Silly ME with no glasses

TIs Saturday & I went for a follow up visit of my Lasik today..I'm seeing BETTER than 20/20
woohoo
I also got a pair of sunglasses OH YEAH BABY!!
I slept most of the day yesterday which was good, because
there is some pain in the first 5 hours or so after surgery, but
feeling great today!!

I can see for miles!!
Deena

Me with Glasses for the last time I hope

My gift for my birthday this year will be eyes that see without glasses!! My birthday is Sunday
and tomorrow the 13th, I will be having Lasik Eye Surgery. It will
be wonderful to see the clock in the AM, see the birds in The Courting
Tree without rising to get spectacles on . By Saturday I should be
seeing quite well.

Now the world may see my BLUE eyes again!! Tis a delightful gift from a loving husband.

Till we meet again, Deena

NOT SNOW!!

Tis been so cold here, after all the nice days & warm weather, the buds promising flowers, waking to SNOW
today was so disappointing. We've had COLD days & nights , and after such a long hard winter , the promise
of Spring was so uplifting. My lamb's ear was so growing so fast , I'm sure the bit of snow cover will not harm it.
Can you see the snow atop the bird house?


The migration maps for the Ruby Throated Hummingbirds show them in our area, but I am not able to put
out feeders as the lows in the 20s & not much better in the days will only freeze any nectar. Alas I long for
the little guys to greet me in the garden. I long to dig my hands into the dirt & see the fruits of last years
labor begin to sprout.

I know Spring will come, but I so wish it would come NOW!!

I've been trying to capture the Goldfinches on my camera, but they seem shy right now. Such BRIGHT colors
the males have.

Hope Spring is visiting all of us soon, Deena

Cedar Wax Wings & The Courting Tree

We've been blessed with Cedar Wax Wings for the last week. They love the berries on our tree. Tis just outside our
bedroom window, which gives me a great view of them from my bed.
Tis nesting season & Waxwings use berries to court. The male will take a berry, offer it to the female, she takes the berry & offers it back.
So our crab apple tree has been lovingly renamed to
"The Courting Tree"

I was so lucky today, despite the cold, to get LOTS of pictures of the "lil masked bandits"
So happy to be able to share them!!
enjoy, Deena

The Olde & The New

Oh I love the way the Olde leaves & berries cling to their mother plant, at the same time the New blooms & blossoms appear on that same mother plant.
The contrast is glorious. The forest looks barren, but in the distance you can see a bit of RedBud Blossom.... then as the crab apple begins to sprout new leaves & blossoms , last year's berries still cling to the branches. Tis time to renew & refresh.
And ALAS the birds are a flurry of activity as they begin their nesting season & their colors become bright again.

Nature is our Lord's gift to each of us & Spring is a reminder that all things Olde become New again.
Stop & renew your soul.
Deena

The Primitive Gathering has OPENED

Please take a few minutes to browse the site , our news, our Goode Things & our Guest Arist

and thanks to Shelly Auen of Primitive Stitchin for our lovely Spring Welcome banner

www.ThePrimitiveGathering.com

Let me know what you think
smiles, Deena

Daffodils

What a great few days it's been here. VERY hard to get any work done inside, when nature is so wonderful ..As I've said before, I'm fighting the deer to keep my tulips. Caleb, one of my youngest grandsons, took the liberty of picking my daffodils yesterday.
Well I told him I wanted him to look sad cuz he picked Gramma Deena's flowers..doesn't he look remorseful??
Honestly though, I'd be surprised if he picked my flowers without asking again!!
He's so funny, tis hard to be stern with him & keep a straight face!

Going out to snip some hyacinths now
Hope life is good where you are
Enjoy the day the Lord hath made

Happy Day

Even though it's a lovely home, we are GLAd to have transferred ownership of our Victorian to a young couple
yesterday. They are thrilled to have the home. Things are in bloom at the home & it's a lovely time to be in the
garden there.
It's been almost two years, since we moved here to The Singing Woods.

Someone moved a BIG house to a location down the holler here in The Singing Woods, so I'm going to try
to sneek there today and get a couple of pics!!
It was QUITE a BIG home..and it was dark a & the roads were blocked
an adventure!!
smiles, Deena

Life is Good

What a glorious day here, signs of Spring everywhere..tis too nice to stay inside. The sparrow's, phoebe's, Red Belly & Hairy Woodpeckers are building nests.
Even though we've spotted Bluebirds, we've not seen them nesting.
We'll be sitting on the deck tonight .listening for owls , bullfrogs & coyotes~~
Enjoy life in your little corner of the world, Deena

Tis Spring

So welcome, is the Spring. Yesterday as I was "spraying" to keep the deer away from my tulips
I noticed some blooms!! I was so excited to see them, as they are the VERY FIRST of this Spring.
I also noticed someone (thing?) had already munched off the hyacinths & some of the tulips.
Alas, can they just eat something ELSE??
I heard the bull frogs at dusk & our Barred Owl friends were hooting in the Wood.
The sparrows are once again building their "nests" in our antique yard lamps..Loose
clumps of grass is not quite a nest to me, I find sparrows too lazy to make their homes
nice!!

My other challenge is to keep the Sparrows out of the Blue Bird box ..as we spotted
Blue Birds over the weekend..and we'd love for them to bless us with lil nestlings.

Hope today brings sunshine & smiles,
take a breath & know it's Spring
Deena

Kindred Spirits

A good friend is to be treasured. On the Christian Radio Station, I heard three things you could
do for you health each morning. Socalizing with friends was one, it helps us set the tone for the
day and is good for our physical health..(and our mental health).
So each day, finding a few moments to chat with a friend or loved one will help both of
your health & keep you close.

My friends have carried me through the ups and downs of this sweet life..and I love them
for it!

Deena

A wonderful day in The Singing Woods

Today was really our first day with a hint of Spring in the air. As I was out exploring the yard, I found signs of
Spring coming up from the earth. The tulips have been busy making their way towards Mr Sun, even though
the days have been cold. I am so excited to see them. NOW , to keep the deer away so I may enjoy their blooms
is the battle. Smiles to you , Deena

Spring must be coming

Today as I was visiting with my grandson, we walked to the mailbox, we stopped to listen to the birds singing, feel the sun on
our faces & watched the robins pluck berries to eat from the crab apple tree. Spring is welcome &
this weekend marks the beginning of DayLight Savings Time. Alas I can't wait for the April showers
to bring May flowers.

At last I have created a few things for eBay. Our new group, The Primitive Gathering, is having a "birds of the feather" theme. Be sure to visit for lots more lovelies..
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=pgks
as always, smiles to you, Deena

A New Venture

I am so excited to announce that I will be starting a new website market
in early Spring.
It will be
www.ThePrimitiveGathering.com
We have some wonderful artsits already lined up. As things get closer to
the GRand OPEning ..I will share more information

You can find us on ebay.com, just search PGKS

I've begun work on the site
but only a generic "park page" is viewable now

Email us @ webmaster@theprimitivegathering.com if
you would like to be considered or if you have some suggestions.

Many Smiles, Deena

We've had a GREAT beginning

I am so excited about the response so far to my new venture~~

The Primitive Gathering
We have some wonderful artists already , with more coming in the next few months.


You can find us on ebay.com, just search PGKS
Some of us sell on Etsy.com also.

Email us @ webmaster@theprimitivegathering.com if
you would like to be considered *this is a juried site* or if you have kind comments.

Many Smiles, Deena

Some eagle babes

Here are two young eagles, one even still has speckles. This year was the first year Peoria County had a confirmed nesting
site for Bald Eagles in ONE HUNDRED years!! They seem to be quite plentiful at river's edge.

Bald Eagle

Here's another mature eagle looking for food.
bbbbrrrr

Eagles on the River

It's Feb 2, 2007 and VERY cold here in the Midwest. We ventured down to the river road and found Bald Eagles searching for
fish in the areas the barges had broken up the ice. Here's a picture of two eagles looking over the river for food. The Bald Eagle
gets his white head and tail feathers in their fourth year!!

Hoping your warm & safe at your home.
Smiles , Deena

A bit of Winter

We had a bit of Winter weather visit this weekend. Ice hangs everywhere and the grass is CRUNCHY. Looks so pretty, as long as we can stay inside and safe AND warm. We are suppose to get more ice thru Monday.

FYI the bird on the feeder is a Tufted Titmouse, a frequent visitor to our feeders year round.

Not much news, it's a slow uneventful time here in the MidWest.

Check back soon, Deena

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Hi!! I've finally got to my Blog, tis been awhile since it's worked for me. Christmas was great. We had 15 inches of snow BEFORE Christmas , but it was all gone by Christmas. I took a nice fall on the ice and had 7 stitches in my lip. Had to have a CT make sure my brain was still there and knocked 5 of my teeth loose. Mostly healed up now.

Everyone was here for Christmas Eve breakfast...so much fun and so crazy with SIX boys and all the excitement.

Hubby was quite generous with presents this year. My fave is new windchimes!! They are GREAT.

Heard an owl tonight when I let our Hannah dog out, and the coyotes were WILD on Monday. I sure love not having to drive Mercedes to school and home each day. FIVE more months and she's OUT of HIGH SCHOOL.

Mercedes got her Driver's License finally ..and with all the snow we had she did great with her driver's exam , past FIRST time.

I'll try to keep updates going.

Above is a pic of my two grandsons, they spent the night on Thurday after Christmas..so good and they had so much fun

Cole (redhead) is 5 years and my oldest daughter's oldest boy. Joe is 6 years and my son's 3rd of 4 boys!!

Morning visitor

Yesterday, Tuesday, I saw MY DOG run by the front window early in the AM. I ran out to get her back in the fence~but all I saw was a small DEER.

I talked to the babe & it just stood listening.

Today when my friend ran past, I knew it wasn't my

dog, so I got the camera.

We have some type of crab apple tree in the side yard, BIG for crab apples, but

seems my fawn friend likes to eat those.

I couldn't see the spots until I took my pictures.

My collie can look a bit like a fawn..so you see why I'd be tricked.

I am hoping to see my lil fawn again.

Tis Autumn weather here

I love it!

Deena

Can't you just SMELL these roses.

It's finally turned cooler here at night.

I love sleeping with "Night Music"

sometimes it's Barred Owls

always crickets

frogs & some nights late ..we wake up

to the howling of coyotes..I love the sound

but scares me too.

School has started here and only two of my

six grandsons aren't old enough for school.

Wow, it makes it easier on mom's during the day.

I'm looking forward to long walks as the weather continues

to cool and the leaves begin to turn.

I'll be Autumn decorating starting Sept. 1st and

I plan to post some pictures

Time for bed, I'm up early weekdays now

Celebrate Life

Deena

All Hallow's Eve Creation

My latest hand did ..available now on eBay

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfrppZ50QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQrdZ0QQsassZsweetannee

from a Sweet Pea pattern. FOLKy for All Hallow's Eve.

Back to school tomorrow for my baby who's a senior this

year ..so off to beauty rest for me, up early every weekday

now.

TTFN

Deena

Another Hummingbird Picture

I love this picture, I was sitting at the window seat in my"creating room" aka

the BIG MESS & there he was (she)..I had the camera right there, so I snapped

this pic. It's far away & thru the screen, but I love it!!

I don't know how folks get pics of a feeder full of hummers, my hummer family runs everyone off, even the chickadees~ He didn't even use to let his own wife get any food~guess he never learned to share.

Last night hubby & I went for an evening walk with our Hannah dog. One of the

horses at the stable came to the fence to visit & my dog got so jealous when she

saw me petting & cooing. Next time I told Rich he has to take a camera. Maybe

I'll get him to take a pic of my horse friend and me!

smiles. Deena

Hummingbird Pictures

I just had to share. I was out taking pictures

of some hand dids for eBay

&

I guess I was too close to the feeders, the hummers

kept flying around me.

I finally decided I'd best get THEIR pictures too

ENJOY

They are so fun, friendly & BOLD

Deena

It's AUGUST

Some great news, Simply Primitives artists will be having a "Harvest Thyme"

auction on eBay from Sept 10th-17th

We'll have LOTS of great items for you.

Dana of PrimitivesbyDana even made a banner & an auction template

for all us to use.

**

~*~

Some facts about the "Dog days of August"

August is the time for a Hummingbird show, lots of hummers out there, the new crop of youngsters too. Keep your feeders full as lots will pass on their way south.

American Goldfinch are just beginning to raise their babes. They like to nest as the bull thistle produces seeds. They line their nests with it's down & it's seed is the major source of food for their babies!!

Look for the Perseid Meteor Shower from 8/11 to 8/13

find the spot in your area & see 10-30 meteors an hour

http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors/

IT's HOT HERE

My goodness, it's been a LONG time & hot

Here's one picture of our fireworks

We had BIG ones!!

I even took a picture of one of the baby toadies, I have sooo many. I found them when

they were really tiny!! Had to let them grow so I wouldn't hurt them when touching them.

We have a had big time raccoon problems, they are knocking down all the feeding

poles & tearing up my feeders. Not sure what to do, except bring all the food in

at night. UGH!!

It's been so HOT & dry here, not my kind of weather.

I recently started listing some things on etsy

hope you'll check them out AND bookmark my

store

www.SweetAnnee.etsy.com

More coming, we got NEW plants for the shade garden

Smiles, Deena

BUSY week

Wow, this week went fast. Last weekend hubby and I headed off to the Nursery (Garden, we don't need no babes) to replace a bush.

We got a neat one ..and a Japanese Elm for the back

AND

this fun fountain. I know he wanted a great BIG one, but I said lets wait till we sell the old house!!

I love the sound of water when I'm on the deck.

I read that birds can hear a drip for TWO miles.

Here's a picture of an Indigo Bunting visiting the feeder. I love them!!

We had HUGE fireworks on the Fourth. I'll post one picture of that soon.

Check out

www.simplyprimitives.com

It'll be updated on July 15th ,lots of great primitives offered there!!

Deena

aka

SweetAnnee

It's July

The Hollyhocks are almost done blooming. That means SEEDS for next year.

If you'd like some seeds, I'd love to share.

I moved this old plow, which was brand new when I got it at an auction, into the side garden. I was tired of the raccoons using it to climb up to the bird feeders. Darn FAT critters, they tear the feeders up to get to the seed. I can't figure out why they don't just go fish at the pond ..it's full of yummy fishies for them to eat.

I spotted a TEENY little toadie this weekend too, about the size of my little finger's nail. I am going to try to get a picture of him tomorrow. He's just an itty bitty.

Hubby went to Indianapolis for the Formula One Race and brought home LOTS of fireworks.

Our youngest daughter has invited her friends for the 4th and told them to bring their fire extinguishers..Oh My , with all the woods we made need them.

Hope you all have a celebration & remember our soldiers who are fighting for our FREEDOM

God Bless America

Land that I love