Right Outside My Door

You know what makes me oh so happy? The stuff that goes on right in my own front yard.
What I mean to say is that I relish the miracles of nature that daily surround me. The easiest way for me to get my nature fix is to gaze beyond the panes of our front windows. That's been happening a heck of a lot lately, let me tell you. We have vibrant flowers, adorable bird babies, and leafy green trees. It may not be anything special to anyone else, but it's my personal piece of paradise.

I planted most of my flowers in May. Here's what my main flower spot looked like shortly after planting. . .


And below is the same area, only two months later. . .

Wowee! Merciful heavens, I'm in love!

I've heard people say that flowers are a waste of money because they die.
The way I look at it, what good is money if you don't buy flowers with it?!
Flowers+Shannon=Happiness


When I bought the individual packs of flowers they started out with only one or two blossoms each. Imagine my delight as I watched them multiply and replenish over the course of the summer. Yippee!!!





The smaller flower bed to the left of the garage. . .




Absolutely perfect pink petals.





The photo below was taken on Aug. 19



Here's the same basket on Aug. 25th.It bloomed! It's been struggling a lot. I can't remember what these flowers are called, but I adore them.


Just gorgeous.


Remember a few months ago when I mentioned my affection for cute little birds? Well, I think some of them must read my blog because, not long after my public proclamation, a bunch of them took up residence in our yard. It started with the careful construction of a nest in one of our trees. Then I kept noticing finches flitting around, walking up the path like so...


I went ahead and got a smallish bird feeder to hang in our tree. I wanted to find out if it would attract more cute birds for me to watch.

Soon there was a flurry of birdies. It's been fun watching them argue over the seeds. They basically push each other off the perch to get a turn at the trough. (Hey, I'm a poet.)
On three different occasions we saw a bright yellow bird. They are so unusual around here, I have to wonder if it escaped from a cage somewhere.


Isn't it all just so interesting?!


Here comes a really good part.

Two birds chose our front porch to build a nest upon! After some research, I've concluded they are swallows. The "research" consisted of me stumbling across a book at the library while looking for shark books for Oliver. It said "Swallows". I pulled it out to look at the cover picture, flipped through it, and decided I'd solved a mystery. A lady from church had told me they were sparrows, but I did a photo search on those and concluded she had been mistaken.

Note the above photo, day 1. The nest began as a smudge of mud. By the next day the nest was nearly halfway done!

Notice the splatters of mud on our window. That's hard work hauling beakfuls of mud all day long. Their building skills fascinate me. I'd like to see a human put together a mud house using only his mouth.

After a couple of weeks we noticed some movement within the depths of the nest.

I mowed the lawn so I could fill a box with clippings to hopefully catch any wiggly baby birds. Sometime in June a bird fell out of a different nest onto our sidewalk. Of course it didn't survive. It didn't even have feathers yet. =(

On a happier note, here's one of the first glimpses I got of the new additions to our front porch...

It was love at first sight! Look at the itty bitty yellow beak! Is that not the cutest thing ever?
They look like duck bills to me. =)



It turns out swallows generally have mates they stay with. The daddy helps build the nest, sit on the eggs, then feed the younglings.

SO PRECIOUS!!! (That blur is either Mommy or Daddy swooping through to distribute yummy bugs.)


Every time one of the parents approaches the nest, the three babies open their mouths as hugely as possible.
Check out the cute cheese grin on the baby.
I love the poise of these birds. They look so majestic. There isn't such a thing as a slouchy bird, is there? I'm trying to picture a slump-shouldered, lazy bird loafing around in the grass. I guess this is the first time I've taken time to focus on the excellent posture of these feathered creatures.


Help me, Mommy! I can't see!



I love when the mom's beak is open like this. Lalalala!




Days later, the birdlings are beginning to overcrowd the nest.

The pic above and the pic below were taken on the 19th.


Either by instinct or some kind of instruction they know to turn around and hang their bums over the edge of the nest to go potty. (Not pictured)


Not even a full week later, they've changed this much more.

There is no doubt in my mind that nature is purely miraculous.


What a cute family picture. That's the mom or dad on right. I haven't been able to tell the difference for sure.





Sometimes when we open the front door they all duck down into the safety of the nest.

But other times they let me step outside and take a clearer picture of them.



I'm glad I took more pictures of them just yesterday, because one of them was gone today. =(
Early this afternoon I couldn't see any of them, so I had a dreadful thought that maybe the terrible smoke looming over the city had killed them or at least made them sick.
The parents are typically coming and going constantly throughout the day, and for the hour I was watching after I got home from running errands they didn't come back. I felt helpless. I've grown kind of attached to my feathered friends these few weeks. I did the only thing I could to help the situation. I went upstairs in my closet and said a short prayer for them. I asked that the parents would come back, and hoped the babies were okay. After that I felt more optimistic.
I got the ladder out so I could investigate. I made the slow climb up, hoping to find 3 sleeping birds. What I did find was two sets of sweet (scared?) dark eyes staring back at me. They were alive!
They had snuggled down far enough that I couldn't detect any movement from my usual station on the ground. I watch them, entranced, every day, every time I walk past the front door. I've watched them eat from their parents' beaks, watched them warm their twitchy wings up for their first flight, watched them be cute beyond belief.
This is the type of thing that brings me honest to goodness joy. Call me silly, but I'm serious. =) These baby birds make me happy. But I'm sad that one is missing. Did it successfully fly away? Did it fall and get carried off by a darn cat? Needless to say, I've been worried sick today.
Minutes after my kid-like plea to heaven, one of the parental birds showed up. =) Not long after that, the youngsters emerged from the nest as normal. Maybe they really were just taking a rest, hanging out away from the smoky air. I dunno. All I do know is I'll miss their faces when they flit away from our porch. I've tried to be nice to them, so I hope they know they're always welcome at our house. Although next time they might want a place with a little more privacy. ;)

My July

Hullo again. I've been missing you sooooo much. My trusty blog, you.
Yeah, I know it's only been a month since my last post, but I do believe that's a record-long silence for me.
I have so many things I want to chat with you about, Blog.

I neglected to make any notes at all on my calendar about the sorts of things I did each day of July, so I feel like I'm grasping at straws here.
Without further excuses I'm going to try and recount the month as precisely as possible. If I leave anything out, oh well.

July 2-
Ryan's parents hosted a pre-4th of July party in their backyard. It was a nice relaxing evening, if I'm remembering correctly. It seems so long ago. Plenty of food and good company. And I even made my customary sugar cookies.


July 3-
My dazzling friends Suzy and Natalie were in town. Suz lives in Idaho Falls and Nat lives in AZ. They are two of my fun chums from high school. Same cluster of buddies as Renee and Maria. =) We all met at Suzy's parents' house for snacks and catching up.

I couldn't decide which picture to add here, so I included them both. From left: Suzy, you-know-who, Natalie, Renee, and Maria.

I love these people!
We all had our kids with us, so we only got to hang out for a couple of hours. The evening went by too darn fast, and I was bummed when the time came to disperse. But I was grateful to see them at all, so I shouldn't whine.
Renee's family moved to Florida a few days after this, and ever since then I haven't felt complete. =/
I went to Winco later that night by myself. When I got to the checkout line I waited behind a nice looking guy. (Because it was the shortest line, why else?) I stood there scanning magazine headlines. As it would turn out, the guy ahead of me was checking out more than just foodstuffs. ;0) As I proceeded to the bagging area, he was standing across from me bagging his groceries. To my total astonishment he said, "You're a very attractive woman." Wha??? First of all, I don't know if I've ever thought of myself as a woman. A girl, a gal, a person, a mom... but-- a woman? That is a first. Sounds too mature. All I could do was smile unassumingly and thank him. It's a rare treat for me to get a compliment from a stranger. :) I wonder what he'd say if he saw me wearing that red and white gingham party dress!

July 4-
We (Ryan, the kids and I) went to a Lytle party involving lots of cousins, aunts and uncles, and friends of uncles. Ryan's cousin and her husband own all the Torch Lounges (bikini bars) in Idaho. Basically, they're loaded. They have a beautiful, humongous property in Eagle, with picturesque ponds and a pool and an outdoor kitchen. That's where the party was, in their spacious backyard. It was nice while it lasted, but we left in time to go meet my brother and his family down at Ann Morrison for the fireworks. I don't like to miss the official fireworks display. A grand time was had by everyone. Not that there are any photos to prove it. ;)

July 5-7
Erin, Gavin, Megan and I took early Thursday morning flights to Arizona for Grandpa McCaleb's funeral, which happened on Friday the 6th. It was so good to spend uninterrupted time with them for a few days, even under the less than happy circumstances.
I plan to write more about this in a separate post.

I really don't remember much of what happened between the 7th and the 17th. I'm sure it was extra summery, though.

I do have a few photo clues that represent this otherwise forgettable gap in time...

My cheery kitchen windowsill flowers. The contents of the pot on the left were all dead at one point, except for one or two blossoms, so I nearly threw the plant away. Instead, with a bunch of my special care, it kind of came back to life. Most of it is truly toast, but there is still enough beauty there to make me super glad I didn't trash it.

Jane painted that cute pink and green pot, and Cora painted the one on the right. Both of those pots started out with one little flower when we planted them. Look how much they've grown. =)

Is it silly that I take pictures of my flowers each step of their lives? I've taken more of this one since this photo shoot. The new buds just keep forming every day. I love it. I've actually considered sitting by the window all day to watch as the blooms unfold before my eyes. I haven't, but I'm always checking on their progress whenever I pass. Call me the crazy flower lady. 'Cause that's what I am. Gimme some flowers!!!
This next photo is from August, but I feel like now is the right time to share it. I want you to see how precious these flowers look when they're just about to burst forth.

Awwww...




For a long while my netbook has had a problem staying plugged in. The metal nubbin that penetrates the side of the computer won't stay in unless I hold it exactly in place, which is reeeeally irritating. I'd hold it in ever so steadily with my left hand while typing with my right hand, which was not an ideal situation.
I'm pretty sure it's an internal issue and not a matter of needing a new cord. Ryan suggested I strap a large rubber band around it to hold the cord still. I ended up utilizing a stretchy yellow cotton headband. And it worked! Yay. =)


July 17-
Erin and I met at Meg's house in the evening to watch a DVD documentary about the creation of the Beatles' Vegas show, Love. We ate Papa Murphy's pizza, and cookies (choc chip with sprinkles, made by me) as we watched. It was very interesting. No, extraordinary. (Said in George Martin's cool British accent.) So much work and time and serious talent went into the making of Love. Simply a.ma.zing.

July 18-
It was cub scout day camp, and I had to be there for about 3 hours. The best part of the day, the thing that made me glad I went, was the middle aged man in charge of the archery station. Kinda short guy, maybe my height, slightly pudgy, glasses-wearing, serious demeanor. One boy shot an arrow right in the center of the bullseye. The man decided to come up with a cheer, or a song, to recognize the scout's skill. He proceeded to shout, in a raspy tenor voice, "bullseye boy! bullseye boy! Huh! huh!"
Each huh! was accompanied by an eye-opening forward thrust of his hips. His arms were at a 90* angle, pulling backward with each thrust. None of the scouts or anyone else knew whether to laugh or cry. =) It was quiet until everyone quickly went on with what they were doing. I so wish I'd had a video camera. It was really funny.

July 19-21
The fam and I went camping with Ryan's family, up to Anderson Ranch Reservoir. We stayed 2 nights.

Here's Cora with her huge green hood enrobing her helmeted head. She was getting ready for a 4-wheeler ride.

She looks like a cute Martian.

Heehee. =)


Ryan's niece (20-something) made a teepee between some trees. There was a rope supporting the structure, but other than that it was all sticks and greenery.

Here's the back of it. I was impressed!


July 29-
A random after church shot to show how big my baby Oliver is getting.



July 30-
I took the kids to the special spot at the Boise River behind the MK nature center. I've been there 3 times in the last several weeks, taking Oliver and assorted cousins along with us.

It's just a fun, shallow inlet that's perfect for little kids to play around in.

Cora, Jane, Oliver, and Cora's friend Keisha.




That's about it for July. Unless I think of something else to add later.

Party Dresses

Renee's birthday was June 27. I decided to throw her a little party. I wish more of our mutual friends lived in town so it could have been a bigger, better bash. Renee's husband Quinn was already gone working in Florida by then, and Maria's husband was working that night, so I thought the best plan would be to have both Renee and Maria come over with their kids and we'd all celebrate together.

So I put up some happy decorations.


Prepared the piñata. . . I hung it there so it could double festive decor. That's not where we broke it. It's funny I should mention it though, because long ago Renee and I thought up the perfect way to serve dinner. . . stuff it in a piñata and fasten it above the table, then proceed to beat it, catching any falling food on your plate. We didn't do this for her party, nor have we ever actually done it, but we've always wanted to.

. . . And figured out some food.

Who the heck is that by the stove? And what on earth is she wearing?

Well, here's the thing. . . I couldn't see any reason to have everyone walking around in normal hum-drum clothes at the party, so I provided an assortment of party dresses, etc. for our guests to put on upon arrival. I told Maria ahead of time to wear her muumuu, and she gladly obliged.

Soon we were all in the backyard. I asked Cora to take a few pictures of the three of us. Little did we know, she took advantage of the situation and snapped one before we were completely ready.


Or ready at all. . . Ha! I don't know why I'm sharing this. Sorry, I had something wedged between my chompers.




I bought this masterpiece at Goodwill some months ago. It was one of those moments in my life when I felt an overwhelming gratitude for being in the right place at the right time. A tender mercy, if you will. I hadn't been to a thrift store in a while, but out of the blue I went one day. And ended up finding something that all along, no matter where it originated, was destined to be mine. I tried it on and it fit perfectly.

I love wearing stuff like this, but I'm not completely confident about it. I put it on before anyone got to our house, so I worried that when I answered the front door it wouldn't be Renee or Maria; but a neighbor or a salesman, in which case I would get red, sheepish, and giggle a lot more than would be comfortable for anyone involved.


The kids all played on the trampoline.

(I'm currently using Cora's camera because Oliver has made mine inoperable. =/ The date stamp on her camera is a day slow for some reason. It really was the 27th.)


When Oliver noticed everyone slipping into costumes, he ran upstairs to get his Thor suit.


Renee looked so cute in this fancy frock. I got it at Goodwill a while back as well. Goodwill is my good luck charm!


We ate pizza, fruit and veggies. And chips and salsa. And candy. I had several dishes of it out in honor of National Candy Month. =)



In Renee's home there is a decorative tile on display that says "Don't forget to pray". One of her daughters (who was probably 7 or 8 at the time) was aware of its presence, and at some point it came out that she always thought it said "Don't forget to party".



The birthday badge I got for her matched perfectly, and I didn't even know she would end up choosing to wear this dress.

Maria had her baby boy almost 5 weeks early on June 13. Thankfully he was strong and healthy, weighing 5lbs, 12oz. They named him Rixford, a family name on her husband's side. He'll go by Rix.

While Maria was feeding the baby we did a few birthday themed Madlibs. They turned out pretty funny, as always. Renee, Madlibs and I go waaaaay back.

All the kids gathered around to watch baby Rix get his diaper changed.



He's so tiny and so adorable!

Maria was getting ready to take her kiddies home to bed. Poor Rix had endured his circumcision earlier that day. Maria had forgotten that it was scheduled for the same day as the party, so she warned us that she might not be able to stay long. She stayed for a couple of hours, and we were so glad! It would have been a huge bummer if she couldn't make it at all. She and Rix were good sports. =)
Before she left we gathered 'round to break the piñata.


It was Cora's idea to have it dangle over the banister. We tied it to a long rope, creating a pulley of sorts. It's always more fun swinging at a moving target.





Cora whisked it out of Jane's reach.


Candy everywhere. I didn't catch any pics of the cascading treats because I was too busy enjoying the situation, but I think Mary (Renee's 8-year-old) was ultimately responsible for its demise.


After all that excitement we went back outside to fill up some water balloons to jump on the trampoline with. I keep wanting to abbreviate that and type ''tramp", but it just never looks right. =)

Hazel is a month younger than Oliver. They've been such good buddies.



After the kids got a turn, Renee and I got to try.

It was a blast! We only used like 5 balloons 'cause we were sick of tying them by then. Cora did take a video of us jumping, but it was kind of anticlimactic (like this pic) since there were so few balloons.

At the close of the evening we sang "Happy Birthday" consumed an ice cream cake from Cold Stone.

It was yummy. For her present I gave her a box of Aplets and Cotlets (as a sentimental joke, but she really does like them!) and a mini golden Idaho potato keychain so she can remember us when she's living in Florida. And some earrings that Oliver thought looked like bombs. =)

Well, I think the party was a success. Cora and Jane kept saying how fun it was, so I really felt accomplished.
It was one of the last times we got to hang out before the whole Dittman family moved clear across the country. This is their 12th move in 12 years of marriage, so I have high hopes that they'll be back this way before we know it. =)