Back in Pinetop

 We are back in Pinetop, our Summer home..

When we arrived, our little patch

of grass was dead..  :( I love having

a little patch of green! )

There now, isn't that much more inviting?

We went between having artificial grass

installed or trying the real thing one more

time...

We had the sprinkler system reworked

and decided on trying the real thing again..

Here is hoping it will last...

The lady that lived in the house before

us was named Helen.

She died in the home.

Her husband died of cancer

and 

I think she died of a broken heart,

along with a little alcohol

to help ease her pain.

This statue was left behind...

I named her Helen and she

watches over our home.

I always need some posies...

This year, I decided to plant mostly 

perennials instead of so many annuals.

I am hoping they make it through

the harsh winter.

Many Peonies plants and 

something called Balloon plants.

I had never seen them before.

I can't remember what these are called

but I know this particular variety is called

Watermelon. 

I put these on both sides of the deck, at the

top of the steps.

I don't know if you can see it in

the picture of the grass area

but there is one small, diamond shaped

flower bed.

My friend, Suzanne, in Tennessee,

has the most amazing rose bush. It is

a Knock Out variety.

I found one at a local nursery here and

made it's home in the diamond bed. It 

should get enough sun to do well. I am so 

hopeful it will grow to be as beautiful

as my friend and her rose bush.

And there is Helen, again, in front of a variety

of Hostas that I loved from the second I saw the variety.

There was only one, so I planted it close to Helen.

Last year, upon the advice of my friend, Janice, we planted

Hostas along the side area of our deck. We had not

been very lucky with getting anything to grow

there. It is a shady area. Janice suggested Hostas.

It took several to fill in the area and they were not the

cheapest of plants. Have I mentioned that I do not

have a green thumb?

When we returned this year, Randy and I were

shocked to see them. Not only had they survived

but they were thriving!

Wishing each of you an angel, as precious

as Helen, to watch over your life!