Some Random Friday Facts....

Another dreaded day under the belt....today I had to return to Lincolnshire to gather the rest of my sweetie's clothes, furniture and personal belongings.  My son-in-law Sam rented a small u-haul truck to carry the furniture back to his house in waiting for my grand-daughter, Brie to take it to school with her when she returns in August.  She has rented an apartment, and ofcourse furniture is needed, so the timing was perfect. When he moved into Lincolnshire 2 years ago, I purchased brand-new bedroom furniture, bed, mattress, night-stand, and large dresser with mirror, along with chairs & lamps.  He doesn't need any of that where he is now...it is all provided, so what better way to use it than to furnish Brie's new apartment.

After another tearful goodbye I headed out to the country to find the peace that it always brings me.  This I will definitely miss since moving him to town, I will no longer have these drives to look forward to...

The Queen Anne's Lace is blooming.....

As I drove, I turned down a road that I had driven on about a month or so ago, but that day it was foggy and rainy....today was sunny and hot.  Things always look different when the sun is shining so I drove over this familiar road and stopped to take a picture of the fence post and then the barn.

As I was taking pictures I could see a man walking across the field toward me, obviously on his way to speak to me.  My first instinct was to turn and get back in the car and drive away....but I thought, heh, I am not doing anything wrong, I am standing in the road, not on anybody's property....and what the heck, I am taking pictures of a fence post, for goodness sake.

Well, sure enough his first words were..."can I help you"...no, just taking pictures, is there anything wrong? "well, just wondering why you are taking pictures of my boss's house"....oh, I am not taking pictures of the house, I am taking pictures of the fence post.   "Fence posts huh?, well we get a little suspicious out here when someone drives up on these quiet roads and starts taking pictures"....I then explain to him about visiting my husband and then finding solace in driving thru the country after these visits and taking pictures. And then I mentioned that I had been on this same road about a month prior, in the rain and had taken a picture of the old barn in the rain & mist.  "Oh," he says, "I am taking that old barn apart and re-finishing a basement with the barnwood."  If you have the picture I would really appreciate a copy of it, and any that you might take today. Not only would I like the picture but the new and old owners would really appreciate it as well."   

Today....

Last month....(look at the difference in the height of the corn.  I measured it today and it was at least 7 feet tall)

Just proves that a smile and a friendly word can turn someone's suspicions around really quickly.  I now know his name, and have his email.  Pictures are on the way.

Also on the way home I stopped by one of my favorite garden centers.  They were loaded with beautiful flowers to freshen up the pots that have become a little tattered....I have a couple that definitely needed some fresh new flowers.  Between barns & a stop at the garden center, my mood definitely lightened.

Now who wouldn't feel better after a stop here.

Bookclub met tonight....our book this month was "The Light Between Oceans" by M. L. Stedman....definitely a thumbs up for me.

And a couple of pics from the photo shoot on Wednesday....great family, good shots, perfect day.

Joining Nancy, Madge, Maria and Kristi..

Blue (as in the color)

Kristi over at Live and Love Outloud has a new summer photography challenge entitled Nurture Photography with a new challenge each week from now until August 2nd.  This week our inspiration is the color blue...rather appropriate since the colors of the week are red, white & blue here in the good ole' USA. I love these challenges and who doesn't like blue?  I began in my garden with blue...

An added little garden ornament that resembles my Toby....

The sky on the 4th of July...pretty perfectly blue...

And a blue or two fireworks was naturally added...

This morning Marti and I headed to the French Market...what a grand place to spend a Saturday in the summertime.  Fresh produce with a little bit of everything else....cheeses, wines, fresh flowers, nursery plants, jewelry, purses.  When it comes to jewelry, purses, fresh cheeses and good wine, I am in heaven, throw in a little fresh produce and it is perfection.  Adding the fact that I can take pictures is a bonus.  Look what I found....a sweetie pie with a blue hat & lady-killer blue eyes.

Another sweetie pie with blue ear-rings, and blue eye-shadow singing into a blue microphone.  She is a regular here on Saturday mornings and it such a pleasure listening to her sing.

And yum, yummy fresh berries in blue berry baskets.

And last but not least, my neighbor came down to share some pink lemonade piggy cookies for her grand-daughter's 1st birthday that were baked special for her party and while here I noticed her "blue toes".....picture time.

So that's it for blue from me.  Hop on over to Kristi's blog and see more blue and join in on the summertime challenge.

Until next time.....