Short, Long Story

This beautiful old fashioned summer with lots of heat and sunshine

is whizzing and sizzling by far too fast!

I have to say it's been one of my favourites.

When I think back to last January and February with all that

snow, cold and stormy days, how can I not love this summer?

Also, to be totally honest, this summer has enchanted me with

a wonderful new friend!

It's a short, long story that continues to give me much joy and hope 

for less lonely and more happy days ahead.

In other news - the bountiful harvest season has begun.

Cherry's inspired a Cherry Custard Clafouti

for our annual family birthday picnic in July.

Recipe in the highlighted link above.

Peaches have arrived and I had to make my annual 

Peach Custard Tart!!

I think I've shared this one every year - it's that good.

Just noticed that both these recipes are by Land O Lakes.

Other favourite things this summer so far:

Spending time with these two sweet little humans

A most wonderful visit from my dear Kentucky friends.

They have been coming here for a week of theatre and visiting for

more than 40 years!

Debi and I sunflower side in Stratford

Walks along the River in Stratford, spa days, and little farmer duties.

Summer Pleasures

Until next time - slow down summer of 2025. We love you!

Creek adventures

Still practicing

A Summer to Remember

As I reminisce over the last few weeks,

I am shocked at how quickly the summer is coming to a close!

So many wonderful moments since my last post ...

Live theatre dates with friends but lack of pictures:

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Grand Magic - Tom Patterson Theatre, Stratford

The New Canadian Curling Club - Huron County Playhouse

Have I ever mentioned how much I love live Theatre?

There are still at least 3 more that I wish to see before the 2023 season closes.

Joseph - at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse

 A special blue grass? folk? concert in the historical

Detweiler Meetinghouse

brought tears to my eyes as the old songs stirred so many good memories!

"No Discernable Key"  a local band of friends!

Record breaking warm summer rains brought incredible 

bounty this year and inspired Peach Custard Tart,

Peach Pies, Mexican Street Corn Salad, focaccia bread creations, and such.

Unfortunately I have not received the inspiration to do any canning - so far!

Before we know it -  dare I say, it will be soup season - another favourite time of year ...

Most wonderful time of year

There was even some sister time at her "lake house" to do a little "quilt piecing"

for the upcoming Wellesley Fall Fair quilt!

A fun Amish buggy pattern

My favourite Lake - Huron!

Summer wouldn't be complete without the annual

visit from our Kentucky friends.

It was so wonderful to meet Becky and Marty who came along this year.

They all taught me how to play "Mexican Train" with dominos.

Have you ever played it? So fun!!!!

Summer wouldn't be complete without lots of hot tub dates with these two.

Followed by treats ...

But ... one of the best parts of summer for these little humans was,

discovering 4 little kittens!!!!

September arrived with a wonderful visit from

a long-distant Indiana cousin.

We met as teenagers when her parents visited with my parents many years ago.

Thankfully because of facebook we stayed connected and an Ontario retreat

brought her and her husband my way.

So thankful for this opportunity!

We must do this again ...

My grandfather, her grandmother's childhood home!

Many common interests ... love you Idella!
You are so genuine and lovely.
Thanks for coming.

Hopefully we can do this again sometime.

And then, suddenly, what!!!!!??? how can it be back to school time.

Grade 3!  Off she goes ...

SK for him with a send off from Spinach, the Momma Cat

Till next time ... treasuring the summer of 2023. Praying for rain to stop the horrific wildfires in our Nation. Looking forward to a Fall bus trip. Stay tuned...

The August that Was

Summer Holidays have quietly come to an end.

We tried desperately to slow it down but were seemingly unsuccessful.

It was a good month, however ...

Sunsets from the Kitchener condo roof top

Lake Huron Sunsets

A bit of camping in our wee Escape 19 - our Happy Place

Did a bit of biking on the G to G,
near Goderich, Ontario
and
Milverton, Ontario

These railroad trails are perfect 
for biking/hiking,
They are well maintained,
level,
and so scenic!

So thankful for the foresighted
folks who have made this possible.

Eek - where are the filters when we need them?
Letting the hair go natural - second cut

Woodstock's 50th Anniversary reminded us that there was a
50th Wedding Anniversary to celebrate too.
The Farmer's sister and our dear brother-in-law to be exact.
We surprised them with a "Woodstock" style dinner out 
followed by some dessert here at the farm.

lots of tie-dye - everyone was such a great sport albeit camera shy!

It was such a fun evening!










This couple, Glennis and Mark, are amazing!
We love and respect them in so many ways.
They have contributed SO MUCH to our family and to the community they live in!
I couldn't ask for better in-laws!!

They will be continuing the celebration by taking their two sons and daughter-in-law
on a trip to Africa later this month!

picture taken by BIL Murray Leis - thanks so much!
Photo Bombed by the chauffeur/farmer

The Cake

This was so much fun creating!
Thank goodness for Youtube tutorials ...














Old fashioned farming still exists in our part of the country
and makes for some great photo opps...

Love to play with "Waterlogue" on these ...

Zucchini Relish made

The annual peach custard tart.
I always love an excuse to make this during
this bountiful harvest season!

When life hands you some much needed rain. (pic by mommy)

August flower child (pic by daddy)

End of Summer Bonfire - wish we had done more!

Instagram and text pictures from
the long weekender vacationers.




How did she get so grown up looking?

And this little cottager!!

Be still my heart ... ❤️ ♥️ 💜 


Thanks to Mommy and Daddy for sharing these great pictures.











The August that was turned out to be a good month in this summer of 2019.
So hard to believe that it is over .

Cheers to September - lots to look forward to during this new month
- a special little grand girlie starts school!!!???
- a get-away trip to Canada's East Coast and Bar Harbour USA
to mention a few.
September here we come!

Till next time ........ enjoying these last days of summer

Inspired Peach Custard Tart and Travelling

The other week my sweet sister-in-law made us a yummy peach pie.

It had a shortbread crust and was still warm when she brought it.

We could hardly wait for dinner over the next few days as we looked forward 

to this delicious dessert!

Thanks so much Marilyn - what a treat.

You inspired me ....

Peaches are so in season right now and I purchased a little basket

of those rosy cheeked Red Haven wonders at the market.

When there were only a few peaches left and needed to be used up I hunted down a recipe

for a shortbread crusted peach pie and found this wonderful

Land 'O Lakes Peach Custard Tart recipe on line

To keep the rosy tone on the peaches, I scalded them with boiling water

for a few minutes.

Is this how you peel your peaches?

Love the colour of these beauties

I think I'll be making this recipe again and again - it was delicious!

We enjoyed it with some dear friends, Dianne and John

while chatting about their adventures and world travels.

Dianne writes a fabulous blog called

20 Years From Now - No Regrets

(click on the above link to view her blog)

They explore the world, house sitting and pet sitting in the most amazing places!

What a great way to travel and make new friends ...

They have inspired us to consider more travelling as well.

Till next time - enjoying this hot, hot summer we are having and thankful for a nice green lawn again after some much needed rains.

Be inspired ...........