Happy Mother's Day

I hope you had a lovely day today! My day couldn't have been better, and it's not over yet. We started out the day meeting Erik and Mae for breakfast. The first place we went, a local chain called Elmer's, was totally slammed as we expected it would be. There wasn't even any place to park, let alone wait. I was just so happy to be with the kids that I told them I was perfectly happy with Egg McMuffin at McDonalds...which is true...I loves me my Egg McMuff (as we call it). 

So we drove less than a mile to get to McDonalds, and then I remembered another little chain called Biscuits Cafe in the same parking lot. We checked inside just to see how long the wait would be, and they could seat us immediately! It was meant to be! So I rounded everybody up and we had a really nice breakfast with them. It's so much fun hearing all the things Erik and Mae are doing in their yard. I gave Mae a gift certificate to the Backyard Bird Shop for her birthday, and they had already spent it on bird feeders and birdseed.

There was a zero percent chance of rain today, which is rare in Oregon this time of year. We used the day to pull up massive amounts of weeds. It was kind of fun. The first dry day after a rain is the best time to pull weeds because the soil is nice and moist and soft. Of course, I took the opportunity to walk around taking pictures of the yard. The azaleas and the rhododendrons are the stars of the garden right now. These two are in full bloom now.

This is the rhodie I showed you the other day, and it is almost in full bloom now.

Gorgeous blossoms

and the bees love them.

This one is at its most spectacular right now.

But the prettiest of the rhodies is still getting ready to bloom. It has the prettiest flowers. The edges of the petals are ruffly, making it almost like an orchid blossom.

We're expecting good weather all week, so I expect it will open within the next few days.

Also, I checked to see if there were any cherries on the cherry trees, and there were! Hooray!

The chive blossoms are just starting to open now, so I'll be making chive blossom vinegar very soon. I still have some left from last year, but it makes a pretty gift. I'll make some more to give away this year.

Of course the whole family was out. Smitty absolutely loves it when the people come outside. The weather improves immeasurably when we're out.

He has a little tunnel system where he hides out under the junipers. I was all set up to take a picture of him hiding out, but true to form...just as I had the camera set to take the shot, he walked toward me.

Gracie spent her time in the shade of a chair snoopervising the goings on.

She was snoopervising Smitty who was in the field hunting gophers: "Nose to the ground, Little Man."

And we made such a huge mess pulling out piles of weeds that Tractor Man had to come clean things up.

The kitties are not fond of Tractor Man and that usually puts an end to our day pretty quickly.

So, no sewing for me today. Sometimes it's good to just take a break from the basement, get out, and smell the flowers...literally.

And just so you know, the Janome is slated to find a new job. Yes. Tomorrow I'm going shopping. 

Don't know what it will be yet, but I have some ideas. Some of you have suggested looking for a vintage machine, but I'm afraid Big Bertha has spoiled me with her modern conveniences. I'm not looking for any bells or even any whistles, but there are a few features I'd like that will only be available on modern machines. We'll see. Of course, you'll be the first to know when I figure out who the new replacement will be. I just want a petite little lady with good manners, and a nice straight stitch would be divine.