Thoughtful or Thoughtless Thursday...

Sam: Hey Mom, don't put soap up your nose. It burns.




Sam has NOT seen the Home Alone videos.
I think it is time.

Driving in my car....

The kids are back in school and I am going from A to B to C by myself these days. It is refreshing to drive and spend some time in solitude. A coffee, MY music...(I am on a John Mayer kick right now. I know, I KNOW...I am about three years behind) and I am good to go. Took time to take some snapshots of things I love on my favorite driving route.



We had a lot of storm damage over the summer but even this tree looks beautiful with the blue sky behind it.



LOVE this outdoor theater...as I drive by I like to say..."I'm merely ACTING!!!" Jon Lovitz-style. Does anyone remember Saturday Night Live's Master Thespian Baudelaire circa 1985?? SO funny!


We have been enjoying GORGEOUS weather.


Some of my favorite flower artwork! I have taken MANY photos of them over the years....they are so cheerful! I should like a few down in the Enchanted Forest!


Old grain mill...no longer used but still beautiful.


Yup. Just a rusty truck in a field.


Isn't this a great gate and post? Think I will take the girls here and have a little photo shoot. Oh they will LOVE that. (Maybe not...)



"Every day may not be good...but there is something good in every day."
~Author unknown

GIRLIE creativity!

Creativity For Kids from Faber-Castell is a company that brings out the artist in every child. With a wide variety of craft kits to spark any young imagination, you're sure to find the perfect kit for your craft loving kiddos.

We were given the opportunity to review a wonderful variety of kits from Faber-Castell and the arrival of the colorful boxes was perfect timing for Madeleine's birthday party.









The girls loved the fashion sketch books and the pink, zebra striped bags THE BEST! So cute. I think I will pick up a couple of these to keep on hand for birthday parties.
Thanks for the fun CREATIVITY FOR KIDS!

Cause we love him so....

My number one blog lurker has a birthday today...he LOVES to celebrate birthdays but doesn't like to make a big deal out of his...SO, we ALWAYS make sure we celebrate it BIG just to make SURE he knows he is special!!!










Happy Birthday Poppy! We love you!



Have a fantastic birthday Bob! YOU are WELL loved!!!
Prepare yourself for some serious birthday weekend spoilage!!!!!!

Summer

When it comes to summer I am a child...loving the freedoms of summer...a more relaxed schedule, being outdoors, frozen treats, swimming, swinging, biking, meals on the patio, taking walks and enjoying the beauty of bright sunny mornings and sunshine still showing at 9:00 in the evening. I find myself filled with sadness that this summer has flown by yet isn't that what everyone tells you will happen as we age...
time flies?
Time FLIES!
TIME FLIES!

Enjoy your weekend!

Get Gutzy

Have you seen the Gutzy Gear commercials? We were excited to check out the popular back pack straps and thanks to Gutzy Gear and BSM Media we had a Gutzy Gear party! The girls thought they were really cool and with lots of patches to choose from each kid could personalize their packs exactly as they wanted.



Just in time for back to school!





Check them out on Facebook, or their interactive website.

celebrating the colors of summer

these Italian olives have the best color AND flavor


this painting is on the ceiling outside my favorite little theater


fresh veggies cooking up in the skillet


cone flowers are blooming all around the glen


these berries were sweet and delicious


daylilies do not seem to mind the lack of rain


our morning favorite...we call it "star shooter" it is a combination of orange juice, carrot juice, lemon juice and ginger...don't knock it till you try it


new chalks means beautiful flowers created by a lovely artist in our driveway


honey dew picked fresh from our upper garden and eaten minutes after picking

It's Friday

I love Fridays.
Something SO optimistic about them.

I look forward to the weekend with the family MOSTLY home.
Alarm clocks taking a break.
Staying up later.
Sleeping in later.
Preparing delicious food TOGETHER.


Some random photos to end the week...

These two are in CONSTANT motion:




Our raven haired beauty turned eleven this week. She is PURE JOY to our family.Our lives would NOT be complete with out her daily sunshine.


This sweet spirited girl is growing too fast! It did her Dad and I good to see her in pigtails for a hike.


I CANNOT resist the sweetness of Sylvester and Salem napping together.


Despite the drought we have melons, pumpkins and gourds growing in our upper gardens...they are so pretty.


This handsome man and I had the opportunity to go to an awesome American Cancer Society fundraiser. I like to call this shot our "Prom Pose."


Have a wonderful weekend!