September

We started September with a beach vacation. 

The NC Aquarium featured a butterfly exhibit.  It's hard to see in this picture but the air was full of butterflies.

There were employees stationed at the exits to be sure no hitchhikers rode out with us.

 Phillip and Hannah on the Southport/Fort Fisher ferry

We celebrated Hannah's 20th birthday. 

We drove to the Blue Ridge Parkway one Saturday.  This beautiful pond was at one of the overlooks.

We went camping to try out our new tent.  It was Lilly's turn to spend the night so she went with us. 

 Work started on the patio.  This is beside the carport at the back of the house.

Beginning in September, Phillip is only working 4 days a week.  He is easing into retirement.  His plan is to retire fully at the end of the year.  I completed my training for the Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to volunteer in this capacity.

Late Post for August

August was a busy month in a lot of ways.  It began with the ceiling fan in Hannah's room overheating one night, so the next day Phillip replaced it. We estimate that the old one had been there since the house was rebuilt after the fire in 1987, so we can't complain too much about it.

The new ceiling fan

Emily and Jon came for a visit, but I didn't even take one picture.  I'm sad about that, but we enjoyed the time with them. 

August was Jonas's month to have a sleepover with us.  It was fun to have him here.  He is growing up so quickly!

Jonas and Phillip getting ready to work outside

I started physical therapy for my shoulder.  It has really helped with the pain.  

Our potato crop was very good this year, but we don't have a way to store them.  I always make fries for the freezer but that takes up a lot of freezer space.  This year I tried canning them.  I've used one quart already, just to see how they keep.  I fried them, and they were as good as frozen.

A few of our potatoes with "personality"

   Canned potatoes

We also canned apples, tomatoes, peaches, rotel, vegetable soup mix, and tomato sauce.  Now the summer garden is winding down.  We've planted cabbages, broccoli, pumpkins, and onions for the fall.  I'm still hoping to get some spinach in the ground before it gets too late. 

 

A Busy July

We celebrated the Fourth with family, fun, and food.  In the evening, we took our packages of (legal) fireworks to the assisted living facility where Hannah works and shot them off for some of the residents.  Compared to the regular fireworks, it was a pitiful little show but we had so much fun.  The residents really got a kick out of it.

 Since it was a hot day, we had our picnic inside.  Jonas is okay.  He just didn't want his picture taken.

 The ice cream distracted him and he didn't mind having this picture taken.

Lilly really enjoyed her ice cream!

Lucy got soapy on the slip and slide.

 July was Lucy's month to spend the night with us.  She helped  can sweet relish.  She washed the jars,

 helped measure the ingredients,

and stirred it all up.  

She did a great job!

Phillip dug the potatoes.  This year we got more than we did last year.

  I canned tomato sauce, salsa, and green beans.

Barn swallows built a nest in the carport.  It was so much fun to watch them.  Four baby birds hatched and grew up.  These are the last 2 babies trying to get the courage to fly.

Hannah had a Saturday off so we went adventuring.  We happened upon Rose Hill Plantation in SC and had a nice, relaxed day.

Jaclyn, Caleb, Jack, and Sam came for a visit.  We celebrated Sam's seven year, one month, one day birthday.  It was fun to have all the cousins together.

Hannah coordinated an awesome water fight.

So July ended the way it began, with family, fun, and food. 

In June

The gardens grew well.  I was able to can 8 pints of sweet relish using our cabbages, peppers, green tomatoes, and onions.  We pulled up the snap peas, the broccoli, and the spinach.  We picked a few strawberries at a time but they're pretty much finished now.  Green beans, okra, corn, and onions are still coming along.

 green peppers

 Cabbages - taken early in June just as they were beginning to form heads.  They made huge heads that were delicious.  

 Roma tomatoes - They're starting to ripen now so I should be busy canning them this month.

Potatoes - Phillip dug the small bed but this larger bed is still growing.

Jonas spent the day with me because Rachel's girls weren't feeling well.  

He drew pictures on the marker board.

 He prepared a delicious snack of crushed potato chips.

 He played in the dirt.

I got more dolls ready to ship to Haiti.

Pirate's Landing

Phillip's 65th birthday was on June 4.  Our family met in Elkin at Pirate's Landing restaurant to celebrate together.  

 We drive past here on our way to Virginia and Phillip has always wanted to stop and eat but we never have.  He was excited to have his birthday dinner here.

 We all liked watching the fish in the pond that surrounds the restaurant.

 This is our whole family except for Emily's husband, Jon who had to work.  

 Laura, Michael, Jimmy, Lilly (peeking out beside Rachel), Rachel, Hannah, Emily

 Daniel, Caleb, Jack, Jason, Jonas

 Jaclyn and Daniel

 Sam discovering that he really likes hush puppies.

 Jason, Jonas, stranger in background

 The kids were glad their grandpa was willing to share his birthday dessert.

 Lucy, Jonas, Lilly, Sam, and the pirate

Sam and the pirate

This is one of my favorite pictures.  Sam is teaching Lucy how to thumb wrestle.

 Front row:  Sam, Lucy, Lilly

Back row:  Jack, Phillip, me, Jonas, Caleb

 Happy birthday, Phillip!