It’s a first

For the first time EVER we did not take a family vacation this summer. First time ever. This is not tragic in the OMG we have no MONEY to go on VACATION! Or OMG our car BROKE DOWN and we can’t get it FIXED so we can’t leave town! It was more a scheduling difficulty that became insurmountable once my sister landed in the hospital.

I had planned to visit Precious Oldest for a few days to get her started on a t-shirt quilt she wanted my help with. I did take a day off. The day my sister was taken off the ventilator.

I planned to take off the week before Precious Youngest left for school which coincided with Precious Oldest being home for a week of “vacation”. I did take the week off. My sister had her thyroidectomy.

The Saint and I had planned a trip to Spain this September to celebrate our 25th but some…sort of…up-in-the-air health and finance issues made us decide to postpone.

Labor Day weekend is upon us. The official end of summer. I’m trying to pull up my big girls panties and not sulk. That said? I feel gypped. Anyone else end up with a less than stellar summer?

Fourth of July Re-Cap

Rain was in the forecast:



So we squished as much as we could under a canopy.



We took a chance and set the bar up on the deck.



But I DID make sure there was plenty of seating in doors !



We had a preponderance of young ladies ready to blow stuff up early in the evening.



They had a special project:



After watching many barbies being blown up by brothers/boys over the years,



they decided to try Army Men.



Laid out on a roll of 250 firecrackers.



The Army Men did NOT stand a chance!



Fortunately it did not start raining until just after dusk.



The rain did NOT deter the young people heading off to watch the city fireworks display in make-shift ponchos.



Hope you had a great 4th!

I'm Out Back

I have two large flower beds; one in front yard and one in back. Their style is best described as "Cottage" as there is nothing formal about them. They are both islands, edged in brick with a pathway that winds through the middle for both enjoyment and ease of tending.




Remember when the back bed looked like this in March?






Now it looks like this:


I chose an entirely different color pallet for the back garden than the front.




Each week as some flowers begin to fade others come into bloom. From week to week the beds never look the same, but are always a delight.

I am by nature a planner, an organizer, an OCD type. I'm left to wonder: where do all those tendencies go once I'm in the garden?

Oh hai!

Life is just serving up a banquet folks, and I do love to eat. So while I'm off enjoying all that summer has to offer I thought I'd show you my favorite rose.












I inherited this rose from the previous owners, I have no idea what it is. The buds start out white with faint pink tips.

As they open up the bloom turns a gorgeous dark pink. Oh, and by the way? I still have asparagus coming up! I don't think I've ever harvested asparagus in June. This makes me very happy!

Stumped

Here I sit, in the midst of birthday week, with nothing to say. I know! So unlike me! So instead of thoughtful prose I think I'll just disgorge all the various and sundry things flitting about in my brain of late.

The Weather - We had about a week in the high 90's and only three days that hit 100. Usually we get about a month of that. I've gone weeks at a time without properly clearing the kitchen table because we're dinning alfresco most evenings. I can't remember my gardens looking this good in August.

First Day of School - My nephew (Sib #2's son) started at his new school today. He's a quiet kid, so we're all sending good thoughts that the transition goes smoothly.

BLTs - Now my favorite breakfast. Ever.

Procrastination - I have two huge grants due in early September. Guess how much is written?

Project Runway - Now that the Olympics are over I'll have a chance to catch up on back episodes.

Forty Six - The age I turned on Sunday. It feels exactly the same as forty five, but with tighter pants.

Awards - How long after someone passes an award to you can you wait before spreading the love? Because I am WAY overdue.

Question - If you overheard someone say to your daughter "Don't say that. It makes you sound simple.", what would you think of the person who said it?

Eye Candy - Behold the (literal) fruits of my labors





Aren't you glad you stopped by?

There's only two things that money can't buy

and that's true love and home grown tomatoes!

- Guy Clark