The Calm Before and After a Storm

HeritageSeduction China Doll Jubilee CelebrationThe chill in the air really has a bite to it, I tend to want to stay indoors in the heated comfort of our house, only to go outside due to the beckoning of the roses in the garden. We've had stormy weather with cold fronts, rain and hail, but it's often amazingly calm before and after the dramatic heavenly show. Yes, heavenly show, that's what I call it, it was a very useful term to help my son overcome his fear of storms at night when he was littler, apart from assuring him that God has His heavenly host guard over him. Perfumed Perfection
Radio Times Anbridge Rose
Jude the Obscure
St.Cecilia
Abraham Darby These photos were taken before and after the storm and hail, they certainly look deceptively calm. Roses weather the storm quite well, as soon as the sun shows up, they hold their heads up and shine again.

On a different note, have a look at our sweet sweet baby Belle, can you see her smile? She loves it when the sun comes out too. If I rate this smile out of ten, it would be a "4" smile, as she didn't really show her teeth. So you can imagine, she can be a real smiler when she wants to.I treasure the time I can spend with Belle, she's such a sweetie. Did you know she came out "Top of the class" when we took her to Dog Training/Obedience class, she did EVERYTHING required of her to do and "passed" with flying colours, and my children were commended for handling her so well. But secretly (shhhh!) she's not absolutely obedient at all times, she still has her moments, just like many females do............. she 'll be obedient when she wants to. Lol. However, we love and accept her just the same. Have a wonderful week peppered with loving kindness, my friends!

Cute Thing

It's been nearly a year since our cat Leo went missing. These photos when he was a kitty make me miss him.........
Wasn't he cute? He was always "caught" sleeping, always in postures that made us chuckle, he was a baby afterall..........This time he was awake.............But only to tuck himself in again...........shhhhhh, the baby needs lots of sleep!Thanks for letting me share these fond memories of Leo, hope you enjoyed the precious photos. Have a fantastic weekend filled with small things that make you happy, dear bloggers and sweet friends.

Update on our Cutie Pie

Here are some hot-off-the-press pictures of our puppy Belle, I only took them tonight. I gave her a bath today, she smells so much better now. She's a real cutie and we constantly shower her with cuddles.Can you see her pink collar? She looks so much more girlish with it on, even though she doesn't like it on.

In Memory of Leo

(Picture 1): Handsome Leo only one day before he went missing. I wouldn't have guessed this would be the last time he'd pose for my pictures. (Picture 2): The kids petting "Socks"(Notice the socks on his feet?)

Still no sign of Leo, not a meow..... "Socks" has been here everyday and his affection has been a comfort to us to a certain extent. He's not our cat, but he's made this his second home. We are reminded of Leo by all the small details of everyday life and realise he had become such an intimate part of our lives and very much a part of this family. The kids miss having him sleep with them at night. He used to take turns to sleep on each of their quilt during the night and he always looked most content doing that. There's the cupboard out in the garage he climbed up and sat looking like he was the "King of the Castle". All his favourite nap spots in the house, his scratching post, his snooze buddy TJ, his litter tray which he seldom used unless he had to. If there's any lesson to learn here, it is not to take anyone/anything for granted, one day they might be here, they might not be the next.

"Friends are Kisses blown to us by Angels" - Author unknown

These pictures are of all sorts of English Roses from my garden. My life has no doubt been enriched by friends who care these few days. These friends are like beautiful roses in my garden which I constantly admire. Someone once said, "A true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart." I'm grateful and privileged that my friends have inspired me to be a friend myself. Last night many dreams were in my sleep, all of them had a "feline" theme. In one of the dreams there was a large mob of cats striding toward our door, but as I quickly scanned, none of them resembled Leo. Another one was of a skinny sickly looking ginger cat with ridges on its back walking archedly toward me. In my dream I recognised this wasn't Leo either. There were myriads of other shorter and not-so-memorable dreams filling my sleep. Well, I must've been thinking of Leo, our cat, for quite a bit before I fell asleep. You see, our cat didn't come home all day yesterday and we fear the worst for him, even though we also remain hopeful that he'll just turn up on our doorstep again. People say it's not unusual for cats to go "walk-about" for two days and then come home. It is, however, out of Leo's character to not come home intermittently during the day for his naps and food. We have put LOST signs up for him around the neighbourhood and this morning I got a phonecall, but this cat found is our Leo's best friend in this area. He is also ginger and white, but less white on the chest than Leo. He has the cutest white feet and we don't know his name, we call him "Socks". He lives nearby and he comes to play "fights" with Leo everyday. Yesterday with Leo's absence, he appeared so lonesome and he was obviously looking for Leo and waiting patiently on our doormat outside. He sniffed around Leo's blanketed box. Today he came again, jumped over our gate and sat on the mat waiting. I felt so sorry for the lil' fella and helpless I couldn't pull Leo out of the hat just like that for him. His display of friendship really inspired me.

Above are "Perfumed Perfection" roses (mauve) (with reddish pink Elmshorn showing through) in my front garden.