We're Having A Party!

I don't know if you all know Dawn over at Cottage State of Mind. She is such a great gal and she has come up with a wonderful idea for this fall. We're having a blog festival get-together! Is that cool or what? It's going to be hosted by Dawn, Becky of Sweet Cottage Dreams , Sandi from The Green Pea Boutique and myself.

Go here to read all about it and pencil in the date on your calendar. We'll be giving you more details as the date gets closer. Space is limited to be sure to RSVP with Dawn. It's going to be held at Sandi's Green Pea Antique store in Escalon. Escalon is located outside of Modesto in the Central Valley of California. If any of you have gone up the hill to Yosemite National Park, chances are you driven through Escalon.

We're looking forward to meeting our blog friends in person and making new friends as well. This is going to be so much fun!!!

Hot Time In the Summer

Keeping two little boys busy in the summer is a full time job especially when it's hot outside like it has been lately.

One thing I let them do is cook. They love to make their own breakfast, especially our oldest grandson. "You can't do this, brother, you have to be a professional!"

A dear friend of ours has a pool and she graciously let us come over last week so the boys could swim. They had the best time. The youngest learned that since he could swim in the shallow end he could also swim in the deep end. He was so proud. I sat under an umbrella and sipped ice tea and tried to stay cool. Hot sun and my fair skin just do not mix.

I know that lots of you out there have a Kitchen Aid mixer. A great investment is the ice cream maker attachment. You make your mixture the day before so it's good and cold and you freeze the bowl overnight as well. Pour your mix in the frozen bowl and let 'er mix for 20 minutes. Voila! Soft serve ice cream! Now it says to put the mixture in the freezer so it can set but if you like it soft, just grab a spoon and enjoy.

I emptied my pantry of all sorts of additions such as sprinkles, chips, caramel sauce and mints and let the boys create their own flavors. This little guy made Mint Surprise.

His brother made Caramel Explosion! My kind of ice cream!

Another thing the boys like to do when it's too hot to go outside is crawl up on grandma and grandpa's bed, snuggle under the covers and watch movies. I know that letting them sit in front of a television is not the greatest thing in the world, but they don't watch television at home much at all. So letting them do it here is a treat. I have books for them and games as well. Once a week we try to go on a field trip somewhere interesting as long as it's cooler than home, even if it's just to the movies. What kind of activities do you do for the kids in the summer when it's too hot to go outside?

It's a lot of work for sure and by the end of summer I'm exhausted. Then they go back to school and I always say, "I miss the boys!!!!"

Lions and Tigers and New Mexico Bears, Oh My!

I thought you would like to see the highway sign we came across on our vacation last spring. This was outside our motel in New Mexico. The same motel that "accidentally" let Maggie out of our room. The same Maggie that thinks she's a thoroughbred race horse if she escapes the confines of our yard. Luckily they were able to herd her back into our room before I found out about it and pitched a fit. Although I did tell the manager about it and we got our room comped for the night.........

I don't know who would have won. The bear or Maggie! She is a terrier, after all!

Flowers In The Garden

I'm back. I don't know how many posts I'll have this summer. Wow, watching two little boys full time is not easy!!!! I thought, however, that you would like to see a little of how my garden is doing this summer. Luckily, it's been a rather mild summer. We haven't had days and days of over 100 degrees which really does a number on all my plants.

A sweet little pink rose. Very dainty and fragrant.

Is this the cutest little bird house? I wonder what little birdie would like to take up residence in it?

An all time favorite of mine, Gerbera Daisy, also know as a Transvaal Daisy.

I finally have a hollyhock!!!!! Yea!!!!!!! I love them so much. I sewed seeds a year or two ago and nothing happened. Finally this year I have one. One. Just one. But it's white and an old fashion single which makes me extremely happy. I'm sewing some more seeds this year courtesy of a good blog friend so hopefully in a year or two I'll have more.

Stay cool out there!

Guest Blogger

Maggie here. I'm guest blogging today for my Mommy. She wanted me to let you know that she's taking a little break this week. They took my Uncle Aaron to the airport yesterday which made Mommy very sad. So she is going to spend the week resting, staying out of the heat and trying to get some projects done.

What am I going to do, you say? I'm going to do what I always do. Guard the house and wait for food to drop on the floor! I may also take a nap or two which is one of my favovorite things to do. I heard Mommy mention something about a vet visit, but I'm not sure what that means. I hope it's not that nice guy that gives me shots! I'll let you know.

Talk, I mean bark to you later!

Happy Fourth of July

Our son recently came home on leave from the Navy and we picked him up at the airport. I couldn't believe the number of families that were either greeting a returning military loved one or sending one off. All of a sudden we were all part of a larger family. Clapping and waving, hugging and crying together. This little guy was there to meet his daddy. Dad had been gone his entire first grade school year. Can you imagine? It was so heartwarming to see him run up to his Daddy and leap into his arms.

On this Fourth of July I'd like to especially thank all of our nation's military personnal for what they do and for the sacrifices they make. Whether they are stationed state side or overseas, on friendly soil or in the midst of battle, it is a huge commitment on their part. I am so proud of each and every one of them.

I want to especially mention Sr. Airman, Fireman Jordan Roberts who served his country with love, determination and pride. I also want to mention our son, Aaron, who will be deployed at the end of the year. He volunteered for this duty and I am all the more proud of him for it.

God Bless the United States and may He watch over all of our sons and daughters, wives and husbands, fathers and mothers who serve.