With soccer practice being cancelled....we decided to jump in the car as a family equipped with ipods and cameras for an evening drive before dinner to enjoy each other and the beautiful place we live. Counting our blessing here's what we found........

Husband, kids and of course the dog came along....

Slight chill in the air too....

"Folks are blessed who make the best of everyday living by their own
philosophy, everyone who needs the sun must find a way and I have found the
only way for me. I don't believe in frettin' and grievin'; Why mess around
with strife' I never was cut out to step and strut out. Give me the simple life."

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree."

Counting my blessings today, enjoying my family and the fall events to come. Fall is like the year's last brilliant smile.....

Bringing the color inside.....

For dinner tonight:

1 Whole Chicken (anywhere from 3 - 6 lbs, but the bigger, the juicier, so keep that in mind)

Fresh Rosemary

Fresh or dried thyme

1 Lemon

Honey

Half-stick of butter, softened

Salt and Pepper

Looking forward to the first fire of the season.....Happy Fall everyone!!!

"Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone...."

~Anonymous 

more driftwood ideas....

Wow, I can't believe that summer is coming to a close. It's back to work for me. This summer I was able to experience fresh water, our lake and the salt water, the beach. So in order to remember those times throughout the year, here are a few of my collections and crafts.
First our view to the beach.....

Where we collected a lot of shells!!!!

My mother in law then showed us a different beach where we collected jingle shells on a beautiful evening! 

Growing up on Long Island, I was disappointed in myself that I had never heard of jingle shells...but here they are:

It was a group effort to collect these!!! I had to bring some back to VT!!

From here to here:

When it's lit, it looks like beautiful parchment paper!

And finally from our beautiful lake that we have spent most of our free time on this summer.

I am a driftwood collector!!!! Here's my wall art....

Enjoy the last days of summer!!!

A smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside. 
Denis Waitley 

What a beautiful day to work outside! My Dad helped me build new window boxes. They came out beautifully! 

Boooorrrring.......

Still not sure about the color though......

I feel like I am the only one still buying annuals, ;)))))) I just can't stop!!!!!

But if each man could have his own house, a large garden to cultivate and healthy surroundings - then, I thought, there will be for them a better opportunity of a happy family life.
George Cadbury

Did I mention how much I love July??? I spent a beautiful morning in my gardens. My peas are ready, blueberries are so close, and the best part is being able to have fresh cut flowers for the house all the time!

My kids are excited for Kale chips

"Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace."
May Sarton

Wow, I actually had a full day to spend in the garden yesterday and it was all that I thought it would be.....fantastic!!! This has been a very busy year for me, I'm going into my second year of grad school and trying to balance everything else along with it. Phew!!!!
I'm posting these pics and blogging for two reasons. One is to see the progress of this home which has become a shared vision for my entire family. Second, is in the middle of the long Vermont winter I can look back and think remember when..... ( when life was not a frozen tundra!!!)

We are enjoying the pond so much. It's nice in the evening to sit with a cocktail and watch the fish, yes we have coy and they are thriving!

Freshly painted table, and my hibiscus is blooming again!!!

The rose bush in the back is so beautiful. Difficult to see, I would like to move it but it does so well where it is!