River Bend Ranch - Patty Van Dorin

A Good Dog

 
the last gardenia of the season
there always seems to be one late last bloom
 
did you know that I love potatoes
there have been quite a few heart shaped potatoes at the store lately
of course, I always pick them first
heart shaped potatoes taste the same as regular shaped potatoes
you would think they would be sweeter (teasing, my poor attempt at humor)
 
and speaking of sweet
today is a Happy Anniversary for Ralph the Dog and me
three years ago today, I found Ralph at a San Antonio Animal Rescue
if there were animal awards, I would nominate Ralph as the BEST DOG EVER
my faithful companion, confidant, door bell and all around good buddy, I can't begin to tell you lucky I am to have found him

Beehive

 
Beehive Journal - flotsam and jetsam style journal
available on etsy - click here for more photos and details

Magnificent Perfume

currently blooming
 
rose - magnificent perfume
pincushion flower
marguerite - lemon sugar
diamond frost
sage
plus an old silver creamer with a perfect patina
 
I couldn't decide on which of these two pictures, so I used both

today's theme : Dragonfly

many new items have been added and it seems to be a dragonfly theme kind of day
 
flotsam and jetsam journal - Dragonfly and Tatting
available on etsy - click here for more photos and details

new Basic Grey has just arrived and these two collections are incredible
 
Wisteria 6x6 paper pad

 
Lime Rickey 6x6 paper pad
  
Dragonfly Clear Stamp Set
all these stamps are so cute but don't you just love that bee with the little flower jacket!!

Visit the Tuscan Rose web site for these Basic Grey paper pads and stamp sets plus be sure to check out all the other new items that have just been added.

crazy limey orchid

it has been so long since I posted pictures of the flotsam and jetsam journal that I am working in,
I have forgotten what I have shared so far
 
so here are a few pages in progress
 
when I add notes or some journal entries, I have been adding it to the pages in the form of tags or scraps of paper
which seems appropriate for a flotsam and jetsam journal
 
the journal is getting big and fat
 
some pages towards the end may have to be removed or the journal may explode
 
but then again, I do like big exploding journals
tonight I may sit with a cup of tea and draw more tiny little birds in this journal
 
speaking of tiny, one of the miniature orchids on my kitchen window sill is putting on a great show
 
and so is this crazy lady
one of my favorite limey colored orchids that is practically always in bloom
After the flowers fade and fall, I don't cut the bloom spikes as sometimes they re-bloom
not only did this one re-bloom but it produced a small little baby plant all the way up at the top of the bloom stalk
not only do I have a little baby with this plant but the baby is producing flowers also

It's just about the craziest looking orchid that I have

a couple of cereal boxes and spray paint

 
last week, I was given this recycle craft challenge -
make something out of some cereal boxes
 
out came the spray paint and stencils add a few pages from a discarded book
the results -

top picture - gift box
bottom picture - bon bon box

now to find something good to fill these boxes

Easter Rose

 
currently in bloom

Louise Odier
1851
An old Bourbon rose with very full, medium-sized, camellia-shaped blooms in a deep pink shade. The fragrance of ‘Louise Odier’ is quite delightful.

buttoned yo-yo journal, ver.8

 
Flotsam and Jetsam Journal - Buttoned Yo-Yo version 8
this one is really packed full of all sorts of vintage ephemera and paper
  
available on Etsy - click here for more pictures and details 

yabba dabba doo

it was a good day in bedrock
 
while out gathering rocks today, I found this fossil
my best find ever
  
the depth of impression, the clarity and the color is superb

and it displays nicely, sitting on a shelf with a some of my many fossils   

Billy's Pet Rock

 
rock moving is in full swing
the huge rock that I had stuck in the back of the pickup has been dislodged
and rolled into place
thanks to Mr. Paul who helped roll this baby - see below - will show how I used this rock later on
 
I am taking a three day weekend with the hopes to get most of the work in the front yard finished
  pink phlox and limestone

the arms needed a weeks rest from hauling and moving rock
  
pink sage and limestone
  
pink thrift and limestone

are you starting to see a theme here
actually there are other flower colors being used but today I seemed focused on the pinks
  
I put in two large rocky areas and they are nearly completed with the rock and some plantings
so far all the plants are doing very well and there has been no midnight snacking from the deer
the hummingbirds are back after the late freeze last weekend
and all is good