Goodbye July . . . Welcome August . . .

I can hardly believe that it's already August...the days are getting shorter, the leafs rustle a little different in the wind, the skies are smokey and filled with grain dust, the stores are filled with new tablets, paper and my favorite...big boxes of bright, sharp, coloring crayons!

Last month seemed to be full of fun, but also a bit lazy.  It's been so hot - high 90's most days - that it's hard to do too much outside, so we mostly stayed inside to keep cool.  It will usually cool down around 8:30, and that's a perfect time for me to do what I love...take photos of the sunset!  Here are a few of my favs from July.

I also love to take photos of an...almost full moon.

And the Blood Moon...

And something I haven't taken a picture of for a while...my husband on a horse.  He used to train horses, so when this little lady decided to buck, he decided it was time to tune her up...it worked!

And this cute girl with the same horse...have I told you how much she loves horses?!

These two little grands loving each other's company, they just love to play with each other...so much fun!  They both have wild imaginations and it keeps them busy for hours.

And this cutie-patootie, taking over grandpa's chair!  Oh, how I love that face!

Fireworks in the backyard on the 4th of July!

A glimpse of the, Grand Tetons from the Idaho side.

We even went to the bull fights...;0)

Camping was fun, until we were carried away by mosquitoes...we came home early... :0(

But, we will be leaving again soon, for our big family camping trip...7 days of bliss!  I can hardly wait!  I guess I better get moving, I have laundry to do and lists to make!

Happy August!!  Have fun and be safe!

Hugs and Love,

Barb

Guess who came to Dinner . . .

A few weeks ago, our oldest daughter and her family were camping and invited us to come up to spend the day and have supper with them...these guys were also invited...or maybe they just decided to invite themselves!

They loved us!  We are horse people and nothing made, Taylor happier than to have horses come right into the camp...she is a true horse whisperer, all horses flock to her.

When it came time for dinner,  they were ready.  They were also great about waiting their turn ...

All except this one...he was a little sassy.  We told them that they were welcome to stay for dinner, as long as they cleaned up after supper.  They were good with that!  Of course, everything had to be sterilized when they got done... ;0)  

Crazy horses...that's just the kind of company we keep, the best kind me thinks!

Have a good rest of the week, and be safe.

Hugs and Love,

Barb

My Daybook . . .

LOOKING OUT MY WINDOW...It's hot, hot, hot outside, but, I love these warm summer days, they remind me so much of when I was a teenager.  When I was young, we didn't have blow dryers, so, on hot summer days when the wind was blowing, I would go outside and dance around in the wind.  My hair was dry in no time!  My flowers are also loving these warm summer days, they are blooming and growing like mad.

I AM THINKING . . . I have been trying to simplify my home, and my life, so that has been on my mind lately.  The other day I took two garbage bags full of "stuff" out of the main bathroom...and I'm still not finished!  It's amazing how much you can put in a large cupboard!  But the satisfaction factor is wonderful.  I plan on taking one room at a time and go through every nook and cranny until it's all done.  I know it's an awful thought, but I don't want to leave a mess for my kids to have to go through when I am gone...not like I'm going anywhere soon... ;0)

I'M THANKFUL FOR . . . On Father's Day (wow, that was a long time ago!) all of my kids and grandkids were here.  What a blessing it is to live close to them.  And, I only see one cell phone!!  I'm also thankful for my husband, who is a wonderful father and grandpa.  

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS . . . Well, you know me...storm clouds and sunsets.  

I AM WEARING . . . Jeans and a t-shirt, my usual summer uniform.

I'M CREATING . . . My husband gave me this wonderful journal/tablet/art paper for Mother's Day.  It's full of wonderful thick paper so that I can start my "Junk Journal".  I may even use it for pencil sketches.  I can't wait to get started!

I'M READING. . . flight of the Sparrow, by Amy Belding Brown.  I just started it and so far it's wonderful.  

I'M LISTENING TO . . . Just about anything from, Katie Melua.  Right now, it's this beautiful song from the movie, Miss Potter...  

FROM MY KITCHEN . . . My son gave me these beautiful beets from his garden.  When he pulled them out of the ground they were the most gorgeous magenta, and when they were cooked they were golden with pink stripes...gorgeous and delicious!

I'M LEARNING . . . To take life one day at a time, to simplify where I can and not worry so much about the rest...life is good. 

WORDS TO LIVE BY . . . 

SHARED FROM MY PINTEREST BOARD...

photo by, Jens Myer

A MOMENT FROM MY WEEK . . . 

The most beautiful thing in the world is, 

of course, the world itself. 

~Wallace Stevens~

Hugs and Love,

Barb