June Chronicle

I'm emerging from summer vacation, albeit slowly.  While July will still show little activity I have some great new things in store for you this fall.

I wanted to wrap up June even though we are half way through July!  This is the busiest time of my year, but full of life.

• Since cc had the flu on my birthday I celebrated the first weekend in June with a dinner at Sauce and a homemade German Chocolate Cake.
• After a reading hiatus I picked up Wild and devoured it.  I also entertained my commute with the last two of Stieg Larrson's audio books.  The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. 
• I spent lots of time with my favorite girls this month. 
• When one thing falls apart, it is inevitable that others will follow.  After the refrigerator water line debacle I had a plumber come out to fix it only to find the oven door panel fall off the next day.  I wish my dad lived closer.
• Date night at Top Golf, and I won.
• I stayed out past 10 PM for a birthday party.  I got home at 1:00 A.M.  I haven't done that in while.
• I've been putting energy into my dream of living near water by looking at lake houses with our realtor.  Possibly a little fixer upper.
• Documented an entire day on video to show our friend's daughter that we were awaiting her arrival.  She video messaged us back from Kansas City the entire day as well. 
• Made my favorite meal of the season - summer vegetable gratin and it was as good as I remember.
• I got an appointment for a massage for my birthday and I used it!  
• Celebrated Fathers Day.
• Worried about the fire danger in Colorado and Nebraska.  I have family in both places.  My brother has been busy fighting grass fires and ended up in the emergency room for heat exhaustion. 
• I made my first ever corn polenta with local corn meal.  It was a little sticky, but the flavor was indulgent.
• I made a canvas print from one of my instagram photos for my sister.  She loved it! 
• Discovered printstagram and ordered several of my favorite prints.  
• I made stationary envelopes from recycled paper.
• I've gone to the pool at lease 3 times.  That's some kind of record, but it does help to have it across the street. 
• I got busy decorating with the music stand and locker baskets that I found.  
• I did not take a single photo aside from my phone the entire month. 
• The aforementioned Kansas City girl came to visit for 8 days. 
• We made friendship bracelets. Something I haven't done since camp.
• Spent a restless night in a camper on the side of the road.
• And the biggest event of all is our second, seasonal business started on June 24th and so I spent most of the month working on marketing, mailing, and ordering supplies. 

In the garden and around in nature

• We have been blessed with a little rain this summer.  It's not much but it does help with June's water conservation challenge.
• I harvested carrots, green beans, squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, black eyed peas, and more onions.  
• With all those peas comes a lot of shelling.  I don't even like them that much...
• I prepped the beds for a fall planting with compost and mulch.  Believe it or not it's time to start thinking about the fall garden. 
• Besides harvesting, watering and weeding have been on my garden chore list for the early morning hours.