Lately.

I love this time of year.

I like how things slow down a little.

Time to enjoy some sweet little things.

Lately I've been enjoying...

 Cottage cheese with fruit.  

This is one of my new favorite things.

I very much like it with sliced red grapes, sliced bananas 

and slivered almonds.

It's like healthy dessert.

Oh so good!

 My coach has been working with me for quite a while to try to get my backhand better.

I used to have a two handed...think Nadal.

But it felt so much better to me to use a one handed...think Federer.

So the switch has been a long process.

But I am happy lately because I am starting to feel very comfortable with it.

Maybe soon it could even be a weapon!

Practice!  Practice!  Practice!

So I thought the birds ate all my grapes this year.

I have four different seedless varieties.

They wiped me out of my favorite green ones.

But throughout the last week, I have discovered

that they did not eat my blush colored ones!

AND they are DELICIOUS!

I just sit on the ground and pick off all the ripe ones,

and pop them into my mouth one by one.

Joy.

I'm not sure why, but sometimes I need soft music.

And that is all I will listen to for a while, 

because my soul likes the calm.

So, crazy as it sounds, I have had my radio on the 

SYMPHONY station of all things!

I know, I know.

But I have found that I really love Brahms!

And Beethoven.  

But especially Brahms.

One of my best friends, Valoree is getting married in October!

(She is the cutie on the far right).

I am thrilled for her!!  It is wonderful!

And you know what?

She asked me to be a bridesmaid!

Isn't that exciting?

Elece & Janelle are too!

This is DEFINITELY a sweet little thing.

The pumpkins in my garden are GROWING!

This is the first time I have grown pumpkins,

and I LOVE to see them.
Bright orange and round!

What kinds of sweet little things have you been enjoying lately?

A favorite thing.

Why I like my ATV

by Shelli

It's bright red.

It goes fast.

It takes me through rocks, mud and sand.

It lets me feel and smell the air.

It's noisy.

It's powerful.

It's even comfy for napping...you heard me...

Oh, and I do like dirt for lunch.

And that is why I like my ATV.

 

Jam Packed...

 That was our summer.  

Crazy, busy fun!

As you know, I didn't blog much.

We were here one day and gone the next.

But now it's time to settle down, clean house, update blogs...

So keeping with tradition, here is a little recap of our summer.

In pictures for your viewing pleasure!

Enjoy!

My "Voluptuous" tea rose.  I did not enhance this photo at all, this rose glows!

Love these climbers on my split rail.  Ahhh.  Enjoyed my flowers this summer.

Made a few 4-wheeling trips.  The sand dunes were a new experience, but I think I prefer trail riding in the trees.

When they got bored...

Did some outdoor camping in the backyard.  Perfect.

Check out the heart on this apple!  It made my day, and that apple tasted extra sweet, I swear!

My girls on our white water rafting trip.  Googles was a bit unsure. We came out soaked, but we did it!

In Sun River waiting for our bus to take us to the white water.  And that's my hot hubby. I told you...a hotty.

Posers.

Biking the trails in Sun River.  It was BEAUTIFUL there.  The trails are wonderful!

Seats four!

My reaction to Trev's comment.  Don't remember the comment, but he tried for this reaction and got it.

At the park in Sun River.  My oldest kept asking..."Where did Dad go?"  She didn't see him climb.

Listening to live music while waiting for pizza in Sun River.  Googles and I danced to it while the teens tried to look cool and not related.  Party poops.

Playing Farkle at Banks Lake with Cheryl and Heather.

Boating on Banks.

My son tearing it up on the stand up.

The kid crew at Banks.  A GREAT bunch!

Back to school cookie baking! MMMMM.  Made plenty to stick in the freezer.

The teens on their first day of school.  What happened to my kiddos?

The youngers on their first day of school.  Still kiddos.  Sigh.

Hope you all enjoyed your summer!

Now of course it is almost time to enjoy fall.

And you KNOW I will enjoy my fall.
CAN'T WAIT!

Today.

I am feeling grateful today.

I slept good.

The house is quiet while I sip my smoothie sitting in the sunny patch on my bed.

My hubby kissed me before leaving early this morning.

It's my son's 14th birthday today...how he has grown.

I get to play tennis in an hour.  What a blessing this body is.

So what if the birds ate my grapes this year...their chirping makes my spirit joyful.

My home is a summer in-and-out mess, but I love home.

Fall is around the corner, oh fall..what you do to me.

I get to make cookies and weed the garden this weekend.  I can't wait.

My oldest is driving.  What a milestone.  I am proud.

My body is thanking me for eating better things.  Thank you for fruit!

Hot shower.  As long as I want.  Wow.

The blessing of another glorious day ahead.

Yes, I am feeling grateful today.

I recommend the peach turnovers...

I DISCOVERED A NEW BAKERY IN TOWN!!!!

I'm one happy girl.

Peanut butter and Jelly.

 Sixteen months apart.

Together from the start.

Peanut butter and jelly.

Burgers and fries.

Can't find one without the other.
These two just always go together.

Got sand?

 Just returned from one of the greatest places on earth.

 The Beach.

Does anyone not love the beach?

What's not to love?

It's sandy heaven.

 

I wish I was still there.  Sigh...

Don't you?

ps - if you want to see more picts, go here  :)

Stuff fluff.

Shelli, Elece, Coach, Janelle, Val

My summer flex league doubles team.
And our awesome coach.
We stuff fluff.
And he is wise.

I love this sport.

Daddio, Cherries & Heaven on Earth.

We just returned from our first summer vacation!

That's Googles holding onto me.

I won't mention the rain, hail, wind, dark clouds, and COLD temps.
I won't tell you about how we were there for a whole week
and I only rode my quad on TWO of those days because of icky weather.

Because I am so positive, I will tell you about the TWO wonderful days.
Sunshine, sand dunes, jumping hills, tearing it up...

There's Trev. Nice jump. Notice the Tetons in the back?
Just beautiful.

Wish there had been more days like that one.

My daddio.
My sis just happened to be in town (QUICK trip) so
we got to celebrate Dad together.
Isn't he handome? He's sweet too.
Oh, you have the best Dad?
BUT SO DO I!!


Feels like summer. FINALLY.
Oh my heart...aren't we blessed to have the beauty of flowers?
Thank you Heavenly Father.
From the bottom of my heart and my whole being.

The comfort & beauty of home.
I love home.

If you came to visit me,
you would be greeted by my welcome frog,
lilies and lavender.


Oh this just keeps getting better.
You can bet I pulled over in a heartbeat today when I saw the sign.
CHERRIES.
Fresh off the trees.
Truly, is there anything better?
Probably. But not today.


We are so lucky to live in orchard country!

I'm so loving summer so far.
How about you?

Blogger's Block.

Oh I've been a bad girl.
I have been avoiding you, blog.
Not on purpose,
life just gets busy you know.

I looked here and there for inspiration.
An exciting and noteworthy blog post.
Writer's block I guess,
I wasn't coming up with much.

But I think that is okay.
I have been enjoying life.
Enjoying SPRING.

You know how I love it,
you've heard it all before.
And maybe I didn't want to bore you
with the same ramblings
about GREEN
about BIRDS
about FLOWERS.
Ah...say no more Shelli,
they've heard it.
They know.

And so...
a few pictures instead.
Here's what I've been up to
while I've been away from the blogging life.
It will have to do for now.

Just know I am really dying to write more about GREEN.
But I won't.

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