Goodbye to Summer

Well, it certainly has been awhile, hasn't it?  The last weeks of summer were very busy.  We've celebrated birthdays, gone hiking, had days at the bay, read books, started baseball, ridden roller coasters, and gone back to school.  There was very little time for stitching, but there was some.

If you have the instagram app, I have been posting pictures there too, under Bramblewood and you may recognize some of these pics from there.  Hope you enjoy seeing what we have been up to!

 

Our neighbors own a wonderful home on the Chesapeake Bay.  We are fortunate that they invite us down from time to time throughout the summer for some fun. They also host a once a summer gathering of the their non-bay neighbors.

Here are a group of neighborhood kids getting ready for some tubing.

Let me tell you, the kids think this is just awesome.  Me, not so much.  Yes, in addition to taking part in the rope swing earlier this summer, I tried my hand at tubing.  By the time the kids were done and it was the adults turn, the water was not this calm, but we went anyway.  I am still trying to figure out what is so much fun about being bounced around like that!

 All done and coming back to the dock.

Time for fishing. 

Waiting for the waves from the big ship ~ unfortunately, they never came. 

Some water trampoline fun.

It was a fun day of friendship, laughter and of course, good food!

 

My middle guy celebrated a birthday.  He requested a quiet birthday at home, topped off by a lemon cake with cream cheese frosting.

 

We had the getting ready for school physicals and dental appointments, which are always followed by lunch out.  Pizza at Pinnochio's.

We squeezed in a trip to the sweetest place. 

The thrill of spinning high above the ground.

 This is the face while on the above ride!

The roller coasters. 

 Hope you make it back!

The new mixed in and around the classic. 

My boys are on this one.  I opted to greet them at the end. 

There was a special solar light display throughout Longwood Gardens this summer.  We made it over a couple of times.  The pictures don't even begin to show how beautiful this was.   

The fountain show, set to music, always a favorite. 

 

The oldest started middle school ~ now having to now get up an hour earlier. Can you tell he wasn't too thrilled that I still insisted on a first day of school picture?

The younger two. Trying to be cool, too cool for school.

Some last minute craziness before the bus arrives.

And there they go! 

 

We had some critters visit this summer.

Did you say your prayers today? 

And meet Fred.

Fred took up residence on our slider door ~ the outside, thankfully.  We were able to see Fred at work maintaining and using the web to catch his prey.  Then one day, Fred was gone.  I still think Fred was really a Fredwina, but the boys insisted on Fred.

And one must not forget the puppy.  He's six months now and most likely around 100lbs, he'll go for a weigh in in a couple of weeks.

He watches tv.

So handsome. 

Sock?  I don't see a sock.

Watching the Little League World Series.

Oh no, he dropped the ball! 

Did I hear the fridge open? 

Bone crunchin' time.

Playtime with a friend. 

 Love's his boys.

 

 

Now, let me show you the little bit of stitching I can.  I have managed to keep up with my ornament a month.  I found these little cuties while on vacation in TN.  So, although they are little, I am counting them as July, August and September's ornaments.

The picture is a little dark, but these are stitched on perforated paper and then adhered to these tiny sleds. I have another set of designs to do as well.

 

I was one of the very lucky winners of a giveaway from Cottage Garden Samplings.  Vinniey is the very talented designer and if you haven't seen her designs, do pop on over! 

Just look at all the goodies!

I have to confess.  The DARS box of chocolate ~ it's empty.  That didn't last long at all!!

My boys enjoyed the small hard candies and were most interested in the writing on the wrappers. 

There were trims, fabric and scissors!  

 Love the colors in these threads and the verse reminds me of some metal trivets that my mother used in the kitchen when I was little.  Does anyone remember those ~ they usually contained a kitchen verse or prayer?

Thanks again Vinniey!!  I'm looking forward to getting this one started.

 

Sweet June also sent me a wonderful rak.

Isn't this tote bag perfect for sewing and stitching stuff.

Here's a closer look.

And she knows how I love sheep.  Look at this cutie, posed in front of my very late tusal jar!  Hanging head in shame, I completely missed last month - the jar on the left contains my 2012 threads, the other jar contains threads from last year.

I ordered a project bag from Faye, along with a smaller one to hold things like my scissors and threads.  I absolutely love them!  Thanks Faye!

 

My mom was telling her cousin about my flower frogs and she very kindly sent this one to me, one that had belonged to her mother.  It is very tiny and oh so colorful ~ I love it!

 

If you have made it all the way to the end of this post, I do have some other stitching to show, but it is for an exchange and can't show it until I'm given the green light.  Thanks for being patient with me while I enjoyed the end of summer with my boys.  I know it won't be too long before they venture out on their own. 

“Wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the forest, a little boy and his Bear will always be playing.”
― A.A. Milne