What I did last summer

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Well, summer's essentially over...and this kind of encapsulates my summer of 2011.

--Books...I did a LOT of reading this past summer! That's one thing about an empty nest...you definitely have more time.

--Storms--Our area of Northern Illinois seemed to be wracked with storms this past summer, several leaving people without power for long periods of time.

--Pools--Honestly, I didn't get to spend as much time in pools as I would have liked to, except for when we were in Texas. I wish I had more access to pools here, because of the...

--Heat--which was often brutal, especially for our area in which we can normally count on a fairly mild summer.

--"Fringe"--After my husband got the first season for Father's Day, we were hooked, and spent the summer watching all 3 seasons so far. Yes, it's often weird and sometimes disturbing, but it's never less than fascinating, and I love the characters.

--Family picnics--What can I say? I love getting together with extended family members for delicious food and fellowship.

--Sonic Diet Cherry Limeades--I seriously could not have made it through the summer without these ambrosial tonics of refreshing deliciousness.

--Texas--Of course, people thought we were crazy for going to Texas in August! But we went because of the many people we dearly love who live there, and that trip and...

--My 33rd wedding anniversary...

...ended up being the highlights of my summer.

Farewell, Summer of 2011! May the autumn be a good one.

Home Again After a Wonderful Vacation

With my husband Doug, celebrating our 33rd wedding anniversary while on vacation in Texas

If you happened to notice that my blogging has been a bit sparse in the past couple of weeks, you'd be right! I was gone for two weeks to one of the hottest, driest places in the country--central Texas, the Austin area.

No matter what the weather is, that area draws me like a magnet because there are a lot of people I love there--including my two sons and daughter-in-law, my two little grandsons, my mother, my sister and her family, and my brother's family (he is currently out of the country.)

While there, my husband and I celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary surrounded by loved ones. We ate at an amazing BBQ place called The Salt Lick, then had cake and ice cream at my mom's house.

I thought I'd share a few pics from our visit to the Lone Star State--one of my favorite places in the world!

My daughter Elizabeth (l) and niece Katie at the Hula Hut in Austin--AWESOME restaurant!

My grandsons, Payton and Josiah, enjoying a splash park--a fun way to beat the heat!

My plate at The Salt Lick in Round Rock. I wish I had this in front of me RIGHT NOW!

My wonderful sister Lisa and her husband David with Doug and me at The Salt Lick. My sisters are my best friends!

Can you stand another foodie pic? This was my stuffed avocado at The Hula Hut in Austin--words fail to adequately describe its scrumptuosness!

My son Justin and his nephew, my little grandson Payton--they're great buddies!

My husband with our precious little grandsons, Josiah and Payton. They. Are. My. HEART.

My Favorite Season

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a yearning look at Summer...


I was recently asked about my favorite season, and I didn't hesitate to answer: SUMMER.


There are things I love about spring and fall, almost nothing I like about winter, but SUMMER is without a doubt my favorite season.

I think it all goes back to when I was a child, and summer always meant FREEDOM from school and studying and rigid schedules. Even though I’m an adult now, with responsibilities that don’t end in the summer, I still get a little of that excitement back when school’s out.

(For me, summer begins at the end of May, not June 21st. My husband is an educator, so the calendar year still revolves around a schoolyear for me.)


I took this pic of the area where my sister Lisa and I loved to sit and chat in the evenings at Port Aransas

Things I love about summer:

—not having to wear a coat or jacket or sweater.

—wearing sandals and flip flops and pretty strappy shoes.

—getting pedicures because my toes can come out of hiding.

--flowers and greenery everywhere.

—going swimming!

--going out in a boat.

—going to a beach. My favorite vacation was to Port Aransas, Texas, a couple of years ago. I want to go back!


My grandson Payton and my niece Arden on the beach at Port Aransas, TX

--long, long days of light thanks to daylight savings time.

—cute summery dresses and other cute summery clothes.

—cold summery drinks like Sonic’s Cherry Limeade, or a tall glass of iced tea with lime.

—Popsicles.

—Family picnics.

And no, I don’t mind getting hot and sweaty, because there’s always an air-conditioned place I can go for relief!

Yep, summer is definitely my favorite season. What's yours, and why?


Payton on the beach...he loved it!


*photo credit: Ashley Morrison Photography via Brabourne Farm