Where did it go? I don't feel like summer has started properly - probably because I still have a box of Christmas lights on the front porch along with a box of champagne bottles left from the Eve! I need staff here, not at the Mill.

Took Miss Millie to the Fair for a walkabout to see how she coped with noise and crowds and she took it all in stride. My other dogs hated it. Maybe she is a runaway circus dog.

Seems like I've been running between the Mill and the Fair all week and today won't be much better. I'm off to pick up bread shortly to deliver to the Mill for 9:30 and am going to sneak in a decent breakfast between the two jobs. I'm hoping I don't get sucked into anything that isn't fun for the rest of the weekend.

Wishing us all a peaceful and fun weekend.

Good morning Ruth! I can't believe it's the last weekend in July. Weren't we just complaining about how long and cold the winter was?

I could definitely see Miss Millie in a little clown outfit, too cute!!

I'm off to work this morning. It is rather dreary this morning, and would've been a great morning to sleep in. Gratefully, my new job is over at noon instead of 2 pm, which is nice! (and, I dealt with my first irate client yesterday and survived. phew!) I am grateful I still have a few PB banana muffins, those things are awesome for a quick breakfast.

Nothing big to do this weekend, other than vacuum up all the animal hair. Hopefully a nap and a run are on tap!

I've been trying to hold on to each day this summer, but it's still slipping away too fast! At least August brings vacations, and my first one starts on Wednesday.

It's looking pretty gloomy here this morning, but there are a few breaks in the clouds. I got a terrific deal on luggage yesterday for my DD and GDG, and they're coming out this afternoon to pick it up. It turns out the store had mis-priced the luggage and put a huge markdown on it, and it wasn't even supposed to be on sale. The salesclerk wasn't going to let me have it, but I made them call the manager, and she agreed to let me have it for the sale price. I ended up paying less than 1/2 price for both pieces!!!

I'm thinking of making zucchini parmesan for supper today, using crushed almonds for the breading. I think I've eaten zucchini in some form every single day for the past 2 weeks.

Good morning, Ruth and Tammy! (and Cottage too! We seem to be simul-posting lately) I, too, cannot believe July is wrapping up. Time sure flies! Today DH and I will go collect DS2 from the Adirondack camp where he has been working for the month. Another milestone that summer is moving right along.

Have a good day, chicks! I need to go search for coffee!

Good morning!

Yesterday was a whirlwind, but I ended up with a brand-new car! It's a Chevy sonic which gets 40 miles to the gallon. We are pretty excited and this is my first new car ever!
Today is the granddaughter's second birthday bash. It's a minion party. Since papa is Hispanic there will be lots of pretty healthy food. They tend to eat pretty basic. I'm thinking I'll make a batch of the peanut butter banana muffins to give me an option instead of Crisco cake. I'll bring a bag of healthy chips, and I'm in charge of watermelons. I'm just about to head out to the grocery store that's 15 miles away. I'll get my watermelons there and store them in the restaurant cooler all day i've got to get out of here early because the traffic up to the mountains will be insane in an hour or so.

Yes, summer is certainly moving along. You all remember reminded me that the first is my mothers birthday. I think I'll pick up some sunflowers while I'm at the store today which will get me moving on having something nice for her.

Have a great start to the weekend everyone!

Good morning.

I don't know where I was yesterday, but obviously not here! I agree - summer seems to be flying by. I will most miss the longer days.

Debbie - Enjoy the car.

Speaking of cars, our minivan has been back and forth to the shop over the past days. DH brought it in for service; it is 14 years old and some major stuff needed to be done. But it came back wonky. Several days and visits later, we have it back.

This morning I'm going to the farmer's market. My favorite thing there are the colored cherry tomatoes. Yum. This afternoon we head to a party for a great-nephew's birthday. We are bringing a vegetarian GF side dish It is a quinoa salad that a co-worker made; I nagged her to share the recipe. Has lots of veggies in it including some of those yummy tomatoes.

Enjoy your weekend.

Good morning Chicks The time just seems to be whizzing by. I can't believe July is almost over. August is a busy one around here. Next weekend I am off to a women's camping weekend. It's our third year and we love it. I'm going to bring our kayaks this year because we can never find enough available for all of us to rent at the same time. A couple of weeks after that my Mom is having a baby shower for DD so we are off to NY for a long weekend. Unfortunately it's the same time as a local antique thing so rooms are hard to come by. That's one of my chores this weekend. I just can't believe how fast it all goes by!

Ruth - Did I miss a picture of Millie? Hope the unplanned parts of your weekend include lots of fun, some relaxing, and a glass or two.

Twynn - Noon isn't so bad, a nap and a run sound perfect.

Cottage - I never get sick of zucchini. I've had it spiraled in omelets, grilled, and in salad just in the past two days.

Beth - Say hello to the Adirondacks for me. I still love that area so much

Debbie -Wow, busy weekend again I'm off to look up that car, sounds interesting.

Karen- I am addicted to those tomatoes. My problem is I eat the entire pint before I get home. We have some amazing yellow cherries growing. Wish I could remember what variety they are. They are sweeter than the ones we usually buy.

I better get back to work. I'm heading out on a mushroom foraging walk this afternoon so need to get something done this morning. Tomorrow it's all yard and garden all day. I need to pull summer crops and plant fall crops. I also need to get that dehydrator cranking!

Popping in to say hello. Spent my morning on the beach, so that was nice. On the way home I got stuck in traffic on the Interstate, so I got off and went some back roads over to Trader Joes and did some shopping. Made a boo boo, though...I bought whole wheat everything bagel thins and only noticed when I got home that they were white whole wheat.

Just wanted to keep the trend of checking in every day on track...I'll come back and read later and respond to everybody. Enjoy your weekend!

Survived another day at the Fair and the Mill and hit bed early last night. Good thing I did because we had a massive T-Storm that went on from 2 until dawn. Neither dog was bothered by it which was great and the power is still on.

The chicken BBQ went well and we sold out by 5:30. The chicken looked wonderful but the salads were gross - potato salad and macaroni salad looked so blah - especially when accompanied by a white roll and a donut. I had nothing to do with the menu and was just serving so I kept quiet. Even cole slaw would have been better.

Today is Millie's one week anniversary and right now she is celebrating by sleeping on my lap. She certainly is a little bundle of energy and I think it is doing Jazz good to have her around. He really missed Disney, I think, and is now quite content to sleep with Millie downstairs rather than on my bed.

Not sure what today will bring as there's still a chance of more t-storms. I do need to check out the Mill this morning and then have to be in the parade this afternoon which goes on rain or shine. Luckily I ride in the Mayor's car, not a convertible and just need to smile and throw candies at the crowd - if there is a crowd. Rain seems to dissuade people from watching parades!

Time for a second coffee and to plan what niggles to clear in today's spare time. After today I start MY summer!

How does your day look from this early morning perspective?

LOL, my schedule is so empty compared to yours Ruth, I think I like it that way.

DH and I are running the café at church this AM, but that's about it. I do have to plan out the food/menu for the the week today, and I guess vacuum all the hair up downstairs. I'm hoping to finish my book too .

I walked or jogged about 19 miles last week, which I'm pretty happy with. We'll see if I can get 20 this week?

Phew just finished reading everyone's posts for the past few days. Bus, busy, busy!!!

Whoo hoo off from work and woke at 5:30 lol. Leaving soon for Millerton, NY. Meeting a Chapter member from the Police Unity Tour for a ride. It is pretty overcast so we may need to scale down our miles. We signed up for 50, but I am ok with less. The proceeds benefit the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. Many of the rest stops are at local farms. At the end there is a big BBQ with homemade goodies. I plan on splurging today if I see something to my liking.

The scale is stuck, only down 1 pound for the month. Yet I am not stressing too much. I really think stress is why I am stuck. My eating is OP, I am working out and drinking my H2O. My brain is having trouble shutting down and sleep is eluding me. My interview is Tues, boobie dr on the 11th and DS off to college on the 29th. Maybe September will be better lol.

Well time for me to get rolling Have a great day

Everyone is gearing up for a busy day, but I have nothing on my agenda after church today, and that's just fine with me.

Yesterday was a fun day, busy with making vacation plans first with my SIL for our trip to Cape Cod in Sept., and then Monica and I made plans for our trip to Wisconsin on Wednesday. I enjoy the pre-planning almost as much as the actual vacation, as that's all part of the fun!

We have a slight threat of rain this AM, but it should be clear the rest of the day and the guys are planning to work on our walkway and front porch. It's looking great so far, and I'll be out there watching them work and giving advice.

Good morning, chicks!
We had thunderstorms in the last couple hours, with more coming later so today will be grocery shopping and food planning. My weight is way up this month ( ) and I'm not completely sure why so I am going to do a clean Phase I for at least a week and see if I can reverse this. Hence, I will also spend part of the day scouring the recipes here and at Kayln's.


Try to stay dry in the parade, Ruth.
Jennifer, have a great ride.
Cottage and Twynn, enjoy your down time.

Off to find breakfast; back to eggs and veggies.

Good morning!
We made it through the party last night and left Denver about 730. Went to bed and I gave myself in that extra hour of sleep this morning. I told Kirk that we better plan that were going to the hospital soon because his daughter last night was ready to have the baby. She just wanted to make it through the birthday party.

I'm off to work. Have a great day everyone!

Made it before midnight! That's, what, like 5 days in a row I've checked in??? Woot woot! Watching Project Runway right now while my laundry finishes up. Just had a mango/strawberry fruit slushie made with sugar free lemonade and a few fresh blueberries thrown in. Really good! I'll have to do this more often.

I never did come back and read everybody's posts. I hope everybody has had a good weekend!