Some weeks ago I overheard a friend of mine describing her current life as "a summer of many little yesses". In looking back over the past few months, I feel like I could steal her intriguing phrase to describe my summer, too. I've decided to post a bunch of pics here to illustrate what some of those yesses have been.
In June, July, and August, I have said yes to...
...a change of age:
It's pretty special to have relatives who go all out celebrating a sis-in-law's birthday at a cabin they have rented by the lake.
It's also pretty special to have a relative - specifically, a son named Ricky - who goes all out creating a unique birthday cake with which to surprise his mom. A Boggle-lover like me will appreciate the cake's likeness to a real Boggle game tray, and the way the letters join each other in true Boggle fashion to spell Happy Birthday, Mom. (Click here to watch Ricky's fun video of the cake-making process.)
...babysitting a certain little chap:
...garden and porch and patio parties:
The spread at an annual garden party, where the dishes are as varied and beautiful and enjoyed as the seven ladies who bring them.
My friend and walking buddy "Debbie" and I were the recipients of a delightful tea time put on by my mom-in-law. My, but she knows how to turn a little get-together into a treat!
A wonderful thing about the start of Covid restrictions being lifted is that we can host backyard gatherings again, legally. Three of my sisters-in-law & co. came one evening in July to help celebrate their bro Ken's birthday. Lots of opinions, laughter, and food were shared in this circle.
...trying my hand at watercolor painting:
...a church biking social:
...strolls on trails and along beaches:
...welcoming Kerra back into home life:
One evening Kerra made and served us green shakshuka, an African (or Israeli?) dish of eggs poached in sauteed herbs and other greens, which we quite enjoyed.
...making food and enjoying other people's food:
A few times this summer I have made a Spinach Pasta salad. The thought of putting greens and pasta in the same salad was intriguing to me, and after trying it, I can now recommend it as a great combination. The fruit and cashews have something to do with my recommendation, too, I'm sure. Another item of note is that the salad pairs quite nicely with pizza mountain pies. Just sayin'...
...unique opportunities:
One evening we joined some Grace and Oasis church people to cut up rutabagas for the dicer machine at a food-drying facility called Reapers of Hope.
We were so grateful to be able to go camping with our church family this year. From helping each other snip beans for meal prep to gathering around a huge campfire for a sing-n-share time, and lots of variety in between, we made some great memories!
Some of the little yesses of the past month have added up to larger yesses, including a 3-part trip, a huge goal accomplished, and a Kenites rendezvous. These bigger events merit an entire blog post and a photos focus of their own. Perhaps I will say yes to blogging about them here in the coming weeks.
Note to email subscribers: This is the first blog post I have published since switching to a different blogger emailing service (or whatever you call it - I definitely am not as tech savvy as I'd like to be!) If things aren't coming through as well as they used to or as they should, please let me know. Thanks!
