Think Summer...

Summertime always sneaks up on me.

I usually dig my feet in when it comes to change... but I try to embrace the change of seasons. It's one of my favorite things... the change of seasons!

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Summertime change can bring...

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Quality time with my teenager

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change of foods.. grilling, fruits, salads, garden veggies, yum.

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I always seem to change my hair for summer (more highlights this year)

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summer goals (that was fun to blog last year... I am working on them for this year)

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Summer job for the teenager (hmm what will he do this year)

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church girls camp (it's becoming a regular part of my summer traditions)

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the change in weather (trying to embrace this... I am a winter girl, not a fan of the hot sun, but learning the bliss of water, it keeps you cooler when you are hydrated, and it's fun to play in with the dogs)

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changing my schedule... all the work has to be done early before it gets too hot outside

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changes around town - the local farmers market, and museums and the Friday night outdoor bands at the train depot and the music festivals at the park

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the change in the sun... summer sunrises and sunsets are so beautiful and hopefully it brings a change of pace to go see them from a new place or maybe vacation spot

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change of dreams... my dreams are different in the summertime

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changing entertainment... summer movies are so fun, and totally different than winter movies about elfs and grinches (which I love too)

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change of colors... in clothes and decor in the house; and I love summer sheets on the beds.

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change in sounds and smells... I love the smell of fresh cut grass, and bbq's outside... and the sounds of running sprinklers in the early mornings and the wind chimes on the back porch on a cool breezy evening.

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I am beginning to "Think Summer"... it is definitely a time to cherish the moments!!

Retreat to Cascade...

Tuesday and Wednesday I went on a girls retreat to Cascade, ID.

It is a horrible time of year for me to "get away"... the last week of school, the end of the season for one of my clients, and trying to get things planned and organized for girls camp... I was just too busy to take time off for "me". But one of my friends in our ward decided that we really needed and just HAD to do this. I am not sure how I was selected to go, maybe from "the dark circles under your eyes club" or something... so I decided since I was being drug along, I should just make the most of it.

(Don't get me wrong, I really thought it was a good idea, but just not too enthusiastic to go THIS week... I was hoping later in the summer, when I had things more under control, and was less stressed).

But we packed up and headed out....

The drive up to the mountains was gorgeous!

The lupine filled meadows...

Oh and how I LOVE bridges!!!
I had to get a photo of every body of water I could find... we stopped at every lake so I could get a photo... the water was so peaceful, and I saw an eagle flying over, but didn't have my camera ready.

We went into the town of McCall... I love this little town, and have always wanted to go for winter carnival and ski Brundage, and come see all the ice sculptures, it is the cutest little snow village. But I have only ever been here in the summer.

One place we were sure not to miss was the candy company... yum the best chocolate around.

And right at the end of the main street... the lake and marina...

And can you believe it, we have beaches in Idaho!

I had to go put my feet in the water...

We were determined to have a good time in the midst of all this beauty...

The water is always a big draw for me... I miss all the waters surrounding Seattle...

So lots of photos near the waters edge, and the mountains still had a little snow on them. (must be why the water was soooo cold...duh)

The other side of the lake...
And a self portrait by...

yes, the lake!

I was exhausted when I got home, I must have had a fresh air overload. But a good time was had by all.

BBQ...

Memorial Day BBQ... fun time with friends and good food!

"Say Cheese for Rachel"

Memorial Day Monday...

Happy Memorial Day!

I can't believe it, but my teenager was up at 6am to go put out flags for the scouts.

This is the first year, we haven't done this together. One of the leaders made breakfast for the boys before they left. I heard him up, but then I rolled over and went right back to sleep.

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When he got home, these two were out the door to go shoot whistle pigs.

"Wait, what about my lawn"?

I guess I am home alone for the day, while these guys are out male bonding.

Feed the Missionaries...

It has been a while, but we finally got to feed the missionaries dinner again Saturday night. Of course if they play guitar, that is the big draw at our house.

But only after an intense game of liars dice... this missionary was sweating bullets through the last 3 rounds, but finally beat us all. It was just beginners luck, he had never played before, only watched it on Pirates of the Caribbean and that doesn't even count.

It's hard to find good help these days...

Growing up for me, Saturday morning was always our chore time. The earlier we got the work done, the faster we could go out and play. So I guess I have learned to put off chores until Sat. mornings... but my problem is, when Sat. morning arrives... I want to go play. So, well, we have been playing a few too many Saturday mornings and the chores were backing up.

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The teenager asked for a list... he just hates it when he thinks he is almost done and finds out there is one more thing to do. Who wouldn't, so I made "the list" and everyone agreed to work on their share.... wahoo, this never happens... I will take all the help I can get.

The living room was laundry central... oh my stars there was so much laundry!

This burnt out light bulb had been driving me crazy!

Wow... fixed! Yea!

And then there was the smoke detectors that my Mom got with me last May that were still not installed.... fixed! Yippee!! I am really happy about those now.

Uh Oh... there goes the ladder... that is not a good sign.

Yep. He was done with chores.

The teenager skipped out to go help someone a friend install their fence.

"Wait, the yard didn't get mowed, and there's more laundry, what about bathing the dogs?" Oh well, it was nice to have the help while it lasted.

Night at the Museum...

Well as much as I would like to go on a field trip to the museum... this was not that. It was a trip to see the movie "Night at the Museum 2". I had gotten free tickets a couple of weeks ago in one of my coupon frenzies.

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I really wanted to use them on a quiet romantic dinner date night with my strong silent mysterious man... but when he suggested getting out of the house and taking the teenager to a show. I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity. He usually wants to stay home, and after working from home all week, I normally want to get out of the house. So we are typically polar opposites. I was tired, I had already been with the teenager so much that day, that he was driving me insane... but I wanted to get out of the house.

So off we go... we got stuck behind 3, yes 3 accidents on the way. When we finally arrived the movie was jam packed with mostly kids under 3... one of which sat directly behind me and would stand up behind my seat and put his sticky little hands on my neck and pat the top of my head when he got excited. It was so cute, I couldn't yell at him, but ewwwwwww! And why weren't his parents getting a clue... I am a STRANGER... he shouldn't be so comfortable with me. Anyway, it was pretty funny, and eventually he got tired and fell asleep in his seat.

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I won't be a movie critic, because everyone likes different kinds of movies... but it was really fun to get out of the house with my boys. A good time was had by all.

Summer Magic...

The first grill of the season... and the boys aren't home (golfing and working). I normally don't grill, I try and make my boys take on this cooking. But I had planned and gotten it in my head I wanted to grill for dinner Friday night, it was going to be what would begin that summer magic, so I was going forth without them.

First things first, I had to pull out the James Bond metal case with all the necessary gear for grilling.
And then try not to catch anything outside on fire... that would ruin the idea of trying to be independent and taking on the manly cooking, if I had to call the fire department.
I keep asking for one of those push the button and it's ready to go kind of grills; but my strong silent mysterious man won't have that, he thinks all that gas ruins the taste of the food and can't be good for you. (I don't think charcoal briquettes filled with lighter fluid are any healthier, and pretty sure a large outta control fire would ruin the meal and the mood as well... but that's just me).

I managed to get some burgers and chicken cooked up; and shortly after I had it all done and cleaned up they showed up to eat it.

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I might not figure out how my Mom made things seem so special when I was growing up, before my teenager is out of the house. But I am going to keep trying! She just had it all together and knew how to make it feel really special... the food, the home, the friends, it just felt like the magic of summer always began with Memorial Day weekend.

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I thought I could capture it with the first grill of the season, but they came, they ate, and they moved on. Nothing magical about it. Wow, Mom... how do you do it?

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I forgot the watermelon, maybe that is the secret?