7 August 2010: Fading Fast

The summer is coming to a quick end and the flowers around the yard are fading fast!

21 June 2010: Fallen

First day of summer and the leaves are falling!

25 May 2010: It's Getting Hot Out Here

It was snowing two and half weeks ago - it was 89 today! Summer has arrived and the phlox is growing like crazy!

20 May 2010: Outdoor Sanctuary

We put the gazebo top on and brought out the rest of the "summer" furniture. I spent the better part of this evening reading and visiting with a friend in my outdoor sanctuary! Knock on wood because we made through a full year and onto year number two with the same gazebo!!! WOOHOOO! For the full story check this out: http://wide-angle-lens.blogspot.com/2009/05/23-may-2009-photo-summer-dreams.html and for the winter version: http://wide-angle-lens.blogspot.com/2010/03/1-march-2010-dreaming-of-warm-sun.html

1 March 2010: Dreaming Of The Warm Sun

With all this snow covering the deck and the topless gazebo, it is hard to think that it is going to be warm again...someday! You can see the gazebo in all it's summer glory here: http://wide-angle-lens.blogspot.com/2009/05/23-may-2009-photo-summer-dreams.html and dream of the warm summer days with me.

8 June 2009 Photo: Growing Garden

I just love this time of year. The gardens are growing and changing everyday. I have spent a lot of time enjoying our yard this year for a couple reasons. It has been a gorgeous late spring/early summer and I have not had to travel for work during these few weeks for the first time in years.

It's amazing each year to see what pops up or grows bigger. We have lived in our house for almost 4 years and this is the first time the rose bushes have had buds on them. The irises have more blooms than ever. The oregano keeps coming back bigger and bolder. I just have to stop and admire this natural beauty! We have not had a lot of rain recently so I had to water flowers this morning and saw this photo op.

7 June 2009 Photo: Disappointing Del's

We were driving by Tim Horton's and I saw a sign and almost drove off of the road. "Del's Sold Here!" What?!?! Could it be? Did someone FINALLY bring one of my favorite summertime treats to NY .

If you are from RI, you certainly know what Del's is and understand the tasty memory that made my drool in my car. If you aren't from RI, here is a bit of history of Del's http://www.dels.com/ As a kid/teenager, it was great to find the Del's truck or go to the Del's storefront to get this frozen lemony treat complete with little bits of lemon rind to cool you down in the heat of the summer.

To my dismay, this "Del's" did not live up to the name. Del's sells a packet now that you can make your own from and it is not the same as Great grandfather DeLucia used to make back in the day. It was very disappointing...the taste was all wrong, no lemon rind and no smell of the salt water of the Atlantic. I need to write to Tim Horton's about this false advertising! Oh well, I guess I will have to wait until I get back to RI this summer to get the real deal.

23 May 2009 Photo: Summer Dreams

Memorial Day Weekend...as a kid, that meant the official opening of Misquamicut Beach. As an adult, it has meant our National Professional Conference for the last 12 years. However, this year I am not going to the conference in LA and I am thrilled about it.

Today we put together our newest purchase as pictured above. I LOVE this gazebo. This is our third gazebo in as many years and we hope this one makes it more than one season. Our outdoor space is so peaceful and comfy. I could not make it through the summer without our outdoor living room so I am glad we replaced it. Thanks to Bill and his parents for indulging me to get it together this morning! Below is the one from last year that blew down in the wind storm...the new one is much nicer.

20 May 2009 Photo: Signs Of Summer

Adirondack chairs are such a sign of summer! Today was in the 80's and sunny...also a sign of summer!!! Can you tell I am excited for summer.