120/365 - Is this a Hyacinth?

This little flower just showed up in my front yard this Spring. Does anyone know what it is? Maybe a hyacinth, but it is small. It is just such a burst of color among all that green. Maybe some more will show up. It makes me happy.

119/365 - On the Hill Concert

The restaurant where Paul works, On The Hill, had a concert tonight. They do it about 4-5 times a year, always for a charity benefit, this time the Agawam Senior Center. There are two seatings, with three choices of food and they have some type of musical entertainment. Lately it has been the band Good Acoustics. They have had other bands, but the crowd just loves these three guys. They are just really good and a lot of fun. We don't make it to every one, but tonight Big Baba, Mark (Janelle had to work), Paul, Kris, Toby, Marley and I went. This picture is of Marley (with Toby's Red Sox hat on) singing along to Sweet Caroline, absolutely one of her favorites.

Kayaking at Lake Mashapaug

The first kayaking of the season is always so exciting. Today was such a beautiful day, high 80's. The water was cold but the air was so warm. My friend Barbara at work first told me about this lake. Her ex-husband's family had a lake house here and she was always talking about how beautiful the lake is. The house has now been torn down and re-built (much to her dismay). There is a picture of it below. We saw a mamma Canadian goose sitting on a nest on a little island - that was a treat. She was a little nervous to see us so close, but she didn't budge.

I can't believe this is our 6th season of kayaking already; I really love it. When I was a kid there was a swamp down at the end of my street. I always wanted to go down there but I wasn't allowed to. Sometimes I would sneak down there. There was a makeshift boat in the water and I always wanted to get in it and try to paddle it. Sometimes I think about that when I'm out on the water; about how I'm so lucky now to be able to kayak and see such beautiful nature.

118/365 - Lake Mashapaug

First kayaking of the season. We went to Lake Mashapaug in Connecticut. What a beautiful day, high 80's at least. The water was cold but the air was beautiful. We were exploring around a little island and all of a sudden we came upon this beautiful site. A mamma Canadian goose sitting on her nest. I was surprised at all the feathers she was sitting on. She seemed a little nervous to see us, but she didn't budge. Good mamma.

117/365 - My ferns

The ferns in my back yard have really sprouted during this heat wave.

116/365 - Janelle's Baby Shower

Today was Janelle and Mark's baby shower. This picture is of Mark holding up a sweater that Kristen knit. Isn't it adorable? She actually made them two sweaters and two hats (not to mention the many started but not finished for one reason or another). It was a fun day. More pictures on Debbie's Blog.

Janelle's Baby Shower

Today was Janelle's (and Mark's) baby shower at the Crowne Plaza in Worcester, MA. It was such a fun time. Janelle knew she was having a baby shower that day but she didn't know where, and I don't think she thought there would be so many of her and Mark's friends there. There were 60 people in all, most of them their friends. Poor Mark; I'm sure he didn't know just how "involved" he would be in the shower. We thought it would be a good idea if he stayed and helped Janelle open the "mountain" of gifts. He was a little hesitant at first, but was a good sport about it and eventually really got into it. I think they got just about everything they will need for quite awhile. The food was basically the Crowne's Sunday Brunch and it was wonderful. All in all a memorable day!

115/365 - Flowers at the The Old Train Station

On the way home from the Princess Sleepover this morning, Paul and I stopped at the hot dog cart near the train crossing. Much too early for hot dogs for me, but they have breakfast sandwiches (Paul had hot dogs at about 10 in the morning). It was so beautiful out, warm and sunny. A train came by and I got out of the car to take a picture, but found that the flowers were much prettier than the train.

114/365 - Girls Ministries Princess Sleepover

Tonight Marley and I went to the Princess Sleepover at our church. Last year was the first year and it was such a success that they decided to do it again. It is a whole night of pampering for girls (kindergarten to 8th grade)with pedicures, manicures, facials, jewelery making, a tea party, and Princess movie to end the evening. I went with Marley last year and stayed until about 10 o'clock. This year, since I am one of the Prim leaders, I got to sleep over (actually anyone who wants to help out can sleep over). So...Pat (the other Prim leader) and I were on feet duty. First, they soaked in foot baths, then we creamed and massaged their feet (!?!) and then painted their toes. I must have done at least 10-15 feet, 3 hours without a break! I have no pictures of this, since I didn't have time to take them. The picture for today is of Marley having her tea at the tea party (she actually hated the tea and asked me for water). All in all, although exhausting for all concerned, it was a fun, memorable night.

113/365 - Monday Night at Borders

This is poor Paul, waiting at Borders while I shop. Actually, this is the third time in less than a week that we have been at the mall. At least tonight I ended up buying something that (I think) I like. I only have three more days to change my mind!

112/365 - Izzy, a year later

We have had Izzy for a whole year! So...I thought it would be cute to take a one year later picture. Well, it certainly was not as easy as I thought. First I had to get Marley to pose next to Izzy without her hair hanging in front of her face. Then I had to get Izzy to eat, which I thought would be easy. Well, I guess she wasn't hungry, even for fresh food. So, treats to the rescue (she loves treats). She doesn't love treats in her food bowl though. So, try to get the treats as close to her bowl so it looks like she is eating out of her bowl (not successful on that one). Then focus the camera; the batteries die....start over. Finally, I got the picture but by now we are all stressed. Hopefully it was worth it; I'm still not sure.

111/365 - Daylilies

April Showers Bring May Flowers. My daylilies are growing!