Every year, in the month of May, bestselling author, Brenda Novak, runs an online auction for Diabetes Research. This is the fifth year. Want a bargain? Pick up some cool jewels, have lunch with a famous author, travel or have a super agent evaluate your manuscript or proposal or have a big house editor review? You can help others for mere change while you enjoy yourself.
I’m happy to be a part of Brenda’s auction this year. You can get an auto copy of my book, The Unbreakable Child. Or stay at my retreat, Summer Shade, where mimosas cradle and crayon my hundred-year-old cottage.
Head over to Brenda’s site and support this most-worthy cause. You’ll be glad you did.
I’ve noticed a lot of your places are blooming, literally! Beautiful spring blooms. And I believe: a home is not complete unless it has a library and a garden. And like so many of you I enjoy seeing them both grow.
Some of my shades
… three years later after I rescued this twig of a snowball bush, it finally bloomed.


The pears are growing. I’m not too fond of pears, but the old Bartlett produces in abundance and soon I’ll donate the fruit to the nursing home.
And this is my most precious. St John’s wort. I’ve had many stop by and take cuttings, leaving behind, hatchet jobs until I finally found a nursery who would order for them.
The first week of June, without fail, it will produce these beautiful flowers until late September.

What’s growing in my Library; Karen Harrington, Janeology
What’s playn’ on my ipod: Rob Thomas, Her Diamonds


May 27, 2009 at 11:25 am
That is one cute-looking little cottage for sure.
My Aunt Day (her real name was Gert,) but we all called her Aunt Day (I had another Aunt Moon, who was actually Muriel..)
Well, Aunt Day had snowball bushes, just covered with ants. Do you get ants on yours?
Now , off to register…
May 27, 2009 at 11:26 am
Oh and sorry ’bout nipping some of your St. John’s Wort, just couldn’t resist in the thrill of the dark dark night.
May 27, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Such great items up for bids! Your green thumb is working well, friend. Janeology is just waiting on my nightstand for me to read next. Where is my free time lately?!)
May 27, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Wow, amazing auction going on over there! And love your photographs, this is such a pretty time of year. We just finished planting our gardens, a tomato patch and zinnia garden. Let the sun shine!
May 27, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Ah, I was just taking my daily stroll through the woods and relishing the blooms. Lovely. Glad you have easy access to such natural sweetness, too.
May 27, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Kimmi…your flowers are coming along nicely! I could use those pears when I start making my fruit/chili sauce. The cottage looks like my kind of place!
May 27, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Kimmi…it all looks wonderful! I wish I could get hold of those pears when I start canning my Fruit/Chili sauce!
May 27, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Jammie — Love the name of the aunts!! Cool!
Joanne — Isn’t it though?
Chris — glad you happened by, luv!!
Carol — Take a few bushels, there will be plenty!! The homemade chili sauce sounds yummers.
May 27, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Beautiful snowball bushes. I love spring flowers.
May 27, 2009 at 10:06 pm
HI there: I would love to participate but I think spending my unemployment money on anything but the basics is probably not a good idea.
big kisses
May 28, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Kimmi- thank you for your compliment to my response on Michael Hyatt’s blog. Great to check out yours. I regularly blog at http://www.samanthakrieger.com
Have a great day,
Samantha
May 29, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Thomma –and look how your garden grows!!
(((jess))) –hang in there. sweetie. smoooches!