Wordless Wednesday

Golden summer

Exploring

So June has arrived (my birthday month--yay!) and it seems to have just rushed in on the heels of a busy May without a lot of fanfare. The big news is that our college grad got a job offer last week...lots of excitement here for sure! Such a great end to four years of studying and hard work, and now entry into the real world of professional work. It's a joy and relief all at the same time, and bring with it news busyness as more transitions are about to take place.

While plans are being finalized and items on the "to-do" list are checked off, we'll probably be sticking fairly close to home this summer. I am finding ways to wander a little farther than my backyard, however, and it's fun to see what I can find through my camera lens as I do so. Short jaunts to different parts of the city or brief road trips are full of unexpected surprises. Much as I'd like to enjoy a big family trip this summer, I'm challenging myself to take opportunities as they arise and to appreciate the small things, too.

What about you? How are you making new discoveries--and memories--this summer?

Celebrating!

This time last year we were busy preparing for our daughter's high school graduation. And now, we've just celebrated another milestone--our son's graduation from college! We spent this past weekend attending ceremonies and remembering all his accomplishments over the past four years. It's a huge milestone, and it makes us so proud!

With that big celebration behind us, there's a shift in the way things feel around here right now. Summer is now full upon us, with both of our kids home and settling into a new routine. Job hunting is high on the list, of course, but I hope we'll make some time this summer for "play" as well. Circumstances may dictate what we'll be able to do, but my mind is turning over some possibilities for short get-aways. Today summer is stretching before us, but I know it will pass all too quickly. I want to make the most of every day!

What are your summer plans? Any suggestions for making summer memories?

Wild about Harry

We just returned from a great family vacation to Orlando, where four days of theme parks left us sweaty, tired, and happy. First stop on our list was the new Harry Potter attraction at Universal's Islands of Adventure, and it did not disappoint! We have been avid readers of all the books and it was fun to see the town of Hogsmeade and the Hogwarts castle come to life. We sampled a butterbeer, visited Honeydukes candy shop, and were left breathless by the fabulous ride in the Hogwarts castle. We also enjoyed revisiting some old favorites both at Universal and The Magic Kingdom before returning home ready for non-fried food and cooler days indoors.

Now as we race toward July, I'm playing catch-up and trying to remember all the fun projects I wanted to include in my summer calendar. I want to continue making memories and relishing the warm, sunny days before they all slip through my fingers. What is on your "must-do" list for summer?

August adventures

It's been hot, hot, hot here...and incredibly humid, too. The daily heat index for nearly two weeks has been between 105 and 110 degrees. The grass is crunchy underfoot and the flower bed in front of the house has huge cracks in it. I always forget that this is what August in the Midwest looks like.

Though our AC works just fine, we've had some major construction going on here that's been bringing the outdoors in. We're having all the windows in our home replaced--long overdue--and blasts of heat have been pouring through those openings on a daily basis. All the windows are now in place so things are looking up!

Aside from the repairs going on, we're getting ready for the start of school again. Every year I'm surprised by how quickly the summer has flown by. We'll be moving our son back to college this weekend and our daughter will be starting her senior year...gulp! It's a busy time for all of us. What are you doing to wrap up the summer? Is it all work, or some fun stuff, too?

P.S. The blueberry scones were a recent Saturday baking adventure. So delicious and easy to make! The recipe is here.

Back to real life

I can't believe it's the end of July and summer is coming to a close! (It makes me sad just to write that down.) We are back from our vacation, tired and happy, getting back into the work routine this week. Things still feel a bit disjointed as more changes will be coming with the start of school in just three weeks. That doesn't seem possible. Neither does the fact that my daughter will be a senior this year. It hit me as I was filling out the paperwork for her diploma just a couple of days ago...this is really it!

As for me, I'm feeling like now is the time to be thinking about the second half of the year (I know, we're already into it!) and what I want to accomplish. Daily life seems to get in the way to the loftier goals. I need to find the discipline to keep my focus and make some things happen, in spite of the distractions. Do you feel that way, too? How do you work your dreams into everyday life?

P.S. I have managed to keep up with my "one a day" in July photo challenge. Just a couple more days to go. The set is here.

Here and there

I seem to be all over the place these days--literally and figuratively. A couple of trips already, vacation just days away, and a to-do list that's much too long. I am a summer-loving girl, but one thing I miss in the summertime is my routine. One difference this year is that I'm working again part-time, which adds another level of responsibility into the mix. My head is just a little too full right now. It's all good, though. I need to do a better job of remembering that.

P.S. I've been reconnecting with my camera this month and loving it. I'm posting a photo a day for this month here. I'm also enjoying the photos (and words) in this flickr group, some of which end up here.

Sweet, sweet summer

Now that we've moved into July it feels like summer is slipping by all too quickly. Something about flipping that page on the calendar makes me realize how fast the days are flying by. I'm loving the colors, sights and sounds of these days and need to do a better job capturing them. I plan to take one picture a day during the month of July to make myself do a better job of noticing what's around me. What says summer to you? And what are you doing to hold those memories close?

Rain, rain, go away!

Summer is in full swing but it's one of the soggiest ever! We've had some major "gully-washers" in the past couple of weeks and I'm not sure when we'll ever dry out. We do have moments of sun in between the storms, but not enough to really make a difference. It seems the rain makes some people (and plants) happy, though, so I guess your fun is where you make it!

P.S. Rainy days are good days for cooking and baking! I recently made these cinnamon rolls (delicious!) and the cowboy calzones from The Pioneer Woman's cook book. And if you don't own that cook book...you need to run straight out and get it. Seriously.

It's official

Summer is here! Well, not technically, but it's the last day of school for my daughter, and that marks a big change for our family. No more homework, tests,or projects for several months. Now we can focus on the fun stuff!

As for me, I'm working fewer hours and more of those from home, so I think the new routine will fit the summer mode. The job has definitely cut into my blogging and photography time, but I'm hoping to get a better balance in the next few months.

Right now, I'm looking forward to:
*Picking blueberries
*Visiting family
*Vacationing here
*Drinking lots of sweet tea
*Enjoying the fresh goodies from my garden

What are your plans for the warm months ahead?

It's happening

This bright red leaf caught my eye yesterday, a standout in the sea of still-green leaves on the maple tree in front of my house. And it caught me by surprise.

The overlap of seasons, the movement from summer to fall--it's happening. Ready or not, the breezes are cooler, the light is shifting, the mood is changing. Can you feel it?

Peachy

The local peaches are ripe for the picking, and boy, are they amazing! As usual, my eyes were bigger than my pocketbook, and I ended up spending quite a bundle for a little less than a bushel. Somehow, though, it seems O.K. to splurge on something so healthy and delicious, especially in peak season. And have you ever seen a peach the size of a grapefruit? Reminds me of this story. Entirely enchanting!

Slow down, you move too fast

My kids will be going back to school in a few short weeks. How is that possible? I want time to stop right here so we can hold on to summer. I'm not ready for the laid back days to end yet. I just want to keep singing this song.

It's the berries!

So what do you do with 12 pounds of blueberries once you've picked them? Well, you eat some out of hand, or in a bowl with milk and sugar, and stash bags full of them in the freezer. And of course, if you're me, you bake.




Muffins were first into my oven, but disappeared before I could document them. Next was this cobbler, with a very dense cake-like topping and lots of juicy blueberries underneath. A little vanilla ice cream on top was the perfect finishing touch.

Then it was back to breakfast with scones. This was a new recipe by Molly, and it was a winner. These were just slightly sweet, a little crunchy on the outside and very tender and moist inside. I'll definitely be adding this recipe to my file.

My blueberry supply has certainly taken a hit this week, but it's been well worth it. I may have just enough left, though, to give this a try. What do you think?

Peace, Love and Polas

Hope your weekend is filled with these things!

Halfway home

This week marks the halfway point in my 365 project. Which also means that the first half of 2009 is now history. Hard to believe, isn't it? In another six months the photos I'll be taking will be very different.

Speaking of photos, if you want to see my progress so far, take a look here. And wish me luck on the next 182.5 days!

Ripe for the picking

Picking blueberries is one of summer's simple pleasures for me. Last year my timing was off and I was disappointed to find bushes already picked clean or laden with unripened fruit. This summer I was determined to come home from The Berry Patch with enough to fill our bellies and our freezer.








I think I met my goal! Twelve pound of berries, ready to eat. I made a batch of muffins as soon as I got home from picking, and now I'm dreaming of cobbler or perhaps a sour cream blueberry pie. Mmm, the posssiblities are endless. What's your favorite way to enjoy this summer fruit?

Eye candy Friday

Polaroids and purple coneflowers...sigh.

Make a wish

It's here again! Time to blow out the candles and celebrate.



And yes, I still love sweets. Some things never change!