming to me from Ukraine, recently diverted to Denver CO for some reason, is at my local post office and is expected to be delivered today. I have to sign for it. If it isn’t out with the carrier, I’ll drive over and get the package in person.
The Farmer’s Market was cancelled for today as it’s going to be dangerously hot outside.
A quick story: When I realized that Holly was about to be delivered, I finally confessed to Don that I had three dolls coming to our mailbox in the next several days. Granted, both Holly and the doll from Ukraine were inexpensive, and I’d ordered the companion doll for Wren a few months back, but I was a bit nervous about telling him.
His response: “Great! That means more joy is coming to our house!”
I don’t deserve him, but I’m eternally grateful for him.
Stay safe.
Happy Saturday.
I was never sure I was in favor of cloning, but in Don’s case I think we have to make an exception!
Address forthcoming.
You two are a perfect balance for one another.
I read your blog every day, but rarely comment. Today is an exception because I have been loving your homestead photos, and the clothing and accessories you are posting for your girls just makes my heart happy.
In these times we have to look for the good, and the happy, and I find it here in your posts and in your lovely reader’s comments.
The ones who are struggling get a prayer sent as well.
Thank you for a welcome read with my morning coffee here in Indy, and the opportunity to feel a part of the online community you have created.
Am I considered a lurker?🤗😂😂😂
With best wishes for all, from Jan
Thank you for your kind words, Jan. I really appreciate them.
Lurkers are welcome. I myself lurk on some blogs!
Stay safe.
That Don….he’s definitely a keeper!
Take care
He is. I guess I’ll hang on to him!
Stay safe, Marilyn.
So glad the Farmer’s Market was cancelled
The heat index is i dangerous and the money id not worth it for anyone
Even here at the ocean it is hot, we will wait until later to go down
Everyone stay cool
We have an air quality warning today. It’s really bad here.
Thanks, Linda.
Stay safe.
love, love, love don’s response (about more blythes and joy coming your way) so i am going to borrow that attitude. thanks, don!
you and don are perfect together. glad you two found each other!
same here about the high heat/humidity (ugh), need for rain and the gratitude i have for all my blessings.
went for a walk with a couple members of my family earlier this morning, ran an errand and soon will get groceries (continuing to shop for some of them so they can avoid all the unmasked people at the grocery store).
hope you all stay comfy, safe and have a good day.
kathy
Thank you, Kathy!
Stay safe.
Just when I think I can’t love Don more he says something even more amazing. Just love his support and love for you. Your Blythe dolls are so special and I enjoy seeing them and the new clothes. Stay cool and enjoy the excitement of your new girl coming today. Hugs!
Thank you, Linda! I waited a long time, but I hit the jackpot with Don.
Stay safe, my friend.
Love waking up to your blog! That dress! I love the floral fabric on her dress.
And the ladybugs on her shoes! I think this is one of my favorite outfits. Your Don sounds a lot like my husband. We are both VERY lucky. I am sitting outside right now. As it is getting hotter by you, it is getting cooler here, and they are predicting rain, yay! Enjoy your new items. Stay cool and take care!
It’s terribly hot here – we have an air quality warning today. By the time I water everything in the morning, write the blog, and do some chores, I’m exhausted. It really takes it out of you.
Stay safe, Deb.
That Don! But he’s right you know. And we can all apply that philosophy. If we have a passion for something…go for it. If not now…when??
Cute dress that Holly is modeling. Her eyebrows are everything!
I was outside this morning for a very short bit, and was overcome by the heat and humidity. That did it for me…it’s gonna be an inside day for me. Only have to move my veggies which are in containers on wheels under the eaves to protect them from hail and high winds that are predicted later. Glad to hear that your farmer’s market was cancelled.
Enjoy your day! ;)
Exactly. I don’t know how many years I have left, so I’m going to enjoy them!
It’s awful outside, I only go out to water and that’s it. We have an air quality warning today.
Stay safe and cool, Donnamae.
Joy is coming! That was so sweet!
Your temperatures don’t sound appealing, that’s for sure! It’s nice to have it cool in the morning, though.
I do love the new dress… beautiful, summery colors…
Such a pretty dress!
Stay safe, Barrie.
Outside long enough to water this morning and now another day spent inside trying to be productive at something. Sometimes I think summer is the same as winter here – me trapped inside with the temps in reverse between in and outside. But there’s sure much more pleasant stuff to look at out the windows in summer.
I agree with all the previous commenters. Your Don is one in a bajillion.
Stay cool.
Kay
This heat wave is continuing through next week. I may have slit my wrists by then!
Stay safe, Kay.
So hot & humid here, too. We are supposed to get some very nasty storms this eve. We truly only need the rain. All the extra effects can be eliminated!! Just some rain!!
Hope your little ones arrived safely. Take care!
We need rain desperately. Again the other day, storms north south east and west of us, but not here.
Stay safe, Chris.
Well done, DON! He’s a gem!
I’m glad you love your rose of Sharon — or, as known in my world — that damn Rose of Sharon — or at times (but I think I’ve nipped that one in the bud, so to speak, those damn ROSES of Sharon. I swear my neighbor spread seeds and they pop up — always by the foundation and I try to kill them every year, cut them to the ground and they always come back. I’m glad you love it because you will have it forever! I’ve done everything but pour toxic chemicals on it and it’s only escaped that because I don’t want to kill the things it’s crowding out. Can’t dig it out of my clay soil. They ARE pretty — but not near my house! Rant over!
Smart about canceling today’s market. My porch here at th elake is screened in and very cool despite the heat, which at the moment is 92 and i”m sure warmed index-wise. But now the sun is coming over to this side of thehouse and pretty soon will be beating into the porch. All bets off and I’ll put away the computer and paints and take a book around to the shady back!
Keep cool, my friend, if it’s possible. At least hydrated!
Oh I’m thrilled with mind and I’m happy to have it stay here forever!
It’s godawful here. Truly overwhelming.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
What, Don didn’t say “and how much did that cost”?! Bless him 🤗
No, he didn’t, but I probably would have! He’s the better person.
Stay safe, Deborah.
Yeah, I would so totally NOT get that kind of response out of my own husband, who thinks I buy and collect nothing but junk, but he’s a strident minimalist like a friend of mine; they just.don’t.get.it.
“As I sat on the porch, I had a wave of gratitude for our property.” Claudia, this is such a healthy and comforting attitude for you to have; I wish I had it, but I don’t. I am probably just going thru a bad phase; well, I know I am, and I already told my husband we’re sitting down later this evening to flesh out a few things which are preventing me from counting my blessings and appreciating what I have. But it’s hard when you’re having issues with house/abode, neighborhood AND town. Okay, so the problem is ME, but I’m always striving to find a life with better quality, balance and fulfillment for my wellbeing. I hope I can get it right one of these days, because I’m getting pretty darned old(er) to still be trying to figure it all out. Thing is, you just KNOW when you’re not in the right place, the right skin. It doesn’t help one’s inner peace. My dad and my husband would both tell me that my expectations are always too high; that nothing is ever enough. So, I have to remember this and work on myself; sort some stuff out.
Gratitude; it’s a beautiful, blissful thing. If you can cultivate it.
You can. It sometimes takes work, but it should be surprisingly simple. Pick one thing and be grateful for it. Then another. Then another.
It’s that easy.
Stay safe, Vicki.