This summer has been busy! I knew we were in for a whirlwind when I signed up for four summer classes. Luckily, they were distance learning classes that I was able to do at my own pace...which was high-speed CRAM!
Anyhoo, here are our yearly father's day photos of Faolan. We take photos of her wearing her special necklace every year. Grandpa Hartsaw gave it to her when she was just a few days old. This year, she really hammed it up. Look at that perfect little face!
This pose is totally her. "Take a picture like this Mom!"
The location where we took the photos also has an antique carousel. Faolan always makes fast friends wherever she goes. She sat next to this little girl and immediately began making up stories about who they were racing and what her horse's name was. The little girl was amused.
Did I mention that Faolan makes fast friends? This is during the annual Tulip Time Festival. You can see the Dutch dancers in the background with their wooden shoes and Dutch dress. Faolan is enamored with them and insists that she knows all the dances. She charmed this little girl out into the street to be her partner! Notice her shoes are not wooden? And they are on backwards. Yup. Backwards seems to be the popular fashion with four-year-olds!
American Gothic Silliness at the TK Arts Festival. Faolan and Tim helped me tremendously with this event. I was able to stop briefly for a photo op.
Faolan's last day of Montessori school was just before Memorial Day weekend. That week the school had a farewell picnic at the beach. Can you spot my girl on the merry-go-round?
There is a dune just the right size for little ones to climb and then run down. The kids went up and down again and again.
Tim finds it funny that I like to take pictures of food. I couldn't help it. It was the first asparagus of the year at the farmer's market. Perfect for brunch!
Faolan got some new sunglasses for her doll...but Tasha thought they were for her.
Why do Grandparents have to live so far away?
We drove to Georgia in June and stayed at Mom's for a week. Faolan had a blast. Grandpa even let her play "hair stylist"!
Aunt Dorrie, Faolan & Grandma Hartsaw walk to Dorrie's barn to see the horses.
Downtown Newnan had a variety of Horse and colt sculptures all around town. Really neat!
A lone magnolia blossom hung on for us to see. I so rarely get to see this tree bloom! It was a special treat.
Faolan helps Grandma in the garden.
Finally, Faolan is old enough for the Animal Safari! It's soooo much fun....if you don't mind slobber.
OK. NO. The wolf was in a cage.
But this ferocious lion was not!
And as if the animal safari wasn't enough.....we got to go to the zoo! We love animals!
You're taking a picture of what?
Grandpa & Faolan take a ride on the mini train at the zoo. What fun!
More ferocious lions!
Faolan wants to do whatever we do. That includes one of Daddy's favorite things...golf! One day Daddy came home with a little plastic golf set that looks very real. Here Faolan gets a little golf lesson. Don't let the pink outfit fool you! She wasn't shy about hitting the ball. I had to duck and cover more than once while taking the photos.
West Michigan really suffered this summer. Our town went nearly 40 days without rain. Brown lawns are nothing compared to the fields of dead corn. What a very strange year. Many farmers up north in the "Cherry Capital of the World" lost 80% of their crop with the early warm-up then frost. Apples were also affected. I was able to keep a few things in my garden thanks to the sprinkler. Our mulberry tree did not produce fruit for the first time since I have lived here. Usually the backyard is stained with the berries for weeks. No mulberry wine this year.
I'm totally in love with Swiss Chard. It is so beautiful and so good for you. I also grew some super sweet cherry tomatoes, and of course, pickles. I keep sage, rosemary and chives potted. I planted sweet basil, a dwarf dill & lemon balm. Faolan planted broccoli. I had no luck with carrots and beans this year. I did get a bucket full of potatoes and a few squash as well. Two mini watermelons look promising. I'm also trying my hand at curing garlic & yellow onions. Not too bad for three little beds I guess. I did not have the time I wished to put away food though. I only have a few jars of strawberry jam & about ten pints of pickles. Next year I will do tomatoes for sure.....if we can get air conditioning. Canning in this summers heat has been miserable. I will do some more lactose fermented sour kraut though, since I have cabbage and it does not require any heat!
We all enjoyed a visit from my sister Dorrie. Faolan loved having a kindred spirit around. Of course, Dorrie came from the heat of the south to the hottest week we have had in the north! Holland was rather wilted, and not in it's best dress. But Dorrie was a gracious guest and never complained!
On the fourth of July I was lucky enough to have both of my sisters in town! Here we are getting ready to see the fireworks at Kollen Park.
