Hi everyone! How do you like my haircut? I guess it’s ok – I’m still cute as ever!
Happy Sunday to you all! What did everyone do this weekend? I had high hopes of catching up on my reading but as usual got sidetracked by everything else and barely read at all. On a good note summer finally arrived! It’s been pretty warm this weekend and with that come some rain showers and thunder storms which I love. Sammy doesn’t seem to mind them either thankfully but he is definitely a winter dog. He’s not fond of the heat at all. He’s fine on his morning walk when it’s still a bit cooler but by afternoon he’ll go a ways down the alley and back home. lol.
I thought this was a cool picture. It had finished raining and the rain was just hanging off the branches of our birch tree. It looked like little diamonds to me.
As you can see our garden has gone crazy this year. Usually it isn’t this grown in until about the end of July but it’s done really well this year. We’ve got some potatoes, peas, carrots, green and yellow beans, beets, and onions. I can’t wait for the beans especially as they are my favorite. I could plant a whole garden full of beans only and be happy.
And here’s a plant we have out front. I have no idea what it is but I love the pretty red color of the flowers.
You can never have too many toys I always say!
As for Sammy he’s the same as always. I think he had an off day yesterday which is probably partially from the heat and partially from eating too many little extras. This guy loves to eat and thankfully has a much stronger tummy than Buddy had. He especially loves chicken and turkey – oh and potatoes and pasta. lol. I think he’d eat pretty much anything but we only give him tastes and only things that are good for him – no junk. Still, he weighs in at a whopping 27 lbs as of this past week. He’s big and he’s heavy but he’s adorable as all get out.
Uggggh! It’s too hot out today to do any playing. I’ll just lay here and be King of my castle instead!
I also have a special request for all of you who say prayers. My dad goes in for heart surgery on July 4 (my birthday). Dad said he thinks that it’s good luck that it’s on that day because on that day the most important thing in the world happened to him – I was born. Yup, that caused tears but it was such a sweet thing to say. That’s my papa though – he loves me. It’s a serious operation and of course I’m terrified. No matter my age I will always be a daddy’s girl. I’m scared for him to have the operation but in the last year especially I’ve watched my vibrant dad get more tired every day and I can only hope that this surgery will restore his health so he can again enjoy all the things he loves to do. I’m hoping to keep up the blog but I guess we’ll see. If I have to cancel some things, so be it. My dad is much more important to me. Here’s a pic of Dad and Sam after a nap.
My reading isn’t going the best. Like I said earlier I manage to get sidetracked easily. There is quite a bit going on this week on the blog starting with a review of Her Highness, the Traitor by Susan Higginbotham and then an interview with her as well. Wednesday brings a review of The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesay while Thursday there will be a guest post and giveaway with Robin Nolet, author of Framed. For the end of the week I have a review of Shout Her Lovely Name by Natalie Serber. Keep in mind though that some of these may be subject to change if the need arises.
Finally we have some book winners from last week and this week:
Wife 22 by Melanie Gideon — Nancye D and Amy from The House of Seven Tails
Big Sky Country by Linda Lael Miller — mamabunny13
Before Ever After by Samantha Sotto — Linda K and Lisa P
Staying Grounded in Shifting Sand by Linda J. Ferguson — Carl
Arranged by Catherine McKenzie — Holly G and Bethie
Love is Murder edited by Sandra Brown — Pamela J
Sea Change by Karen White — Mary from Bookfan
Skeleton Women by Mingmei Yip — Karen W
Days of Splendor by Juliet Grey — Carol W, Beth from Beth’s Book Reviews, Colleen T, Patricia N, and Muzette from Up All Night Reading
Wow, that is quite the list! Congrats to you all! I hope you enjoy your books. That’s it for me this week. Today is going to be spent with my books and Sammy – I hope! Have a great week everyone!
It looks like your Dad & Sammy are great pals. They both look pretty happy together in the picture. I’m sure that things will go well for his surgery but I’ll send some extra prayers to the the “Man Upstairs” just to be on the safe side. Please give Sammy a hug from me.
Happy Reading 😉
Dar, first off I’m keeping your dad in my prayers. I hope all goes well for his surery and he has a speedy recovery.xoxoxo
And oh my gosh, Sammy is sooo cute!! Belly rubs to him 🙂
Your veggie garden is impressive! I do love flowers too. I plant marigolds every year too. My sunflowers seem to be struggling this year but I hope they make it. I was so busy, I didnt seed them until later in the season, so they are still small.
Enjoy your Sunday.
What a great picture of Sammy and your dad 🙂
I’m sending good thoughts your way for you and your family as your dad faces his surgery. Hopefully July 4th will be the beginning of renewed health and vigor for your dad!
Sammy is adorable as always…27 pounds is impressive…Wags weighed in at only 13!
I hope you have a restful week, as I’m sure you won’t get much rest the week after until you know your dad’s okay.
Beth
Sammy is as adorable as ever.
I’m sending good thoughts for your dad and hoping for a quick recovery.
My garden is doing the same… it’s weeks ahead of schedule. Do post photos of your neighbors flowers if he doesn’t mind. I never tire of looking at beautiful gardens.
Thank you for this great giveaway. I am very glad to win that particular book and also to see that my friend Colleen won it too!
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
First, I’m sending you big hugs and wish your dad well and a speedy recovery I know how hard it can be when your dad has surgery, mine has had too many to count. And if you have to be on hiatus for your dad, it will be well worth it to help his recover along and besides we’ll all be here waiting for you.
Second, Sammy is cute! Love the haircut.
Third, congrats to your winners.
Could I please be Sammy’s fairy Godmother? I just adore him! Your elderly neighbor sounds like a lovely man, and your garden looks fantastic. I love the photo you captured of the birch tree, it’s really wonderful.
Lots and lots of special prayers will be said for your dad, and for you too, Dar.
Hugs to you and little Sammy!
Thanks bunches! I’m looking forward to reading Big Sky Country. Hugs for your dad, hope he has a speedy recovery.
Yay! Thanks for the book, it has some excellent reviews. Best wishes for your Dad’s surgery and recovery.
Will keep your dad in our prayers for a smooth surgery and quick recovery!!
Yay, thank you so much!!!! I am also glad to see Carol win the book too!!! I didn’t see any email for my address so if you need it just let me know!
Thanks again!
Colleen Turner
Nice vegetable garden! Yours is way ahead of mine. Lots of positive prayers for your dad.
My tomato plants are doing really well right now too! I’m super excited about it because usually by now I have killed them off 🙂 LOL! I’ll put in lots of prayers for your Dad! Have a good week Darlene!
Dar, what great photos this week — Sammy’s haircut is adorable, and your garden and rain capture are terrific as well. Wishing your dad a speedy recovery.
You know I’m praying for your Dad, Dar! He will be fine and is a fighter!! I love how sweet he is!!
Sammy is looking pretty dapper! The garden looks so awesome and the flowers are so pretty!!
Take care my friend! Don’t stress about the blog thing at all. Family IS the most important thing and they rule for sure!!!
Love ya!
Sammy looks even more adorable (is that even possible?!) with his new cut. Dar, your dad is in my prayers. And hugs being sent to you as well.
I’m so excited to win Sea Change *jumping up and down*. Thanks!!
I love fresh green beans. So glad your garden is in good form. We need rain in my area. I decided to only do a tomato plant this year. I can handle one pot 🙂
Hi Dar! Prayers for your Dad-he is so sweet to say those lovely things about you-but of course he is right! Congrats to all the book winners! Lastly, that Sammy is so cute!! He looks so handsome with his new haircut!! Have a great week!
I will definitely keep your dad in my thoughts and prayers. Sounds like he has the right attitude and I wish him a speedy recovery.
And then here we are, down here where there wasn’t even a Winter at all this year. I’m glad you are getting nice weather! Right now a big fat juicy tropical storm is sitting on top of us and we are being completely drenched with rain. I am going to have your dad in my prayers now and for the next several weeks. It IS a big operation, and I know you will be a nervous wreck but we will put it in God’s hands. Please please please let us know how things go.
Sending prayers for your dad. I am sure all will go well.
I see I won Arranged. I didn’t get an email from you. Do I need to send you my address?
Sammy is adorable and doesn’t look that big. I will be praying for your dad but have a feeling he’s right – July 4 is going to be a good day for him. Take care of your dad and don’t worry about the blog. We’ll all be here when you are.
Your distraction is understandable. I will pray for your dad’s upcoming surgery to be successful and for you to be peaceful during the surgery and his recovery. I wish I give Sammy a big squeeze! He is just so darn adorable.
I will keep you and your Dad in my thoughts. I teared up just reading what he said, but I think it’s true.
Sammy looks great and I see he doesn’t destroy his toys like my baby does.
And your garden! Fabulous!! I have no garden space but someday I will and would love to plant my own veggies and herbs.
Saying prayers and sending good thoughts your way for your dad’s health and surgery. I’m sure it is scary as all heck but I’m sure the benefits will be so worth it.
Sam is soooooo big for a Havanese! Romeo is about 18 pounds and they say that is big. I wish I could see them side by side. Loving his haircut — he looks much cooler .I can see similarities between him and Romeo more. Sometimes it is hard to see Sammy’s features due to him being so dark.
Love the birch tree photo! Just lovely.
Love the picture of Sammy and your dad -looks like they’re enjoying each other’s company! Will be thinking of you father on the 4th – love his good luck reasoning, too. Can’t wait to hear what you think of The Flight of Gemma Hardy. It’s very close to the top of my tbr pile. Your flowers are beautiful… looks like summer has finally arrived!
I’ll keep your dad in my thoughts and prayers. Just hearing what he said about July 4th brought tears to my eyes. He sounds like a wonderful father and it looks like he is smitten with Sammy too! I’ll be thinking of you all!
I think those flowers are English Daisies. I planted some last year. Mine don’t look so good this year but we have had a harsh summer, hot and dry.