June is a Fun & Busy Month!

I'm sure June is busy for everyone; especially if you have kids in school as I do. My husband was in South Carolina for a few days and I didn't even have a chance to miss him! School officially ends for Billy on June 23rd and for Caitlin it is June 25th! I can't wait! I love the kids being home with me in the Summer and just enjoying our days though my son is usually busy working. He's 16 and works either with my husband or for a local landscape architect. We will still get to love our Summers together though! Making time with each other is a priority.

I was so happy receive a visit from someone who means the world to me. My cousin Johanna came up with her family from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The hours go by so fast and I feel like it's over so quickly. We NEVER run out of things to talk about and she is the little sister to me that I never had. We are kindred souls. her children are growing up fast and it was so nice to see them along with her Mom and husband. Jo always comes bearing incredible gifts and her generous heart knows EXACTLY what I love. Not only did she bring me a ton of back issues of Fall & Halloween themed magazines :)  but stacks of cooking magazines that I have been pouring over and enjoying! It's not the gifts though that makes me love her; she's one of those few people I know and love that "gets" me. She's a vintage style gal in many ways. We share a love for so many things--retro everything, collecting, antiques, thrift shops, Amish, baking, cooking, gardening, ...the list is endless. She's the only person I ever met who thinks 1950's Moms are the coolest Moms ever! Thank goodness we are cousins! And have I mentioned she makes THE best baked ziti in the entire world. And she is an incredible baker...but back to the GIFTS! :)   always love the gifts.....

Look at this amazing lamp! We believe it is from the 1970's, you know the Early American revival that occurred. I know my Mom loved Early American and we had that style in our home. That's where I get my love of country from! Perfect for my foyer! This lamp is such a beauty.

 

Since I began blogging in 2009 I have mentioned my LOVE for Holly Hobbie probably more times than most of you want to hear!  Johanna always keeps her eyes open for me and she said in Pennsylvania there is Holly Hobbie galore at all the thrift shops and sales! Not here on Long Island! I rarely find anything!

 

mug

ornament

Holly Hobbie HEAVEN! One of her gifts to me in the past was a beautiful Holly Hobbie cake mold!

My love for all things Amish also....She is so lucky to have relocated to Amish country almost ten years ago...I'm so jealous.

I hung the Amish picture HERE:   (look below)

So I had a great visit and hope to see her this Summer too.

Caitlin and I had a few last Girl Scout activities for the year...we wrapped 60 crocheted blankets into packages for delivery to hospitals. That was super fun. The incredible workmanship on these blankets knitted or crocheted by local senior organizations for donation to area hospitals for cancer patients, sick children, and nursing homes was amazing. One was prettier than the next. How comforting is a warm, fuzzy blanket? I know the recipients must treasure them.

We also celebrated our 4th grade year of Girl Scouts at a frozen yogurt café. Our troop did a lot of community service this year so now it was time to kick back and see them enjoying their treats. I have twelve girls and all of them renewed their membership for next year. I'm so pleased.

Field Day at Burr!

Caitlin is taking a break here. She participated in two relay races, and the Frisbee toss. She is great at frisbee!

What's up next before school ends? class party, 4th grade bbq, flag day, spirit day....I think that should wrap it up then! WOO we need a vacation!

My two cats, Jinxie & Miss Moo Moo are going crazy keeping track of all the birds nests around our house. These two house wrens have made their nest in a metal window box that is filled with dogwood flowers right outside my kitchen window....it is driving the cats INSANE!!!! You can see the two birds plotting and planning about the cats as they sit just outside the window box....

They are in and out of the window box adding things to their nest. Here he is clinging on my screen...

 

 My other friend is this handsome gentleman:

My big black crow who comes every morning for a snack. He is so smart and actually spies in my kitchen window to see if I have anything for him. I love him and he reminds me that Halloween is only a few months away!!!! PLUS, we still have our family in the hanging gourd on the front porch!

Before I go, here are a few other things I've added to my house this week:

This apple checkerboard set!

 

 

 

And this great wooden sign: 

 

Have a terrific Saturday doing whatever you are doing! I need to start planting! I haven't started yet! I've been enjoying my perennials! Hopefully by next weekend I'll have the garden done! All I can say is that my roses and peony plants are smelling delightful!