Happy July 4th!

We had an easy-going July 4th. In fact, we're generally easy-going as a bunch. If faced with a decision to do something complicated, or something simple and laid-back, we will choose the latter. So, we didn't see a single firework, didn't haul a boat to the lake, didn't visit any family, didn't camp out, and didn't go to the beach. We did: hang out the American flag, play a few games, grill burgers and ribs, watch some TV and talk.

And Rebecca is here to do it all with us!
Peter's look tells exactly what he thinks of his daddy's silly kisses.
We found a REAL, SEEDED watermelon, and it was wonderful! (Well, so they say. I'm not much of a watermelon eater.)
Peter is about to spit a seed, I think.
They lounged on the patio and recovered from the eating.
I hope everybody had a restful holiday!

A Day of Nothing

Yesterday. I had no children at home. One was at work, another working in the mountains. Another with grandparents, and the last one at camp. I promise I didn't plan it that way, but for most of a week, Adam and I find ourselves here, at home, without children.

How very strange.

We had one of our Bible study groups over for supper on Monday evening. And ladies, you know what that means on Tuesday: there's absolutely NO housework to be done, because I worked like a frenzy to get EVERYTHING clean for Monday night.

So, yesterday I looked around. No housework. No kids. No laundry to do. Hardly any cooking -- it's like cooking in retirement, I suppose.

Yesterday stretched out before me, unfamiliar. Slow. Peaceful. Nothing. And for some reason, it became a most productive day. I clipped a few azalea bushes out front, but they're in full sun and I couldn't do it for long. Then I decided it was TRULY time to knock out some of this old school-year grading that was still hanging around. I did that. Lunch? Leftovers. I floated in the pool a while, but the sun was clouded over. I was bored. What to do? The afternoon was turning ever so slightly cool and breezy. If i ignored the calendar and the recent heat-wave, I could almost convince myself that it was very-early autumn. Almost.

I looked over at Adam's brick oven. On both sides were mounded piles of cut branches and debris for burning. And the pyromaniac buried in me responded. I would tidy up those piles all afternoon.

And I did. Now THAT was a productive afternoon! Adam got the fire started, and then I cut branches and thrust them into the blazing throat -- for hours. The smoke billowed in the lifting breeze. I sat in a lawn chair and watched it. You can't hurry a fire; you'll put it out by over-tending. So I forced myself to sit, wait, relax. That is the hardest thing to do. But when I do, it is most beneficial. I need the rest more than I ever need the work.

I have very-busy days when I can hardly remember what I did. Frankly, some busy days I feel like I spun my wheels and accomplished little of value. Yesterday was a welcome contrast to that.

Soon, the children will return, the schedule will pick up. It's days like yesterday though, that one remembers and turns into a picture in the mind.

And for a change of color:

Something in pink?
My bags will (hopefully!!) soon be displayed in Hagedorn's Fresh Market and Deli, in Brevard, NC. So, if you're in the area, stop by!

Look who's coming back for a visit!

Rebecca! Yep, she's coming this week, and the house will rejoice!
Perhaps she will someday train Julia how to smile for a camera?

Lookin' Juicy!

Our first large tomato -- from my Brandywine plants! Can't wait!
Here's my money plant. I cut a few of the dried branches, but they aren't too attractive.
Here's our first Roma:
And the grand prize: our first watermelon!! Adam put in 3 plants, and all are growing like gang-busters. My volunteer pumpkins are looking good too.

Lake Morse

For a number of years, my only criticism of Ridgehaven Camp was that they didn't have a decent lake around which the rest of the camp was designed. Well, now they do!!
This used to be a muddy little pond that no one stuck a toe in. But Ridgehaven did LOTS of work, and now it's the central attraction -- yippee!
The most recent addition is this gorgeous pavilion:
And the Wet Willie waterslide, added last summer, is everyone's favorite stomach-lurcher. Those kids come catapulting down and flip into the lake.
They also have this great swing -- the rope at the end of the long boom. Kids stand at the end of the platform and fly out above the water. There are also tubes and boats of various types, and a bevy of life jackets.
I know my kids are enjoying the water this week!

Dumping those kids --

I took Peter and Julia to Ridgehaven for camp on Monday. Anna was already there. The various cousins converged on my parents' home, and I got a quick shot of them as they took a break from soccer:
They're all so much bigger than they used to be!
Mother made burgers and dogs for lunch. The kids usually end up on the porch to eat.
Then we went to register for camp. After all these years, we feel like old hands, and spend lots of time swapping hugs with dear friends. Anna is working as an intern this summer. Here she is!! She's taking her cousin Hannah's temperature:
Ah -- the proverbial head-chopping picture. I'm really sad that I messed this one up! Four girl cousins, and Anna clearly had her sassiest grin on!
Here are the GAWers -- "Great Adventure Week." Peter, Katie & Hannah stand with one of their counselors.
I hope they're having a great time! I'm enjoying the extreme quietude of the house while they're gone :)