My Cosmos

I have attempted twice to have a wildflower garden here at the Bungalow, however, the flower gods are against me.  In frustration, one rainy, gloomy day, I put on my rain slicker and wellies, then took my little crank seed broadcaster into the alley.  I let the remaining wildflower seeds fly where they would, not caring if the birds ate them or if they were mowed down (as were my previous plantings.)  Then I forgot about them.  Until, I happened to glance down the alley one summer day while walking the dogs back home. There were dozens of bright flowers dancing in the breeze.  The dogs and I ran down the alley sniffing flowers here and there.  That was a happy day!  The Cosmos are still blooming, giving off a gentle fragrance not unlike the spice clove.  So, I think my Poppy seeds would do well in the alley over the winter, blooming next Spring.  What do you think?

What's on Your Floor?

Scooter, our Maltese/Poodle mix has often helped me hose down those carpet tiles from Flor.

Dogs teach us so much...such as Oriental rugs and rover do not mix.  Then, jute rugs are wonderful if you don't live with puppies who love to tromp in the mud after a rain.

Skipper, our Labrador/English Cocker mix, inspecting a linen blanket that's been through the wash as often as he has.

Since becoming parents of these two wonderful creatures, Tall Husband and I have adjusted our concept of luxury.  Luxury is anything that can be thrown in the washer or hosed down on the patio.

So, what's on your floors?

Rangoon Creeper

Quisqualis indica

One morning, while the dogs and I were out walking, we paused to chat over the fence with my friend and neighbor Susan.  Her lush, cottage garden is the treat-of-the-day for us. I spotted a wonderful vine growing on her fence.  She told me it is a Rangoon Creeper.  After doing a computer search, I learned that it blooms all summer and is heat and drought resistant.  So, Tall Husband and I were off to our local nursery...Buchanan's.  Sure enough, they had a beautiful Rangoon Creeper, swooning with clusters of blooms.  The Creeper will replace the Star Jasmine that only blooms a few days out of the year and didn't make it through last winter's freeze.

There is an unexpected bonus, the Rangoon blooms make sweet-scented, long-lasting cut flowers for the Bungalow, changing from the palest of pinks to the beautiful color you see in the photo above.

Wishing you a wonderful week, Dear Friends.

Annie

Walking Tall

Tall Husband is bravely, if not quietly, recovering from neurosurgery (spinal).  The surgery was outpatient, this past Friday...if that makes you catch your breath, join me in breathing exercises. He had surgery in the morning and I drove him home that evening, with the anxiousness of transporting fragile eggs...Faberge at that!  Scooter and Skipper sniffed all the strange smells that Tall Husband brought with him from the surgical suite. Of course during their sniff/see, they discovered his zipper in the back.  Then it was, "We can make it better, let us just pull the tape off and lick it."

Thank you all for your well wishes.

A special Note:  The beautiful bouquet in the photographs above is from his colleagues at the GXT R&D Department.  He sends his thanks, R&D!

Household Help

Skipper helps clean the rugs.

Each of our furry family members has chores, which he has chosen for himself.  I do not know how they make such decisions on the division of labor.  And I am impressed that they do not argue about who gets what task, though they argue about food, toys and who walks ahead of the other on our outings.

Skipper also helps with changing bed linens, taking out the garbage, vacuuming...following the roaring yellow beast around the bungalow in case it decides to attack me.  Scooter's main job is to guard the bungalow against all dangers, which include the postal carrier and anything with small wheels.  Scoot also helps with the laundry.  As the laundry room is in the back house, he prides himself in following me across the patio with a pair of dirty socks, then proudly bringing them in when they are clean.  They both announce the UPS carrier and eagerly wait to dispense with the paper and plastic packing in the newly delivered boxes.

If you are a possum, you do not want to come close to me on a dark night, as they both have taken on the job of protector.  And if you come to visit, both Scooter and Skipper will greet you excitedly with wagging tails and welcoming yelps.  But Scooter will have chosen what we call a prancing prop (a toy, a rock, an old treat) and commence prancing for you with his prop poking from his furry little face...I think he was a cabaret dancer in his former life.  Then they both will sit near you and listen, for they have chosen to be great listeners, tilting their heads knowingly with each sentence you complete, occasionally interjecting an understanding, "Hmmm."

Hardly Harvey

Meet Hardly Harvey, the newest bunny at The Bunny Bungalow.

This little guy, who epitomizes pathos itself, who tugs at my heart strings, is a piece by Darla Jackson, a sculptor who lives and works in Philadelphia.  Title: What are you afraid of?

Annie: What are we going to name him?

Tall Husband: What was the rabbit's name in that old James Stewart movie?

Annie: Harvey...but he is hardly Harvey.

Tall Husband: Then that's his name.

Annie: What's his name?

Tall Husband: Hardly Harvey!

And this reminds me of a quote from the movie, Harvey:
"Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state I finally won out over it."

Historic Preservation Fair in Houston

Hello, Dear Readers, I just received information about a great event you will not want to miss:

Next Saturday, June 7, 2014, the city of Houston is hosting the 2^nd Annual Historic Preservation Fair. It is co-sponsored by Preservation Houston. Here is the link to information and reservations for this fair.  www.HoustonPreservation.org

Now don't dawdle around and miss out on this interesting happening.

Annie

There's Just Something Magical About Bunny Ears

My Usagi Bunny hat

Here is Maggie, the mannequin, wearing a whimsical hat.  When we walk Scooter and Skipper on a cold night, I love wearing this fuzzy little cap.  It stops traffic, plus having bunny ears lightens my step, and makes the world worth my smiles.  I'm sure you know the feeling, Dear Friend.

Hugs,

Annie

From a Bungalow's Front Porch

From my front porch

This is the second fire in two days that we have seen from our Bungalow's front porch.  Yesterday, it was an apartment complex under construction, from which a worker on an upper floor was saved by the Houston Fire Department.  Tall Husband just came in to tell me that this fire destroyed a two-story house.  If my guess is correct, the house in question is one where a young woman's body was discovered a couple of years ago.  She was a murder victim.

As I look out of the Bungalow window, I see that the fire has been extinguished.  Hope no one was injured.  Thank you, Houston Fire Fighters!

Correction: The fire was at the church directly across the street from the home mentioned above.

An Advent Calendar Repurposed

An antique printer's drawer was what I thought I wanted, until I saw this zinc advent calendar. How perfect for all my tiny treasures, I mused...and it was on sale!  Thanks Tall Husband for hanging it properly.  The cost of my treasures?  Next to nothing.  The memories which they hold...priceless!

An Olympic Bronze metal from the Paris games of 1900, takes me on a trip of marvelous imaginings. 

A cast iron puppy with his tiny book has been with us for at least thirty years.

A parade of magnetic ants add a whimsical touch.

A tiny pair of antique sunglasses, made for a child, make you wonder what that little face must have looked like behind those glasses so many years ago.

A tiny watch face from France has its own niche.

A doll's hand evokes a poignant note.

A quail egg is equally adorable.

And this small hand from a Santos, holds a heart-shaped rock which my little Maltipoo, Scooter, brought to me in trade for a dog treat.  Priceless!

The First Camellias

 

 

 

Ah, Coco, you were so right to love the Camellia.  The purity, the simplicity...the total lack of fussiness, yet the femininity she packs is soothing to the soul.  Forgive me, as I passed up your white for the palest of pinks with only a touch of fragrance.

Looking Hip

 

 

A pair of child's tiny, antique sunglasses found on Etsy

Take a tip from Scooter.  Anyone can be hip in the right pair of sunglasses.  You are so cool, Scoot dog!

Keep Calm and Dream On

My New Year resolution: Keep calm and dream on.  Happy New Year, my dear friends.