Last Summer Weekend...

Tomorrow it will be official, Summer will be over and it will be Fall. We've already had some signs of fall, the biggest is the cooler night temps. It's really nice sleeping weather! There have been a couple other signs though, like this leaf

and this Hydrangea.

The tomatoes are hanging on though I still have a lot of green ones that I don't think will make it to red before the first frost in a few weeks.

I found this guy yesterday on a chair out on the back deck. I've found him a couple other times on a folding chair. He disappears for a couple weeks and then I discover him again. I've never seen one quite like him.

Yesterday we took Howard's Mustang, top down, to the Farmer's Market to stock up on a few more veggies. That place has been so crowded lately. We bought potatoes, carrots, peaches, grapes and some nice lettuce. From there we headed to our annual Art in the Park craft show. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and we really enjoyed walking around. I bought this beautiful silver plated vase in the Antique Tent. Can you believe it was only $12.00? I thought that was quite the buy and didn't even haggle. It was for a good cause anyway, to support the local Antique Society. I thought my beautiful Cosmos and the last of the Zinnias looked beautiful in it!

Here's the Cosmo still in the garden. They are just the prettiest flowers! I wish I had a better place to showcase them as they kind of get lost in my flower bed with all the other stuff.

And my favorites, the Hummers were out in full force this weekend. I caught this first guy yesterday morning when the sun wasn't quite up. He looked like he was taking a little early morning nap.

This one was taken a little later in the morning.

Then today I really lucked out! I was at the sink and just happened to have my camera on the counter next to me when I saw this guy hitting the flowers. This morning when I filled up the feeder I had a little extra sugar water and drizzled it on these flowers. This guy kept coming back for a sip!

I will be really sorry to see these beautiful birds fly south for the winter in a month or so. Until then I'll keep the feeder full!


And because we had no rain this weekend and absolutely gorgeous weather, we were able to take the pups to the park both days. They were so happy. They also got to spend a lot of time out on the deck! Charlie was bringing in leaves and acorns all weekend!

I'm hoping we have a few more nice days before Winter roars in because even though the calendar will say Fall for 3 months, we'll be lucky if we don't see snow before that! Until then I'm gonna enjoy the last of the flowers and birds and other things that remind me of summer.

Dark, damp, dreary weekend...

It's been raining for 3 days. On Friday a cold front started coming through. It rained from Friday evening until Saturday night, really hard at times. Yesterday we took a quick trip to the farmer's market and even though it wasn't closing time, they were packing up early. The usual crowds had stayed home. Today it rained all day, heavy at times, as the remnants of Hurricane Ike blew through. Yuk.
Last weekend was Scott's 20th birthday. Rather than the fancy iPod he wanted, he got a new fancy schmancy calculator for school, which he's really going to need because he's taking Algebra.


Tyler's started another semester in Hawaii. He's also been helping us check out places to rent during the Christmas holiday. I guess a lot of people travel to Hawaii during the holidays. Many places I've inquired about are already taken. I think we've finally got one though. We're in the final negotiations. Sadly, it's not "on" the beach. Those places are ridiculously expensive. Instead we'll opt for a place with a pool within walking distance to the beach.

Amber and Andy are still house hunting. I just know they are going to find their dream house soon! Or dream condo, or dream townhouse. Tomorrow they will celebrate their first wedding anniversary. It's hard to believe it's been a year already! One whole year of wedded bliss! Happy Anniversary Amber & Andy!!


A few days ago I saw this little guy at the feeder. It won't be long before they head south for the winter. Today the feeder was particularly busy and apparently last night something had been sipping at it because it was half empty. One little bird kept trying and trying to get his beak far enough down to get some nectar. I finally had to make a new batch and brave the pouring rain to go out and refill it. He was flying all around from flower to flower until I got the feeder refilled. Then he landed for a nice long drink.


Here's what the pups did this weekend, a lot of laying around. Too soggy for walks or time at the park. We had to force them out just to take care of their business.


Guess that's about it for news around here. I guess we're getting into the boring season. Maybe I should start blogging about politics!! That'll liven things up!!

Have a good week!

Last Week...

Last week was a busy week. On Monday, Labor Day, Amber and Andy stopped in on their way from Muskegon to the airport to return home. Amber had a chance to take Howard's new car for a drive.

School started Tuesday and it was H-O-T and it got hotter on Wednesday. The weather man said Wednesday, at 93 degrees, was the hottest day of the summer so far! By Thursday things were cooling down a bit and it was much more comfortable in the building. We spent the week visiting classrooms while the teacher's tried to set our schedules. By Friday I had a pretty good idea of where I will be going and believe me, it's all over. I visit from kindergarten to 5th grade throughout the day. I think the only grade I'm not in is 3rd. I'm not complaining though as our two tough students from last year did not return to our building for which I am eternally thankful. I hope and pray they are getting the help they need in their new schools.

On Saturday I spent a good deal of time in the kitchen after a quick trip to the Farmer's Market. I made pizza from scratch and even used some pizza sauce I had made last weekend when I bought 1/2 bushel of tomatoes. I was praying the pizza would turn out well as I have lots of frozen pizza sauce. We could be eating pizza every week all winter! Here's the finished product, or one of them anyway. This one was for Scott with just pepperoni. I made Howard and I one with tomatoes, mushrooms and onions. They were pretty good overall and the crust was good.

I also spent a good deal of time trying to find us a place to stay in Hawaii. I thought I had a place but it doesn't seem to be working out. Tyler was going to try to check it out for me this weekend so I guess we'll see how that goes.

Today I decided to try pita bread. I think I might have cooked it a little too long as it's more crunchy than chewy. I guess I'll have to make pita chips instead and try again next week. I also made Scott's birthday cake.

We also spent a little time at the high school field, playing frisbee. Both dogs had loads of energy Saturday and Sunday so we spent a good deal of time running and playing, well the dogs did. I spent time throwing the frisbee! Today Zoe and Charlie both got some pretty good "air".

This one looks like Zoe was going to land right on Charlie, but she didn't.






Charlie is getting better, when Zoe gives him the chance!



Zoe was really tired!


Today there is a little touch of fall in the air. It was raining this morning as we headed off to pre-bowl. Yes, it's that time again, bowling will start next Friday. Our partner has to work, he's back on afternoons, so we had to pre-bowl and just hope he can make it once in a while. Let's just say, our team definitely has room for improvement.

Scott wants to have steak for his birthday dinner tonight. Steak and chocolate cake for dessert, yum!

Happy Birthday Dear Scotty!!

Yep, our "little buckaroo" is having a birthday and this one is making me feel really old! I know, it's not about me but if your "baby" was turning 20 I think you might feel old too! This picture pretty much says it all. He's basically been a "happy go lucky" kid all these years. Of course he's been the baby too and everyone looks out for him.

He knows how to have a good time (as he proved at Amber and Andy's wedding) but takes his responsibilities (like his health) fairly seriously.
I know he always hates to hear this (though he doesn't ever read this Blog) but even though you are no longer a teenager or a little boy, you will always be our little boy, Scott! We love you very much!


I've got to go get busy on the Birthday cake!!