*S*U*M*M*E*R*

For well over a month the excitement has been building in our house.  My kids were itching for the day school was out and now ... we can officially declare it "SUMMER!"  I am just as excited this year.  Now I have to admit, there have been times in the past when I've cringed at the thought of summer and the lack of organization, boredom and bickering that so often ensues.  But this year is different.  I've been counting down the days right along with the kiddos.  I'm looking forward to a less hectic schedule, a lot of laziness, some spur-of-the moment trips to the pool, having all my kids together ... all the "mommmmmm, he just hit me!!" included! 



Usually when September hits I'm wondering just where summer went to ... most of the big plans I made are somehow left undone, all my best summer must-do's relegated to didn't-get-er-done's.  This year I want it to be different.  In my excitement for ideas and inspiration, I started early, skipped all my unread May magazines and delved right into the June issues.  I've been tagging favorite recipes, mulling over summertime musings and quotes, making lists of all the outdoor activities I want to squeeze in.  This year I have a plan.  Now maybe that does't sound very chill and laid back ... but I want to make the most of my summer and squeeze all I can out of those short-lived months.  Afterall ... the longest day of the year hits in June and it's all downhill from there.  So ... here's my list of summer fun.  I'm sure I'll revise it from time to time, but my goal is to check off each item by the time school rolls around again.  I hope my list inspires you to pursue some of your favorite summer activities! 

• Make kid-churned fresh strawberry ice cream



Miss Penny Louise!

• Play, play and play some more with the sweet little girl who has joined our family! ------------------>
• Take the time to fertilize and tend my garden, so we can enjoy delicious home-grown tomatoes, basil, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, peas, watermelon and pumpkins! (Instead of weeds, weeds, and the occasional tiny tomato!)
• Stir up some old fashioned lemonade and serve it with fresh mint straight from above-mentioned garden!

• Pack the car with blankets, popcorn and REDVINES and head to the DRIVE-IN!
• Get down at dirty at this ... and maybe run a few races I've never done before like this and this trail race!
• Float the river ... we've lived here for years and years and years and we've never floated the river!
• Pick fresh berries at the Berry Ranch
• Sleep out on the trampoline under the stars
• Hike, hike, hike on our amazing trails
• Roast marshmallows in our backyard firepit!
• Put in some earplugs and go watch the races



My sad, sad crust needs help!

• Perfect my pie-making.  My Grandma Donna is the ultimate pie baker ... I need some serious help on making beautiful and delicious crusts.  I'm going to need someone to eat all the "test pies!"
• Hang up a bird feeder and watch the birds
• Play poker, rummy and UNO.  A lot.




sour cukes!


• Use my retro "pickle-elevator" to make ultra-puckery pickled cucumbers
• Take the kids to the pool in the evening ... they think night-swimming is the bomb!
• Read this, this and this!
• Find treasures and goodies here!
• Sit in the shade and just watch the grass grow...  

"Summer afternoon - summer afternoon;

to me those have always been

the two most beautiful words

in the English language." 

~ Henry James