The Stone Rabbit

Looking Forward to the 4th of July!!

 

 

This week leading up to the 4th of July has been kinda busy and a little crazy!

Last Sunday my husband and I attended the Maker Faire at Union Station in Kansas City.  We were both shocked at the cost of the tickets, but decided to go ahead and attend.

 

There were a lot of good exhibits inside the Union Station....lots of folks selling 3D printers.....but over all there were some interesting booths that appealed to all ages.

Outdoors, beneath large tents were vendors selling handmade items.  It was so hot that I personally wasn't very interested in spending much time there.  We did see a great art booth where they had these awesome heads of Bob Ross!!  My dad loved to watch his programs....and taught himself a lot about painting from that guy!

 

On Monday the youngest grand swallowed a penny!

While mom and dad took him to be cared for at a local hospital, I took the other two grand kiddos and headed to lunch.  Before we had finished eating, I got a call saying  the penny had "moved" to a safer area than shown on this x-ray, so they picked up the two I had and we all went back to our homes.

I promptly took a nap.  

I'm took old for this excitement!  :)

 

 

 

Tuesday and Wednesday were fairly uneventful, but on Thursday my husband and I had lunch at the very first place we ever shared a meal together...a very, very, VERY long time ago....Winstead's on The Plaza! 

 

 

 

I almost always bring a Texas Sheetcake to our annual July 4th picnic that follows the parade we attend.  Because my weekend was going to be busy, I decided to make it ahead of time and freeze it.  

It is highly unusal for me to think that far in advance!

 

 

 

Our grand girl turned ELEVEN recently  (gasp....where did the time go???) .  Last evening she celebrated with her friends and family at a little pool party.  

 

 

 

This morning (Saturday) the temps were in the upper 60s.  

The humidity was 93%......

and I ran a 10K.

It was not pretty.  

Thankfully I had the support of my running buddy, Brenda (on right), to help keep me going!

I don't do well in heat and humidity.  This was the 3rd such warm race we've had this spring/early summer season.  Last year I did well at the one we did today.....mainly because I was a year younger, but also because it was cool and rainy.

 

 

 

Tomorrow I head to the store to pick up needful ingredients for two special July 4th events....a potluck breakfast following a 4 mile run with some of my buddies and a picnic following an annual parade we attend.

THE STONE RABBIT has always been a big fan of the 4th.  He looks forward to our neighbors setting off round after round of loud and sparkling fireworks....unlike Twiggy the kitty and Izzy the grand dog who hide until the noise stops!  :)

 

 

 

Hope you have a happy and safe 4th.....and also hope you stop by Beverly's blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND, to enjoy the posts of many others who are ready with their Pink Saturday shares!

DANA

July 4th Recap. . .a good thing I run, cuz I ate my way through the weekend!!

 

The Fourth of July holiday weekend started off .....wet!!!

Yep, it rained on Saturday.  

We had race that day.

We got soaked!!  :)

This is a photo along the course.  I'm on the far left. . .sporting a trash bag!!  That's the first time I've done a race in a trash bag, but I have to say, it wasn't too bad until the end of the 2nd mile.  I was starting to roast, so I shed the bag and enjoyed the rain!!  Actually, it was a lovely, soft rain.   I'm very happy we had that to run in instead of what could have been a hot July day!

 

The Firecraker Flight was a 5K or 10K run. . . I chose the 10K (6.2 miles).  

The next photo shows me crossing the finish line.   I was happy it was over, but also happy I had a pretty good finish time for me. . .but mostly happy it was over.  I can't lie.  I was drenched. . .I mean drenched.   My clothing didn't "wic" very well that day. :)

 

After the race I went to breakfast with Brenda (left) and Karen (right).   Besides crossing the finish line, eating a post race breakfast is something I really look forward to!  It's a great time to relax, go over our memories of the race and eat without worry of how many calories we are taking in!  :)

 

 

That evening, Bonnie and her husband invited several folks over for a July 4 Eve dinner!!  They had grilled some yummy treats, plus had the perfect amount of side dishes.  The biggest treat of all was the HOME-MADE ice cream they had made!  Oh my. . .it was outstanding.   The apple pie was the perfect touch!!

 

 

 

 

Early on July 4 morning, a few of us gathered at the beautiful Lake Remembrance in Blue Springs. . .to run Four on the Fourth on the trail that goes around the lake!!  It was very foggy as we started our run, but soon it lifted and WOW!  what a lovely ,peaceful place to be first thing on Independence Day with these great ladies!

L to R behind me (the selfie taker):  Joan, Brenda and Karen!

 

 

After the run, my husband and I and our family, joined TONS of other folks for the annual parade we attend!!  It was a good one..... full of vintage cars, politicians, Shriners, and clowns (and many others)....all tossing candy for the kiddos to fetch!

 

 

The post parade bar-b-que is a long time tradition.  While we don't have as many folks attending as in years past, it's still a wonderful time for the kids (old and young) to shoot off a few fireworks and the rest of us to kick back and enjoy each other's company after the parade and the yummy food.

Speaking of food, this amazing flag pie was made by these two!!  It was as delicious as it was gorgeous!!

 

 

Yes, this was my plate.

I ate every bite!!

 

 

So as I said, it's a good thing I run. . .cuz I definitely ate my way through the July 4th weekend!!

THE STONE RABBIT hosted a little picnic at our house for his fellow concrete buddies while we were away on the 4th.    He wore my Firecraker Flight medals while cooking up the hot dogs!  He said his friends were very impressed that I could actually complete a 10K in the rain. . . he's always been very supportive of my crazy running fondess!!  

I love that rabbit.

 

 

I hope you, too, had a great holdiday weekend !

Be sure to visit Beverly's blog HOW SWEET THE SOUND!  There you will find lots of other bloggers who are ready with their Pink Saturday shares!!

DANA

 

July 4, 2016

 

 

How lucky we are to live in the United States of America.   How lucky we are to be able to attend July 4th parades and bar-b-ques and to watch fireworks. 

Our "luck" is the result of many, many, many brave people defending and sacrificing everything inorder to create this Union and to hold it fast.

May you  enjoy your holiday weekend and be thankful you have the freedom to go to those parades and enjoy the bar-b-ques in the park and kick back to watch the fireworks.

We don't have these freedoms because of "luck".

We don't get to keep them because of "luck".

I pray our "luck" doesn't run out. 

 

 

Please visit Beverly's blog HOW SWEET THE SOUND!  There you will find many other bloggers who are ready with their Pink Saturday shares!!

DANA

July 4th . . . and beyond!

 

BAM......that's how quickly July 4th came and went!!! 

It's a day I look forward to all year long. . . first the parade that features lots of candy tossing for the youngin's to scramble for and many a vintage car for the adults to drool over.

 

 

If it's an election year, we'll see lots of politicians  marching along, too, . . . . pressing the flesh.  

There's the occasional pretty fun float. . .like this blow up eagle!

 

The Shriners participation is a given!!!

 

 

Following the parade . . . we attend a wonderful picnic!

After a few hours of sun and food and fun. . . it's time to head home and crash until the neighbors start shooting off their fireworks.  At that point I head out to the front porch and enjoy the ones that shoot high into the sky and result in colorful displays, even if just for a few seconds. 

 

 

On Monday morning, I headed out for my first solo run in quite awhile.  I love running with my friends, but sometimes, it feels great to just be by myself for a few minutes.

On that day, I'd hoped to totally run a 5K distance with no walk breaks.   Since Karen and I have been training for a fall 1/2 marathon using run/walk intervals ( 3 min. running and 1 min. walking) we'd put the total running of 5Ks on the back burner.  When that happens, it's hard for me to get that level of stamina back.

Anyway, my first mistake was thinking I could go out and totally run that distance. . .the second mistake was starting out too late.  By the time I hit the streets in our neighborhood it was already 7 a.m. and HOT!!  

I ran the first mile, which included two biggish hills (3rd mistake. . .should've just concentrated on flat areas for the first time to totally run the 5K distance).    At the top of the 2nd hill I'd hit the 1 mile mark....and a wall!  I stopped and drank water and walked a tenth of a mile, then started again.  I think I took 3 more walk breaks  during the last two miles.

The picture below is from the top of another challenging hill. . .a spot I always look forward to reaching on my route cuz it's our church steeple.  On Monday morning I decided to skip running that hill. . .I walked it.  I've learned, over the last 5 years of running, that it's OK to give myself permission to do what my body says I need.   At that time it didn't need the challenge of a fourth hill. . .three hills were plenty!  :) 

 

 

 

On Wednesday evening, our little running group met.  The weather has been soooooo wet lately that our normal running venue was pretty sloppy wet (most of the surface there is crushed chat) that day.  We switched over to the asphalt/concrete route of the Bass Pro Trail.

The clouds looked threatening the whole time out, but the rain held off.   Karen and I decided to shoot for another non-stop 5K attempt.   This time, it happened (mostly...I had to walk a few steps at mile 2 to sip some water).

It felt awesome to be able to do that again!   That is now a goal for each week....totally run the 5K distance at least once.  On the weekends we will continue to do our "long" runs as we increase our distance in preparation for the 1/2.   Right now our plan is to run it with 3/1 intervals.

 

 

Wednesday was also another big day!!  Our Grand Boy #1 turned 6 years old!!

His mom made him yummy pancakes for breakfast and served them up on the "You Are Special Plate". . .complete with berries, whipped cream and a candle!!

 

 

This morning (Friday), Karen and I were back at running again!!

Our goal was to do 7 miles with 3/1 intervals!!   We also tried something a little different. . .we ran the first 1/2 mile, then started our run/walk intervals.

As it turned out, our half way mark of 3 1/2 miles was where the south trail ends right now since a lot of road work is being done in that area.

 

 

We passed the time by counting bunnies (19 today) and enjoying the wonderful wildflowers!!  We started out at 5:30 a.m.. . . .such a great time of the day for running in the summer.  The temps were in the 60s and the sun was just coming up.

 

 

On Thursday, one of our kind neighbors brought us a basket of fresh picked peaches!!   They ususally head to Lexington, MO, for these.    I'm assuming that's where these were purchased.

THE STONE RABBIT is anxiously waiting til they  reach the "perfect" ripening stage!   Right now they are pretty hard, but before long they will be sooooooo yummy!

Their "peach" color is sorta "pinkish". . .right?  :)

 

 

Hope you had a "peachy" week. . .full of many blessings and very few bumps in the road!

Please visit Beverly, at HOW SWEET THE SOUND, for a long list of other bloggers who are ready with their weekly shares!!

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY!

DANA

 

Happy July 4, 2015!

 

 

THE STONE RABBIT is ready to watch the parade tomorrow. . . .me, too!!

We hope you have a great day filled with family, friends, food, fireworks and FUN!!  Most importantly, take the time to remember our brave forefathers who fought for our freedoms. . . and the thousands and thousands of others who have continued that battle over the years!

God Bless the USA!!!

 

 

 

Please visit Beverly's blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND!!  There you will find many other bloggers with their Indpendence Day or PINK shares!!

Happy Pink Saturday. . .and have a great and safe July 4th celebration!

DANA

 

 

 

 

A Wonderful Gift!!

 

This darling patriotic wreath was made by my daughter-in-law.....then given to ME as part of my Mother's Day gift! 

The gathered red fabric is burlap, as is the chevron bow!!  I LOVE it and am soooo happy she enjoys creating cute items.....and very grateful I am a recipient of her talents!!

THE STONE RABBIT loves the wreath, too.    He said it will look great at our house ALL summer!!   I agree !!!

 

 

Hope you all are getting prepared to celebrate Independence Day next weekend!    We are such a lucky bunch to call this land our home.   

Please visit Beverly's blog, HOW SWEET THE SOUND. There you will find a lot of other bloggers who are ready to with their special shares for this week!!

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY!

DANA

 

 

 

 

July 4th 2014

 

 

Hoping your July 4th was filled with lots of SPARKLES!!!

 

 

Please visit Beverly of HOW SWEET THE SOUND for many more "sparkly" shares!!

Happy PINK SATURDAY!

 

DANA

I LOVE A PARADE!!

 

Our family attends a Fourth of July parade every year!!  We are  getting our chairs and coolers and umbrellas ready to head out the door when the time comes!

 

 

THE STONE RABBIT always organizes a little parade of his own, too!!!  He and a couple of friends have already been practicing their marching moves!!

 

 

CROW came to live with us a couple of years ago. . .and this is his first parade!!  He looks dandy, doesn't he?

 

 

Little green BROBEE is just here until this weekend.  He belongs to Grandboy #1 and needed a little repair work on an arm.  He is having a ball marching in the pre-parade practice!!

 

 

Yes, indeed, I LOVE a parade and so do these guys!!

 

I hope you're making big plans to celebrate our nation's Independence Day!!  This is one of my favorite times of the year!

Please drop by Beverly's blog HOW SWEET THE SOUND!!  You will find lots of other bloggers who are sharing their Fourth of July and/or PINKs with you this week!!

Happy PINK SATURDAY!!

DANA

 

July 4th Celebration. . .2013

 

The weather yesterday for the annual 4th of July parade couldn't have been any more perfect.   While it still seemed hot after sitting out in the sun for awhile, the temps were only in the high 70s at parade time!  Last year, they were closer to 100!

As always, there were lots of flags and photographers. . .

 

 

and eager kiddos waiting . . .

 

 

for the parade entries to toss out candy as they went by so . . .

 

they could dash out and scoop up as many pieces as possible!!

 

 

One of our favorite entries is this vintage fire truck. . .that later comes to the picnic to give us rides!!

 

 

The youngest Grand Boy didn't want to keep his hat on!  :)

 

After the parade, we headed to a nearby park for fun and food!

The kiddos entertained themselves with a little rock climbing or . . . .

 

 

or horse shoe pitching. . .

 

 

or hula hooping!!

 

 

 

My favorite parts of this part of July 4th are. . .the amazing food and . . .

 

 

 visiting with family and friends. . .many that I only see this one time of the year. . .  and . . .

 

 

taking a ride on that vintage fire truck!!

 

 

 

THE STONE RABBIT loves his perch on the old fireplace mantel and surround we have in our entry.

 

He helped me string the amazing banner pieces the Circle Journal Ladies made  . . .well, he and Twiggy did. (I will share the details of the banner on a future post!)

 

He also pointed out that I need to remove the white clip on the left side of the mantel. . .a Christmas left over!  :)  

 

 

 

I hope you had a safe and happy Independence Day Celebration. 

I also hope you will be sure to visit Beverly at HOW SWEET THE SOUND.   You will find a lot of other bloggers waiting to share their PINKS or Holiday Celebrations!

Happy Pink Saturday!!

DANA

Happy July 4th Pink Saturday!!

 

We have a long time tradition of attending a local parade on July 4th morning.

 

 

 

 

We took  our kids to the parade when they were little and now we are lucky enough that our grand kiddos live near by and they get to attend, too!

 

Following the parade, we head off to a local park with family and friends and enjoy some of the best food ever known to mankind!!  Seriously, there is NOTHING in this world that tastes as good as a grilled hot dog on the 4th of July!!

 

 

Remember the vintage firetruck in a previous photo?  Well, it is owned by one of our friends.  Not only does he drive it in the parade, he brings it to the picnic and gives us rides !!!

It's just the perfect touch to our small town celebration . 

 

THE STONE RABBIT and I hope that you have a safe and happy July 4th celebration. . .filled with the blessings of family and friends. . . and some yummy food!!!  :)  

 

 

 

Please visit our hostess, Beverly, of HOW SWEET THE SOUND!  There you will find lots of bloggers who are ready to share their celebrations and/or PINKS with you this weekend!!

 

Happy PINK Saturday!!

 

DANA