A Walk in the Park

The Inspector and I have been spending the past week in isolation as we both have been battling some rather nasty colds which have included sore throats, heavy coughs and stuffy noses.  In this world of COVID fears, naturally we have been making sure that we have stayed well away from other folks.  We are both feeling a lot better and so decided we needed to get out of the house and get a much needed change of scenery and some fresh air.   On Friday we went exploring out into the southeast part of the county and found this lovely county park  well away from people that we have not discovered before.

I found the perfect tree for a tree house! 

If I were a few years younger (well maybe more like fifty, LOL!), you might have found me straddling that branch with one of my brothers.  

 When we got home I noticed this little family taking a rest near the apple tree.  Aren't they sweet? Their mama has been bringing them around quite a bit lately.  They were certainly as curious about me as I was of them.   Looking at these guys reminds me I recently picked up an old copy of the original children's story of Bambi by Felix Salten.  I find it relaxing to spend a quiet summer afternoon occasionally rereading a classic children's story.  They are quite different from the Disney versions and much more interesting.  I know that many of you will agree there are few things more satisfying than reading a good book.

“Oh, for a nook and a storybook. With tales both new and old. For a jolly good book whereon to look. Is better to me than gold.”— Old English Song.

Adieu!

Is it summer yet?

It has been a pretty soggy summer so far.  That has meant bad news for my new raised bed vegetable garden.  We have been in the process of moving wood piles out of this area. but it gets lots of sunshine so it seemed a good place to try my hand at planting some edibles. The Inspector built the beds and I planted pumpkins, cucumbers, beets and a tomato plant. I was supposed to be harvesting my beets next week, but as you can see they have barely even peeked up out of the ground it has been so cool, dark and damp. The pumpkin plants look anemic and unfortunately, the rains washed the cucumber plants right out of the hill! 

This bed was supposed to be green beans and carrots.  Hmmm....  It's a very good thing no one is depending on me for their harvest canning this fall!

Happily my planters and pots are flourishing, even if this is the first sunny afternoon we have seen in a week. 

It's raspberry season on my back deck. I have had to watch them closely as all the wet weather has caused some berries to start molding.  I have to be sure to pick them the moment they are ripe.

And fresh picked raspberries means....

 

 Fresh baked lemon-raspberry muffins with lemon glaze, Yum!! 

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 Between the rainstorms we were able to get down to the lake with our granddaughter a couple of weeks ago.  Water and sand!  Is there anything a kid likes better than that?  She was having so much fun she didn't want to leave for lunch.  Next time we will pack a picnic.

 

This park has become our new favorite place, especially since we have to stay so much closer to home this year. Here's hoping we have more sunny summer days ahead of us.

"Summertime, Summertime

Let's go out and play

Time for fun, and lots of sun

I love these kinds of days"

Adieu!

Living Life

Between the upswing in virus infections, the demonstrations (including in our own small town) and the rioting, it has been an unsettling couple of weeks since I last posted.  In spite of all the upheaval we are trying to stay focused on the good things the Lord still has placed before us, time with family, time with friends, time in study and prayer and time appreciating the beautiful community we live in. 

Now that we are in Phase 2 of reopening I was able to go to a small birthday celebration for a friend who turned 70 this month.  My friend has a lovely home on the lake and since it was a nice sunny day we were able to social distance outside on the deck where we could enjoy the view.  You can't see it, but looking across the water, my house is located on that hill behind the large house with all the dormers in the middle of the first photo.

 

This birthday cake was made by my friend's daughter.  It was gluten free and made with coconut flour and sugar. It was delicious!  

 

On my way home from the party I noticed that the new farmer's market was having it's grand opening in our little village.  We didn't make it that first day, but we made sure that we checked it out the following week. The day was cloudy but warm.  The lake front park has just been reopened after an extensive renovation.  It has all turned out quite nice and includes the town war memorial which had been removed for a time and has now been reset. There is also a nice fishing dock and a new sandy beach where the kids can play.  It's already turning out to be a great community area.  We enjoyed walking through the various stalls looking for fresh produce.  The iron globe is actually a fire pit that is lit in the winter during the annual Christmas tree lighting.

We walked from the new park along the cove to a second small park around the corner. This is where we used to bring our kids when they were small.  It was the first time I had taken that walk in over three years! Amen!

Then it was back to the market to do a little shopping. We brought home flowers from the market to enjoy.

 Also strawberries picked fresh the same morning! Yummy!

 

And what is more delicious than a fresh strawberry pie shared with friends on a summer evening?

My crust was a little crumbly but oh, so good!  Thank you Lord for the gift of taste!

Now as a new week begins, I pray that each of you are keeping safe and well as we continue to navigate these challenging days.  

 For God has not given us a spirit of Fear

but of power, and of love

and of a sound mind

2 Timothy 1:7 .

Adieu!