Recommended: Frozen Grapes

They make a delicious summer snack.  I thought of sharing the idea when they were almost gone.  You just wash the grapes, single layer them on a flat surface of plastic wrap, and freeze them.  They're like little fruity popsicles-- just as sweet as candy and very refreshing.  They make great smoothies too.  Yesterday, we also put frozen watermelon and cantaloupe pieces in our smoothies.  Awesome healthy.

Beauty Here

Exciting possibilities are coming our way, so it's difficult to live in the present.  I took a bike ride.  I had to look for the beauty.  I had to stop, get off my bike, and walk around or I would have ridden right past and missed it all. 

I saw the wild roses first. 

I got closer.

Then flowers started popping out.

We live in a beautiful world.

Elder and Sister Grandparent Presents

We miss their presence.  And we like their presents.  These conch shells and brain coral are from a beach in St. Croix.  They came with sand too.  What a fun surprise for my son's eighth birthday. 

Another Long Ride

What do you call a very tall dandelion?  A dandestanding?
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I saw many many of these dandestandings on my bike ride today.  They remind me of periwinkle flowers how the stems are tall and wiry and mostly grow by the side of roads.  The orange lilies are everywhere too.

It rained hard in the middle of the night.  I had to watch out for the wild dead and puddles.  Frogs get unlucky sometimes and get washed up on the road.  Birds were on the move.  I saw canaries, wrens, robins, and swans.  Yes, the swans are back. 

It was very humid and windy.  Do headwinds really make you stronger or do they just wear you down?  I've been feeling a little worn.

I love riding my bike.

Perceptions

"Mommy, that's Mariel's mommy," said a little girl as they walked past our house. 

My back was to them.  I was crouched on the driveway next to our garage door taking pictures because I thought the light was better outside.   The mom and daughter probably wondered what I was doing.  I'm sure I looked strange.  

Mariel and I bought these flowers for my graduating daughter.  She wanted me to buy all white.  I wanted the pink too.  She thought the pink looked like they were dying.  The buds looked a little shriveled.  Now that they've opened up, they're much prettier.  It's easy to look at something and make a judgement before it has a chance to show its full potential.

Class of 2010

I love having older and younger children.  It's fun seeing them help each other. 

We went to my second oldest's graduation today.  

Afterwards, we went to lunch.  I like the bright orange happy dress she chose to wear.  We all had a good time.

Pierced

Thats me on the right, my youngest daughter on the left.  Yes, I am a little old to have just gotten my ears pierced for the first time.  I'm really good at talking myself out of things, especially if there's pain or money involved.  I'm trying not to let fear stop me from doing things I really want to do. 

My oldest two daughters, who have both been pierced for years, came for emotional support.  Or did they come for the ice cream?  Either way, it was a fun female-boding experience.