The First Week of August, Part 2

We've had more rain in August than we normally do. We've also had many cooler days.  Early in the month we had cloudy day that ended in "the golden light of an early evening just after a havey thunderstorm."

I don't have words to describe the glorious beauty of the gilding of the landscape after a rain.

We got an entire rainbow after the deal.  I just wish I had paid attention to my horizon when I took the photo.

August also means freezing sweet corn. This year we had help putting it away and taking it away.  

Ending on a lighter note...  

This is a fitting quote on a chocolate wrapper.

The First Week of August

I started out the month with a bunch of old and dear friends at a "quilting retreat." I'm not sure how much retreating happens when this bunch gets together, especially since we forayed into the junk/antique shops the second day.  I don't have any photos of actual quilting going on, but there was some work done.'

I do love to go in junk shops.  They are as better than a museum for remembering my "days gone by".

I had skates similar to these, we skated all over our sidewalks and streets and I was always wishing for "boot skates."

My grandma had dishes something like these. 

or these.

And this,  

I don't know if Mom's frosted glasses where this pattern, but something like these.

Mom did have that measuring cup, it fact I believe she still uses it.  We didn't have that collapsible cup, but other people did. 

Nut grinder. 

When I decided that the two-bell alarm clocks were too noisy and a pain in the neck to look after, I had one of these. 

Our lunch boxes were a little nicer than this, but still metal. 

My sister got her hair tangled in one of these.  I didn't. 

And I'm sure everybody's mom had this print of corning wear, if you are over 50, that is. 

Even though I had a great time looking all over that store, I got tired before everyone else, so I went into the adjoining coffee shop and had one, 

hot chocolate, that is.

From the quilting/junking trip I made a hop, skip and jump to my folks to celebrate my dad's 80th birthday.  

Mom made a chocolate cake with White Mountain Frosting.

Then we ate it. 

I couldn't think of a gift for my dad, so I gave him what he likes best, some of my time. 

Ont of the best gifts in life, is the time you spend with your family,

On a final note, the only good thing about an eggplant is a photo.

Only One More Day...

...of July.  This year has gone so quickly, I feel like I'm always a month behind.  This year is now over half gone.

I am glad that it has gone quickly in busyness.  I have accomplished many things and enjoyed many things.  

My flower garden looks the best it has EVER done.  I had the will and desire in early 2012 but I had cancer instead.

I've been canning, keeping up the house, knitting, cooking, resting.  Normal stuff.  Things I used to take for granted.  

I have been especially thankful this month for a little pill used to boost the hormone level the thyroid isn't producing.  I have so much more energy and a better state of mind now.

 This month Zane played soccer a couple weeks as part of our Park and Rec Program and I went to watch.

I also got some Gramma time as well.

My daughter is still in Spain.  It was hard for her to adjust to life over there at first.  There's money, language, food, culture, home life.  Things are shaking down there and she's travelling all over and really enjoying herself.  

She visited Christopher Columbus' grave site one trip. 

In other news.  This cute little prickly succulent has a little bloom on it.  It was given to me on Mother's Day by my son (I should have warned you to hang on to your chair) and it had two little blooms on it.  This thing needs hardly any water so it's perfect for my method of caring for in-house plants and it has rewarded me with another flower.  

My grandsons who visit frequently since they only live 15 miles away, see me often.   This time they got to see Papa and really have fun. 

One of our employees grew up on a wheat farm.  He took a couple days off to help his father harvest his wheat and brought us back some wheat cereal from the mill down there. 

Real wheat, cute sack.  

June With a Little Bit of July

I seem to having a road block about blogging these days.  Actually, I am having a road block about a lot of things.  It is partly because I am spending a great deal of this summer on the road for doctor visits.  It is also partly because I am letting perfectionism rear it's ugly head and it stymies me.  

(I'm not really sure you're supposed to make stymie plural.)

Love these jeans with the little handkerchief in the pocket.  

Swim lessons--Zane

Barry and Christian played in the baby pool during Zane's lessons

Swim Lessons--Barry

I've always wondered what a Chautauqua was like and Jim and I went this year and listened Laura Ingalls Wilder.  I think we'll go again to those speakers we are most interested in. It was really interesting.

Lynette got a new camera and was trying out her remote. 

Now, the little bit of July actually started in June with a BBQ and firework celebration and Lorene's. We stayed for their little town's firework display and enjoyed it immensely.  We were able to sit practically right under the display and then were able to drive right out of there since there weren't hundreds of people in the parking lot.  Part of our group walked home and may other townspeople did as well.  I think we need to make this a yearly event. 

The next celebration we lit this cute thing the boys picked out just for Papa.  

July 3

July 3, 2015

...a day we looked toward, with excitement, anticipation and nervousness on the part of my daughter and worry and nervousness on mine.  

This is the day she flies out of the country, to stay for 6 weeks in a land where English is not the native language.  

I know she's capable.  

I know she's studied Spanish.

I know she's looked forward to this day since she knew where Europe was.  

Moms worry, in spite of all this.  

Her flight to Atlanta was delayed over a half hour.  

We stayed to watch her fly away into the wild, blue yonder.  

I was okay until I saw this plane get smaller and smaller in the distance.  

And then, I felt all gone inside.  

She'll be okay.  

And so will I, when she gets home.