It is the little things in life that make each day special!

A red tomato and a pink zinnia!

Sunflowers and zinnias from our garden!

Deer playing in field across the way.

Produce from our first ever garden.

A spunky little dog...NOT using the potty pad correctly!  She is playing in the WRONG place with her toys.

Weekend company!  Time with our grown-up chair fillers is ALWAYS a blessing!

Saturday morning Swedish pancake breakfast for my girl...and me too.

A new dip recipe for my guy!  Dill pickle dip...but this time made with Sweet Heat Pickles.  YUM!

Such a beautiful first tomato!!!

And it tasted so good on sourdough toast!

Time in the Walmart oil change waiting room on Sunday afternoon proved to be very interesting.  An older, southern bred and born man noticed the canning jars in my cart and that started a conversation that was enjoyable!  I learned as I asked him questions...a gardener and canner.  His garden is done for the year...wait, WHAT?  He plants early.  Some people get two and three plantings down here!  I was intrigued listening.  He cheered us on in our learning the art of gardening and putting up our harvest.  "Hopefully, you will end up with a mess of green beans too!"

I have noticed that people who are out and about here will look at you and acknowledge your presence.  If you say "Hello" or even smile, it prompts a conversation depending on the situation.  If we just put our phones down and looked up...we would notice the people that God puts in our path!  Just an every day conversation brought a smile to both our faces...and I learned a few things.  You never know who needs some kindness and a moment or two of your time. PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN...and see people!

 

4th of July

Italian beef with summer sides and sweet tea!

Rest during the heat of the day!

World Cup Games!

Puppy cuddles, kisses, and bites!

When Alex and Ashlynn go shopping!

Making the dill pickle dip better by adding bacon.

Mom ALWAYS has dessert!  This time...a favorite from Mexico that we can get here at Walmart!!! Crisp pastry is a perfect way to have a pie without a whole pie going soggy!  This time...with keylime fluff.  I had the fixings for smores BUT it was TOO HOT for a big fire.  And there was ice cream in the freezer.

Ready...aim....fire...

I haven't done a sparkler in years!

Sitting on our property...we could see all the neighbors having fun too!

It was a relaxing and beautiful evening in the country!

Plans for next year are being made even now!

Leftovers and a discarded warning label found on the ground...which made me laugh. 

 

A beautiful weekend

As I looked back over my pictures, I noticed most of them were about food!  We have been enjoying home-cooked goodness, as well as, some new to us places to try out.

Fresh eggs from Teddy and Sloan make the best breakfasts!  Thick cut bacon with yummy seasoning...it is candy in your mouth.

Who said you cannot eat hand pies for breakfast?

Ted gave me a lesson on how to drive the mower and I was able to move the plants up to the garden plot.  Ted and I worked on getting the garden planted while Alisa babysat the dogs.  It is shaping up nicely!  It was a good workout.

Showers and a snack for a restful afternoon.

Our neighbor brought over fresh Grainger county tomatoes and a cantaloupe.  We had bacon left from breakfast, so BLT sandwiches it was!

Tired puppy!

I love time with our family and puppies.

Alisa took Monday off.  She slept in, and I went for an eye appointment.  Then, we went exploring!  I took her to Yoders for lunch.  It did not disappoint!  I was glad to see that it was not as crazy busy. 

Fresh and delicious!  

I loved this display of cardinals.  I think of Mom every time and her love for them.  She has a nice collection from dear friends over the years.

Little Miss Oakley made herself comfortable in Velle's cage.  She is always anxious and playful when I get home from being gone.  We watched our time and got home in the two-hour mark.  Thankfully, no messes.

 

Trying a new Mexican restaurant

My ESL friends gave me a recommendation, so we tried it.  I am a dork...Alisa was on the other side of the table, and I forgot to take her picture!  We all enjoyed the food.  Fresh and hot with great service.  I will ask for another place to try.

We enjoyed a couple of days with Alisa.  I love having our family close enough to come any time they want to come...or need to come!  I will even do laundry.

 

Happenings of a new month

We have another halfway eater!  So funny.

I planted the little seedlings that needed more space.  Ted is on the hunt for a tiller!  Our next project is a small garden.  I can't wait to fight all the bugs out there...especially when I am fighting with gnats and flies and spiders in here.  The Zevo traps are already full and need to be changed out.  This spider scared me when it jumped off the blinds.  I am trying to be a brave city girl transitioning to country girl.

Every once in a while, I "lose" Oakley!  And then I look again.

She is a great cuddler when she is worn out from playing!  Otherwise, she is pouncing and biting!  We have been getting up twice a night and up by 5:30/6:00am.  On the days I don't teach, we sit in the chair for a nap!

June 1st was Oakley's first vet visit with us.  She fussed a little bit on the way over to see the Doc.  All is well and she weighed in at 2.4 pounds!

She got her second set of shots...so now...

she can go out in the grass and explore the big world!  She liked it.

As I watched her, I was reminded of the book, The Pokey Little Puppy.  Her little legs wobbling through the grass...clover.  She tried to chomp on a bee buzzing by.

A little lizard scooted by into the shade.

She laid down and buried her face in the clover.

Little yellow flowers...

Grass to sniff...ants to chase...

A white dog to chase...

It was a busy morning...so time for a rest!