It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year?!?!?!

Years ago Staples had a very funny back to school commercial with a background song playing"It's the most wonderful time of the year".  It showed a mom and dad joyfully dancing (kind of like ballet moves) and pushing a shopping cart full of school supplies through the store.  This time of year brings about a bittersweet feeling for me.  While I love the smell of a fresh pad of paper, the look of a sharp pencil, the feel of a new pen and the promise of the new curriculum for my kiddos that I have researched over the past few months, the bitter part ... it sort of marks the end of summer.  And oh how I love summer!!!!  That, to me, is the "most wonderful time of the year".  I love shorts, t-shirts, sandals, warm, long days, ice cream, cantaloupe, fresh corn and okra, summer reads, boating, camping, a nice color to my skin, running, swinging on my screened-in back porch, and the hum of the air conditioner!!!            

Six People...Little Boat...Big Fun!!!

We went to the river Thursday evening to cool off and relax. We wanted to give the kids an opportunity to ski or hydroslide.

There was a rope hanging from a tree near the boat ramp.

The momma in me was a nervous wreck but the kid in me was excited for them to do it. They had a ball.

Later, the kids skiied. We were so happy for Jackson. He finally was able to get up on the water and ski for a while without falling. He had many attempts and finally made it.

Isn't he cute!!!!

"Jo" cool

Ya Hoo!!!! He made it.

18 DOZEN = 216 EARS!!!!!!

That's right...18 dozen ears of corn. 216. That's how many ears we shucked, silked, cut, cooked, bagged and froze. WHEW!!!

My cousin, Tara, her daughter, Hope, Karis, Lane and I headed out about 10 am to KY to the Amish and Mennonite community in Scottsville, KY. We had so much fun. We bought corn, peppers, squash, okra, tomatoes, and zucchini .... and oh yeah ... peanut butter fudge, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate covered peanuts and hershey bar. We also found a store that sold fresh herbs and spices. I bought some cocoa for $1. YIPPEE. More chocolate creations.W!!!!

Everyone pitched in to help shuck the ears.

YUM!!!!

Karis said it looked like a flower.

Happy Birthday America!!!!

This 4th of July we had a little family get-together at my house. The family included Chris' parents, my parents, my sister and her friend, Lisa and all the Weaver kiddos. Dart, unfortunately, was out of town. We had the usual hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and dip, homemade ice cream and of course, watermelon. We also celebrated with a cake with sparklers on it.











After we filled our bellies, most everyone headed home. We loaded up and headed to Hartsville to see the fireworks. It was a nice show of fireworks.

We got home to then put on our own show. The kids love to do this every year. It is one of our family traditions.

It was a great 4th!!!

Happy 90th birthday, Grandmother!!!

My grandmother turned 90 this year. She is so dear to me. Not only is she my grandmother but she is and has been my neighbor for 18 years. She is the best neighbor EVER. I just love her so much. I pray she will have many more happy birthdays. She is a blessing in my life.

First Fruits

We planted a garden this year. It is a very small garden. It is a raised-bed. We took 2 x 6's and made a square of them. We then added a load of dirt and planted our veggies. We planted okra, beans, squash, tomatoes and cucumbers. All the plants have fruit on them but today I got to pick some ripe tomatoes and two beans. Thank you, God for our food!!! My first fruits were given to my grandmother.