First Signs of Summer's End

I've been spending most Wednesday nights this summer listening to the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra in Madison. They produce an amazing concert for six weeks straight--free of charge! Tonight was the last one of the season. My dad and I have been going to these concerts for the past ten years. I really look forward to spending time with my dad--and my mom, husband and brother too when they are able to make it. It is the perfect excuse to get away and chat, eat delicious picnic food, and read and relax. I've also gotten my concert "friends" who I see for six weeks every summer but then go ten months without.


Events such as these remind you why summer is so great! I hope you are all able to enjoy something similar to this too! It doesn't get much better.

Auf Wiedersehen

I am so blessed to have some very amazing people in my life. One of them, Megan (yes, it makes remembering our names easy) just signed a two year contract to teach as a 3rd grade teacher in a school in Germany. So, this week has been filled with quality Megan time--we ate lunch at a small cupcakery in Madison, went to Concert on the Square, ate an awesome dinner with her family and friends--and said our final goodbyes yesterday in Madison. Ah, I'm going to miss this girl these next two years. But thank goodness for Skype, email, facebook and her new blog! Some friends are just too good to even think about losing touch with--Megs is one of them. I'm so excited for her--hopefully you'll be lucky to have her as your child's teacher sometime in the future. She really is a person who was born to teach and she does an AMAZING job.

I think I'll have to focus on some other great friends in this blog. There are so many people who just make life. . .happy!

Farmers Market Find

Beloit has one of the best farmers markets ever. It's the perfect size for a farmers market--two blocks lined on both sides with vendors and a side parking lot full of even more! The prices are right and all the vendors are within 30 miles of Beloit. I found these flowers today. . .for $5.00! I'll enjoy them while eating my yummy green beans, potatoes and corn on the cob! Ah, the joys of summer!

Summer Lovin'

It's summer--and we all know what that means! Summer lovin! While I love my dear husband, I think I have found a new love for this summer.


This little hose reel definitely has my heart this year. It makes watering those flowers that are faaarrrr away (i.e. at the very back of our garden area) much, much easier. No more yanking it and having the reel tip to the side or tripping over the knots. No siree, this little invention has got to be one of the best in the world.

On a side note, I feel as though summer has finally started today. I finished my grad class this afternoon and now instead of waking up at 5:30 every morning, I'm hoping to enjoy my summer break by having some bonfires (with smores), staying up late reading and sleeping in (at least until 8:00). Ahh, it's summer!

Summer Laundry

Ahh, the simple joys of summer! I love hanging clothes up on the line outside. Not only does it smell so clean and fresh, not only does it save on that darn energy bill. . .but it also gives me an excuse to be outside while doing some of my chores.

Rainy Day Quilting

Here in Wisconsin it has been raining for five days straight! But don't despair, I have some quilting to do.

I plugged in a little Private Practice and had a great/relaxing afternoon of quilting and catching up on Private Practice (great show, by the way). I got 15 of my 40 squares done. I'll show you the final project in a week or two.

Ahh, the joys of a rainy day.

Dough Raising

This evening we had the opportunity to participate in a "Dough Raising" event sponsored by Papa Murphy's in Beloit. We handed out fliers to patrons which promoted Papa Murphy's and in return we were given 20% of all orders that were taken tonight. The proceeds are going to our Relay for Life team which is sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

So. . .Jon and I splurged. Not only did we enjoy a yummy taco pizza but we bought some of their cookie dough! We created our very own cookie and ice cream creations (mimicked after a favorite dessert in the Twin Cities). What a simple treat--cookie dough in our little cast iron skillets, add some ice cream and chocolate syrup and you get some amazingly delicious creations!