Gina's Birthday...

My friend Gina turns 60 this weekend and this is what she decided to give herself for her birthday.  First she invited all of our friends to an hors d'oeuvres party in a field by her house.  It was a beautiful, warm day and as usual we had a laughing good time. 

Its impossible for me not to say..."Up, up, and away..."

Neighbors...

Our neighbors have a farm near Springfield, Massachusetts and every summer they fill our kitchen with fresh vegetables from their garden.  This is beyond, beyond.  Plus they always sit at our dining room table and chat for an hour and that's something that rarely happens these days.  They tell us stories of which crops are being eaten by animals, how many electric fences they've had to install, and other struggles that come their way daily.  Sadly last year someone, on purpose, drove a car through their corn field and flattened the whole crop. 

Shayna's Market Bag....

A few weeks ago in Maine my daughter-in-law, Shayna, asked me to knit her this bag.  Its a free download on http://www.knitpicks.com/  Campsites now have high-speed internet access so downloading knitting patterns, recipes, and road maps is quick and easy.  We're not much roughing it here folks.  So, Shayna...off to market you go.

Watching...

Its not like I am watching them or anything.

What are they?  Where did they come from?  These are growing all around the perimeter of our property.  This is the first year they have been here.  They must have blown in on the wind.

Canning Time...

Its that time again.  Rich and Barb were here for the weekend and they brought 41 pounds of beans with them.  Barb wanted to learn how to use a pressure canner.  We sat on the porch with the boys snapping beans most of the afternoon, then popped them into jars and into the canner.  Twenty five minutes later in a flood of steam we had her winter's stash.  There's nothing like fresh local food and the security of knowing not only its origins but the hands that prepared it.

Full Moon...

My son and I were enjoying the full moon last night when I decided to take a picture.  Don't laugh.

Alyson's Orchard...

Raspberries, blueberries, and peaches...oh my!  Today we spent some time wandering around New Hampshire.  We stopped at Alyson's Orchard to pick some fruit.  After a dinner of hot dogs, potato salad, couscous, and tossed salad we are foolishly awaiting peach shortcake with homemade biscuits and fresh whipped cream.  Oh my. 

Visitors...

My son Rich and his wife Barb are visiting this weekend.  They brought me Pennsylvania peaches.  Oh my goodness, what a treat to wake up to fresh peaches on my Wheaties.

Summer Camp....

Every summer I volunteer at our local children's camp.  This morning was my weaving class.  We have a woodworker in our town (lucky us) and he made looms for our children to use while at camp.  How intent they are.

The Wildflowers of Summer...

Brown eyed susans and I go way back.  They were a huge part of my summers on the farm.  I had a bean pot that I would fill and place just so on my kitchen table.  In early July I picked daisys to fill my pot and in late July it was filled with brown eyed susans.  I walked the nearby fields and gathered armfuls.  I cannot tell you how happy they made me.  They are so beautiful!

Wild Raspberries....

My honey stopped at Timber Ridge on his way home today to pick me some wild raspberries.  What shall I do with them?  Gobble, gobble, or wild raspberry muffins, or a thick, rich smoothie?

Chicken BBQ....

Every summer our community association has a chicken barbeque and donates the money earned to charity.  We all bring food.  This year I volunteered to make rolls.  In previous years Carolyn Chase made the rolls; she died last winter.  When someone dies, I always wonder who will take their place.  I think we need two of her.

Sweet Summer...

This is what I will miss come January.  I have fresh flowers on my table all summer.

Wanders North...

Meanwhile back home in the beautiful Green Mountain state, did you know that these flowers last one day?  To God be the glory.

Last Day...

Skylar learning to swim.

Hot, humid day but as you can see, we were cool.

Saying goodbye for another year.

A day of wind, water, and sun and she's all done.

Another vacation in Maine comes to a close.  Yes, many tears fell as we drove away.

Its a Wonderful Life...

Its a beautiful summer day in Maine and I am spinning by a lake.  It is hot and humid though there is a cool breeze blowing off the water.  I am creating yarn for a vest and on this day I finish.  I have five spun skeins, washed in lake water, and blown dry in the breeze. 

The Magic of Food...

The magic of food has been around us all week.  Having two chefs in camp hasn't hurt our situation in the least.  We've been having picnic food; it has been record-breaking hot.  Today the temperatures dropped ten degrees and we picked up a brisk wind off the water.  White caps kept the canoes at dock, so we turned on the oven, and popped in a big pork roast.  Laurie briefly mentioned "winter food" with scorn but it disappeared in record time.

More Maine...

Today we wandered over to Scott's house to see his garden.  I would say that this is a garden on steroids!  He has a mound system so the rows are raised with black ground cover around the plants.  These are happy plants.  And Scott is one happy gardener.

G. Granddaughter....

Look who showed up last night!  And don't tell her mom but we let her swim after dark.

Another Day...

Another day in paradise.  Wish you were here.

6:00 am...

Look what woke me up this morning.  He snuck in to the camper to see if I was awake and said, "Come look what I caught."  Its fish for dinner for sure.  Now go catch another one.

Vacation...

My son-in-law, Steve, enjoying a much needed nap.  I can't think of anyone who needs and deserves a vacation more than he does. 

Camping in Maine...

What's more Maine than L.L. Bean?

Tom surrounded by lobster pots?  Or...

The view out my camper window???

Maine...

It takes just 6 hours to drive from the mountains to the ocean, (white with foam?).  Well, no foam, but you get the idea.  This is Town Cove in Freeport, just blocks from L.L. Bean.  We've parked ourselves in an upscale campsite complete with pool and everything else.  This morning I sit watching little kids wander by in their pj's on their way to the bathroom and I remember my own little children, also in their pj's, excited to be camping.  Wasn't that just yesterday?  I brought Richie camping before he learned to walk so I remember him sleeping in his carriage in a State Park long ago and far away.  And those were the days of cloth diapers!  Oh my, I'm so glad I did that.  And I'm so glad this morning that I still have the energy and desire to pack it up, move it out, and partake of God's wonderful earth, with or without foam.