Happy Sunday and Happy Father’s Day to my dad and all other dads out there! My dad is a really special guy and I’m really lucky to have him so if you’re reading this dad I love you.
This week seems to have flown by quite quickly. Between a migraine and the weather changes causing me problems I didn’t get a whole lot done. I did some running around picking up groceries and lipstick but that’s about it. I hate trying to buy makeup now. It used to seem a lot easier but now I can’t figure out what to choose. I think it’s because there’s too much out there and truthfully I barely wear any but with literally hundreds of lipstick colors what’s a girl to choose.
On the book front I’m listening to Every Fifteen Minutes by Lisa Scottoline and it is so good. Up next in reading for this week is All the Single Ladies by Dorothea Benton Frank and The Truth and Other Lies by Sascha Arango. I’m really looking forward to Dorothea Benton Frank’s book as I really enjoy her writing and I haven’t read anything by her yet that I haven’t liked. Have any of you read or listened to any of these? What did you think of them if you did? And if not what are you reading this week – anything good to add to my towering ‘to read’ list.



Sammy’s been pretty good. His skin seems to be slowly healing but it’s a slow process and he’s itchy. I feel bad for him and even worse when I have to stick him in the tub everyday for a rinse. As soon as I start preparing for it he hides under the table. He’s smart!
Yes Mommy I know it’s the neighbor’s driveway but I’m hot and I’m tired and I’m going to rest for a while.
Auge is an older gentlemen in my neighborhood that has been joining Sammy and I for our walks for the past five years and is pretty much family now. He’s such an upbeat and happy person and he never fails to bring sunshine to my mornings. Yesterday he and Sammy were playing what I call the ‘hand game’ as you can clearly see by Sammy’s open mouth. lol.
Happy Sunday everyone and Happy Father’s Day Grandpa!
Our garden is still doing well but I forgot to take pictures this week so I’ll post some next week. I did get a few of some pretty flowers though so to close this week I’ll share those…
These are actually over at my neighbors. She grows this basket of flowers on her front step every summer and they are just gorgeous!
I love snapdragons and it’s been ages since I’ve seen any. We used to plant them all the time and for some reason stopped. Seeing these makes me wish we had some in our yard and I think we’ll need to remedy that for next summer.
So what has everyone else been up to this weekend? Any special plans for today or just relaxing and enjoying a quiet summer day? I hope you all have a great week ahead!
Aw, I love that your neighbor joins you on your walks. When Milou was a puppy, our little 5 year old neighbor loved to walk with me. She was the cutest thing and had a little sparkle to her. They’ve moved a couple of times and we’ve moved a couple of times but she came to see me right before Christmas and it was so much fun!
I don’t wear much make-up either because I’m not good at applying it – I have no idea what to do with most of it.
Kathy, how nice that she still comes to see you. That’s sweet. Auge always says that the highlight of his day is walking with us and he doesn’t get that it’s the same for me as well. He has such an optimistic attitude and is always happy that he’s just a joy to be around and of course Sammy loves him.
The pink peonies are gorgeous! Every year I wish I had some… not sure why I’ve never planted any. Glad Sammy is healing, that last picture of him is so sweet. Haven’t read any of those books, but have seen a few excellent reviews of Every Fifteen Minutes. I did read Still Alice and it devastated me… so sad that I don’t dare see the movie. Hope you have a great week!
JoAnn, I love peonies. I wish I could bring them in the house but they love to get ants so they stay outside. Every Fifteen Minutes is so good. I hadn’t heard of it before. I was browsing the library site and saw it available in audio so grabbed it. I’m so glad I did! Still Alice was hard to watch. Needless to say I cried many tears.
Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures. As always, Sammy makes me smile. He’s so sweet. How lucky you are to have such wonderful neighbors. Those peonies and snapdragons are gorgeous. Beautiful flowers of summer!!
Hope you’re fully recovered from feeling under the weather.
Connie, Sammy is a sweetie for sure. We are very lucky to have great neighbors on both sides of us. We’ve lived here over 30 thirty years and have seen many people come and go. I am fully recovered from my cold thankfully. Hope you’re doing well.
Dar , lovely pics of flowers. I have the same peonies, but past bloom now. Adorable Sammy!
Diane, our peonies are just about done blooming too. I wish they kept blooming all summer but sadly don’t.
What a blessing that your neighbor Auge walked (literally) into your life. Great pics, Dar!
Beth, you have that right! Auge is a blessing for sure. Hope you’re well my friend.
No doggie likes getting a bath. Glad Sammies skin is getting better. Don’t know those books since I’ve been reading off the shelves. Home and library. Hope they are enjoyable 🙂
Hey Jen, nothing wrong with reading off the shelves. I’ve been doing that with audiobooks and trying to work through some that I have. I should tackle my kindle but that’s just a scary thought. Poor Sammy is almost getting used to baths already – that’s a clue as to how often the poor thing ends up in the tub.
I’m terrible at buying makeup. When I got my hair cut short recently and found myself really hating it, I went on a makeup buying spree to cheer myself up–well, really it was a lipstick buying spree. I don’t normally wear lipstick and the choices …! So instead of choosing I went up to one of the sales people and got her to choose for me 🙂 Luckily she did a pretty good job!
Sammy is so cute. And I love peonies. I do miss having a garden now that we live in a condo. I like all the other parts of condo living, but not having a garden … sigh. Last week I bought a rosemary plant and a lavender plant. Maybe one day I’ll have the inside of this place as green as a garden!
Belle Wong, I don’t normally wear lipstick either but I thought it might brighten me up a bit so I’m trying it. I used to wear makeup but over the years I just gave up on it.
There are definite benefits to a condo like no yard work. When I lived in one I did miss the garden most of all. The flowers I would put out on my deck but there was no way to have a garden and I missed the fresh veggies. If you have lots of light you could probably even try growing a tomato plant or two. I’ve seen condo owners with them and herbs especially.
Love your photos Darlene. It’s always cheering to see Sammy. He is a doll. Glad to know your Auge is still walking with you two. Made it to church today, and did some mowing and a little weed eating (not sure if thats even a word). Supposed to be warm tomorrow with feel-like temps around 100.
Loved the pics of your garden before. We have some out too. We have quite a few peonies that peak around May 30 and a few snapdragons round the mailbox. We used to have sweet peas on a fence too but haven’t for years.
Sophie is laid out resting on the floor. Guess she is tired or maybe just hot. I think she still misses Darcy. Cappy has been stiff, the vet thinks maybe arthritis so he has been getting some tablets for that. He is slowing adjusting to being an only horse. He misses Rowdy alot too I know. (I think I sent you an email with all the goings on in late winter/early spring).
Just started listening to Katie Up and Down the Hall yesterday. Previously, Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe, Templar Legacy, Monuments Men, Astronaut Wives Club. Movies: Monuments Men,Abraham Lincoln Vampire Slayer, Finding Neverland, Horse in the Grey Flannel Suit.
Wishing you a great week!
Carla, I’m going to send you a separate email. Keep on the look out…
I wear so little make-up too. I used to like wearing lipstick, but these days I’m never satisfied with the colors. 🙁
I am intersted in Every Fifteen Minutes. I am glad to hear you are enjoying it. I haven’t seen Still Alice, and likely won’t. I did read the book years ago and it made quite an impression on me. I just can’t bring myself to watch the movie. I have seen American Sniper, and thought Bradley Cooper did an amazing job.
Such beautiful flowers! I always enjoy your photos, Darlen.
I hope you have a wonderful week!
Wendy, that’s me too with all makeup. I’m just not satisfied with how it looks but I think that has a lot to do with my age now. I don’t know. It just seems like it all used to be a lot easier.
I think you’d like Every Fifteen Minutes. I finished it today and went immediately to see if I could get another of her books and I did. I see some binge listening in my future. Still Alice made me cry so I can see why you feel like that.
Poor pup! He sure is a cutie. Those flowers are fabulous!
If I lived near you (and Kathy and Belle!) we could get together for a Mary Kay skin care class. I’ve sold it for over 20 years and don’t really do the ‘shows’ anymore but if you really do want advice, I suggest you go to marykay.com and find a nice person to demonstrate. They won’t bite, or they better not! Tell them you have a friend in the biz and won’t tolerate any ‘pushy’ selling techniques. 😉
Care, I wish you were here too! A little party would be so much fun and would likely help, at least me, a lot. I am literally lost in the world of makeup now. Way back many years we had Mary Kay parties but then they just kind of faded away. I don’t know why. I see there’s a Canadian site so I’ll take a look around. Thanks!
I love peonies and don’t know why I don’t get them! They are so pretty. Glad you and Sammy have pal to walk with every day. I’ve got Fifteen Minutes on audio and look forward to listening.
Hi Dar! Thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog! I’m glad to hear you’d a great weekend! Those flowers look gorgeous and as always, I like looking at pics of Sammy. Thanks for sharing! 🙂