The Stone Rabbit

LABOR DAY WEEKEND.....it was a busy one!

 

Did you have a big Labor Day Weekend?

Mine was full. . . and could have been even fuller had my buddy Bonnie not been visited by a respiratory bug that sidelined her for the holiday.

These photos show where we were a year ago last Thursday. . . at a flea market!

Yes, Bonnie and I were planning on attending again this year, but cancelled because she was sick. 

 

I'm sorry she felt horrible, but we probably should not have gone anyway. . .the temperatures were up near 100.  Last year, we shopped in the rain . . . and it was lots cooler. . . but pretty muddy!

 

Something else we always do together on Labor Day Weekend is visit the local festival that goes on around our historic square in Independence.  It's called Santa Cali Gon Days.

We always gripe about how it's not as good as it used to be, but we still head up there....just in case something great is waiting for us!  :)

I took this photo last year when Bonnie and I arrived. . . .first thing on the opening day.  You can see it wasn't too packed at that point.  That's why we always go super early....to avoid the massive crowds that come later in the day and every day through Labor Day.

 

 

 

 

Since Bonnie was still sick, I decided to go check out the craft tents.  You can see that many of the vendors were still setting up, but most have learned that the "hard core shoppers" get there early and they should be ready for business a couple of hours before the "official" opening!  :)

See how lonely I looked. . . shopping all by myself!  :(  Meeeeeee and my shaaaadow. . . . .

 

 That night, my husband and I had planned on attending The Irish Fest.  These photos are from last year's event.  

However, it was still crazy hot on Friday night, so we decided to wait and hit it on Saturday evening. . .

after we attended the second birthday party of our little great niece!

Unfortunately, the heavens opened up and it poured buckets and buckets of rain, so we skipped the festival this year.  :(

BUT. . . the rain was a welcome sight because it brought in a COLD FRONT that is still going on as I type this some three days later!

I sure wish we could send some of our amazing weather to Texas and Oklahoma. 

 

Oh, and because I was entered in a 5K Labor Day Run, I started "carb loading" on Saturday morning!  Carb loading is my favorite part of running!!!  It gives me a legitimate excuse to enjoy one of my favorite food groups..."carbs".  OK....I know carbs are not really a food group, but they are still my favorite foods.

This was my "lunch" on Sunday after church....a cranberry, nut, wheat germ pancake!  SOOO deliciously carbohydrated.

 

 

On Sunday afternoon, my daughter and I headed back to Santa-Cali-Gon Days.  I like this shadow photo much better!

I have to say I have not taken her to this event since she was about 2 years old.  We went there with my brother and sister in law and their two kiddos....we took our two kiddos.  The cousins were five, four, three and two.  It was horrible.

But this time, it was wonderful to be there with her!  :) 

 

And now this was a shot of the crowd around the historic court house on that day. . . .THOUSANDS of folks!  It was almost too much for me.

I was being a real pain to my daughter.....whining about how hard it was to make our way through the crowds, when we spotted the FUNNEL CAKE BOOTH.

YAY!  Another carb loading opportunity!!!

 

While we had to wait quite a while for our funnel cake, because the line was sooooooo long with others who were also anxious to carb load, it was soooooo worth it!

 

 

There were about 7 or 8 huge craft tents at the festival.  On Sunday afternoon, they were PACKED with shoppers.  There was no way I was going to go through them....I'd already done that early Friday and my girl had zero interest in doing that, but she would have if I said I wanted to look.  :)

 

That evening, we grilled steaks and I continued my carb loading with awesome twice baked potatoes!!  After all, the 5K was the next morning!

 

 

Besides the activities mentioned, I checked on my friend's cat while they were out of town over the extended holiday.  

He got friendlier as the days went by!  I also bribed him with kitty treats.  :)   Just call me the "Cat Whisperer"......meeeeeooooow!

 

Another place I went on Saturday afternoon was a funeral.  It was that of the mom of one of my best friends in high school.

I am so glad I did make the effort to attend, even though it meant I was driving, driving, driving that day from one thing to another.  

She was a very important figure in my high school years. . . always opening her house to me when I needed a place to stay after school or over night.  I lived 12 miles from the town where my school was located.  It wasn't easy for my parents to pick me up after school events, so she kindly let me join her family whenever I needed to.

Plus her daughter and I were very close during high school.  Sadly, we drifted apart over the years....she moved to another state and I left that rural area and rarely saw anyone I went to school with.

On Saturday, at the funeral, I had the honor of visiting for awhile with that friend and three others.  The last time  I saw them was three years ago when another high school friend had died.  At that time, we vowed we'd get together and not wait to see each other at such sad times.

We didn't follow through with those plans.

I hope we do this time.  We're all in our mid sixties.  What on earth are we waiting for?

 

OK...so bright and early on Labor Day morning, I ate a banana and a piece of whole wheat toast.....carb loading to the bitter end.

I  put on my running clothes and shoes and. . . .

 

 participated in my first every Labor Day 5K run!!!

It was the perfect day. . . cool and clear and the course was FLAT!!!

I will share more about that fun experience in a couple of days.

I can't believe that I just started running a year ago and have now participated in six 5K runs.  It's something I'm very proud of. . . and so is my doctor.  In fact, when I went to his office today to  review my recent lab report, I was THRILLED to see that my over all cholesterol level had dropped 30 points since February.  I was a really bad girl over the holidays.  I've backed off the sweets and was able to get back to my running as well as taking a couple of great classes at our gym each week that are big in cardio exercise, strength, balance and core work!!

*I'm in my mid-sixties.

*I am a runner.

*Push ups are still a challenge, but I can jump rope. . . and I don't mean "skipping" rope....I mean JUMPING rope!  :)

*I love to carb load!  :)

DANA

OUTSIDE HAPPENINGS . . . .

 

When I dashed out to retrieve our newspaper, early Monday morning, this spectacular sight in the sky was waiting for me!!!

 

 

Our sweet neighbor did it again!!!  He's always leaving us special surprises!!!

I don't know whether to be happy or scared!!!  I realized yesterday that our holly berries (which we had nearly zero last year) are very abundant this year , but they're already RED!!!

  Man, I hope that doesn't mean they'll be gone by the time I want to clip branches for the holidays!!!

Help, master gardeners. . . is this a bad thing?

My neighbor's holly bushes are always loaded.  Here is what her berries look like right now.  They are still very green!!

 

I think I'm in holly berry trouble.

Uncle Sam is still proudly waving Old Glory.  He is one of my favorite summery items.

The Liriope are looking awesome. . . 

 and so are these little yellow flowers.  They are very heat tolerant and have been blooming all summer!!

Did I keep the little plant description that came in the pots with them so I would be able to buy them again next Spring?  

Heck no. 

Do you know what they are called?  Help would be appreciated!!

 

The big webs are starting to appear. . . this time, the spidey was not present.  However, last summer, in nearly the very same spot,. . . .

this amazing creature was busy with his/her web design!

 

The other morning, I spied TONS of these tiny snail shells along one side of our sidewalk and driveway.  

Odd.

 

Just thought you'd been impressed that I saw them at all. . . they are very tiny!!

I don't know what caused this to happen. . .it looked like a slug exodus gone bad.

 

Finally, THE STONE RABBIT is helping me get the word out about a 5K Walk/Run that will be occuring near by in September.  

If any of you folks reading this are near the Kansas City area. . . I wish you would look at this link (HERE) and consider being a part of this worthwhile event.  It is being held on the grounds of our lovely Bass Pro and is sure to be a beautiful outing. . . with profits going to WHITE OUT CANCER.

THE STONE RABBIT tells me he hopes that next year the event organizers will include a little run just for concrete yard ornaments!!!  I told him I'd  pass that request along to the folks in charge!!

Keep cool. . .it's gonna be near 100 here again today.

 



DANA

WONDERS AND WORDS WEDNESDAY. . . #2

 

More Summer Wonders!!!

 

The thermometer in my car yesterday afternoon---an all time high !!!!

 

 

 

The temperature at 8:19 p.m. last night. . . as I prepared to jog!!!  :)  I just ran two miles. . . and I was doing it at a very slow (nearly walking!  :) pace.  It was the hottest temperature in which I have ever exercised.  

 

Today's high is predicted to be ONLY 97. . . .what a welcome improvement!!  :)

 

It's a WONDER our plants are hanging on in this heat wave.  

This is a long stretch on the north side of our house and it the first summer I've been able to keep plants alive there.  It gets blistering heat in the morning, but shade all afternoon.

I planted begonias and moss in vintage galvanized buckets and lined them along side the walk and have really enjoyed watching them grow.....instead of croaking like my previous plants have done.  :) 

 

I am always in awe at how hard I work to keep our plants watered so they won't die, then, the other day when I was jogging I saw this amazing flower blooming in a crack on one of our side streets!

 

On another day,  I saw this moss  filling a crack in a local street.

Yep, the wonders of Mother Nature at work, even in this miserable heat.

 

THE STONE RABBIT wants to remind us to never leave our homes without a bottle of water this time of year!

 

WORDS:

THE STONE RABBIT also wanted this selection to serve as the WORDS portion of the post today!  

It brings back so many memories for me. . . I hope you enjoy it, too!

 

 

 

KEEPING COOL......DANA

 

WONDERS and WORDS on WEDNESDAY

 

SUMMER WONDERS:

 

making mint infused "sun tea". . . .

 

 

enjoying the FIRST homegrown tomatoes of the season. . . .

 

 

watching the Grand Kids share treats their dad bought for them from. . .  

 

 

the eternal "ice cream truck". . . . .

   

 

 

and appreciating our great neighbor who brought us a basket of fresh picked peaches from Lexington, Missouri. . . just because.   :)

 

WORDS:

 

Summer afternoon - summer afternoon:  to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language. ~Henry James

 

DANA

HOT. . . HOT. . . . HOT

 

About a week ago, I took this photo in my car.  That was the hottest day of the summer at that time.  Since then, our temperatures have pretty much remained in the mid to upper 90s. . . .pushing the 100 degree mark.  In fact, I saw these very same digits when I was driving to my exercise class late yesterday afternoon.

While at a stop in an area where a lot of road construction is going on. . . .

I took this photo of some folks who are working on an overpass.    

As I sat and watched them from the air conditioned comfort of my car, I just realized what a pansy I've turned in to.

 

 

I  recalled some jobs I'd had. . . when I  dealt with un-airconditioned work environments.  The worst one was for a catalog company which was housed in a tall,  old brick building.  I don't remember what floor we were on anymore, but I do vividly recollect there was no air-conditioning on it.  

It was the summer between my freshman and sophomore years in college and I had to "fib" and tell them I wasn't returning to school...just so I could get the job.  They didn't hire "summer help".  Anyway, it was a horrible job in my book, but it was the only one I could find.  

I lived in a tiny town about 40 minutes away. . . and I had no car.  To get to this job, I hitched a ride with a lady who also lived in the same hamlet and worked at the same place.  

She was on a floor with air-conditioning.   She drove a VW Beetle. . .  of course, it was  not air-conditioned.  For her kindness, I paid her one dollar a day.  That was a bargain, I know,  but my take home pay each week was $40.00.....after taxes and UNION DUES!!!!!  

That floor of the catalog business was pretty important.  It was there that we had the actual paper "orders" the customers would send in.  For every item the catalog company carried, there was a piece of paper which gave the item code/catalog number and important info such as choices of size, color, quantity, etc..  These  slips of paper were housed in what seemed to me like MILLIONS of tiny boxes spread out all over the enormous room.

 Somebody had to take that initial customer order and run all over the HUGE floor of this department, "pulling" the corresponding papers that represented each of the items the customer ordered.  

That was my job.

The other job on that floor was the "order circler".  That person got to sit at a desk and take the customer order and the pulled slips of paper (still soaked in my sweat!) and circle the specifics. . . the size the customer wanted, the color the customer wanted, the number the customer wanted....etc.   

This order circler had a fan.

That was the job I wanted.  

I could sit and I could have a fan.

 

 

 

I remember very little about the actual job except that we "pullers" were on a dead run from the minute we started until the moment we timed out.

I recall riding home in the un-airconditioned VW at the end of the horrible, sweltering and physically exhausting days. . . and being so appreciative of the wind blowing through the windows.

 

Our house wasn't air-conditioned either!!!  I was certainly used to living in the sweltering heat of summer at that point in my life, but the heat of that JOB was far greater than any situation I'd had to endure.

 

Right off the bat, my goal was to make it to the "order circler" desk.  I no longer recall the "requirements" to get there, but at some point, I made it.  I do remember proudly plopping my buns in the chair, the fan blowing in my face, and happily drawing circles around sizes, colors and quantities for the rest of the summer!!  :)

This was a shot I took of the sun this morning.  It has been so HOT in the Kansas City area.  Today and the next several days our temps will remain in the upper 90s.

 

THE STONE RABBIT enjoys watching the sun come up. . . and spending a few moments taking in the beauty of the early morning, but he doesn't last as long in the heat as he used to either.  We stayed out for a bit, then both retreated to the blessed coolness of our home. .

 

DANA

IT'S THE HEAT. . . .and IT'S THE HUMIDITY!!!!

 

 

So, was it hot on July 4th in your part of the country?   Was it hot and SUNNY and humid?  

It was where we were . . . . .watching the annual SUGAR CREEK (Missouri) 4th of JULY PARADE!

Most of us tried to stay beneath the shelter of our umbrellas!  Here I am with my girl. . . sharing the shade of my patriotic cover.

 

This is Bonnie. . . with her patriotic umbrella.   I had always wanted one of my own. . . .and she gave me one last year for my birthday!!!  This was the first 4th of many, many more to enjoy its shade and colorful look!!!   

New to the parade was Ruth and her little boy!!!  He looked like a real cutie in his cowboy hat!  While Ruth didn't have a patriotic umbrella (yet!) she did have. . . . .

 

Patriotic Toes!!  So cute!!

There's my DIL, standing up with her umbrella.  

I think she needs a patriotic umbrella, too, don't you?

 

However, she is carrying a precious "new addition" who will be with us next year for the parade!!!  :-)  Yay!   Another little "Yankee Doodle Dandy" is on the way!!!!

 

Just a shot of the area where we always sit for the parade. . . I'm sweating just looking at these photos!  It was soooooo hot on all of that concrete!

However, the heat of the pavement didn't slow those kiddos down from going after the TONS of candy  tossed out to them from the entries in the parade!!

 

 

 

Well, last night, it was still brutally hot in our neighborhood. . . . and terribly humid.   I hadn't gotten out to jog in a week and knew if I didn't, I'd really have a hard time keeping  the gains I've made in "running". 

I'd been hydrating all day, so I waited til the sun was nearly down, then grabbed my little water bottle, my iPhone with the running application and my visor. . . which serves more as a sweat band than eye protector when it's nearly dark!

Oh my. . . it was a miserable run.  Even with the visor in place to catch the sweat, it still ran into my eyes!   Ouch!  

The pavement was soooooo hot from several days of sun absorbtion. . . the heat just radiated out of it! 

I pushed myself to finish my 5K (3.1 miles) run, but I didn't try to break any speed records (I'm slow, even at my fastest!). . . I just wanted to go the distance. . . and I did.

While on my jog around our sub-division, I saw lots of fireworks debris left in certain areas from the nights of the 3rd and the 4th.  I could see/hear it both nights. . . going on until late each evening, but wasn't sure who the pyrotechnic wanna-bes were.  Anyway, it looked awful and I hope the folks responsible clean it up.

However, as I was at my tiredest on the run, I heard the "pyros" start to crank up the explosives again and decided I could "jog" a little faster and get myself home before I got caught up in their fun!  So, maybe the fireworks turned out to be a motivator!

When I turned the corner and headed to our home, I saw THE STONE RABBIT waiting for me.

He told me he and his rabbit buddies had really enjoyed lighting sparklers during the 4th.  

He also said he'd saved one just to light for me. . . to celebrate me finishing my jogging goal for the evening. . . . and because he knew I really loved watching beautiful sparklers, too!

He's right about that!

DANA

PORCH PARTY.....2011

 Rhondi of ROSE COLORED GLASSES is hosting her annual PORCH PARTY!!!

This event is one I really look forward to. . . not because I have great decor to share, but because I love to "porch hop" and see how other folks get their outdoor spaces spiffed up for warm weather enjoyment!

 

The last three years, I have shared my Patriotic Porches.   Sadly, this year. . . I have not decorated for the Fourth. . . .  yet.  I have to say, my DIL can't believe it.

 

I can't believe it.

 

That's the way I  handled decking out for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and even Easter this year, too!!!

 

I went to the effort of hauling the boxes full of decorations upstairs from the basement....only to have them remain in the exact spot until a day or two before the holiday. . . at which point I slapped the stuff out!!!!   Then, it stayed out way too long.  I would finally decide to pack it all up and take it back down to the basement. . . without really having enjoyed the decor that once made me so happy!

Is that a sign of a mental issue. . . .or am I just old and tired?  Lordy. . . .I hope it's a big fat NO on both accounts!

 

SO, I am hoping that, with Rhondi's "gentle push", I will get my self in gear and at least spiff up the porches around this joint.  Then maybe, while I'm on a roll from "porch spiffing", I'll carry that enthusiasm into the rest of my home!

 

So here we go. . . .

 

First, I'd like to share one of my most cherished possessions. . . an old mop bucket.

 

This bucket was given to us as a housewarming gift from my pal Bonnie when we moved here six years ago.   It was filled with the most gorgeous plants.  Ever since, I have enjoyed giving it a new look each summer.  

I used the word "enjoyed" to describe how I feel when I fill this container with foliage . . . and this is why. . . . 

 

it just turns out different and lovely each and every year. 

 

The above photo was taken on May 30, 2011, just before I filled it with plants.  The one below is how it looks today!!!  The plants are thriving and looking so pretty!

 

Here is a shot of our back patio.  It's kinda an "L" shape, with this area being the longest part.  

 

There are actually two big metal tables in this spot. . . with six pots of red periwinkles/vinca and the mop bucket marching down the white porch rail.

This area is not covered with a roof. . . that's still a sore spot with me.  I tried to convince my hubby and builder that we needed it covered, since it faces West.  I lost the fight.  So, it's a hard spot to enjoy in the afternoon. . .and even until the sun sets.

 

This section is the "small end of the L" and is covered by a roof.

 

The windows are  a French door  that goes into our dining room.  If you look closely, you can see our kitty, Twiggy, in the lower left window pane. . . watching me get ready for all of you guys to visit us!!!

 

This little set of table and chairs is a new addition to the patio.  I wanted something smaller than the larger sets we had. . . just to sit at and enjoy a cup of coffee in the mornings or a little meal with the hubby in the evenings.

 

When I saw this at a recent antique show, I had to have it!!

 

My friend, Claudia, was selling it at the Greenwood (Missouri) Garden Show in April!!

 

 

 

So, this little table will be the spot where you and I can visit when you come by during the Porch Party!!!

It'll be a cozy little place. . .and it's covered by the roof!!

 

I decided to add a vintage black and white table cloth, an old berry box, some mini-carnations and a bandana. . . 

 

along with some wonderful old silverplate I recently picked up at a flea market. 

 

With napkins, small plates and a sweet patriotic candle (given to me from my buddy Patty), I'm almost ready for your visit!

 

But, I needed a "theme".

 

So, because it's Summertime. . . and because I'm nuts about watermelons. . .

guess what YOU'RE gonna get to eat today?  

 

Yep, some awesome and juicy and sweet and delicious watermelon!!

 

Of course, I can't stop at one item to serve you. . . no way!!

 

I came up with these terrific angel food cake watermelon goodies, too!!

 

 

Just like the rest of you, I've been super duper busy lately and didn't have time to create some grand little treat, so I picked up little prebaked "loaf" pans of angel food cakes at our store.

 

 

Next I cut them up and "shaped" the pieces to sorta resemble watermelon slices (ya gotta use your imagination here!)  :)

 

Next, I grabbed some pre-made white frosting and some food colors. . . 

 

and went to work!!!

 

First a little pinkish/red. . . then. . .

 

a bit of green around the edges!!

Finally, a few squeezes of black frosting to create the "illusion" of seeds and . . . 

we're ready for a PORCH PAR-TAY!!!!  

Look who's joined us for the fun. . . THE STONE RABBIT!!!!    He's been looking forward to seeing you, too!!

 

OK. . . so just help yourself while I go inside and fix us an extra special liquid refreshment!!!

 

 

I know this will be  a big hit at the Porch Party. . . WATERMELON MARGARITAS!!!

 

 

Here you go!!!  

 

Now, if you like, we can leave the tequila out, but I have to say "WHY"?   :)

 

 

It was so nice of you to visit today!

While you're here . . .

let's concentrate on relaxing and enjoying our time together. . .

taking in the scent of the fresh basil and . . .

 

mint . . . and . . .

 

while watching another batch of storm clouds roll in. 

 

 

Of course, we'll have to toast to another GREAT PORCH PARTY!!!

 


 

Thank you, Rhondi, for hosting this great event!!!

 

Please visit her blog, ROSE COLORED GLASSES, for a grand tour of terrific summer porches and patios!

 

Have fun!!

 

Dana

 

HOW DO YOU KEEP COOL?

We're experiencing some REALLY HOT weather here in the mid-west- - -  98 degrees predicted for our high today!    Like you guys, I've been doing what I can to keep our home comfortable while not putting too much additional stress on our overworked air-conditioner.

I keep the thermostat set at 80.  It's not too bad. . . unless I have to do something that requires getting up and moving around- - - like vacuuming or cleaning bathrooms!!!  Those activities can just wait until our weather cools down!! :)

The ceiling fans, while not a decorator's delight, have been wonderful in keeping the cooled air circulating!

 I even place fans in strategic spots to help pull  air around.  Twiggy loves them!

Patty and I were talking yesterday about how our homes almost feel like "caves" because we keep our blinds closed during these extremely hot days.  The plus about that is. . . you don't see the dust!!
 
 I try to do our laundry early in the morning and  hang as much up to dry as I can - - -INSIDE the house.  We don't have a clothes lines outside. . . as we did when I was growing up.   Mom truly believed in the solar method of drying clothes!  For years, that was the only way we had to dry clothes. . . all through the year!  I remember many a frozen towel or sock hanging on the line in the winter!

 

I also try to serve meals that require little, if any, heat to prepare .  For instance, this was my lunch today.

Bonnie introduced me to these great thin bagels.  I keep the package frozen and only take out what I need .  Once the bagel thaws, I toast it a bit in the toaster (that doesn't heat the kitchen up too much), then. . . 

 today I added a small amount of mayo to each slice, some spinach leaves, avocado slices, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese and some of my very own homegrown basil!!

It was  a delicious, filling, cheap, healthy and "cool to prepare" meal!

This summer, I've also been using my electric roaster to cook chicken. When it wasn't too warm, yet, I placed it on our back patio.  Now that it's really hot out there, I put the roaster in the basement, where the temperature is really cool.  Baking that way certainly helps keep the heat out of the kitchen. . . plus I get some exercise going up and down the basement stairs, checking on it!!  :)

 

THE STONE RABBIT and I like to take advantage of the solar heat to make sun tea, too!  The iced tea we make from it has such a good flavor. . . and the power we used to heat the water was free!!!

  Of course, one of our favorite ways to keep cool is by enjoying a tasty little ice cream cone!

 

AND. . .  it appears that "the master of the house" enjoyed quite a bit of that yumminess last night after supper!!!  Guess we won't  be having much of a cool treat today!! 

Better add that to my grocery list!

 

Hope you are keeping cool where you are. . . any good suggestions to pall along?

 

DANA

 

A SUMMER PROJECT

In May of 2008, Bonnie and I visited Liberty, Missouri, for a wonderful sale that was being held around the town square.   To read the post about that adventure, please click HERE!!!

Pictured in the photo below is one of the items I bought that day.  A talented couple combined vintage finds to make the most wonderful bird feeders and planters.

I kept this find on a back patio. . . with a potted plant in it. . . for the last two summers.  However, this year, I decided I would like to have it in another location, with flowers actually planted in the old enamel pan.

Since there were no drain holes in the bottom of the pan, I scrounged around in my husband's stash of tools and came up with an object that looked like it was capable of withstanding the blows of a small sledge hammer. . . and hopefully, it would be able to punch through the metal!! 

It worked!!

After successfully beating five nice sized holes in the pan. . .
 

I added some pea gravel for drainage  and some dirt (didn't get a photo of that step for some reason) and then . . .

some yellow Rose Moss I found on sale!! 

A friend gave me this old tea kettle some time ago.  I believe Lynne ,of LYNNE'S GIFTS FROM THE HEART, shared how she had filled such an object with Rose Moss.  It reminded me of how my mother always had that plant growing in various containers.    I stuck one little left over red begonia in it, too!!!

This is how the two projects looked this morning, exactly three weeks after I planted them!!  The moss has really filled in and it puts out gorgeous blooms each and every day!

THE STONE RABBIT has really enjoyed our new planting addition.  He loves to hop out there in the mornings, when it's shady, and take in the beauty and peace of a new summer day!

 

Before long, however, the sun comes over the roof of the house and spills on to the Rose Moss. . . making the shady spot disappear and causing those yellow blooms to spring forth even more!   Rose Moss loves the sun!!!

THE STONE RABBIT, on the other hand, goes in search of more shade.  He's not a real sun lover in his old age!

DANA

Memories of July 4th. . . 2009

Do you have a favorite Fourth of July tradition?  Our family does.  Every year. . . for YEARS. . . we have attended the Sugar Creek Fourth of July Parade!! 

Folks start lining up early, on both sides of the main street.  This annual gathering of friends and families and parade entries is always a fun time!! 

We've been at the parade in delightful weather, in sweltering heat and in monsoon type rains.  NOTHING stops us from attending this event!!

Today, I want to share a few memories of our 2009 July 4th !

OLD GLORY is always the star . . . and with her appearance the parade officially starts.

My Grand Girl and her dad watched some of the first entries.

This vintage firetruck belongs to a friend.  He was driving it and letting family members ride along with him in the parade! 

 

There are always LOTS of Shriners  in the parade!
 

There are also many vintage tractors!! Our family has a fondness for the Green Ones!!  :)  Last year, an entry also included a cute little dog wearing his own little John Deere hat!

Here's my official PINK for this Pink Saturday. . . Shriners clowns in a bus decorated with just a touch of PINK!!

A bagpiper.

 

The Grand Girl enjoyed the parade AND a lollipop!!
 

Last year, she became very brave.   She learned to  patiently wait. . .and before long. . . .
 

folks in the parade entries would toss candy her way!!  All she had to do was  swoop down on it before someone else did and add it to her "sack"!!

The parade typically lasts at least an hour. . . sometimes longer if it's an election year and the local politicians have entries, too!

After the parade, we head over to a nearby park and enjoy the most phenomenal picnic!!  I counted about 35 folks in our annual "group photo" taken at last year's July 4th gathering ! 

 

This was MY plate from July 4, 2009!!!  You can see, I had no concerns over saturated fat or sodium on that day!!  That meal was so yummy!
 

Besides the wonderful food, there was plenty of time to enjoy the park.  Here's my son and his girl checking out the creek from the little bridge.
 

More folks enjoying the little creek!!

 

No Fourth of July picnic would be complete without. . . .
 

kids of all ages enjoying fireworks!  I will add that they are very careful about shooting them off at the picnic.  The REAL fireworks occur on the evening of the 3rd when many of the adults pool their stockpiles and have a private show of their own.  It's quite spectacular!
 
 

The picnic also means good times playing games.

 

One of the highlights of the picnic is getting to climb on board the vintage firetruck you saw in the parade. . . and taking rides. . . complete with the occasional whine of the siren!!!

The best part of the day is spending a fun and relaxing time with good friends. . .
 

and family.    Marian, on the far right is shown with her sisters and her mom!!  Marian and her husband are the organizers of this annual Independence Day event.  It includes her family, his family and many of their friends.

Our children grew up attending the parade.  Now, our son and daughter-in-law  attend the festivities, too.  In fact, last year, our little family was anxiously awaiting. . .

the birth of our Grand Boy when we took this family photo!  We didn't have to wait too long!!  In just FOUR days he entered this world. . . on the magical date of 07-08-09!!!!

 Nearly one year ago, the little Grand Boy was receiving the first of MANY kisses from his big sister!

And just recently, on our driveway, she enjoyed playing with the water hose. . . and occasionally sending a little spray his way!!!  WOW. . . what a difference a year makes!

This will be the Grand Boy's FIRST July Fourth Parade and it will be interesting to see how he reacts to the excitement.  I do know the Grand Girl already has her candy sack ready!

 

THE STONE RABBIT and I wish you the finest of Independence  Day Celebrations.  

We must always remember the sacrifices our brave forefathers made so that we might live in this amazing and free country.  We must also remember and thank those folks who have continued to serve our country over these many, many years since.  God bless them and their families and . . .

                                          GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

Please visit our hostess, Beverly, at HOW SWEET THE SOUND!!  She will have a long list of bloggers just waiting for a visit from you!! 

Happy Pink Saturday!! 

DANA