August Update

It's hard to believe that today is the first of August.  Ahhh .... the summer has whizzed by and I am trying hard to savor the heat, the sun, and the warm mornings with whole days spread before us.

The garden is enjoying the weeks of intense heat (temps in the 100's +).  Beans, beets, and zucchini coming out of my ears!  We've enjoyed a few dinners with plates filled with homegrown produce :-)

Our little pumpkin patch is growing out of its bounds and my sunflowers which were purposely spaced in planting are enjoying peeking out between the leaves.

While I type, our beautiful and extremely overgrown globe willow is being cut down :-(   Iron deficient, growing over the roof, and roots spreading dangerously close to our foundation, it was time to say goodbye.  But oh ..... the tears have fallen on this one.  There seems something dreadfully wrong in cutting down a tree in this desert territory where trees are like gold .....

Our first cutting of hay was ruined by a rare week-long rain storm in June.  We are so thankful for the ability to get a strong second cutting -- hay now stacked next to the barn, ready food for the long winter ahead to feed the horses.

Here is a picture of our willow giant covering the house.  It was one of our first trees planted on this property 13 years ago ..... rooted from a single branch of a friend's tree :-)  It has seen many good memories and has stood watch and been climbed in for years. 

It will be missed.

July also held with it an English Country dance with our church family and guests.  All ages, all levels, all welcomed.  These fun mixers danced to Irish jigs are fun to watch and participate in.

This evening was a highlight of our summer!

With dance names like "Mari's Wedding", "Postes",  "Virginia Reel", "Patty Cake Polka", "Grand March", and "Spanish Waltz", this is a fun opportunity for the kids to interact on many levels .... young men leading and young ladies waiting in anticipation :-)

Sisters with brothers, and several other partners enjoyed (pictures reserved to protect the innocent) -- it was a lovely evening with home fired pizzas, fellowship, music, and dancing.

Thank you Watson family for another opportunity to enjoy this pastime.

My impressionist picture of country dance in motion :-)

A whole new month ahead full of opportunities for service, play, camping, learning, and preparing ....

another school year lies in the balance!