Friday Foto - Trampoline Bug (37 of 52)

My little guy found this little guy hiding under the mat on the trampoline.

Friday Foto - Camel Bells (36 of 52)

Camels, bells, and pompoms given as a thank you to King Damascus. 

Friday Foto - Busy Bee (35 of 52)

Friday Foto - Lavender & Bees (34 of 52)

The bees love our lavender this year!

It was a little bit of a challenge to remain calm yesterday when I was harvesting the lavender. I had many thoughts of them ganging up to attack me in revenge for taking their flowers, but, of course, I made it out alive and sting free.

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Friday Foto - Blackberries (33 of 52)

Fresh frozen blackberries that we collected on a walk to the park.

Take a look at my next post to see the tasty treat I made with them.

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London 2012 - Blog Break

My really good excuse for ignoring my blog for the past couple weeks...London 2012!!

Once upon a day, we saw the Olympic Rings on the Tower Bridge, looked out a train window and played peek-a-boo behind a bench...

We saw some special vehicles and flags of the world...

We played in front of athletic graffiti...

Another once upon a day, we showed Aunt Mary a beautiful castle and a guard...

Finally, late one night, we watched the USA win an exciting match...

Among the above events were so many other memorable moments from London 2012 Olympics. Here's a list of a few more that I can't find pics for at the moment...

• Mens Gymnastics Team Final
• Womens Cycling
• Mexico vs. Senegal Football at Wembley
• Kid Olympics at Anners
• London Live at Hyde Park

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Friday Foto - Wisley 2 (30 of 52)

We had a really nice visit to Wisley a few days ago - took a picnic, planted some seeds, and enjoyed the beauty of God's creation. 

I can't take credit for this picture because King Damascus took it. This plant was so beautifully interesting. I love it's shape and color.

Friday Foto - Torch (29 of 52)

Olympic Torch

Friday, 20 July 2012

Guildford, UK

One of the great moments of my life was seeing the torch today!

Friday Foto - Marilyn (28 of 52)

We went to the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach last week and saw loads of beautiful & unique handmade items. If you're in the area, you've got to go! Nikki of Laguna's stall is a must stop for me. She's an old friend of my parents and makes gorgeous earrings and necklaces. I have a hard time not buying one of each when I visit her stall. This year, I loved her display. She had posters of Marilyn Monroe 'wearing' her handmade earrings and necklaces. This one with the pink hair & lips was one of my favorites.

Friday Foto - Monarch Butterfly (19-22 & 27)

Today, I'm making up for the 5 or so weeks that I skipped a few weeks ago...and also one for this week. The first four were taken at Casa Romantica of their current exhibition and the last two are from the gardens: a caterpillar and brand new butterfly that was born while we were there! When we first saw it, it was still in the chrysalis...fifteen minutes later...it was a beautiful butterfly!

Friday Foto - Snail Race (26 of 52)

Snail Race. 

These guys didn't win but at least they became good friends.

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Friday Foto - Harry Potter (24 of 52)

This isn't one that I took, but it was so much fun I had to share it as my Friday Foto (on Tuesday...better late than never, right?). 

I went to the Harry Potter studios last Wednesday, the day before I flew to California. It was amazing!!! I highly recommend it if you're a Harry Potter fan. It was so cool to see the actual sets where they filmed, props, masks, and creatures. The highlights for me were (1) standing in Hogwarts' Great Hall, (2) seeing how the creatures were created with animatronics, (3) walking down Daigon Alley, and (4) drinking Butterbeer! Yum! I'm on the hunt for a Butterbeer recipe...if anyone knows of one, I'd love to make it :-)

Friday Foto - Grasshopper (18 of 52)

Grasshopper that grows when submerged in water for 3 days.

Friday Foto - Dragonfly (17 of 52)

Bug that grows when submerged in water for 3 days.

Friday Foto - Catch Up (11-16 of 52)

Six Tulips from our Garden

Reasons for lack of blogging in March & April:

1) Busiest work month of my year.

2) Tonsillitis one week & same week as Yearbook deadline.

3) Bronchitis the following week.

4) Husband out of town & kids out of school for same 7 days.

5) Parents visit...at least one good thing!

Friday Foto - Midnight Star (10 of 52)

Even in the dark of night, daffodils glow brilliantly.

Friday Foto - Crystal Light (09 of 52)

The sun was shining such a beautiful rainbow of light through our crystal cross ornament.

Friday Foto - Flying Essentials (8 of 52)

Flying Essentials

I'm a little late with my Friday Foto, but Tuesday's better than no day! I snapped this picture with my phone at the airport. I had a busy busy weekend - flew to California on Friday (so no F.F.), recovered from jet lag Saturday, went to a dear friend's wedding on Sunday, and flew back to England on Monday (just arrived this morning). Phew! 

Friday Foto - Wisley (7 of 52)

We visited Wisley Gardens yesterday and this caught my eye.

Friday Foto - Ernest the Owl (6 of 52)

Ernest the Owl

I took this with my phone which doesn't take the best pictures, but I thought it was so cool so it's my photo of the week. We went to Savill Gardens for lunch the other day and it was hanging in the entry way. What a clever way to use old boxes, right?