Friday

I came across these photos I took a couple of years ago. It has nothing to do with my long weekend

I am just a cowgirl at heart. I love a good cowboy hat, a good pair of worn boots and a bit of

turquoise.

I'm off for a couple of days, for a bit of rest and relaxation.  I hope to take some photos too.

Have a golden weekend my friends!
Hugs,
Joyce
xo

A cowboy is a man with guts and a horse

~William James~

Corner View: Early

This week's corner view theme is "early".

I happened to be out in the garden over the weekend and found this branch on the ground. I thought as I picked it up, it is too early for the leaves to start to fall, the nuts haven't even had a chance to grow or the leaves to change there magical color. 

Speaking of early, I need my first cup of coffee!

To see more views on "early", visit Francesca's corner. Thank you Cole!

Have a golden day, my friends.


Hugs,
Joyce
xo

Nothing is more beautiful than the loveliness of the woods before sunrise

~George Washington Carver~

Impromptu

A couple of weekends ago the weather was so perfect, we decided to do a last minute picnic.

Nothing fancy just a quick run to the store to make sandwiches, grab some chips, fruit and root beer.

Afterwards we took a walk among the trees and a field full of dragon flies. I found that my phone camera comes in pretty handy at times for those last minute moments.

Do you have impromptu moments?

Have a golden day my friends!
Hugs,
Joyce
xo

When one has tasted it, he knows what the angels eat

 ~ Mark Twain~

Small But Strong

While out in the garden the other day looking at all the weeds (yes, the weeds won, I decided to enjoy them), between the flowers and plants I spotted this little guy.  He started from a nut that fell from a tree last fall and has managed to grow living mostly above the ground through the winter, spring and lately the heat of the summer, with no extra care, but the protection of the weeds and plants around him and the sun to give him the boost to grow. 

Seeing this little guy reminded me of life at times. No matter how tough things can be at times and lonely, just when you think you are not strong enough, with a bit of determination and leaning on others you can continue to grow. Don't you love it when you find these unexpected moments?  I do!

Have a golden weekend my friends!
Hugs,
Joyce
xo

You don’t have to understand. You just have to believe

~Tinker Bell~

Corner View: Seeing Through The Eyes Of A Child

The closes I have for this week's topic is my furball child, Mr. Bojangles and what he sees in his yard

as he waits for either the squirrels or the chimpmunk to enter in his territory.

And this is the face I see before I sleep and when I wake up!

To view more through the eyes of a child visit Francesca's corner. THank you Beth for this week's topic!

Have a golden day my friends!
Hugs,
Joyce
xo

Love isn’t finding a perfect person. It’s seeing an imperfect person perfectly

~Sam Keen~

Monday and Party Favors

It has been a bit longer than I anticipated being away from my little blog. I hope everyone is doing well. With the 4^th, parties around the lake and family visiting time just got away. Last week we were one of the lucky ones to be without power for a couple of days. I say lucky, because it was a reminder to me not to take my electricity and air conditioner for granted. So… here we are almost at the end of July!

One of my favorite things are giving out party favors! My friend Gregg even knows how much I love party favors, that I have given him the task someday to fulfill my party favor request.  This was my favor from Catherine. It is a "Praying Hands" hosta plant and topped with a rosary to add to my collection, she started me on.

Yesterday, I had a special surprise for Gary, and our friends Catherine, John, Larry and Tim to our local brewery, called Small Town Brewery Tim, the brew master came in on a Sunday to give us a tour of his brewery and sample some of his fabulous beer. The whole tour gig started with me placing a call asking if I could buy a couple of beer bottles as party favors, when he went one step further and invited us to his brewery.

Tim met us at the elevator with a bucket of ice cold beer! It was so cool to take this old huge industrial elevator up to his brewery drinking a nice cold one (the temperature was over 90 degrees yesterday). I have never met Tim until yesterday, but was so touch by his generosity to make my friends, Gary and I feel so welcome.  I also learned they a wonderful make root beer, which is Gary’s favorite.  Afterwards we went to dinner at Sylce in town.

Instead of giving out a bottle of beer for a party favor I gave out one of my favorite mugs, the Krouvi from Crate and Barrel .

These mugs were one of my first purchases. Still today I love this mug. It is the best mug for cold beverages. I keep mine in the freezer, so when I want to use it, it is nice and cold. I even drink water out of mine.

Have a golden day my friends!

Hugs,

Joyce

xo

"Let no man thirst for good beer"

~Sam Adams~

Happy July

Oh, my stars I can't believe it is July already.  Yesterday, I went to see my sweet dear friends Gregg and Lisa at The Backdrop. Once again they had a store full of fun and beautiful things.

AND now I have a new party hat and I am ready for the parties this weekend!

My new hat is by Glory B Hats. I just adore all of her hats, they are fun and colorful! You have to check out her website and see for yourself. Thank you Gregg and Lisa for just being YOU and for making a girl feel special!! (p.s. don't look to close I don't have a stitch of makeup!)



























My favorite food for the months of July and August is ice cream! This ice cream book by Emily Luchetti happens to be on the top of my list. I can't wait to try a few more recipes.



I made strawberry ice cream a week ago to take to a friend's house for dinner. The only problem with this recipe was it was so good, we ate it before I could even think of taking a photo. It is the creamiest strawberry ice cream I have ever had and at my age I have had my share of strawberry ice cream. 

I had a some strawberries leftover, so I made another batch AND made sure I got a photo before anyone reached for their spoon.

































Thanks again Kathy for the wonderful book!


I will be taking a couple of days off from blogging, with the 4th right around the corner, I have a full plate. I also have family in town, because my nephew Zack is going to the French Pastry School in Chicago. I am so happy and proud of him!! Until then... wishing a golden weekend and a safe and happy 4th of July!


Hugs,
Joyce
xo

There are few things so pleasant as a picnic eaten in perfect comfort

~W.Somerset Maugham~