Summer in the South ~ Air You Can Wear

HOT, HOT, HOT ~ Air you can wear!

Weather is all something we can relate to... 

love it or hate it... we have no control!

Temps were above the 100 degree mark for several days last week.... 

now we are more than 10 degrees lower and NO humidity!

Outside activities are doable and pleasant!

Just a glimpse at my summer...

Cape San Blas, Florida on the Gulf of Mexico 

Summer means happy times and good sunshine.

It means going to the beach, going to Disneyland, having fun.     Brian Wilson

Click here for bit of beach music...

Beach Boys = Summer!

"Do It Again" by the Beach Boys 1968

written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love

How about yours?

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods!

I appreciate your visits and so enjoy reading your comments!

Smiles…Susan

Flowers in the Summer House

Ooops! Almost missed the party! I've gotten behind in my blog-reading and just saw Jane's invite for Flowers in the House. Every year I vow to plant more "cutable" flowers.. every year I miss the boat. Seems I always have the same old, same old. But I do have one new addition to my offering... homegrown Queen Anne's Lace. Last year during our trip to the Cherohala Skyway in Tennessee-North Carolina, I "acquired" some seed heads from the lush growth at one of the skyviews. The seeds were strown in hopes of at least one sprout... and that is what I got. One lonely, but lovely plant bearing about 10 buds/blooms so far!

I almost resisted cutting even one... but gave in to the temptation of enjoying these pretties inside. Add some burgundy-pink dahlias and here we are!

The gardenia and hydrangea loved their very cold weather hibernation. They have produced like crazy! The air is thick with the sweet fragrance of gardenias making my evening walk more pleasant. 

My weekly habit is to cut 3 hydrangea flowers for the counter where we have our meals. I clip the ends daily and add fresh water to the Mason jar... adds much joy to the kitchen. 

One more little posey.. a periwinkle pot filled with dianthus, dusty miller, confederate jasmine, guara, lemon balm, and basil... the perfect touch for my desk!

I always enjoy reading posts about my blog-friends and their pets. I admit... I am envious of these cute creatures that share your world. Unfortunately, no pets at our house, but an abundance of these little critters. So no cute, cuddly ones just these handsome reptiles that help cut down on the bug population. Oh, if they would just eat gnats!

Thanks for the party, Jane. Hope everyone has a great week. Thanks for coming by... stay cool! We are in for mid-nineties today!

Flowers in the House

Summer Fun!

Summer has definitely arrived here! Temps are up in the 90+ degree range and children's laughter can be heard all over the neighborhood from early morning to dusk. Last week included the laughter of little ones, the talent of preteens, and an army of volunteers who gave tirelessly to over a hundred children. Our local theatre and art's council co-sponsor an Art Camp each year. I was a volunteer leader. We have danced, created art, played games, and put together an original performance this week adapted from the children's book, The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. On Saturday, we shared our hard work with the community!

162 campers ages 4-14
 + 
55 volunteers from teenage to retired
 =

An Awesome Performance!

Octopus Dance

Being retired allows the freedom to participate in many activities that full-time employment did not allow. I fully admit... by Saturday... I was pooped; however, it was a good kind of tired! The enthusiasm and vitality of my group were contagious! 

Hoping that you are enjoying your lazy, hazy days of summer! 

If you aren't familiar with The Rainbow Fish, visit here for a YouTube read aloud of this beautiful book.

The Rainbow Fish

Salute!

A hero is someone
Who has given his or her life
To something bigger than oneself.
Joseph Campbell

Memorial Day
2014

I hope that you have had a wonderful Memorial Day taking time to reflect on the meaning of this special day. We often take our freedoms for granted, but today gives us pause to reflect on the valiant men and women who sacrificed all for those freedoms. 

One young woman, Michele Marcum, shared her thoughts on what this day means. Michele lost her brother nine years ago. Read her moving account here at TAP'S Blog. 

A favorite quote from her post:

"Being a true Patriot means that we actively seek ways to honor the fallen by teaching the living."

What more can we do? To forget is unforgivable!

Hoping your "unofficial start to summer" is off to a great beginning. Good wishes for a pleasant week! 

Susan

Linking up with Mosaic Monday

at 

Little Red House

Life's a Beach...with flowers!

A change of scenery is always good. A change of scenery with our boy, his sweet wife, and her dear parents... just the best! Spent several days last week on the Gulf of Mexico in great company. While the weather was iffy and the breezes on the cool side, it was a very special time of fun, good food, beautiful views, and relaxation. 

Now, it's back to the real world, we spent the morning washing windows, inside and out. Life goes on! A brief trip to the hydrangea bush for some lovelies for Jane's party was most rewarding. This little bush is putting on quite a show... over 4 dozen hydrangea blossoms in various states of bloom! 

Hydrangeas have found a home again on the kitchen window sill! 

If you are interested, last week's post also featured flowers... on the patio. A real hodge-podge of flowers from my yard and the side of the road! 

Here's a peek...

Life is good ... even if I'm not at the beach. 

Hurrying over the Jane's to see all the pretty petals at her Flowers in the House party! 

Also joining Mosaic Monday at The Little Red House.

Hope you have a splendid week... wherever you are!

Susan