rolling right by...

Summer is just flying by. Phew...it can slow down as far as I'm concerned. I mean, come on- it's almost the 4th of July! I don't even want to speak of August 15th, because to be honest, it kind of makes me cringe, but it's sneaking up on me rather quickly, and I'm totally not impressed. (So I'm going to stop speaking of it, but incase you're wondering, it's the day I have to go back to work.) I know what you're thinking...I get the WHOLE summer off, blah blah blah, yeah I know, but when you're spoiled from not working, you tend to get greedy. (don't act like you've never been a tad greedy in some part of your life!) But, I'll stop whining about losing my summer vacation to sunny days and time with family and friends, and I'll just enjoy it! I have lots planned in the coming weeks, so I'll be busy, and I'll be having fun!

In the meantime...one of my best college buddies Mark stopped in for a few days to visit. He's quite the character! It was nice having him around- Bella loved it too, as you can see from the picture. Anywhere Mark went, she wanted to go too! I rode my bike with him while he ran around Winchester on Saturday. It was nice to give him a little tour of some of my favorite spots to run, and get a little exercise in myself. He is on his way to Blacksburg to spend some time with his girl friend, and I am very grateful he stopped in for a visit. (Jeff loved having him too, I think mostly because Mark agreed to drink a few beers with him! Kidding, kind of! I think maybe he was happy he came for a visit because he's such a cool dude?!)

I have decided that some day when I have a house with a nice big, flat backyard, and a garage, and a basement with LOTS of storage, I will have beautiful gardens with lots of flowers, and some vegetables too. (Don't ask me why I need to have a garage and a basement with lots of storage to have a garden in my yard- I just really want those things, so I threw them out there for all the world to know. Well, not really all the world, because I seriously doubt THAT many people read this silly blog, but maybe one that does will win Mega Millions one day, and remember my blog, and offer to buy me a new house with a garage, a flat back yard and a basement with lots of storage!) Phew...I need to stop with those tangents. Anyway, I have some beautiful plants in some of my gardens now, and it makes me feel like I need some more. I cut these lovely hydrangeas from my garden to liven up the house- aren't they just wonderful?

I baked a peach galette this week. (which is kind of like a peach pie, but not really...helps, doesn't it?!) Found the recipe in my Real Simple magazine. It was super easy, and quite tasty. I don't think it even lasted 24 hours. Jeff did some serious damage on that thing.

I am waiting for my mom to arrive this week with some new reading material for me. I was going to visit the library, but knew she was coming with several books for me to read, so I held off, and caught up on a few of the magazines I've neglected the past few weeks. I finished 19 Minutes by Jody Picoult the other day. Wow! It was an interestingly strange book. (does that make sense?) Both my mom and Kristi read it, so it was nice to have a little book chat with them about the various characters and the story line. If you've got any good summer reading suggestions, send them my way.

Here are some pictures of little Miss. Vivian enjoying her summer. Kadi said she LOVED her first ice cream cone, and she loves playing in her sand box, and swimming. Can't wait to see her when she comes to visit in a few weeks!




Alright- I think I've rambled on long enough for now.
We're off to Florida on Wednesday- looking forward to that!
Hope you had a wonderful weekend!