Summer Flowers

 Planting flowers was SO late this year.  Usually, I am planting right after Mother's Day (or for sure by Memorial Day).  This year, it was into the first week of June.   But, after a few weeks, they were filling out and looking quite lovely.  The lilies on the side of the house were also a bit late to bloom this year.

June flowers:

The flowers really took off after Eric dumped loads of fish tank water on them.  The nitrogen was like a huge BLAST of fertilizating goodness!   These pics were a few weeks prior to the water dump and don't show how fully luscious and robust the flowers grew to be.  I'd never had such gorgeous planters.

Our big tank's water filter had taken a DIVE when we started the flooring process.  After several weeks of using the back-up system, plus ordering parts for and troubleshooting the big system, it was finally resolved (low pressure from some very light air leaks).  UGH, that was painful.

I also tried another go at a Clematis on the side of the house and another in the tall planter by the main entry door.  We'll see if it goes bananas... then, we'll see if it survives the winter in the shallow pot.  Crossing my fingers!

Now... zoom ahead a few weeks to July flowers:

Camp DreamMakers - Boat Days

Camp DreamMakers is a local program, supported by the United Way and the YMCA.  They have many wonderful activities for their daily "campers".   During the summer, there are two events on this lake where the campers are given boat and pontoon rides by local boat owners.  The county forestry team volunteer their time to make this possible as well.

Last year, we had signed up for the one in July, but it was canceled due to rain.   We signed up for both of them this year; one in June and the second in July.  Again, the one in June got rained out.  Luckily, we had a beautiful day for the Camp Dreammakers participants this time!

While we were loading everyone up and introducing ourselves, the little 7-year-old boy (Lawson) was ready to be captain of this ship!

As we headed out for a nice relaxing boat ride, I grabbed little Lawson and sat him on my lap.  It was clear he had a lot of energy and did not want to just chill.  ha!

Everyone was happy and enjoying the sun.

The gal I spoke to to volunteer told me that the kiddos like to play Captain.  She jokingly reminded me that some like to "go really fast".  I informed Eric of this.  

He let little Lawson have the reigns.  We were all astounded.  Lawson KNEW EXACTLY how to drive a boat.  And, he did NOT want to go slow!  Unexpectedly, he gunned it and maxxed the gas.  We were all quite surprised!  

During the boat ride, when Eric was looking away or speaking to one of the other campers, Lawson would gun the gas again and start crazy steering!  It was very comical!  Eric was a bit worried we may have motor issues, so he only allowed that to happen about two more times. ha!

The little guy was also loving to run around the boat and visit everyone.  He was certainly a ball of energy!

We put on some music and quickly found that Lawson loves heavy metal.  And, Craig (below) and his son like metal, but also CCR and Vietnam-era music.  The young lady, pictured previously, had fallen asleep with the afternoon sun, so she didn't seem to care what tunes we played.

The boat ride, in total, lasted for about an hour and a half.  It was certainly a fun experience and a great way to donate some time and facilities.  

We'll certainly be doing this again next year, weather-permitting!

Blast From The Ranch Past

 Facebook can come in handy from time to time.   One afternoon, a friend that we used to show cattle with EONS ago contacted me.   She said that she was going through her husband's things (also a good friend we used to show with) and found a couple of "vintage" ranch hats.  She wanted to know if I'd like to have them.   I was tickled when they arrived!

They're foamy old-style trucker hats.  I remember that they were made about the time I was about Ramsey's age in 1985 or 1986.  They were swag that we used to promote the ranch's "Integration Club Calf Sale".     One got a little smashed in shipping.

The days of showing cattle and living on the ranch seem like ancient history.  But, when these hats appeared, it took me back to so many of the amazing memories we had with the ranch and our show days.  Those were great times.  🥰💖

Days With Just Jango

 So while the boys were at Nana and Bumpa's cabin, Jango and I did our thing.

On Sunday, I ran the riding mower and push-mowed the yard.

All of the other days, Jango and I took lots of walks on the point!    It was HOT, but it was good to get out and stay moving.

The boys came home on Tuesday, so that was the end of puppy and me time. 😉

Trip to Nana & Bumpa's Cabin

Connor had to WORK until just after the 4th of July, so he had to wait a few days to join us at the cabin.  😢

Ramsey was happy to be there.  This year, he was on a mission to become bosom buddies with Bailey.  It started off well.  Ramsey was pleased.  😊

We went fishing later that day.  It started out well!

That night, Bumpa and Ramsey played games while we visited.

In the evening, there was a beautiful moon that we had to capture. 

The next day and a half was all about cousin time (again, minus Connor, unfortunately).

Sadie's boyfriend (Daniel) and BFF also stayed at the cabin and enjoyed the lake time.

Since all of the older kids have jobs, it's hard to keep them together for very long.  They all had to work, so time was limited.

Ramsey was in heaven.  He had so much fun with the kiddos.  They are always so good to him!

We took the kiddos tubing.   This year, Ramsey said he'd be just fine with only the boat ride - no tubing.

The boys tried all kinds of crazy stunts and actions to get thrown off the tube.  Isaac tried his luck at tube surfing.

They played Tube Wars too, trying to throw each other off the tube.  Isaac won.  

On the 4th, we went for one of our daily walks on the road and trails.  There is a marked trail in the area, so we meandered and found different areas to investigate.  Ramsey had never seen real cattails before, so this an opportunity to touch and see.

Eric, Bumpa, Jango, and I went fishing again that afternoon.   Bumpa had to hang on to Jango when any of the reels started zipping and making noises.  Jango goes BONKERS for planer boards and zipping reels!

When the lines weren't going crazy, Jango chilled out on the boat, seemingly enjoying every minute of it.

He loves his spot up front, so he can see what's coming.

I can just feel this picture of Jango, with his eyes closed and nose in the air... soaking in all of the natural goodness!

Uncle Troy, Auntie Sarah, and the kids all had to get back, so the rest of the week, we chilled a lot.

Ramsey got some chores in....

And Jango and I went on a lot more walks. 

We took slightly different routes each time, but the high views were certainly grand.

On Saturday, Connor was able to finally come!  He'd done his duties at work so he had time off until Wednesday.  

Eric was worried about the lawn that needed to be mowed.  But, I wanted them to be able to enjoy it and spend more time.  So, I left on Saturday afternoon, then mowed on Sunday.  

No one took any pictures for me, so there are no pics of Connor!!  Gah!

...happy for the time together with family this past week.  😊

Funnel Cakes

 I'm usually the one who does the cooking at home.  But, Eric had this fun idea of making funnel cakes.  He says he used to make them years ago.    Since we would be leaving for the cabin tomorrow and not overly worried about the diets, the funnel cake making began.

Ramsey, who's never had a funnel cake before, was excited, but also a bit leery.  We explained that it's basically deep-fried pancake batter with powdered sugar on top.  

That tipped the scales for Ramsey to the more "excited" side.  

Though they didn't quite turn out as a usual batch (the temp of the oil had to have been "off"), they sure were tasty!!  Nom nom nom!  Good job, Eric!