A Short but Sweet Trip

It was very cloudy and all the weather apps (of which I have 5, please don't ask) all predicted rain. But my granddaughter, Bailey and I decided what the heck, we decided to go ahead and drive to Milwaukee to have lunch with our favorite little person, Matilda Mae and her Mom, Hilary. We zipped along the highway without so much as a drip until we were about 30-40 miles from our destination when the sky opened up and rained buckets. It was the kind of rain that makes you want to stop right where you are until you can clearly see the road again, and when a truck passed, you were totally blinded.  Slowly and very carefully we drove on and eventually the rain began to diminish. By the time we reached Matilda's it had stopped.

This little cutie was waiting at the door and wanted to show off her new chair.

Then after a short visit we headed out to a little sandwich shop for lunch. Matilda was sitting facing the window and when that light hits her eyes, oh be still my heart!!

I spotted this sweet cafe after we left and begged Hilary to stop and let me take a quick shot, it just reminded me so much of all the little cafes and bistros in Paris. Discovered that the owner had gone to Paris to learn to bake those sumptuous French pastries and had ordered the chairs from France. No wonder it reminded me of Paris.

Then a quick trip to a Lake Michigan overlook.  It was still very cloudy but at least the rain had stopped.

While there, Matilda needed to show us how she is so ready to walk alone, but still needs that finger for moral support.  Don't ya love those pants!!

Returning home Matilda had to show off her toy dog and what good hugs she gives.

Both she and her Dad have very expressive tongues...did ya notice.

And then I had this great idea for me and Bailey on the floor with Matilda between us for a sweet picture.  It didn't go quite as planned.  I am sure Matilda is thinking...."what the heck are these 2 doing on the floor?"  Enough said.

Until next time.....

She's Almost One...

Can you believe this cutie pie is almost one!!!  Yes, September 17th Matilda Mae will be one year old. Again where does the time go?  We all think she is pretty adorable,even when eating a spoon of watermelon she lights up the room with that toothy grin. I do believe she thinks it's an amazing feat, this eating watermelon and everyone should join in the celebration.  And she is this close to walking on her own. She walks holding on to a finger or pushing her toy cart at home, any day now she will be stepping out without any assistance. Look out world.

The hair is coming in slowly, very slowly. When I think back when her grandmother, my daughter, was a baby, she didn't have much hair until she was 3. So we may have to continue with the bows for awhile longer. Thank goodness her mother has learned how to make these little gems and has fashioned them in pretty much all colors.

Seeing her makes seeing my sweetie a little less painful.

Around here, the birds are chirping, especially when I fill the birdfeeder.  They can go thru an entire feeder full in about 24 hours...little piggies.  I spotted this little gem a few times this summer, I think it is a Carolina Wren.  I am such a bird nerd....I found this app for my I-Phone that helps identify birds.  If you are a nerd like me, it is the Merlin Bird ID. Can't remember if it costs, but if it did, it was minimal.

The bees are still buzzing....

And the flowers are drooping...

And it's HOT and HUMID, with no rain.  I can't even imagine the football players with all that heavy equipment playing in weather like this. Yes, I am whinning but just give me a couple of months and I will probably be complaining of the cold.  I didn't even get to do much porch sitting today it was so uncomfortable. As Jane Austen would say....."What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance."

Until next time......

A Brief Summary...

I dislike beginning every blog post with an apology, but that seems to have been my habit as of late. An apology for not posting, an apology for staying away for so long, an apology to my lovely readers who have stood by me thru post or no post.  As I think back, I was much happier and contented when I blogged everyday. I had a purpose, I shared my thoughts, I spoke my opinions, I talked about books I have read, movies I had seen, TV shows that were drawing my attention and even a product or two that I liked or not.

So in the spirit of once again trying to get back on track I will just highlight what has crossed my path the past month or so. First, I can't believe it is already September. YIKE  The summer that I look so forward to is almost at an end, but the glories of Fall will begin soon.  Second, I did have a good summer, nothing beats an eventful trip to Paris to brighten anyone's summer. Shortly after returning from Paris,I had a couple of blogging friends, Sarah from Paisley Rain Boots and Patti from My Happy Place spend a few days with me visiting places near and far and photographing everything in site. It's always so fun to be with like-minded people. And to top off that visit, Kim from Picking Poppies was in town visiting her family, I welcomed the 2 days spent with her. August ended with a quick visit with my sweeties' two sisters. It's been a round of sheet-changing, laughing, a glass or two or three of wine, eating out (since cooking is not my forte) but I think that is going to change.

This past week my oldest granddaughter moved in with me for an indefinite amount of time due to a personal issue, (we won't go into it, because it is personal). So that non-cooking may be altered in a big way.  It is really nice to have another body in the house, altho I love my kids, they are not much for conversation. My granddaughter and I have always been close, so on a fortuitous level I love having her here with me.

I have spent a huge amount of time on the back porch, soaking up the warm days, watching the birds, reading, slipping in a nap or two. While there I have spotted....

And last night the evening light seemed just about perfect....

I have many photos from our trip into the city (Chicago) and to a famous cemetery where those that defined Chicago are buried.  Too much for one post. Hope you have a good rest of the week and a Happy Labor Day.  Thank you for stopping by and leaving a little love. I do so appreciate your faithfulness.

Until next time.....