Summer Beauty

Taking my Dad to the doctor's today for his 6 month check-up....it is VERY HOT! I wanted to share some Firday Summer Beauty......

HOT ....LAZY...SUMMER DAYS.....

Hello Everyone!!!!! I have missed you all so much! It's just been too HOT lately to do much of anything...I try to get as much done as I can in the early morning before the HEAT sets in....but I never get it all done...I took the photos above this morning......
Did anyone else see the total lunar eclipse the other night???? Andy and I got up at 2am .... sat outside and watched the night sky...the eclipse was awesome! We also saw lots of shooting stars streaking thru the sky....years ago we had an old couch that we set outside for the purpose of "sky-watching"......
I'm still trying to get caught up on some art work....and reading blogs....but to tell you the truth I've been feeling pretty HOT and lazy....and moving in slow motion...I have managed to read some good books...which is always a good thing to do on a hot lazy day...(out under the umbrella...by the pool)......I can't believe that September is almost here.....and just like I'm always ready for Summer...I am now ready for Fall.....it's supposed to be 105 today!

Good Things TO EAT.........

I think this is the "last hurrah" of the veggies.....I still have a few bell peppers...eggplant....and some gigantic cucumbers......and TONS of figs......which I never know what to do with! The deer ate all the squash....but we have lots of yellow squash...so they can have the rest....they sure do know how to strip a plant! I've been seeing lots of deer with babies...and they must be filling their tummys for Winter because they are eating everything....squash...apples..... cucumbers...whatever they can get into......I love the deer....I think they are beautiful...we usually try to plant an extra row or two of veggies on the outer fence for them to eat....there is usually plenty for us...and them both!

Family...Food......Wine.....

My sweet cousin was out here visiting from PA last Friday evening....we all decided to go across the road from where we live to Boeger's Winery for a evening picnic......the photos are of the winery....(on the hill, and the picnic area below)....my cuz...Carmen, clowning around with my sister, Tina pouring the wine... my brother, and sister-in-law....my cousin...and ME...
As you can see by the photos we all had a VERY good time.....lots of LOVE flowing at this table...(and wine).....(and good food)....

More fun photos from our picnic at the winery....the picnic...lots of yummy food....I made a huge pasta salad with shrimp, artichoke hearts, peppers....and fresh basil from the garden. The beautiful picnic area and lots of people enjoying a beautiful Summer Friday night....

More fun at the winery...My 91 year old Dad...enjoying a glass of wine....the gang at the picnic table...( my cousin, Carmen...my sister, Tina...brother-in-law, John....my Dad.....sister-in-law, Tami......my brother, Larry...and my Love...Andy).
My friend, Sara, is providing the music for the evening.......

Fabric ATC Page

Beautiful fabric atc's from Lenna's swap......

Hot Fudge Sundae Among Flowers

The morning before back to school started for Ty we decided to go sit outside at Baskin and Robbins and splurge on a hot fudge brownie sundae.....
Our Baskin and Robbins has nice big tables underneath big red umbrellas ...surrounded by lots of beautiful flowers...it is so colorful and of course I grabbed the camera and started snapping away...here is some of the beauty......the hot fudge brownie sundaes weren't bad either!

Reid Stowe

Remember I told you that my Dad and I are keeping track of this sea voyage online....well here is an awesome video of that voyage...if you would like to follow along go to http://1000daysatsea.blogspot.com/

A Thank-You

For my good friends...Sheila and Blue.....You are the BEST!

JOY

Happy Monday to all of you! It feels strange to actually be sitting at the computer...a good strange! Here is one of my latest creations for the shape-design book round-robin...this is Debbi's arch-shape. I'm working on a circle book now for another one of Lenna's swaps....and keeping very busy with the flowers...and veggies....house-cleaning.....etc. Friday we had a lovely visit from one of my cousins who lives in PA.....all of us went down to Boeger Winery for a evening of wine...food and music.....I plan to catch up today on reading blogs...I MISS ALL of you...XXXXXOOOOOOOO

Another 4X4 for Patti's swap....."Pointy Hats"......I am so excited to FINALLY be getting some ART done...I have more to POST also!

4X4 page for Patti's monthly swap....theme is "Pointy hats"....

Patricks Berry Farm/ My Summer

Hello Sweetie Pies......I have been so busy lately...just enjoying the wonderful Summer we are having...I have not been in my studio for more than maybe 15 minutes in over a month...and...I have not been spending too much time at the computer either....maybe I have needed a break from both!
I have been spending lots of time outside working in the garden and among the flowers....watching the hummingbirds...and enjoying the perfect summer weather. I have also been spending lots of time with my family....animals.....and doing lots of summer reading. Andy and I have been on a movie kick lately...so I've seen lots of good movies...and... my Dad and I have been busy keeping tabs on a sea voyage of 1000 days...his dream has always been to build a boat and sail the seven seas....and believe me...I would go with him in a heartbeat!
I've made lots of jam this summer from the fruit off of our apricot and cherry trees....and just this past weekend Andy and I went raspberry picking at Patricks berry farm..( pictures above and below)....which is right up the road from where we live...our garden is doing wonderful...since I have lots of fresh veggies I've been spending lots of time in the kitchen.....
I have also started a walking program...I clip one of those little pedometers on my pants and strive to walk at least 10,000 steps a day....the little booklet says that this is a great and easy program to get you started on your lifetime walking "habit". The 10K-A-DAY program is to walk 10,000 steps a day (which exceeds the Surgeon Generals's physical fitness recommendations of 30 minutes of exercise three times a week). When you accomplish this, you will be burning more calories...and, walking your way to HEALTH. Since I like to walk...but HATE to exercise...I figured I would stick to this routine!
The Sierra Art Affaire that was held here in Placerville kept me busy.....and my camera always motivates me....Ty is with me today..we will no doubt spend some time in the pool since she starts back to school (5th grade) on Wednesday! ( I can hardly believe that).....that's pretty much it in a nutshell.....I hope all of you are enjoying the summer as much as I am....XXXXOOOOO

SUMMERTIME

Fresh this morning right from the garden...and weekend's raspberry jam....

NICE !!!!!!!!!!!

Thank-you so much to Maryellen and Sheila for this award....I know we are supposed to pass this on to other nice bloggers...but I think my whole list at the right are all NICE bloggers...so...just click on any of the links...and you will find NICE........XXXXXXXXOOOOO

Listen to the Ocean

Going thru some of my journals last night...I drew and watercolored this one ten years ago....
This gives me an idea for some atcs.......

Nothin Says Summer Like.......

FRESH VEGGIES from your garden! This is really one of my very favorite summer things...to be able to walk outside and "pick your dinner".....I made eggplant parmesan...and tomato basil salad....using some of the veggies from our garden....the recipes are below....this weekend dinner will be stuffed zucchini........