Gardening

My way to rest and to have fun is to create gardens. When we moved to our house( May 2009) in Shell it was pretty much an empty slate. Some plants that were originally planted have been removed and put in other places . I've bought a few roses and antheriums but mostly have just taken cuttings from other gardens. Everything readily roots here in the warm went rain forest.I could not create with out my faithful helper!!!the back porch then, now there are night blooming Jasmin, passion fruit vines and many potted plants



the begining of the rose gardenwith in a year and a half, everything grows really fast here

before the vegetable garden
the vegetable garden has produced papa chinos, squash, basil, tomatoes and zuchinni


this garden between the trees is mostly ferns and the trees have been planted with many orchids from fallen branches of other trees


this tree out front had some plants and orchids, we expanded it and have added more plants

a touch of spring

I've missed seeing seasons change. So when I was called to PA this winter to help my daughter's family , I thought I might see spring. As a thank you to me for coming , Vicky and the babies and I went to the Philadelphia flower show.
It was held at the convention center in the middle of the city. US cities are so different from the South American ones I've been in , much safer, and more diverse . I waited with the stroller on a corner while Vicky went into a store for egg rolls I was uneasy she said it's perfectly safe which it was...















The theme was spring time in Paris















The simple~

we got some great ideas and were inspired















The intricate~















the designs were amazing , who would have thought to roll ferns in to this...


all flower material


















this was a great vertical display















For me this was the best display, square "trees" filled in with many different plant material









The babies loved their first flower show!!














HAPPY SPRING

more sweetness

the rest of the story

More pictures of Feb1 and beyond!

Vicky designed and made all her baby room decor

And knit both the babies their own hats!, Edens while she was in labor...Grammy finished it up as the focus was lost on others maters.. a real P31

Ezra was first and Grammy got to see the grand entrance! 6 lb 8 oz ~20 1/2 in


we had to wait a while longer for Eden... but all was well! Even if she didn't think so...
6lb 13 oz~20 1/2 infrom the moment they were born their personalities shone through!
Daddy keeping occupied while Vicky got mended
Mommy finally gets to see and hold the babies...then the big brothers!
At home!!

Pennsylvania

We had snow my first day in PA , lots of rosy cheeks!

We celebrated Vicky's 30th birthday, with anglefood cake and Ecuadorian roses
Iwent snowshoeing for the first time in 3 years
Met a nice couple that said they were going to Florida next year!

# 10 and #11

Grandchildren number 10 and 11 arrived today. It was a busy day of many emotions. Ezra poked his head out at 3:37pm, weighing in at 6lb 8 oz , 20 1/2" long, Eden arrived at 3:52 weighing in at 6 lb13 oz and 20 1/2 " long, she took another route because her cord was out before her head. They are both very sweet ! Mom and Dad are resting tonight and doing well. No pictures yet but later some real sweet ones will be posted.

teachers needed

Nate Saint Memorial School, a small K-8 school for missionaries’ children in Shell, Ecuador, needs teachers for the 2011-2012 school year. We usually have a staff of five teachers and average 25-35 students. Each teacher is responsible for all course work for two grades. We require that our teachers are credentialed and raise their own support. If you feel called to serve missionary children please contact Margie Grant at rgrant@maf.org for more information.