Storms Roll In... and Out

 

Afternoon thunderstorms are a fairly common occurrence here in the summertime.  Not so nice if you happen to be out and about when one pops up, but at home it's another matter altogether.

That's the time I like to grab my book and head for the living room.  Hearing the thunder boom and the tree leaves rustle makes the perfect backdrop for a cozy reading session.

 

Not long after I sat down today, the skies started to darken and so did the room.  I turned the light above me on and as I did so another light bulb went on. Yes, you know the one. ;D.

The one that reminded me of the little strand of lights I had purchased after Christmas and put into a terrarium on the coffee table.  It was time to turn them on . 

 

This garden fairy wasn't bothered by the storm.

She danced among the flowers sheltered under glass.

 Today we had it all...

thunder, lightning, torrential downpours and even some hail.

The forecast for our July 4th holiday is an 80% chance of rain.

 If it's anything like today's weather, it will have come and gone in 20 minutes.  That's just long enough to save me from having to water the garden and short enough to not interfere with the celebrations.

Sticking My Toes Back Into the Blogging Pool

 

It seems that once you start straying from the blog world, it's easier and easier to drift away completely.  At least that has been my experience these past few weeks.  With no intention of doing so, I found it a little harder each day to muster the enthusiasm for picking up the camera and sitting down to conjure up a post.  After 8 years here, I'm sure it has all been shared and shown and said.

On the other hand, after all the history we've made together in this wonderful world of blog, how does one just drift away?

 That feels completely wrong.

So, for today I'm sticking my toes back in to the blogging pool and since it's summer now the toes are celebrating the season.

Speaking of celebrating,  a special little someone had a birthday recently.

I was honored to be asked to make the carrot cake.

Not exactly the typical themed birthday cake one might expect for a child.

But, with the addition of a candle to blow out, he didn't seem to notice.

A recent trip to Florida afforded us with the opportunity to snap  a four generation photo.  

 

Although great grandpa's hands are becoming weaker, they showed great strength in holding onto a somewhat wiggly little boy.

 

 

We came home to changes in the garden.

The tomatoes and cukes are ripening and the perennials are popping!  The lawn, on the other hand, is browning up nicely :(.

Those berries in the top left above are a mystery to me.  They're growing on one of the scrubby trees between our house and the next door neighbor's house.  I don't have a clue what kind of tree it is, but the berries sure are pretty.  Although I wouldn't suggest parking your car under them.

Anybody know what kind of tree this is?

Maybe those berries are edible and we've been missing out all these years.  Then again, maybe not.  I'm not about to try them until I know what they are.

Well, I've gotta say it's feeling pretty good to be back in the pool.

I've missed you and plan to get back to visiting soon.

In the meantime...

Happy, Happy, Happy Summer!!

Beep Beep!