How to spend a Sunday

Our men are off to Lake Erie to catch walleye. The kids are sleeping in. Today we will take them to Buffalo to Chuck E. Cheese and do a little shopping. Love this new collage app..moldiv. 

The big fire

See that big fire up back?  We had a lot of old firewood piled up under a tree and today Ryan and Don started a fire to get it all burned up. Since it had rained all night the ground and trees were all sparked so the conditions were right. It's amazing how much can go up in flames so quickly. We also burned some old wood from the deck that was torn off when we built our addition. We are so happy to have Ryan here to get some of these projects done. 

Sean at the library

LSean also loved being at the library. He found a few Spider-Man books and played with the trains in the sunken reading area. He also decorated his pirate hat all by himself including his name. Sorry about the extra letter at the beginning of some of the posts. I'm using the ipad and it accidentally gets there and I can't delete it. 

The library experience

We are so fortunate to have a beautiful library here in Bradford. Yesterday I took Sean and Sara to borrow a few books and videos. They were so excited when they saw the children's room. The first thing Sara saw was that they had toys. She immediately gravitated to the crib ad picked up the doll. She found the stroller and was content. There was also a play area with a sink, and complete kitchen with lots of plates p, cups and pans. She joined in a tea party with some of the older girls. It was craft day and she loved making her pirate hat. There was an antique dollhouse in a case and she was fascinated with it and pointed out all the small details to me. It's hard to believe she is only two. 

Family

JDon met his biological father late in his life but his family has become our family too. It's always fun when we are together and tonight was no exception. Relatives came from Virginia and Massachusetts as well as DuBois. We had a great dinner and then played marbles and five Crowns. San and Sara had such a good time playing with the other children that were there. 

A Southern breakfast

What do folks from Tennessee want for breakfast..  Sausage, biscuits, and sausage gravy!

Can you say...whew!

Ryan is here and helping us get some projects done. Last week he painted the front of the garage and today he, Jenny and I worked in the attic for a few hours. The attic has become a storage spot. Of course there are the usual items...seasonal decorations. I know I have too many fall, spring, and Christmas decorations and each season I am finding that I put out less and less. I try to get rid of things that I am not using during each season. I try to make things easier on myself now. 

  Then there are those antique items that Don and I so enjoyed collecting when we were younger...pottery jugs, hurricane lamps, etc. I also once tried stained glass but didn't sustain the interest so I have a few boxes of materials that need to be gone from the attic along with some ice fishing gear of hubby's. 

  The kids were really helpful in sorting things for trash and sale. It is more organized now and put away neatly. It is wonderful to have help with a big job like this.  

Look who's back

Ryan and family returned to visit for another week. Ryan is taking this opportunity to spend some time with his dad. 

Outside my window....the flowers are beginning to fill out in the pots. 

I am thinking...there is never time in my life to get bored. 

I am thankful....for having at least one room with a window air conditioner. 

In the kitchen...lots of fruit. 

I am wearing...white pants, a bright blue tank and colorful multicolored blouse with turquoise jewelry.

I am creating...not so much this week. Just enjoying doing nothing 

I am reading...there are books waiting for me when I get time. 

I am looking forward to...playing with my little ones this week. 

I am hearing....last night I heard Willie Nelson and family on tv singing his new album. 

I am learning...new things on the ipad all the time. I have discovered you can listen to radio stations.  Is there anything the ipad can't do?

Mexican Heather

My favorite summer spot

A view of the breezeway. 

Perfect

If you have a library and a garden that is all you need. 

Whew! It's hot!

The temperature reached 88 today so we huddled in our one air conditioned sunroom. Then we took a ride to Warren a town about an hour away to the Hatch Patch to get strawberries. They are so gorgeous there it is worth the drive. Tonight we'll clean them and freeze some of them. It's nice to have them handy in the freezer. Last year I made the best strawberry jam. I'd love to make my mother's southern recipe for shortcake but since I don't want to have the oven on tomorrow I will settle for buying some pound cake at he store. And not forget the Cool Whip. 

Some things are good, some things are bad

PThe bad news first. We were invaded this summer with thousands of Gypsy Moth caterpillars. They clung to all the surfaces and started eating everything in sight. They were especially fond of the crab apple trees. We have sprayed three times with Seven but those determined critters ate all the leaves off our large tree out front. The only leaves that are left are the ones on the grafted branches. 

Now for the good news. The area around the light pole looks especially great this year. After many try's I finally got it the way I want it. The petunias were an early steal from Lowes at five dollars a pot. 

I painted the sign many years ago using an old metal tray. 

The window boxes are duplicated from last year and the front door basket is also. 

Missing my little ones

The flowers of summer

LI love climatus. Every year this voluptuous purple flower climbs up my iron arch. I have yet to figure out why the plant on the left grows so much fuller. They were bought and planted at the same time. 

   Another generous flower is my pink yarrow. I am not a great gardener and I'm very happy that this plant chooses to make a comeback every year. It even spreads with no encouragement from me. 

  Today is that perfect summer day that we dream about in the depth of winter. I have the house to myself since Don went to Buffalo for a fishing picnic. I washed my car, did a little gardening..weeding...before it got too hot , set up a little art studio in a back bedroom. Painted and now am enjoying relaxing and reading the latest Baldacci book, The Hit...what a perfect day!

Are you ready for summer?

Being a dog

We often joke that Sadie is more human than doglike. That was very evident these past two weeks when Ryan visited and brought his four month old Shitzu, Zoe. I've talked before about when Sadie was a pup and was so full of energy we often questioned if that breed was really the one for us. But she is so smart and devoted that we love her. Zoe was like having a stuffed animal. She was no trouble at all. She bounced around like a little ball of brown and white fur but never was a bother. Her energy was so low key compared to Sadie's nervous shaking and obsession on chipmunks. Sadie requires a walk every day. And she lets you know if you forget. She is a Jack Russell, after all.