Savoring Summer . . . and a Smoothie!

The summer went by too fast! It is only a couple of weeks until school starts, and this year will be Isaac's first year in full-time school. He will be in Kindergarten. Last year he was in a private preschool on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. It was wonderful for him  . . . and me.  He loves to be active and socialize with other people! I hope he will also develop a love for learning. It will be fun to see how everything goes for him this school year. We will be his biggest fans in whatever he does. We will also offer discipline when needed. He has already been told that if he gets in trouble at school he will get in trouble at home. I hope that we will not need to follow up on that warning. We'll see.

So, I'm savoring the last bits of summer. We are going swimming and being lazy and eating lots of fresh, sweet fruit! Summer has always been my favorite season. Yes, it is hot, too hot, but it is beautiful to see the flowers and gardens growing and enjoy swimming and playing at the beach. The strawberries, canteloupes, watermelons, and peaches are wonderful at this time of year.

Unfortunately we haven't gotten much rain the past couple of weeks, so I have had to water all our plants and flowerbeds and garden areas. Watering is not fun, but I have learned to relax and enjoy it. It helps me slow down a little and just enjoy the pretty flowers. I got up early this morning, Jason went to work, and Isaac was still sleeping. I checked on the two watermelons growing in our garden, and one might be ready to pick soon but the other is a little small and I'm not sure if it will make it. I looked at the kale, too and decided I would use some of the small, tender pieces to make a salad like the one I had a La Madeleine the other day.  Yum! It was so simple, but so yummy. Field greens, balsamic vinegrette, chopped pecans, and dried cranberries. It was so good!

Here are some of our blooming beauties right now!

These rain lilies in our courtyard really enjoy rain. When we get even a light shower, they come out in full force!  

I love hydrangea! These are in a corner near the roses in our garden area.

Gladiolus in our garden area. I love this color with the light and dark pink and white to set it all off! They are so elegant!

The first time I saw million bells flowers, I was in love! This planter is in our courtyard, so I get to see it every day when we are coming and going! They grow without too much fuss, so I love that it is easy to care for them! 

This planter is at the front of the house where we park our cars. The purple leafed plant is Oxalis, and
I'm not sure what the others are, but I love them! 

SunPatiens are pretty, but they are impatient for water . . . ha ha ha!  They need water about every other day. 

Classic mums on our back patio. 

Million bells and pitunia, and not sure what the fuzzy pink and white flowers are.

Echinacea and yellow million bells on our back patio! I am most happy about these because I can see them from my bedroom window, so every day when I open the shades they are there to say good morning! 

After I watered the plants, I came in for a simple smoothie. This one is so easy and so yummy! You have to try it!

Simple Smoothie
1 cup frozen strawberries
2 cups milk (soy milk, almond milk, etc.)
1 frozen banana
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt

Blend and enjoy!! It tastes like summer!