Summer Fun Times

As I type this to you, a thunderstorm is raging...but not for long. Today our cooler temps will climb quite high and the sun will shine. Mid 90's we are being told by the local news. Not my cup of tea for sure, but I am trying to appreciate all that Summer has to offer with the beauty of the plants and flowers thriving in the heat, growing with the sudden downpours and thunderstorms and relishing a time of no schedules for school and activities. We are off to a good start. We've enjoyed meals in our backyard at the patio table, breakfast on the front porch, fire pits and smores at night. We've caught fireflies and gone for long walks, chased the ice cream man more times then I care to mention (he drives too fast or I'm getting slow :(   We have gone swimming and sat with family for bbqs. I love every minute of it. Although we do have the occasional bickering between siblings, we are a peaceful house :) Peaceful and quiet and reflective. I often think about what we have accomplished with this house my husband built in 2008 and although it isn't quite finished, I often reflect on what a huge project he embarked on--building an entire home by himself. As I rock back and forth in my favorite chair on the porch, I think about how we lived in the basement for one full year as my husband demolished and then completely rebuilt the house above our heads. Now I can enjoy the fruits of his labor...and we all are.
My son has been working tirelessly in our yard. He loves outdoor work just like his Dad. At 13 years old, he already appreciates so many things it can take a lifetime for an adult to realize. He loves building, he is interested in decorating, plants, farms, food, everything...He loves all things that make a family a family.  He loves hunting garage sales and tag sales and all things antique and redo-able. That's my boy!
He has been transforming one side of our yard that  had lost the 5 trees from Hurricane Irene and what a job he has been doing! I will post  photos when he is finished. He has transplanted bushes, pulled weeds, stacked brick, cultivated his way around that side yard that now it looks delightful. But he still has one section left so he wouldn't let me photograph it. We plan to replace the trees that were lost with Leland Cypress--a whole row. That's the plan...but for now it's just clean up! I'm so proud of him.
He was also the recipient of a really cool birthday gift from his Aunt Linda~~Linda knows Billy likes retro and old stuff like his Mom & Dad :)    She bought him this really cool cd holder/cabinet that looks like  50's drink machine! How cool is that? AND when we went into the Christmas Tree Shoppe we saw these retro Coca Cola signs, and Billy bought two to hang in his room. I love how it looks! One is hanging by his favorite metal sign--Cracker Jack & his doggy.
Speaking of retro~~we had some fun for lunch that day with Aunt Linda too! (BTW Linda is one of my husband's 3 sisters and she lives in Deer Park which is like 20 minutes away) We went to Johnny  Rockets! What an amazing place. My kids were teasing me that I was living my Happy Days dream---knowing my love for the Fonz :)   (hey, I'm a 70's kid and EVERYONE loved Fonzie)

CD Cabinet!

Look at the cool interior. They got it right! The juke box, the chrome tables and chairs, the music that was playing, the signs on the walls, and the staff wearing a uniform with that cool triangle hat. My Grandpa and Uncle Frank owned a Carvel from the 60's till the mid 80's and they wore those paper triangle hats! I love them. I actually wanted one from Johnny Rockets. Maybe next time....Anyway, I had a burger and a chocolate milkshake as did my kids and Linda. When they served Caitlin her plate,they had a separate plate with ketchup for her fries made into a smile :)  love those personal touches. It makes us feel special. We had fun! I told Linda her name for the lunch was Ralph Malph, Billy was Potsy and Caitlin was Richie Cunningham---I was the Fonz.....they didn't want to play :(  I really wanted to be Howard anyway and dispense good advice at the table.....   :0  ......Loved Tom Bosley.    Enough silly talk!  We had a blast!

New sign for his room!

Onto the Christmas Tree Shoppe where I got me a new flag that goes perfectly with my house. An aged, tea stained tan cloth flag! LOVE IT!  I also got some eucalyptis to fill that brass receptacle thingy I got at a garage sale (see a few posts back). We still don't know if it's an umbrella holder or what...Linda says it's a tall spittoon (yuck)...I say it's a "receptacle"  :)   say it in a "proper" voice --receptacle..... and we're going with that!!! I like how it came out! And Christmas Tree Shoppes is very reasonable. Eucalyptis only $1.99 a bunch...I used two to fill 'er up! I also got two braided rugs--one for the kitchen and one for the family room by the sliding doors.  Love that place. I could buy a whole lotta stuff there!

I also changed up the barn star birdhouse that hangs on my porch. I affixed that wooden American birdhouse OVER the plain one. It brightened it up and I added some Americana berries. Happy 4th of July!

Another sool one near Mr. Cracker Jack

Before I go, I jst wanted to share some photos of some of my other cats. Have you met Dixie? We have her for 8 years. We rescued her from a big park in Smithtown. It took us 3 visits there to catch her! She must have been there for quite some time. She is deaf and she has hardly any teeth hence the reason her tongue hangs out! The vet had told us that she probably broke her teeth trying to open up things to eat from dumpsters or from fighting. She is a sweetheart who loves her home. She is happy EVERY DAY! We call her Dixie Doodle. She is so grateful  and loves her family. We love her so much.

I know you have met Red Cat....He's called Red Cat because when he was s stray outside he used to hear me say "Where is that red cat? I want to feed that red cat" ....sooooo he thought his name was Red Cat and that is what he answers to. Now he is not a stray but for the last 6 years he is ours...and he likes to lounge on the porch chairs. He's very protective of his house. He is like O'Malley  the Alley Cat from the Disney movie the Aristocats  (One of my favorites).

Order Up!

Two happy faces!

DELICIOUS!

Love my new (OLD) flag!

Pretty RECEPTACLE :)

Dixie

The rain has ended and the sun is out! Another day ready to begin!  Have a joyous one!

Summer Days

Good Morning on this bright and sunny Sunday! We are really happy to see the sun here as we had quite a week of heavy rains and thunder storms! It was also very hot--in the 90's--which is not what we are used to here on Long Island! In our Summer months, we usually peak at the mid 80's. Not being a heat lover, I was not very happy this week :)  now I am! It is lovely outside!

on the prowl for peanuts even in the rain

My blue jay friends, who share the peanuts I throw with the squirrels, were soaking wet! I felt so sad for them. I could literally see their skin through their feathers they were so drenched! Yet they still waited for me perched on my mailbox, shed roof and porch keeping their watchful eyes on all exits of my house waiting for me to toss them their peanuts. I love them, and I have quite an abundance of them and cardinals too. Sometimes it's a funny show to see the blue jays stealing the peanuts from the squirrels! All is fair in the peanut wars!

Soaked to the skin

Rainy day but the blue jays are out

Big horse chestnut tree is a shady delight

Oldies but goodies

My Caitlin the bargain hunter!

Billy & Caitlin shopping the market

The fountain works!

What a steal for $3!

A rocker for Annie or my bears!

A new kitten to add!

We did have a nice weather day last Saturday when we went upstate to Stormville, NY for the Stormville flea market. It was a little smaller this year but nonetheless TERRIFIC! This is a flea market held every weekend for new things but the one I go for is the twice yearly "NY STATE"S LARGEST GARAGE SALE". You find all kinds of things! It is held in June and in September. Aisles of treasures! I added a little bird fountain to my bird collection for only $2 and the fountain works, an adorable teapot that is a head of a lettuce with little bunnies for $2, an adorable rocker for my Raggedy Annes or Bears for only $3, a great box for my porch or foyer or mudroom area that says HATS & MITTENS for only $3! What a buy! It was marked $6 but when my husband opened the lid to see the condition (which was fine!) the lady said $3!! SOLD! I added a battery operated Halloween witch that laughs and blinks for $5 to my Halloween collection, and some Thanksgiving and Fall decorations for .50 to $1 each. Oh, and last year I bought this little knick knack of a cat in a basket and this year I found another piece to it! The one with the cat standing up in the basket! Sold for $1! I'll take it, thank you! We had a great day strolling for bargains! Then after that we visited Billy's brother & family who live about 15 minutes from there in Lake Carmel. A lovely day! I think I might paint the little rocker...not sure. I was envisioning a prim yellow or mustard color.....Thoughts?

School finally ended on Friday June 22nd.  For Staff Appreciation day, I made Banana Cream pies!I love to donate a food item to that event-- thanking the school's employees, office workers and janitors for their service with a lunch prepared by the parents! It was a busy month at school. I was there to see Flag Day celebrated with songs and flag waiving. The Police and National Guard came to sing with the kids as well.

 Now that school is over for the year, it's time to relax! My son and daughter and I have already been enjoying breakfast on our porch , swimming, and just doing simple yard work. My big horse chestnut tree in the backyard is a huge source of shade back there! I've been drying some of my hydrangea blooms for future projects too. I love the laid back feel of Summer.

If anyone is interested in making their own homemade finger paints, here is the recipe: 
3 tbsp of sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 cup cornstarch, 2 cups water. Combine in a saucepan and heat till warm, wait for it to thicken....Cool it down and pour into containers---then add food colorings of your choice and strength of color! 

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Winding down the school year.....

Good Morning to everyone! This post has been in the draft form since Memorial Day! What a beautiful time of year it is and it is filled with wonderful things to do and see! Although our weather has been both good and bad, the important dates when we had school functions or parties turned out just fine! I love Summer but don't love the heat --Autumn is my favorite time of year. I think we are off to a good start! My son can't wait to be his Dad's carpenter helper again. He is learning so much!

Our Daisy troop marched in the Memorial Day Parade! What an honor. We had an amazing turnout of residents to salute our soldiers and veterans which is always so great. Afterwards we just worked in the garden and my son and husband did some work on our house. Miss Caitlin was swinging on her swing. School has kept me very busy. I had mentioned Caitlin's play in another post; then we had field day! She participated in several events and relays. This is such a fun day at our school. Picnic lunch, water balloon toss, relays, ices...I know many of your children have field day as well and know how much fun it is.  I have said many times how much I love our school district but I can't stop saying it! We had a great day and Caitlin was excited for me to take pictures of her with her friends. I wish my son would let me photograph him more but he's 13 and usually says "no, Mom" and I try to respect that.

A few days after field day, we had Caitlin's birthday party in our backyard! She turned 7 at the end of March but had wanted a bouncer so she was willing to wait until June! 18 little girls enjoyed it! We had pizza and my sister made the lovely birthday cake! The amazing thing was that the sun was out all day and just as the LAST child left our home--THUNDERSTORMS! but we were okay with that! The party was over and we still had leftover cake :)

I actually don't have too many leftovers these days though as my little friend Miss Raccoon comes every day for a meal. She politely sits on my back porch and waits. She likes to eat her food from a dish (!) and also enjoys bagels. I can't make this stuff up.  She will sit and enjoy her meal and then wait to see if dessert is coming..(that's where my husband comes in...he gives her chocolate chip cookies)  Then she goes home and we see her the next day. Don't fear--we are cautious. She's just a lovely visitor.

I think Miss Raccoon heard from the squirrels that there is good eating at the Stone house. I am "peeped"at through my windows by my squirrel buddies constantly. They love their peanuts and peanut butter bread and now that they can't reach the doorbell, they feel the need to sit on my mailbox or porch rocker and spy. I love the little buggers.

I have posted a photo of Robin. We call it his school picture as Caitlin said "Robin doesn't have one".
He sat so nicely on our kitchen chair and I thought it reminded me of when kids sit at their desks for the school picture. He is such a big ball of love. He's like my third child as we have him since he was born and he relates to Billy and Caitlin better than he does to other cats! Another good son!

My house is always decorated patriotically~~I love Americana~~and I wanted to show you what I did with the rooster mug holder I got from a  garage sale a few weeks back. I could resist it. It was a very nice mug holder, tags still attached to it for $5.99 from Home Goods, and it was so pretty. I couldn't pass it up for $1!  The mugs were too heavy though and it was always tipping sooo I packed it up in my closet and just  let it be; I knew I would come up with a purpose for it and sure enough...I hung my rustic Americana ornaments from it! Doesn't it look festive and pretty? It's now in my foyer! Sometimes it can take a while to find a use but you always do!

I had gotten this wooden toy high chair at a garage sale several years ago. It's actually Amish made but someone had tried to paint it or decorate it :(  not in a good way......then they decided to just rid themselves of it and that's where I came in! Some paint and rub on transfers! I just added that happy little Boyds bear that I got STILL IN THE PACKAGE for $2! I didn't even realize she was Boyds at first. I had loved her for her dress and sunflower! She sits proudly in my kitchen. When people visit and say "I love Caitlin's dolly high chair" I say "It's mine!  But I let her play with it!"   :)      Share, share-that's fair   I had the high chair put away for quite a while but decided to keep it out again hence the reason I thought you might enjoy seeing it ;)

Last weekend we had a busy two days! Our great neighbors behind us who have children the same age as mine had a birthday party for their daughter who is 7 like Caitlin. They have a great pool that the Dad dug and built HIMSELF...with a wee bit of help from the Stone family too I might add. He is also doing an extension to his house by HIMSELF...(my husband poured the foundation but Dave is doing the building...) Love it. We are do-ers here.....Isn't it lovely? The whole house will be that wood siding....very Montauk. The house is high ranch and he added on a second floor and that  summer room as they are calling it with big windows. Those big windows face my house :)  Great friends and neighbors and Caitlin swam for the first time in the DEEP end! Big news it was at the party! She got lots of congratulations and cheers. Like Bill and I, our neighbors choose to rebuild or add on instead of move to a bigger house. My house used to be a 5 room ranch with a basement. In 2008, my husband knocked it down and built the home you see in my photos. He did the entire house himself!We went from 1000 square feet to 2800. And for 1/2 the cost a builder would have charged. It's great when your husband is the builder! and although sometimes I love and dream about living elsewhere, I know in my heart that this is where I should be for now. I guess my neighbors have the same feeling!

The next day my niece Michelle and her husband had a family bbq!Such a wonderful day. It's heartwarming for me to see my beautiful niece (who is a teacher) follow in the footsteps of her Mom, Grandmas and (me!)   She did an incredible job. She made everything herself except the potato salad (her Mom made that) and let me tell you I am asking HER for recipes! For someone married only just under two years she has mastered so many things in the kitchen! She had it all flowing so nicely too. Usually at family parties we start with appetizers and "pickings", then proceed a little later to the main course followed by fruit and dessert. She changed up a bit and CHANGE IS GOOD sometimes!! Michelle had all kinds of dips first ( I brought Texas Caviar-- a yummy recipe with avocado, corn, black beans and more), chips, etc. Then a little later she served  cheeseburger sliders, hot dogs and make your own tacos!  A while after that she had chicken shishkebabs, London Broil, and a whole bunch of other stuff for our dinner. It was such a pleasure to be there``not only for her good cooking but for her presentation too! Oh she made this delicious spinach and strawberry salad with home-made poppy seed dressing, home- made baked beans, the list goes on and on...a big pasta salad (her new recipe).....It was just a great day and like I said, my heart just beams that she is carrying on a tradition of welcoming family and friends with a love and good home cooking! Our future family members are in good hands.....She has a small garden too growing strawberries, basil and a few other things. :) and her husband built the pond. What can I say I'm a proud Auntie.

Saturday is Stormville Flea Market upstate! Can't wait to go! You just never know what you're gonna find. I'll be blogging about it next week!

Have a great day!

Peeping Squirrel

Miss Raccoonie

Robin

Field Day

Neighbor's pool

Our neighbor's extension