Over the Top Studios

Everythings Coming up Roses

What a fabulous Memorial Day weekend we had here at the Lebel Farm or Cair Paravel as I like to refer to it. The sun was shinig for three consecutive days this extended weekend, a first in decades, no joke! The birds were chirping, the lawnmowers roaring and the bees buzzing.

Around noon yesterday I decided to go out and take a few shots of the hacienda. I am particularly proud of my roses this year. I have a pretty green thumb as thumbs go, but here in the beautiful northwest I have always found it a challenge to grow roses. Between the misty, cold spring and ever present hungry deer it has been nearly impossible. Last year I actually had some that bloomed but after our record cold winter this year they failed to return to me with any vigor, so I decided this weekend to pull them out.  A difficult decision made easier by the fact that about a month ago I purchased new bushes - but this time they will be grown in pots on my back porch. They are doing great! I am partial to orange, yellow and coral colored double blooms and they must be fragrant. I found a great variety called Just Joey. It is a hybrid tea rose with a fruity fragrance. Simply beautiful!

I also purchased A lovely climber to replace my deceased King Tut Climbing Rose, it is Eden - an everblooming pastel pink and cream yellow old fashioned rose. It promises to be perfect for a fence or gazebo. She will go next to my potting shed where old King Tut used to be but she will be in a pot instead of directly in the ground. This way I can bring it in from the cold or wrap the root if need be.

These pictures are from the web, mine are still in bud form but I am so happy with them this year. They are vibrant green, not a yellow leaf or aphid in sight.

My begonias are also fabulous this spring. Aren't these pinks to die for. They are so happy in their pots.

The bees were buzzing, doing their pollination thing. I love them. Some people are afraid but the bigger the bee the less afraid I am. They lumber along busy doing their work. I don't mind them and they tolerate me. My sister Carolina is scared to death of them. So, when I planted Lavender along my walkway she freaked out. These Lady Bradshaw Geums are planted outside my veggie garden.

  

Anyone for chives? These are in my herb garden next to the Borage.

Our Snowball bush is in full bloom. It has grown 4 feet in the last two years. It is now 10' tall - I got this as a start 7 years ago from a friend. I love it.

A couple of closing pictures of the chickens. I have had to keep them in their coop this year because of hawks and eagles, yes! - I said Eagles. They literally fly in and attack. The crows also steal the eggs and if there are no eggs they go after the weakest, oldest chicken, but how could I deny them the sunshine and healthy diet of bugs. I have an ulterior motive, the eggs taste better when they free range. I have mostly  Araucana because I love the blue and green eggs they lay.

 

 

This is our last Top Hat. She is about 6 years old now and all her siblings have long since gone. She is a survivor!

Happy Birthday Son

Today is a day to put all else aside. Wedding toppers mean nothing, party hats and pretty little things must take a backseat unless of course that party hat is sitting a top the head of my now 19 year old son. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIMMY!Nineteen years ago Timothy Ryan Junior was born to his proud, and exhausted, parents. From day one he brought us immeasurable joy (between the bouts of colic) our lives have never been the same.

What do you give a nineteen year old who is 500 miles away in New York at school? Clothing: he doesn't really want any. Electronics? He has a lot of that at home and doesn't really want us shipping anything he has to only turn around and store.  Money? Always a good gift but not very personal. Then it dawned on me, Cookies! His favorite wrapped in a pink pastry box. Enough cookies to satisfy him with plenty left to share. They should have arrived Friday, but today is good too.

Tim, know that on this day you are greatly missed at home. We are thinking of you; remembering all the fun times, reliving that day (and night, then day again) at the hospital when the Lord blessed us with you. We have always known that you belong to Him first, then to us as stewards over you.

You talked early and walked early (10 months) you stloe our hearts. You took care of your sister when she came along. You have always been creative, gifted and talented at everything you attempt. You have a great sense of humor with a sarcastic, yet honest edge. All these things are who you are and why we love you. I can't imagine a world without you. I was just remembering how much fun we had the night we went to The Sound of Music Singalong. You thought it was going to be a drag but we ended up having so much fun. Hurry home son, I love you. Enjoy the cookies!

Last December we went to The Sound Of Music Singalong. Sarah went as FA - A long long way to run and Tim insisted that he was ME - a name I call myself. Typical Timmy!

Okay, I was Maria and Tim was Captain Von Trapp - it's funner if you dress up!

And So It Begins....

Hello all, my name is Amada Lebel and rather new to all of this blogging business. I started making custom party hats for friends and family about five years ago and in those five years I must have made over 60 of them. I have always had a love for entertaining, decorating, gardening and crafting. I love to pamper my friends with handmade gifts and host fun themed dinner parties as well as decorating my home and keeping up a large garden ( I live on five acres ).  I have two children, a son in college and a daughter on her way to college in the fall. My husband of 20 years remains a blessing and encouragement in my life and I am more in love with him today as the day I met him. I have a deep faith that is the center of my life.

What I hope to accomplish with this blog is to share some of my ideas, tips and projects with you. But Party Hats are my passion and so I hope to share those with you every few months. Eventually I would like to make kits available to you to make your own! You will also find craft projects, fun things to make for the holidays, dinner party themes, menus and decorations, as well as scrap booking ideas and photography tips. Most of the craft items I share with you will also be for sale, just email me if you like something. Eventually I hope to have a link to an on line web page or Etsy account. Just taking baby steps for now. I will do my best to provide instructions and links to sites I have purchased supplies from and come up with current ideas and projects. I hope you enjoy what I have to share.