The brown-eyed susans are starting to open up, Sophie had her high school orientation yesterday, and the fall market is just around the corner – which means summer is nearing its end for this year, and I truly have no idea where it went!
Thank you to so many of you who kindly emailed to ask about how Mike's broken leg was faring. It's been a long summer for him, but he's managed to keep himself as busy as one can when they're not allowed to walk for 8 weeks. (It was supposed to be 12 weeks, but his leg was healing nicely!) He's now hobbling around with a cane and a boot, and I'm sure in a few more weeks, he'll be fully balanced and maybe ready to ride his bike again.
Anyway, I have hardly been at the computer this summer, but I took some much-needed time off from Plum Street Samplers (at my mother's urging, which I'm very thankful for) and decided to get back to the therapy of tending to my flowers (which I used to love to do so long ago!), cleaning out closets that desperately needed it, and driving Mike to-and-from wherever he needed to be.
So here is a little of how my summer went, if you'd like to take a look. 🙂
I love the little garden flag Sophie made for me when she was in the 3rd grade!
Sophie got a surprise birthday party…
Fezziwig has grown into a handsome boy who loves nothing more than to watch the birds outside…
And he loves to hide behind the couch too.
And he loves to lay on top of model props.
The July 4th holiday was quiet this year… Bre was unable to make the drive home, Sabrina was out of town, and Mike couldn't participate in the usual fireworks fun, but we still got together with my parents at their house and had a very nice evening. Here are some pictures from around their yard and deck…
My dad and Mike played monkey ball, despite Mike having to sit down for the entire round. (By the way, my dad builds all the wood things you see in and around the yard; and he built their deck as well!)
While the boys played in the back yard, Sophie lit her smoke bombs in the front, and caught some of her favorite little parachute firecrackers as well…
We also had our usual cookout buffet, but I didn't take pictures of that. 🙂
So that's a little of what we've been up to around here these past several weeks. We've had the perfect balance of rain and sun this season, and I've enjoyed going outside in the mornings to look at the new blooms. However, I've made the mistake – more than once – of sitting down on a porch chair to have my coffee, only to realize my pants are suddenly soaked because the morning dew has been so heavy on everything.
And now it's time to move into fall, which means I need to get back to Plum Street and get ready for market. It's almost time! And I'm feeling refreshed, thank goodness! And thanks to Mom. 🙂
16 Comments
Melissa
I had no idea Mike broke his leg! Glad he’s able to move around some! Hope you didn’t get buried under board games while he recuperated!
Joanntx
Aren’t moms great! They just know when you need that break!
Both you and your mom have great green thumbs!!!! Both your
gardens/flowers are beautiful. I just don’t have time for that in my yard.
It’s too much. Work for me especially in the hot Texas sun!
Sounds like you all had a happy fourth and are having a great summer!
Angela
Paulette, good for you to take time off! Great advice from your mom! The year is going by so fast. I can’t believe how much Sophie has changed. She is a beautiful young woman, as are all of you girls:) Mike is a lucky man! Looking forward to market but understand it must be a busy time for you.
Lynn J
I’m so glad you’ve been having such a relaxing summer! Your mom’s advice was a very good idea and perhaps you should do that every summer. You both have such wonderful gardens! Try as I might, I don’t seem to have a green thumb.
Glad to hear that Mike is recuperating so quickly. Having had my hip replacement in May I know how it feels when you can’t get around on your own. I am finally driving again, yahooo!
I’m sure you have a busy time ahead of you with market coming up but with your batteries recharged you should feel so much better. I loved all your pics. Thanks for sharing!
Ronda Tedder
What a lovely summer!
Linda
So glad you were able to “take a break” and fill your days with other things! Love your day lilies and the bird houses nestled in the hedges. Love the trellis and fencing in Mom’s yard and the little jingle bell bugs, too!
Sometimes you have to take a step back and breathe.
Terri
I have missed your updates. Sorry about Mike’s leg, and I cannot believe Sophie is already starting High School!
Barbara Sturtz
I was also sorry to hear Mike had a broken leg but it’s good you took a break from blogging for the summer….it’s good to push off now and then and regroup. Sophie has changed so much and is looking more like her beautiful sisters day by day….
Cindy
Enjoy reading your blog and always look forward to your newest designs. Your flowers along with your mothers are simply gorgeous. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy the remaining months of summer!
Laura Duet
Really gorgeous photos of your summer! Glad you took some time to recharge!!!!
Katrina
Glad you’ve had the break you needed, taking care of an immobile man is lots of work ;-). Hope he’s up and around on his own soon. Sophie is a beauty, she’s getting so grown up :-)!!!!!!!!!
LaNelle
Moms advice is always such a blessing in our lives….taking a break is a must! We all are better for it….so glad to hear hubby is healing well! Enjoy the rest of Summer and many blessings for a fantastic Fall…..loved your flowers!
Jenny
Happy to hear that everyone is doing well, and that you are feeling refreshed! YOur mom is wise, you were smart to listen. And your garden is lovely! Working in my garden gives me the quiet alone time I need to praise God for his amazing creations that provide such joy and wonder to me. Anxious to see your market releases.
Cathryn
1. WOW! When I saw the pic of Sophie standing by herself in a 4th pic at your parents – I though she was Sabrina or Bre… then I went WOW that’s Sophie!
2. Love your mom’s cactus plant.
3. So happy your mom recognized you needed to take a ‘hiatus’. That’s always so good for everyone. Thanks for all you do. 🙂 Cathryn
tanya
Such beautiful pictures. They spoke words to me. Lovely. Sophie is gorgeous – I can’t believe these years are going so fast. Wasn’t she just turning double digits?! Sorry to hear about Mike’s leg 🙁 My mom broke her leg after a fall the week school ended and she still is homebound – recovering but it’s a slow progress. So glad your Mom told you to take a break … we all need time to be. time to inhale life because it just moves too fast. Love to you, Paulette.
Margaret
I’m glad you are feeling refreshed and ready for the fall to come. Poor Mike! Yikes! Lovely Sophie! I can’t believe she’s going to start high school. How did that happen! She’s a beautiful young lady. And your pictures — always you take gloriously beautiful pictures. Just like your samplers and designs. You have one smart mom. Hooray for her! Can’t wait to see what’s up for market! Don’t work too hard though!