Thanks for the Memories!

Sigh! 

The sun has set on my last day of summer vacation. 

This has been one of the best summers.  
I don't know about you, but sometimes I work so hard at trying to make everything perfect, to keep everything picked-up and running on time, I forget to have fun.  And, I probably make everyone around me miserable. This year, I decided to sit back and enjoy the mess.  What I learned is, well, it is the best.

Here are a few scenes from my messy wonderful summer.

There were kitchen creations.

Help was always welcome

when creating sweet masterpieces.

Roger and I celebrated 36 years.

Sometimes we chased fire trucks,

because,  someone loves fire trucks.

Naps were a must.

Evenings were spent at the pool swimming
and just being cute.

There were surprises parked around every corner.

 There was the occasional impromptu game of 

monster bowling in the kitchen.

And, if you lost your shoes....

check on the stool.  
Seriously?  Where else might they be?

On a sad note.
We said goodbye to our children's dog,
I loving called the Diva.

Sweet Raven is greatly missed.

Summer is over. 
 The toys have been put away, and
the silence is deafening.
Oh, the memories!

I hope you have enjoyed a wonderful summer.
And a great Labor Day weekend.

Autumn.... we are awaiting your arrival!

How Do You Begin Your Day?

"...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.  

Philippians 4:8

I hope you have had a fabulous first week of summer!  June is flying by here.  School was out the last week of May just in time to make a quick trip out of town to celebrate my grandson's second birthday.  A week later my daughter and children came for a two week visit I dubbed "Camp Bee".  It was all about having fun!

Camp Bee coincided with my two weeks of my schools summer playdays.  This year's playdays was a special time for me, my grandson had the chance to attend.   His room was across from my classroom, so I had the chance to peek in and check on him.   He had the best time with his new found independence;  I had the best time watching him.  

When we were not at the school, we worked in the garden, went swimming, ate ice cream, had pizza night and generally had a grand time.  Bonnie Rose enjoyed watching and napping.  I am keeping my fingers crossed Camp Bee becomes an annual event; I have plans... it can only get better.... right?

This week has been a quiet one without the chatter of my little ones' voices.  I am easing into my summer morning routine.   During the school year I don't have the luxury of quietly beginning the day.  Now I can take my time.  My day begins as I grab a cup of coffee and iPad, and head outside to spend some quiet time with my morning readings and listening to the sounds of summer.   I count on this time.  It sets the tone for my day, and it is a good thing. 

How do you begin your day? 

Do you start off slowly

 or do you bounce out of bed ready to conquer the world?

Have a fabulous weekend!

Summer Dreaming

July...

Last I remember, is sitting quietly evaluating the past few months and looking forward to a month of rest and recuperation (reading and writing) before returning to classroom preparation and routine.   I've said it here before, "tell God your plans and listen to his laughing".

It wasn't meant to be.

August...

I have one week left before heading back to school for meetings, in-service and work days.  The temps here, in Arkansas, are reaching triple digits...there is heat and humidity...nothing sounds more pleasing than a tall glass of iced tea and a good book.   In my dreams I am relaxing on the porch listening to waves gently sweep the shore.  Sigh!

How is your summer reading going?

Life is good...
Enjoy the week-end!

Wednesday's Quotation

  

"Much more surprising things can happen to anyone who, 

when a disagreeable or discouraged thought comes into his mind, just has the sense to remember in time and push it out by putting in an agreeable, determinedly courageous one.

Two things cannot be in one place."

Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Secret Garden

My Summer Favorites

We are just a little over half way into summer, and I am longing for the cool crisp days of Autumn.  Summer is not my favorite season, though she delivers so much of what makes me happy.   Schools will be opening their doors soon, and though there are actually around seven weeks of summer remaining, I feel the the long languid days quickly slipping away.   It may be a little premature, but I thought it would be a good time to share my "summer favorites" list.  


summer's fresh bounty

the summer garden 

 summer escapes 

summer refreshment
(I'm addicted)

summer visitors.

Summer is a slow moving season.  The temperatures are high
 and the days are long.   I slow down and take more time for

morning contemplation,

 getting back on track and reconnecting,

and creative discipline.

By far the best part of Summer 2014 is this little fellow, who

entered our lives two months ago.  

I suspect summer will never be the same...

summer blessings

Tick-tock,

Summer is fading fast.

What are your summer favorites?

Summer Supper

I have always enjoyed cooking.  I generally love all the gathering and preparations.   During the heat of the summer,  I am looking for meals which are 
quick, light and easy to prepare, with as little clean-up as possible.  

I don't know about you, but I am usually the one cleaning up the kitchen.  
My husband is an amazing cook, but when he creates he uses every pot, pan, 
dish and utensil available.  And, yep, I am generally the clean-up girl.
Seriously though, for one of his meals I'll do the dishes.

Sticking to my criteria, last night's dinner was perfect.  I decided to combine two of my favorite foods, shrimp and pizza.  Substituting a fresh pesto for the tomato sauce and using only a sprinkling of parmesan I put a bit of a light twist on pizza.

Shrimp Pesto Pizza

1 pound large  'wild caught' shrimp
3 tablespoons olive oil, plus some for the pan
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
salt and black pepper to your liking
1/3 cup pesto, or enough to generously cover the top of the pizza crust
(pesto is so easy to make,
but there are some really good quality ones in the market as well)
Parmesan cheese, freshly grated.
One pre-baked pizza crust

(I enjoy making my own pizza dough, but there are also  good doughs in the freezer section of some markets.  For this pizza, I used a pre-cooked pizza crust from a specialty market.  Check the ingredients.  I look for one using organic ingredients with no preservatives.  I want it to be as close to my own as  possible.)

Pre-heat oven to 425℉.
Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil and drizzle a little bit of olive oil over the foil.  
Rinse, peel and devein the shrimp.  Place shrimp in a bowl drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat.  I like to use my hands.  Sprinkle on the red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, again toss making sure each shrimp is well seasoned (add or subtract seasoning to you taste).  Let sit while the oven is heating, to allow all the goodness of the seasoning to be absorbed.

Place shrimp on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 3 to 4 minutes.

Turn and roast for another 2 minutes.  The shrimp
should be pink, but ever so slightly undercooked.  They will finish roasting
once placed on the pizza and returned to the oven.

(For perfectly roasted shrimp I roast them 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
I really don't like rubbery and dry shrimp.)

While the shrimp are roasting, spread pesto onto the baked pizza crust. 

Place pesto covered crust into the oven and bake about 8 minutes.  

The pesto will begin to bubble.

Take the crust from the oven and arrange the roasted shrimp

on top.

  

Lightly sprinkle with parmesan.  Of course you can use any cheese (a good brie
would be fabulous), and as much as you would like. 

(If you use a heartier cheese reduce the roasting time on the shrimp.

You will need longer to melt the cheese, overcooking the shrimp.

 I used parmesan as not to over power the shrimp. ) 

Bake for one minute or until the cheese is melted.

Add a simple undressed tomato and cucumber salad,

and enjoy a simple and yummy summer supper.

I think this will be perfect for a supper after a busy day at school.

I'm adding this one to the line-up.

Bon Appetit'

Do you prefer lighter dishes in the summer?  

Do you have a favorite light summer supper?

Have a wonderful weekend!

What's Blooming Today?

Gardening is a full-time job...hobby....pastime...whatever label you choose, it is a commitment.   Spring brings the most work, and the most enjoyment.   It is when we most enjoy last year's toils and prepare for the future.  Spring wakes exploding with color before summer transports us into the quiet lull of textural greens.

As spring approached this year I knew I would not be available to spend the time in the gardens.  They were going to need to survive, mostly on their own.  I promised, no, I vowed, I would not spend the weekends roaming the nurseries.   And, I came to terms with leaving the containers empty,  not adding new perennials to empty spots; I wouldn't be around to pamper, to enjoy.  Passing a nursery and not stopping was white knuckled, steering wheel gripping torture.

Okay, I agreed to possibly leaving the majority of the containers empty (It is all about where you place the accents).  Leaving the front unmaintained, would be screaming "no one is home".  Though we had an unseasonably cool spring, the pansies were desperate to be replaced,  and, the pots by the front entrance were begging for summer blooms.  Perhaps one quick trip to the nursery would be necessary.  I could stop in, grab a couple of geraniums, a couple of flats of impatiens,  and maybe something that would spill over the edges, just around the geraniums.  I  wouldn't even need a wagon.   Once among the growing things my will faltered, and, "gee, maybe I should throw another flat or two of impatiens onto that cart over there.  What do you think?"   

I know what you are thinking...

just another of my addictions... hopeless.

It dawned on me, while running among rows and rows and rows of annuals, and I mentioned this to someone trailing behind me as I flitted from one stand to another, how unhappy I would be when I returned home to find empty containers outside the back door.  I will not admit to when this thought wormed its way into my brain, but I might have heard it while slipping that extra flat (or two) of blooms on my cart.

I am usually discriminating when selecting my color combinations.  I like a lot of color in the front for curb appeal.  In the back gardens I use white annuals; it is refreshing against summer's green, and brightens shaded corners.  However, when you are wanting to slip a few extra plants in, it is best to go with one theme.  The extras go pretty much unnoticed.  

This year I went tropical.

  

Thanks to my dear friend and gardening mentor, who was kind enough to water while I was away,  and the unusual amount of rain this summer,

I returned to find everything happy and thriving.

I've not been home much, (having fun with my new baby boy and his mom and dad) but the gardens are surviving with only minimal attention.  I could tell you all the things going wrong (weeds, weeds, weeds); another story for another day.  

Here are a few things making me smile today. 

Sometimes I can't resist bringing a few friends inside.

It is a beautiful day, I have a book to read
 and I'm headed back out to the garden. 

Will you join me?  

I made tea...

(I apologize I pulled this and republished.

I'm learning to let go of somethings; there

was an error I couldn't leave.)

Summer's Encore

Today summer prepares to take her final bow;
make her exit for another year.
Although I am not her biggest fan, I am willing
to admit she unselfishly offers up a generous bounty.
 As the curtain begins it descent,  I
offer up thanksgiving for the moments with family
and the everyday little things.

Summer's Encore...

Farmer's Market bounty

for the body.

Walks this side of the garden gate

for the soul.

Garden visitors 

for the heart.

Celebrations

for the spirit.

Weekend travels

for adventure.

Idle pleasures

for escape.

And, a super moon

for dreaming.