Very pretty room, Done, done, done, A good soak

1. It is called "Tidal Pool" and it reminds me of the color of a Tiffany's box.
2. I push through the job, watching the clock as it takes me longer than expected. Finished just in time!
3. A wonderful, rainy night that deeply soaks the ground.

That which was lost is found, Cooler, Peaceful

1. Audrey opens the glove box and asks, "Whose sunglasses are these?" I exclaim that they are mine!! I've been kicking myself all week, thinking I lost them at the baseball game. (It was a hard loss to swallow because they are prescription bifocals and costly to replace.) This has made my entire day happy.
2. A change in the weather has buoyed my spirits. No air conditioning necessary for the first time in many weeks.
3. It's been a long while since I sat on the porch. Tonight I relax out there with a good book and pretty lights as dusk creeps on.

Remember, Talk to me, Happiness is...

1. Today I've received the second such email in a week from the daughter (and son) of a WWII veteran serving in the 551st Paratroop Infantry Battalion that my dad was in. We children are trying to keep the history intact on our dads' war experiences.
2. Baby, who turned 1 last week, signs several words without prompting. She signs more, drink, dog, all done, and eat. She also learns to point to her nose. One year-olds are so much fun!
3. Audrey runs down the hallway, getting ready for a Rascal Flatts concert. She calls back over her shoulder, " I love my life!".

Ambiance, Study in black, Miss you

1. The wall of paint samples at the home store makes me wish I had a bazillion rooms so I could experience all of the wonderful colors.
2. The dog groomer is crowded with little black models today. They scamper around my feet in a multiplied frenzy.
3. Tess phones me each evening while she is away.

Visitors, Break the routine, Silliness

1. Hummingbirds visit the trumpet vine while I sit on the porch. One samples a few blooms, chirping away. Then she sits on the wire of patio lights, strung throughout the vine. She stays for several minutes, preening her feathers with needle-like beak, listening to the other bird calls and surveying the vine. I imagine her thoughts regarding this place. Does she realize she is in flower paradise or is this simply a cafeteria where she takes her place in line with the bees?
2. Some of the family is away, so my duties are light and I'm free to begin any project I like.
3. Audrey recommends, "A Town Called Panic". What a funny little movie! I particularly like the character's voices.

Help yourself, Red Sox, Refreshed

1. Freshly baked cookies cool in the kitchen. Our guest comes back downstairs for more. I love it when my food makes people happy.
2. The baseball stadium at night. Hot dogs wrapped in white paper are passed down the row; the crowd yells, "Charge!"; the crack of a baseball bat; umpires yell, "Safe!"; cold, refreshing soda with a straw; bright stadium lights; young and old sing, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame". Summer.
3. A cool shower just before bed.

Technology, A visitor, Dinner

1. Steve tells me his new Blackberry contains more technology than that which they used to go to the moon. And I tell him that I contain more technology than either one.
2. Chelsea and Chad are off to Floyd Fest, but Audrey brings a friend by and so we have a Sunday afternoon visit after all.
3. Wonderful Chicken Picatta using the organic chicken that Chelsea convinced me to start buying. (Ina Garten's recipe is my favorite one.) BTW, Steve's Blackberry can't make this.

The South (sort of), Iron work, Tropical

1. The relentless heat is driving me to the brink of insanity, but I haven't jumped yet. Some of us were made to inhabit the north.
2. Poked around Black Dog Salvage. It was fun to see what new things people make from old architecture. Loved all the wrought iron gates and fences. I imagined the beautiful estates these pieces once inhabited.
3. Yes, the Piña Coladas on the porch this evening were refreshing.

1/2 Street, Movie night, Colorful

1. The street sign reads, 12 ½th St. It was after 12th and before 13th, right where you'd expect it.
2. An evening out to The Grandin where we saw Inception. An intense, thought provoking sci fi which we enjoyed.
3. A friend gives us a bag of garden goodness. I layer zucchini, peppers, onions, celery tops, basil and tomatoes in a casserole, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan. Delicious!

Face forward, Crispy, Let me out!

1. The first sunflower has opened overnight. It greets the morning with its face to the rising sun.
2. The crosshatches on peanut butter cookies.
3. Some bees get lost deep inside the blooms of the Trumpet Vine and their buzzing reaches a frantic, high pitch.

Lavender, Swap party, Smile

1. The lavender releases its scent as I brush past the borders. This and rosemary are my two favorite scents in the garden.
2. Emily hosts a Swap Party where guests donate items they don't want anymore and leave with items new to them. I come home with pretty silver bracelets from Mexico, a new DVD, and a basil garden.
3. Like most people, I do not like going to the dentist. But I am grateful for the miracles they can work.

Moisture, Pop, More moisture

1. The rains have brought some green back into the fields.
2. A ripe, red cherry tomato, warmed by the sun, to pop in my mouth.
3. The hair conditioners are so beautifully scented with all-natural ingredients. Whether they work or not is beside the point. Which scent makes me "feel" the best is what I'm going for.

Peach season, Van der Bandy, Fun in the sun

1. The part of peach cobbler where the dough meets the peaches somewhere in the middle.
2. A new horse comes to stay. The two run and prance as they get to know one another.
3. A long, lazy, hot Sunday afternoon. The guys drag out the kiddie pool, beach chairs and sunscreen. We girls peer out the window to see them poolside, enjoying their day off.

New read, Tidy, Cutie

1. Began reading Daughter of the Forest on B.'s recommendation. I'm glad to have a mellow afternoon with time to read and a book that's good enough to sweep me away.
2. I mowed the lawn this evening, after weeks without. It wasn't overgrown or anything, just scraggly. Now it looks trim and neat and much more inviting for a game of Badminton.
3. Henri's pink little tongue against his all-black fur.

Not on the list, Buzz, Found some fun

1. Since I'm shopping at a new market, I've discovered exciting items that our old market didn't have. The downside is that I've forgotten the bananas.
2. I must be sitting under the flight path of the bees. Traffic is heavy as they zoom back and forth, non-stop, above my head.
3. A dull evening, too hot to sit outside so we get the Scrabble board. It's a good game with friendly teasing and his win by four points!

Treasure junk, Yes I am, Nature's song

1. She has permission to scavenge our basement for her yard sale. She leaves with a lot of stuff that will be someone else's treasure.
2. I park my beach chair next to the kiddie pool and close my eyes. Tess asks me if I'm thinking about the ocean.
3. Crickets lull me to sleep and birds wake me in the morning.

Juicy bread, Impressive, Full wheelbarrow

1. Panzanella made with garden tomatoes. Yummy, crusty chunks of bread soaked in olive oil, vinegar, and tomato juice.
2. The sky is dark and foreboding, but the evening is calm and the birds are still singing. Far away, I hear a rushing sound getting louder and louder. This is the sound of a downpour marching across the fields and woods straight towards us.
3. A nice pile of weeds that gave me no resistance when I pulled.

Moisture, Chores, Really good pastries and bread

1. Rejoiced in the soaking downpour all day long. I imagined every plant, animal and blade of grass sighing with relief as the rain returned life to our cracked ground.
2. Ditched my usual market for a better one a few miles farther away. Larger selections, better baggers, pleasant music means I am a much happier shopper. I like to be excited about choosing our food and creating meals. If grocery shopping becomes a drudgery, then it's time for a change.
3. Chocolate croissants, seeded bread and other treats from Breadcraft make me feel like I am still on vacation.

Architecture

1. I never tire of looking at the New England architecture along the coast. Some old mansions now serve as inns. The second photo shows the house where we stayed. It was full of old-fashioned charm.
2. There was a good smell in the back hallway and pantry. Sort of a scrubbed clean, fresh scent. I searched and followed my nose, enlisting the help of everyone nearby to help hunt down this wonderfully good smell. The best I could figure is that it was Ivory soap. Why the wainscoting smelled of it, I don't know.
3. Being in a small harbor town, we were able to walk a lot. Post office, bagel/coffee shop, historic buildings, pizza, pretty houses and much more. Simple. I like that.
4. I must not forget the most beautiful architecture of all- God's creation of this magnificent rocky coastline.

My Family

1. My family, what can I say. These are the folks I'd most rather hang out with. I always marvel at the uniqueness of each daughter. How such varied personalities came out of the same two parents. Throw in a couple of son-in-laws and you have a wonderful, happy mix of people. As their lives become busier and distance keeps us apart, it will be hard to schedule vacations where we can all be together. The essence of time weighs on my mind and I am very grateful we had this week together.
2. Quote of the week: Daughter #3 asks, "Why would anyone collect Buddhas?" Daughter #1 replies, "Well, it's just like Grandma collects chickens."
3. Little sisters love the attention of big sisters. Together they built sand castles, rode the waves, collected sea glass , flew kites, and shopped for candy.
4. These girls will never allow their Dad to sit alone for very long.

Maine

This has been the view from our deck for the past eight days. We vacationed in York Harbor, Maine where we lived back in the late 80's. We were blessed with perfect weather, the company of our four girls and son-in-laws, sand and waves, lobsters a-plenty, and old friends. I'm not ready to be home, so I'll share more photos as I daydream.

The Book Thief, XY, Long week

1. I finished reading The Book Thief. An unusual narrative from Death's perspective of a poor, young girl living in Nazi Germany. An excellent book that should definitely replace some of the awful stuff on the high school's required reading list.
2. I am one of three sisters, I have four daughters, my sister has an only daughter, and today we found out that Claire is expecting a girl! Should we be surprised?
3. Steve drives in from his trip. The dogs bark and scramble and the household is celebratory for a few moments, welcoming him home.