Summer Days, driftin' away...

On a rainy, cool Saturday morning, my heart aches a bit for the summer that is slipping away. I even ventured into school yesterday -- that's always the beginning of the end. Actually, the ads for the EX strike the first chord in every teacher's heart in the GTA -- those ads are like a death knell that say summer is over.

So I guess this is the kind of day that is good for reflecting on the sunny days that were -- to look at all Julia and I did this summer, and why there was so little time for bloggin' because we were always out there doin'.

One project was to continue the work from last summer to create a big of a backyard retreat. I had the deck enlarged slightly to the left - you see the different colour of wood -- it helps a bit, but I still don't like the "stage". The new patio umbrella was my Father's Day gift to self -- one of the perks of being a single mom-- you get to celebrate both days in a way. The Southampton craft show was the spot to get the whimsical watermelon table that needed the Muskoka chair as a partner.  I'm sorry to say I didn't spend enough time out there reading this summer - we were on the go or the weather didn't allow when we were here -- but it just means that it will be waiting for me next summer between whatever projects come up then.

If you look to the right of the BBQ you can sort of see something green -- that's my basil plant! A garden essential since I was introduced to Lianne's wonderful appetiser this summer -- bread drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and toasted in the broiler, topped with FRESH basil, boccochini (sp?) cheese and tomato, and seasoned with sea salt and pepper. YUMMY! Who am I eating tomatoes now?  I've made it several times since and call it my amuse bouche!

The garden -- a work in progress -- working on the mostly perennial thing -- did some planting last August with the very-discounted-practically-free-reduced to clear perennials.  Some of them looked pretty rough last year when Julia and I were planting them, and I  worried how they'd withstand the wintery blasts that continued into April you'll recall, but all that aside, some weathered the storms and show up this spring and summer. We've added to the mix for next year - some have actually already given us a late summer show. A new edition was the installation of the solar garden lights. I love looking out at them in the evening.

This is the garden Julia and Alyse started last year - we added Julia's marigold from her end-of-year trip to the farm and her bean plant she started at school (to the left of the the garden fairy) and a clematis. We harvested some of the beens the other day. Julia was delighted.

After the lack of beach days at the beginning of the summer, Moe and I were delighted to soak up the sun at Southampton in July for a few days. We hope to squeeze some more sun and sand in on Labour Day weekend as we bid our final farewell to summer.
Carmel's pool became a reality at the end of Julia -- also a work in progress as far as the yard and landscaping go, but the water was wet and warm -- and even the rain showers didn't dampen the spirits of Julia and her cousin, Sara. If you look closely, you'll see the rain pelting them.
A trip to Marineland was another highlight -- the picture doesn't do this splash from the killer whale justice. Julia was so excited to get catch this wave.
A trip on the Maid of the Mist -- my favourite part - -the roar of the Falls as the tour guide tape announces, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is Niagara Falls!" - just in case, we had forgotten where we were. The girls loved the wet and wild ride for sure. That's my rain poncho ballooning in front of me and them.
You can almost hear Julia squeal as she scores her first butterfly encounter at the Niagara Butterfly Conservatory.
Here is my acrobat/goalie. She did manage to keep the goals out between cartwheels, hand stands and walkovers.  We spent our Tuesdays nights since May at the soccer pitch. Julia showed great skill playing defense this season and won a free dinner for being "Player of the Game".

Another sport under her belt - first solo kayak ride. 

We celebrated Mom's 79th birthday at the beginning of August. Since her fall in April, she's been in a wheel chair -- we are awaiting her customized set of wheels in September. She can "walk-wheel" down the halls in the chair with her feet - a real achievement for a lady who never learned to drive a car.

A trip to the drive-in -- quite an exciting way to spend a summer evening. The kids (that's David, Allison's youngest between Julia and Alyse) loved being tucked away in the back of my car with the blankets and assorted snacks. Moe and I were on our chairs outside the car. 
There will be a summer farewell post after the long weekend -- heavy sigh -- but Julia and look forward to ending our summer where we started it -- in Southampton.