Catch-up part III: HOT, HOT, HOT...

It's been hot, hot, hot here. I would say it has been an abnormally hot summer in general. So what happens when you go to the park on an abnormally hot day? You get it all to yourself. We were the only crazies who ventured out this morning.

From 2010-07-21

From 2010-07-21

From 2010-07-21

From 2010-07-21

From 2010-07-21

From 2010-07-21

Miles didn't seem to mind the heat too much. We got some good swinging in before naps!

Catch-up part II: Peach Picking

I followed through on my intentions of an annual peach picking excurison for the Hazelwood House, and we went back to Suzanne's Fruit Farm for some tree ripened peaches.

From 2010-07-17

We went first thing in the morning. It was overcast and cooler, with a storm thundering in the background. We were some of the first people there. It was a pleasantly peaceful morning. I don't get many of those. A good cup of coffee and a park bench would have made it perfect. I wish we had lingered a little bit longer.

From 2010-07-17

We picked two varieties: Goldhaven and White Peaches. This is a white one. They were much firmer and sweeter than the traditional golden ones but didn't quite taste like a peach to me. Still very good.

From 2010-07-17

I have a little secret to share. It might come as a surprise to those of you who know me, but I have a dream of owning a little farm (even after a very brief jaunt of working on one) and having an orchard - with peach trees of course. I would also have a cute roadside stand and I would wear cute aprons and make jelly and pies and people would drive from all around. (Can you see the daydreaming fog around me now?) Maybe that can be my "retirement" project. I will have to acquire a much greener thumb for that dream to work.

From 2010-07-17

It did not take long to fill that bucket - maybe 5 minutes. No joke.

From 2010-07-17

They were very large peaches. I usually prefer smaller fruit because as a general rule, smaller fruit and veggies are more tender. It was a difficult task to find one smaller than your fist.

From 2010-07-17

They were weighing the branches down hanging off the trees...

From 2010-07-17

As were the plums.

From 2010-07-17

We picked a small bucket of them but they were not good for simply eating. They either rotted or were hard as rocks and SOUR. I ended up boiling them all and making jelly. I also made some peaches into jelly, and froze 4 quarts of the peaches because we could not eat them fast enough. But that is what happens when you have 50 lbs of peaches.

From 2010-07-17

Another year towards a budding dream and our developing tradition. Here's to many more ...

Catch-up part I: A special visit...

July has been nuts. Here is my attempt to catch up (again):

From 2010-06-14

I worked hard to get the house ready for our big guests - Mimi, Grandaddy and Sam. We counted down the days until they got here. When they did, we had a lot of fun.

We went to the zoo...

From 7-2-2010

I'm not sure Mimi liked being this close to the animals.

From 7-2-2010

We rode the carosel at the zoo.

From 7-2-2010

From 7-2-2010

And for an extra special treat, we rode the train too!

We went downtown rode the trolley and played at the Clinton library...

From 7-3-2010

but first we stopped at Argenta Market for a treat...

From 7-3-2010

Mimi loves to hold babies!

From 7-3-2010

The library was holding a family festival. There was a group singing children's songs. This song was about sunglasses and everyone got a pair. (Except Miles.)

From 7-3-2010

Sam and his CAMO!

From 7-3-2010

Dylan and his facination with BALLS!

From 7-3-2010

Gorgeous dahhling!

From 7-3-2010

Miles loved the bouncy houses.

From 7-3-2010

Grant did not partake in the bouncy houses. (But I can assure you he did not sit under this tree and rest for long.)

From 7-3-2010

We played in the fountain and got so wet, we had to change clothes.

Later that afternoon we crashed a family reunion. (We were invited but it wasn't technically our family. We were honorary family.)
It was HOT.

From 7-3-2010

The popcicles seemed to be the method of choice for the kids to cool off.

From 7-3-2010

On the fourth, Mimi planned a special activity for the big kids to do. We have our very own special plant so we always remember Mimi, Grandaddy and Sam. Hopefully it won't die. Right now it's ok, though our seeds did not sprout like Allison's.

From 7-4-2010

We did a lot of just hanging out too. Babies require naps and Grandaddies do too.

From 7-4-2010

Movie time on the couch with uncle Sam. He is a sweetie.

From 7-2-2010

These two could pass as brothers in my opinion - that's genetics for you. Both of the boys ate up every minute of attention this big boy gave them. They were not happy about him leaving.

From 7-5-2010

It took a little "magic" but we got a photo of everyone. We are so glad they came for a visit and hope we get to see them again soon!