Butterflies, Boating, Bouquets & Baby Bunnies

Beautiful Butterflies

This was the first one to show up over a month ago and now they are arriving daily in all sorts of different colors.

Boating

The middle of June found us enjoying the boat.

On this day it was a double decker boat with a slide.

After assuring Jaxson that there were no sharks in this lake, we couldn't keep him out of the water.  The slide quickly became a favorite.

Flower Bouquets ~ big & small

It's that wonderful time of year for gathering backyard bouquets.

Baby Bunnies

You know what they say about bunnies multiplying...

That has been proven in this neighborhood this summer.

This baby Eastern Cottontail was sitting at my front door the other day.  He/she was so tiny and adorable that I nearly opened the door to invite it in.  We have been seeing them daily.  Mommies, Daddies and many, many babies.  Last night we were sitting on the patio when one that was even tinier than this was entertaining us with it's antics.  They are a lot of fun to watch.

Depending on who you talk to in the neighborhood, they are cute or perhaps not so cute to the ones who have had their flowers and gardens nibbled on.

Well, that about sums up summer around here.

Hope you are enjoying your summer days!!

🌞

A Lovely Weekend From Start To Finish

Hello again dear readers (if there are any still out there :).

I'm coming out of my most recent blogging slump to share a bit about our Independence Day holiday weekend.

Although the holiday fell on Sunday, the festivities began Friday.

Friday morning began on a dark, dreary, rainy note.

While sipping my 2nd cup of coffee and trying to wake up, I received a phone call asking whether I was up for a bit of thrifting and lunch out.  My first thought was that I could be quite content staying home on such a day.  On the other hand getting out might be just the thing to put some purpose in the day so off I went.

We are a bit guilty of going to the same restaurants for lunch depending on the location.  This day we decided to try something new.  A French inspired cafe.  The cozy atmosphere complete with patriotic decor was especially welcome on this dull day.

The chicken salad croissant was tres magnifique!

The cafe is owned by a couple and the husband is the chef.  His croissants are so light and flaky.  His carrot cake was highly recommended by the waitress.  She said he takes two days to make it.  Although we were stuffed, it seemed like splitting a piece of that famous cake might be a nice way to begin the holiday weekend.

Later in the day the rain had cleared and it was time to hang the buntings and flags in preparation for the big day.

Those rocking chairs were soon to be prime parade viewing spots.

In our neighborhood the parade comes in the form of golf carts.

Since we don't own one, we are happy to wave to them as they all drive by.

Once the parade was over and we had chatted with the neighbors for awhile it was time to get to work.  I had volunteered to bring dessert to the party which was happening right next door at 6:00.

It sure is nice to be able to enjoy a parade from the front porch and a neighborly get together a few steps away.  No traffic to contend with.

After the party (and all of those desserts) we decided to take a walk.

Stepping out the front door we were greeted by a red, white and blue sky.  A fitting way to end this very American holiday.  The weather was so unusually delightful (no humidity and coolish temps).  We just walked and walked until it was completely dark.  With any luck some of the calories were burned up. ; ).

With Sunday being the true holiday, our son came over for burgers on the grill.  What a thrill to be able to pick this season's first tomato and slice it up for topping the burgers.  Corn on the cob, roasted potatoes and leftover dessert made for an easy dinner.

 Perhaps one of the contributing factors to the shaping of this wonderful weekend was that we could join together once again in celebration of our United States of America.  After being isolated by the pandemic and so much political division, it felt like a sigh of relief to join together in celebration of our country once again.

                                                            

July and Butterflies

Hmm...

 Be The Fireworks 

an interesting thought in light of our present situation.

In the early spring, when things were looking uncertain about whether we would be shopping at the garden centers, I ordered a butterfly bush online.  Having never done that before I wasn't sure what to expect.  It arrived looking healthy and has been thriving on the patio ever since.

While waiting for the butterflies to show up, I added this pretty plant stake to liven things up.

Just yesterday our first visitor arrived.

I was thrilled that it lingered long enough for me to snap a few photos.

After consulting my butterfly guidebook, I think it is a pipe vine swallowtail.  There are several swallowtails that look similar, so I could be wrong about that.

You may see another guest on the lower portion of the bloom in the photo above.  Are you familiar with that guy?  He is an unwelcome guest and I'm not ashamed to admit that when I encounter them, they are dropped to the ground and stepped on.  Squished... pulverized... take that Mr. Japanese Beetle!!

The butterflies have been showing up indoors too.

I felt a great sense of accomplishment upon putting the last piece in this beautiful puzzle.

My sister (Hi Norma) sent it to me as a gift quite awhile ago.  She is an expert at putting together 1000-2000 piece puzzles.  As for me, it had been years and years since I've done any.  After doing two with 500 pieces, I decided to challenge myself a bit more.  I won't set any speed records for finishing, but once things started coming together it was a wonderful way to pass the time at home.

I hope you are all staying well.

What's been keeping you busy lately?

In My Little Corner of America

 

 Still in my pj's at 10:30 this morning staring at those last two brownies.

A happy reminder of our fast-paced, fun-filled Independence Day celebration.

Since our community fireworks display was being held on the 3rd, we decided to host the family gathering that day as well.

On this dark and overcast morning, I am enjoying the fact that today can be spent in a leisurely fashion.

 ~  vintage treasures and garden daisies ~

 We took the boat out for the first time this season.

It was nice to drop the anchor, jump in the water and float in the lake for a few hours.  Nothing like catching up with family members while treading water and watching boats and clouds roll by.

 A few years ago I won this embroidered towel at the Habitat for Humanity monthly auction.  I later learned that it had been donated by a lady that I often see at the hair salon.  She was so excited to know that I had won it and shared the story of hanging it in the powder room of the summer home she once owned in Ohio.  She said she would put it there for the 4th of July and then the house would be filled with family and friends having fun together.  She is now in her 80s and no longer owns the summer home.

While I didn't hang it in my powder room, it felt good to know it's history and be able to incorporate it into my own family's memory making moments.

This was the only cherry pie to be found in my kitchen, but we did enjoy our fill of fresh Bing cherries.  One of my favorite summer fruits.

When storm clouds began forming, it was time to get back in the boat and head for home.  Burgers, brats and hot dogs were popped on the grill.  About the time they were done cooking, the rain started coming down and then sometime during dinner it quit.

 

 Although the rain seemed to have moved on by firework time, we threw some umbrellas in the car (just in case).  This turned out to be a good move as ten minutes before showtime raindrops began to fall lightly.  Half way through the show it was a downpour which left the umbrellas struggling mightily to keep up with the demand.  But, the show went on and the crowd hung in there through the fabulous grand finale.  As I looked around at my fellow Americans, we were all rather drenched yet still standing proudly in celebration of our great country.  Standing united despite the storm.  At a time when our country seems so divided, it was a beautiful sight to behold.

 

 ******

Patriotic Touches in the Kitchen

 It seems we are going in many different directions here lately.

So, yesterday when I had some time at home, I couldn't resist the opportunity to do a bit of patriotic playing in the kitchen.

I don't do a lot of decorating for the 4th of July.

It seems that (weather permitting) we spend most of the day outdoors enjoying the lake, the bbq and the fireworks display.

However, we do congregate in the kitchen long enough to load our plates.  This year we will be eating in the kitchen as the patio is still under construction.

All good reasons for adding a bit of patriotic flair to the kitchen.

Don't you think?

This box of cookie cutters was something I had picked up at an antique shop years ago.

 

 

 I think I really should make cookies in these most American shapes.

Won't be this year though.

When my boys were in elementary school I was always a room mother.  I made cut-out sugar cookies for every possible holiday and occasion.  It was time consuming , yet fun, to unleash some creativity in this way.

I hope when my grandson is old enough to appreciate it I can muster up the energy to make some for him.

 

These old red plastic cookie cutters bring back fond childhood memories.  I have a huge collection.  I don't find them to be the easiest to use.  I just like to look at them from time to time.  This flag had to come out for the occasion.

 

 As long as you're here won't you stay for a cookie?

One is just about to come from the oven as we speak and it is very low in calories too ;-).

Wishing my American readers a Happy & Safe Fourth of July tomorrow.  Wishing all of my readers everywhere a safe and happy weekend.

 ***

 

Change of Plans

 

   I don't mean to carry on about the rain, but...

that seems to be the topic of conversation around here lately.

In my last post I shared a picture I'd taken from the backdoor.

This morning I'm featuring scenes from the front door.

They have one thing in common

D.O.W.N.P.O.U.R.

On the good side, the grass is green, the flowers are flourishing and the fountain is filled to the brim all thanks to Mother Nature.

I'm so glad I picked a few between raindrops.

They are adding a much needed bright spot to my kitchen table.

Our neighborhood had a full day of activities planned to celebrate Independence day, everything from a pet parade to fireworks.  They have officially been cancelled.  Our plans to have a family get together have been dashed as well, my sister-in-law is dealing with shingles, one son has to work a double shift tomorrow and the other son is going to be out of town.  

Last night Brett & I were discussing the fact that it would now be just the two of us and I suggested maybe we should tackle a long avoided project in the house.  He didn't seem overly thrilled with that idea.  Ha! Can't imagine why.  I did try to sweeten the deal by saying we could watch a movie and have a nice dinner afterwards.  

And, of course, there's always the fireworks on tv.  

******

Wishing you a Happy (& hopefully dry) Fourth of July.

 

 

Patriotic Touches on a Rainy Morning

 

It's raining . . . again!

  So far this summer has been unusually rainy.

It seems like every day there is a downpour.

I must say I haven't minded this break from lugging the hose around daily to water my plants and the garden is doing great with this steady watering.

 It's looking a bit iffy for outdoor plans on the 4th of July.

Our current plans include time on the lake, dinner from the grill, yard games and fireworks.  

Just in case it's a rain out and we're stuck inside, I think I'll spend some time today doing a little decorating.

 

 While cleaning up my photo folders this morning, I came across these from a few years ago and now I'm inspired to dig out a few patriotic pieces. 

If you're looking for a simple way to add a patriotic touch to your home, it doesn't get much easier than tossing some poker chips into a clear vase and popping in a few flags.

 Patriotic fruit is pretty simple too, not to mention tasty.

A win-win for sure!

***

Come rain or shine, we'll be ready to celebrate America's birthday.

 

Although, if it does rain, I hope it quits before the fireworks start.

***

Wishing my American readers a safe and happy

Fourth of July!!

   

 

 

Guest Post Today

Kim Peanut

A Patriotic Pallet

A few weeks ago I happened to be at work and went out the back door to toss something into the dumpster.  As I was headed back in I noticed something that caught my eye.



Aren't they lovely ;-)?

Piles of pallets that have probably been sitting there for years.

Normally I wouldn't have given them a second glance, but on this particular day the light bulb went on and the Fourth of July was coming up.



After a trip to Home Depot for red, white and blue paint, I set up a temporary painting table in a spare office and got to work.  

I was happy to find a stencil at Hobby Lobby that had a long row of stars.  So much easier than doing them one at a time.  I couldn't quite fit in 50 of them, but as you can see I also couldn't fit in 13 stripes.  To borrow a phrase from Vee in this post , I guess I just used a bit of "creative license". 



We've had a super busy couple of days around here, but now things are slowing down and I hope to be by to see what you all have been up to.