Day One Hundred Seventy Two 2010

Hello, Summer!

Day lily says hello to the official first day of Summer. Of course, here in middle Tennessee, it has felt like Summer for the past several weeks. Celebrate the Summer Solstice. Eat a bowl of ice cream or a juicy slice of watermelon. Happy Summer, y'all!

Day One Hundred Seventy One 2010

Happy Pappy Day!

Daughters Holly and Kelly treated their dad and Jerry to a homemade spaghetti lunch at Holly's house today. Holly made spaghetti sauce, using her Granddad Mabry's legendary recipe.

Grand daughter Shelby set the table for our yummy meal.

Spaghetti, salad and garlic cheese bread coming right up.

Son in law Jerry making a fresh salad.

My gift to hubby Neil was this shirt from Bill O'Reilly's website.

The dad's seemed pretty happy with their presents and cards.

Sweet Father's Day portrait. These guys rock!

Dad and daughters. (It took several shots to get this one--I won't even post the ones of them doing pig noses--although maybe I should....)

Elijah couldn't wait to sample the dessert Holly made.

This awesome cake with strawberries on the bottom and whipped cream topping was totally delicious. We all enjoyed the great meal and just being together on this special day for dads. Thanks for having us over, Holly! Remembering my dad today, too, who passed away eleven years ago. Love him and miss him so much! (Thanks for the spaghetti sauce, Pop!) Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.

Day One Hundred Seventy 2010

Peeps

A pre-Father's Day portrait. Nobody wanted to get near Neil because he was so dirty and he smelled so bad from working so hard in the heat on our front yard path. Good times. Nice day.

Day One Hundred Sixty Nine 2010

Greetings From Planet...Earth

Praying Mantis looks like a visitor from another planet. He was on a rocking chair on the back porch today, and he looked like he was dancing. I'll bet he was celebrating T.G.I.F. I'll bet you did, too. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Day One Hundred Sixty Eight 2010

Little Bit Of This, Little Bit Of That

Grand kids Shelby and Elijah were getting dressed just before lunch this morning. Elijah put his Scooby Doo underwear on his head and raced around the room. Kids in motion always make for blurry pictures, but it's hard to resist.

Elijah Man (and underwear) in motion. Makes me dizzy.

They made Father's Day cards for their dad this afternoon. I have lots of card stock (Shelby calls it "thick paper", which it is), and they like to use my stamps and stamp pads to create their art. Shelby's card is so sweet. Her daddy is going to love it.

Elijah stamped for a while, then realized it was much more fun making colorful fingerprints. His card is pretty cool.

Gala apple slices dipped in caramel make a yummy snack. For me.

Neil bought a sack of peaches from the Mennonite family's fruit and veggie stand on Willow Avenue at lunch. He and daughter Holly love peaches. Peaches smell like Summer to me. Holly sniffed one and said, "Smells like Grandpa. He always had peaches." I thought that was such a sweet remembrance.

The Dahlia takes a bow. Lots of them blooming in the backyard right now. Hope your Thursday was full of good stuff, too.