We Had only a Few Hours of Sunshine this Weekend

and I enjoyed them to their fullest!

I expect this to be the last day I will  use the hammock this year. It's only 55 degrees today, but with the sun shining and a quilt tossed over, it was fairly warm.

For two days it rained and was very windy. My poor urn almost met its demise yesterday afternoon when it blew over for the second time this year.  The thing is so heavy I can't pick it up, yet it fell over twice! When DH came in and told me one side was all cracked, I expected much worse than this.

It is still usable. Next year I will just turn this side toward the garage wall.

I am disappointed in the 4 grasses I  planted in the rockwall garden.  None of them have bloomed.
This is blue oat grass.

I don't think it grew much at all. Do any of you know how long it takes for this grass to grow? I think it is supposed to get very tall.  The other grasses  have not grown much either--Maiden Grass   Gracillimus & Maiden Grass Morning Light.  I always thought grasses grew 4 feet or more in a year.  Hopefully they will take off next year.

Here is something that I am happier with.  The kale has finally turned nice and purple.  I didn't think it was ever going to!

DH Finally Opens a Gift I Bought Him..................in 2003

Yes, 2.thousand.three!

The wrapping paper was removed, and I am sure thank yous were uttered,  but this gift was never fully opened.  The packing list was attached to the unopened box.  The date I ordered this for DH's birthday was July 3, 2003.

For 8  years this box has been stored away unopened. 

You may remember a couple of years ago I told you about the power washer I bought him for Christmas. It sat unopened in the basement for many years until I finally made him open it and try it out.  What a great thing that power washer is.  There is nothing better to clean the concrete slabs that the three sets of deck steps rest on.  This year he used it (only at my insistence) to remove white stain from the deck railing.  Most  men would have LOVED to get a power washer and would have found multiple uses for it.  Not my DH.

That is why I rarely buy gifts for him anymore.  He needs little, he wants even less, so I no longer bother buying him anything.  It's not fun to buy gifts for someone who does not even open them.

Anyway back to the 8-yr old birthday gift.  He may not have been impressed with it, but I just LUV it!

Have you figured out what it is?

Take a look...........

 It's a hammock! We found two big pine trees in the wooded area to  hang it.

I brought out some colorful pillows and a small quilt for comfort and decoration.  I tossed two gardening magazines on it and jumped in...OK, not exactly "jumped" in...I cautiously sat on the side and slowly lifted each leg into the contraption...

 I am happy to report that I made it in without falling to the ground.  I was immediately struck by how comfortable it is to lie in a hammock.   Here's my view as I look up from my magazine toward the woods. 

 Here is the view in the other direction. It is high noon and the big pine has  blocked the hot sun rays.

I even saw my first male cardinal of the summer. He flew right over top of me as he chased his female friend. Ah, life is sweet....I think this is the best gift I have ever bought him!  Too bad it took me eight years to find that out.

I am linking to Masterpiece Monday, where you will find all kinds of creative projects.