Dog Days Of August

 This first week of August has Jack and I tripping over our guests.  We took on the request of our son to watch their dog, Kip.  He's 100lbs of Golden Doodle!  

Remember him?  This isn't our first rodeo with the Kipper.  He's a good dog and so far so good this time around.  He's just a tad bigger than Annabelle!  Plus, like people, dogs have their own routine when it comes to dinner times, pooping times, sleeping times and places.  We've learned to make sure no food is on the counter and also for Annabelle to eat her food in a guarded place or he will help himself.  Then the other day my sweet Granddaughter, Summer, asked if we could keep her dog for a few days this week.  Being the YaYa I am I couldn't say no.  So we welcomed little Happy to the group.  Happy weighs about 5lbs.

Here's Kip lounging around with Happy.

I guess you can call this a real "3 Dog Night"!  

Kip will also take a quick nap with Jack.   So I guess we can call this week the dog days of  August.  Our furry guests will leave tomorrow and Annabelle will be back to being top dog again.  Whew.  They've been good but like last time we dog sat I'll be happy to be a one dog family again.  

You might think this is the reflection of the sun behind me but I'm going to believe it's my halo for being a good Mom and YaYa to man and beast!  

July On The Fly

 I thought I'd better check in with my blog as this month has truly flown by.  This last week of the month will bring the warmer weather that many of the southern and western states have been dealing with.  We've really had a fairly nice, normal summer.  We'll get the first real hot weather starting tomorrow but I think it's suppose to slip back into regular temps after the weekend.  I have been busy doing the garden and yard work and thinking about the projects I'm supposed to be doing! We're going to be redoing the living room and painting is involved.  I'll post after pics when I actually get it all done.  I found a couple of people that will take a corner TV cupboard that we've had since we first moved here.

It's a big piece of furniture and it doesn't come apart.  Moving it will be interesting!

You can see it holds a fairly small TV compared to what most folks have these days.  Our boys have been kidding us that it's time to move up!  Since this cupboard doesn't hold anything bigger we have a new console waiting to be put together that will hold a large TV.  As for me, I was fine with this but I guess it's time to move on.  I was given some ideas as to what to do with this piece.  Like making it into storage or a coffee station.  Since we don't drink coffee and I don't have another place big enough for it I'm giving it to a friend. I told her to bring lots of strong men to help move it...and a truck!  We'll see how it goes I guess.  In other news from the Pines the garden is slowly producing.  I froze peppers and blueberries and I know more is on the way.

I like  having the peppers already sliced and ready for recipes.  Those blueberries will taste great in pancakes or perhaps a pie?  Speaking of recipes, I made homemade pop tarts:

They were fun to do and they tasted pretty good. I would modify the recipe if I do it again by adding more filling than what it called for.  Other than that it was a fun experiment!  We finally got to the farmer's market and I got a new wreath for the front door that will go on in August.

One of the nurses I used to work with makes wreaths and other things and sells them at the market. I think this will be good on the front door as we slowly slip into Autumn.  I know, I know, it's still Summer but once July is done I start thinking of  the next season.   But Summer is the time for reunions and we had a reunion over the weekend of folks that used to go to our Church over 20yrs ago and have moved away.  We had a group that came from all over to gather and reminisce.  Most live out of state and some were just kiddos when they left and are now grown up with kids and even grandkids of their own.

This is my friend Carol who was the one that suggested we do this.  At first she wanted to do it in 2024 but I said we need to do it this year.  As we age you never know what we will be dealing with in another year.  It went off great and we had a good time laughing, sharing stories, sharing photos of our kids, and just having a good time as if we hadn't been apart for all those years!

The silly selfie! Can you find YaYa?   

Jack (on the right) had a nice time with his good buddy, Tom. They used to do scouts together and I know he misses his old friend.  I'm glad he and his family came.  Even his oldest came up from Florida with his family.  So good to see them.   So this month is drifting away like the many balloons we've seen in the air lately.

These were last weeks.

This one was  up tonight, even in the murky air! Not a great shot but you can see how the air is not so good right now.   One last pic that will remind us that Autumn will be here soon:

I took this pic the other day in the cemetery. See the red leaves? Already!  Plus I found a few things to get for our Halloween party in October.

Isn't she just adorable? Ha!  Merry Christmas in July everyone!  

Good Ol' Summer Time

 The official Summer season start was in June but for some reason it really feels like the good ol' Summer time when July 4th arrives.   This past week I didn't have to work and Jack and I did some yard work here and there amongst the rain and heat and humidity that is Ohio this time of year.  Along with that comes the mosquitoes that I was so hoping would not appear.  Last year wasn't bad in the bug department but this year is a different story.  Jack bought us some outdoor wear for the mosquito invasion a couple of years ago and he's put it on a few times.  I resorted to spraying down or just staying  inside!  Taking Annabelle for walks down our country road is pretty impossible with these critters attacking us so we head to the cemetery in town for our walks.  They spray in town so we don't encounter these nasty biters!

Annabelle isn't crazy about the car ride into town but does enjoy the walk amongst the...well...the dead!

We think of them as sleeping citizens! 

You can tell we've had lots of rain by how green the grass is here. I think God was shining His light down on us this night!  Or it could look a little like mountains in the background. 

Driving home from our walk we spied this above Main Street.  See it?

I was hoping it was heading for the Pines as it seemed to be on our path toward home.  But nope, it was heading for an open field to land.

A little closer to that red chili pepper balloon!  They happened to pick a nice evening for a flight.  I thought I would close here with a few final pics of my patriotic decor before it's time to take it down.  I like to leave it up for most of the Summer but some will be put away at the end of the month.

The kitchen fireplace will be getting relined sometime this Summer when the chimney guy can do it so I think these will be gone when that happens.

The bench in the corner of the kitchen is draped with a 48 star flag I scored at a garage sale years ago. Annabelle is hanging out at one of her favorite napping spots. When the weather is nice this Dutch door can have the top open and she can rest with the bottom closed. 

The blue and white tablecloth was a gift from a friend.  She knew I collect vintage tablecloths and this one matches the navy blue in the dining room perfectly.  Goes with the patriotic theme too!  Well, I have a few more days off until I work the middle of next week. I have some  painting projects to start so maybe I'll have a few more pics to share of that work in these "Good Ol' Summer Times!"

4th Of July...BOOM!

 Hello July and Happy Independence Day to this wonderful country!  It was a quiet celebration here at the Pines.  We stayed home and just hung out.  The weather was nice and sunny but hot and humid and the mosquitoes were relentless!  They were the real reason nothing got accomplished.  Too buggy!!  But we did grill some burgers and dogs and Phil stopped over for dinner and we had a nice visit with him.  Although we didn't go to the fireworks we could hear them.  The neighbors also were blasting away.  Thankfully Annabelle didn't seem to hear them tonight.  Last night had them blasting away also and she hid under a cabinet in the dining room.  I know many dogs hate the booms and will run away.  I hope folks would keep them inside and safe but I know the shelters will be filled tomorrow!  So here's just a few pics from previous celebrations.  I hope everyone had a safe and wonderful holiday.  Perhaps you're even off work the rest of the week...I know I am!  BOOM!!

I've shared this before but I really like this pic of me and Midge.   It's 1959.  The year Hawaii became a state.  I'm 6 and Midge is 4.  She's looking like she wants to slug someone! Makes me laugh when I see it! 

Jack looking cool in his sunglasses and patriotic shirt a couple of years ago at my sister's house.  We spent the 4th there and the neighborhood parade went by her house.  Fun time!

The year my Mom was in the parade as one of the oldest original residents of their neighborhood. Her last July 4th.  Sure miss her.

For 30 years Jack spent July 4th week at Scout camp.  This pic was taken on a scout high adventure trip.  Every July 4th I know he thinks fondly of those camp days.  This year as I said we spent it quietly and really didn't do any big parties or picnics.  But that's OK.  It was a good day.

The flowers on my kitchen table!  Happy July 4th everyone!

Hazy Days

 You know that old song about lazy, hazy days of Summer?  Well, I can't say anything about the lazy part as I've been working more than I really want too but the hazy part is easy.  The haze has descended from our friends up in Canada.  I believe from Ontario.  The fires are burning and many of the states up here are getting the effects of the smoke.  When Jordan was living in California there was always fires and haze but he said it smelled like a campfire.  Not here!  It smells like burning plastic!  I was hoping for Canadian bacon smell or even Maple syrup but  it's not to be.  I feel bad for those in Canada suffering from the fires and not sure how it happened but I'm  hoping for some clearing as rain is coming this weekend.  I wanted to get one last post in before June has flown the coop.  Once July hits the Summer seems to fly by.  So  have a good weekend everyone.  I'm working tomorrow but not at all next week so I can get my painting projects going.  Bye Bye June!  Here's a few hazy pics for you:

This is how the sky has looked all week.  No rain this day just hazy smoke.

Doesn't look quite as bad when I got into my driveway. Maybe my pine trees have sucked it all in!

We have had rain on and off all week but I was able to squeeze in a walk with Annabelle the other  night and scored a quick pic of a rainbow.

No pot of gold at the Pines but the rainbow made me smile and that's just as good! 

Night all!

Whirlwind To Tornado

 My sister and her family were planning a trip that would have her daughter's family going to Hershey, PA and dropping Midge here with us for a visit.  It all depended on her getting into a dialysis unit here.  At first it was a no go because no unit had any openings.  Just when we were thinking it wasn't going to happen she got a call that there was an opening in Mansfield. That's about a 20 minute drive from us.  So it was all good and a go!  We had just gotten back from our whirlwind trip to Portland on Monday of last week and they were coming on Wednesday.  A text to let work know I wouldn't be available and then the "getting ready" mode for guests.  So the shopping, getting guest rooms ready, and a quick spruce up of the house was in motion.  We welcomed them all on Wednesday.  Thursday morning I had Midge in dialysis and her family headed off for Hershey.  Midge and I had a lovely visit that included some shopping, touring the new places downtown, resting, talking, laughing and just enjoying being together.  Then the storms came rolling in.  It was an unexpected Summer thunderstorm that brought hail and yes, a tornado just north of us.  We were lucky that our power stayed on and no damage was had here.  The next day I was sitting on our deck under the canvas canopy of our gazebo when I noticed it was riddled with holes! The hail had done the dirty deed! Thankfully I happen to have a spare canvas top so all is good!  The weather was a little chilly last week and a bit rainy.  Saturday bloomed sunny and nice though and so was Father's Day on Sunday.  Belated Happy Father's Day to everyone!  Our kids came for a cookout in the afternoon to celebrate with Jack and to see Midge.  Her kids came back here late on Sunday after their trip and Monday morning had everyone gone in a flash.  Whew...whirlwind to tornado to a super quiet house.  This week I'll be working Tuesday through Friday. I haven't done that many days in a row in a while so wish me luck. I said to my family this was the last time I'd do that and they just said " Oh sure...we'll see"...they know me too well! But I don't want to spend all Summer working and tomorrow is the first day of Summer so I hope everyone has plans for a fun vacation or just taking time to enjoy this season.  Here's a few pics of our week:

Midge brought her dog, Hope, with her and Hope just loves Jack!  Thankfully she's a really good dog and her and Annabelle get along fine.

Phil having a lively discussion with Jack.  He's such a fun guy to talk too...always makes us laugh!

Jackie and Jack along with my Granddaughter Summer, just enjoying Father's Day.

Summer and her Dad!  Love these two!

Our Grandkiddos,  Summer, Cameron, and Anthony.  We were really happy they could all be here on Sunday too.

I'm so glad Midge could be here to spend time with family and have a short get-a-way.  Usually I take more photos of things but I was busy running around and also I didn't get any pics of  Midge's kids when they were here.  I'm a slacker!  Hopefully we'll be getting together again soon and I'll do better with pics.  For now I'm back in the working mode that includes actual work at the hospital but also working in my garden of "weeding"!  It's a never ending battle but it's very satisfying to see the results.

My roses seem to be doing well and putting on a lovely show!  So welcome Summer! Here's hoping for decent weather that's not too hot or humid and hopefully no more whirlwinds and tornados! 

Whirlwind

 The last few weeks have been a busy time for us here at the Pines.  We had decided to go to Portland, Oregon to see our Grandson, Taylor, graduate from high school.  We hadn't been there in 5 years! We had planned to go to his sister's high school graduation in 2020 but we all know what happened there! No graduation for that class. Just a drive by.  Then we ran into all of Jack's surgeries and mine too. Whew.  This year we decided we were going to make the trip for Taylor.  I'm so glad we did!  Getting ready for a trip sometimes is stressful all in it's self.  But thankfully Jordan is back here and he took care of Annabelle and the house.  Just packing and making arrangements and off we went.  We hadn't flown in 5 years either and it's still as nutty as always.  However, folks have also put off traveling until this year so it was crowed also. But we had no issues with flying or anything and we had a really fun time.  I was so glad to see our kids. We hadn't seen Craig, Amy, Katie, Taylor, and Sophie in 2 years and that's long time in a kiddos life.  They grown, change, mature, and become mini adults!  These kids are so cool and well behaved and just a delight to be around.  Good parenting helps!  So here's a few pics...or maybe a lot of pics...of our whirlwind trip to Portland:

Of course we need the iconic out the plane window pic! Hello Yellowstone!

They had a lot work done on the house.  Last time we were here it was  blue! I like the new color!

Out to lunch at a cute little place that we've been to before and just love...especially their delish pastries!

Craig agrees! He's such a funny guy!

They had a lot of work done on the inside of the house too.  Jack found his happy place there!

But here's the real reason for the trip.  To celebrate Mountainside High School graduation.

So proud of you Taylor! Here's his whole family...Katie, Mom Amy, Taylor, Craig, and sister Sophie.

He'll be off to BYU Idaho in the fall where he'll join sister Katie as she does her final year there.

Party time on Saturday.  He chose to celebrate with his 3 best friends he's had all through school.  Craig and Amy hosted and every family chipped in with the food.  Great idea as folks only had to go to one place to see all the guys!  It was super fun and well attended.

One of the boy's mom made this beauty! I would say she's very talented!  Each boy told them what they wanted at the party.

Taylor wanted chocolate covered strawberries so I made him some that morning.  There were tons of other food also with favorites from the other grads.  A video was made of all the boys from littles on up to present day.  It was great to see all of them and how they grew and changed over the years.  Time does go by so fast. I can't believe Taylor is now getting ready to go to college.  I guess you could say it was a whirlwind of time!  Just like it was when Craig was little and now he's a grown up super Dad! I'm so proud of him and Amy for the wonderful family they have raised.   I'm glad we made the trip and were able to help with things as well as celebrate.  Congrats Taylor! We love  you!