Goodbye August

As this last weekend of August was winding down and the sun was setting I grabbed my camera and prepared to head out. But there was no keeping Ellie home. She met me at the back door when she heard me putting on my shoes, tail wagging and all - I had to bring her too. Now I need to say she isn't the best dog in the car. We have leather seats so I put an old flannel sheet down to keep her from sliding around and scratching the seats - she just won't sit still in the car! Of course, summer in Iowa is hot, hot, HOT! With the heat index, temps today were around 90 and it was sticky - that darned humidity! On our drive we alternated between having the air conditioning on and turning it off to open the windows to feel the hot breeze.

We saw a couple of deer, a cat, a few dogs, lots of sheep, goats, cows, children throwing a football in front of an old farmhouse, an Amish girl waved to us, rows and rows of corn, fields of soybeans, fresh cut hay, oodles of dragonflies. We finished our drive by stopping at a nearby enchanted cemetery where we were nearly eaten alive by mosquitoes but got a few pics despite them.

September is calling to us, teasing us with falling leaves, warm colors, football games, apple cider, leaves that crunch when we walk upon them, The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown trying once again to kick the football. Oh Autumn, we await your arrival and embrace the cool air, bonfires, pumpkins. xo - Em

Random snaps from Sunday

Scenes from my drive to Cedar Falls and then to Kent State Park in Oxford, from Sunday. It was a beautiful summer day - hot and sunny!

Summertime and the Reading is Easy

What selections are on your summer reading list - are you reading something new or a great classic? Do you read while at a hot sandy beach with waves lapping against the shore in the background? Relaxing in a deck chair next to a busy pool with the sounds of summer serenading you - hot tunes, splashes, kids laughing and the smell of coconut oil? On the patio with a tall, icy glass of lemonade? While sunbathing on the deck with a Diet Pepsi? Or in your favorite chair under the cool breeze of a ceiling fan? Personally, I’ve read in all of those places and love them all the same. 

Here’s a list of what I’ve read or am reading this summer (only one month left!):

• The current edition of People magazine - cover to cover!
• The Girls from Ames - recommend;
• Knit Two - the next book after Friday Night Knitting Club - recommend;
• Looking for a Love Story - just purchased and haven’t started yet but sounds good!
• The Pioneer Woman Cooks - a super-cool cookbook with yummy delish recipes and great photos - highly recommend!
• Everyday with Rachael Ray - lots of good recipes, party ideas, tips, fashion - it’s a hip, fun mag;
• Somerset Life - inspiring, creative - everything I like to look at and wish I was talented enough to do!
• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - intriguing.

So, what are you reading?