Over the Backyard Fence

Summer . . time. And the livin' is easy. Or it should be! If it's not, I'm doing something wrong. One of the best things about summer is the opportunity to change things up a bit.

Taking that first cup of coffee outside in the morning, bringing out favorite summer recipes to cook on the grill. Our focus moves to the outdoors, enjoying evenings on the front step or the back porch. Maybe settling in with a good book, or going to bed earlier so as to enjoy the cooler temps earlier in the day.

Last year when we were all tucked in our homes for a few months during Covid, I found that I really liked not having so much on my calendar. I liked coming up with new routines for being at home. It  was a good time to assess what is really important, what things I enjoy doing, and maybe some things that have run their course.

I discovered that I don't really enjoy fixing up the old dollhouses that I have in the basement. It is really not my thing. I love seeing what other people can do on their blogs and on Pinterest, but I just don't have the patience for that sort of thing. Maybe when my granddaughters get a bit older, it will be something we can do together.

This summer, I'm putting aside some activities that I've done for a long time to make room for new. I've loved being in a book club for the past 20 years!, yet I'm finding that my reading preferences are changing. So, I'm going to step away from book club, at least for the time being. I'm also finding that I prefer to be home in the evening. Dan and I have a few evening obligations that we really enjoy, but for the most part we have our evening routines, and we kinda like it that way. Winding down the day by sharing a t.v. show or reading in companionable silence. I guess we sound like old people. But we are, that is older, for sure! 

While I'm still working a few days a week, my days aren't rushed and I'm liking that, so I'm reluctant to fill up the time. I like that I can take my time in the morning, puttering around the house for a while before going into work.

I'm spending more time with my new camera and taking an online photography class. Besides the walks with our local bird club, I find myself getting out early in the mornings and going birding on my own, new camera in tow. 

I still want to blog, but I'm changing it up again, and will be here less frequently. Maybe monthly updates, we'll see, but I'm going to take a break from my regular Friday posts for the time being.

Last weekend, we had some awesome family time when my nephew and his lovely girlfriend got married! My brothers were in town with their wives, and Joe and Sam came in for the event. The day after the wedding, Joe and Sam made an awesome brunch in celebration of Father's Day, before all the out of town family headed home. 

A few photos to share:

Cousins . . . Sam, Joe, Tommy and Elsa