sheepless in suburbia...

Welcome to the Dog Days of Summer ...

Meet Tanner. He is a member of the sheepless "extended families" canine unit (which includes Cosmo the Airedale, Jack the Scottish Terrier and the star of today's blog - Tanner the Eski-poo). I am told he loves the boat.

I want to be that dog!

It's Magical - It's Monday - It's Judi Day...

 

It feels like it has been a very long time since I had a Judi Day. I had a few things to do (such as filling the planters on the deck). I decided to get my blooms in order. I also decided to spend the morning in the back yard garden. I'm extremely fortunate to live in a so called "established neighborhood." It's been around for about 50 years. It's a secluded little nook of heaven. Lots of mature trees. A quiet street. We have birds, and squirrels, and rabbits and ladybugs and bees. Right now we have loads of bees!

And so the morning was spent in bird chirpin' - bee buzzin' bliss.

 

After a soul refueling morning I was ready for lunch. So I prepared my favorite sandwich. (Beware copious drooling ahead).

The Infamous "Judi Day" Summer Special Sandwich

• 2 slices of fresh San Fransisco Sourdough Bread
• generous spreading of Hellmann's lite mayo
• sliced Avocado
• sliced Tomato
• Swiss cheese  (I use thin slices off the wedge ).
• lettuce (romaine / red leaf /mixed greens)
• Optional: 1 - 2 slices bacon - crisp ( this is only optional if there's none in the house).

Lightly toast the bread. Build your sandwich. Enjoy! Today I ate this with a side of grapefruit, followed by a mug of freshly made Ice Tea.

And now?

World Cup Soccer Highlights and knitting the of "The Sock".

Ahhhhhh! Judi Day!

A week at the cottage...

 

View to a thrill... out the cottage door

It has been a wonderful week. I have just returned from a late summer retreat at the Old Guy's family cottage in Muskoka land. It was great. This year the Youngmen had work and school commitments, so it was just yours truly and the better half for the trip. It was a week of relaxing, visiting, sightseeing, talking, beer on the porch, and eating way too much...

The cottage was full of family - like a cottage should be.  Mornings started early or late - depending on whether one is a lark or an owl. Some of us ( like me) started early (quiet time for coffee and knitting) and finished late (savouring each day's events).

I took many photos. Perhaps I'll let them speak for themselves ...

Time for reading the paper

 

Community Labour Day Corn Roast

Potluck Salads

the fruits of my knitting labour...

 

And like all summer cottage summer crafts... painting rocks for the garden

On vacation...

(sheepless family photo archives)

So this is Day One of my annual summer vacation. Being as I am a "save the best for last" kinda gal (unless we're talkin' dessert) I am of the habit, whereby summer vacations start in very late August and swing through til mid September. I like the "F" word (as in four seasons...)

Today was to be my big "sleep in day". I have been waiting for about three weeks - counting down the days. Granted I can sleep in on the weekends - but there's always something to do... during the week, my alarm is set for 5 am. This morning I slept til... 4:53 am.

Oh well, I had things to do. Make coffee, read the paper, check my email - you know. The kinda things I generally do - when I'm still working.

Hmmm....

I do have a few projects in mind. You know - the usual suspects. Knit a sock. Bake a cake. Make pickles. Read a book (from cover to cover). Finish my lace shawl (yes still working on that project). Finish threading the loom for my tea towel project. Wash up my Cormo fleece.

I could do laundry...

or not.

Summer in the city...

 

This summer I pulled the  "Grey Goose" (my bicycle) out of storage and started riding the pathways near my home. This is what I see...

I have traveled these pathways by foot and bicycle for almost 30 years. I know them well.

Yet, everyday there is something new to surprise me.  I take a break in a meditation garden.  And I breathe.

Back on the home front... I sort fleece on the deck.

And this weekend, I made pickles.

 

Ahhhh... summer. In the city.