if we pretend we're at the beach, will we feel cooler?

It is hot. It is always hot in August. We have been blessed this year with more rain than usual. Sometimes, it is cool enough in the morning or after the sun goes down to spend a little time outside. With all those blessings, I still am longing for the ocean.











Sand dollars and driftwood gathered by my dear mother-in-law. Shells gathered by my dear daughter. I love having their treasures on our table.

















Beach, desert, mountains or in the city, where ever you are, wishing you a wonderful winding down of summer.


Linking to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch and Kathleen at Let's Dish. Thank you, ladies.

ahhhhh, peonies...

The peonies are here. I missed them last year. I have been pining for them for quite a while. They must be the most photogenic of all flowers. I have nothing more to say other than if you are like me and unable to grow them at home, check out Trader Joe's. I am already regretting not buying the white ones too.

Be still my heart.

I'll stop for now. Really.

things go better with...

Make no mistake about it. I am a Pepsi fan. I don't drink much soda but when I am out, I am glad to see that Pepsi sign in the window. However, there is one exception, real Coke. If you are old enough, you know. Real Coke. Coke in bottles. Bottles that are in the back, the coldest part of the frig. Coke with caffeine. Coke with sugar. For some reason, Coke has a slightly different formula, depending which country is doing the bottling.

Our Costco carries Coke in bottles, bottled in Mexico. The first time I took a sip, it took me back to being a kid. I suspect that the formula changes a bit. There are boxes we buy that are perfection. Others are good but not quite with that familiar childhood taste.

We are among the mesquite trees again. It will probably be the last time until October. Summer has its joys but I will be looking forward to October.

I have no idea why I am saving these bottle caps. One of these days, I will know.

My brother and I liked to put the bottles in the freezer. You had to be careful about the timing though. We had it down. Whatever that magic timing was, I haven't been able to quite duplicate it. I guess as hard as you try, you can't quite get back to being a kid on a hot summer day hanging out with your brother.

Our deepest appreciation to all who have served and continue to serve. Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!

Linking with Kathleen at Let's Dish, Susan at Between Naps on the Porch, Sherry at Home Sweet Home and Seasonal Sundays with The Tablescaper. Take a look!

an anniversary picnic...

We met when I was thirteen. We started dating when I was fifteen. We were engaged when I was eighteen. We were married when I was nineteen. He is my anchor, my love. We went to the mountains to celebrate.





A too quick hummingbird greeted us. The air was a perfect cool respite from the desert.







It still makes me so happy to see that ring on his finger.


For more tablescapes, join Susan and all the others here.

trying to get back to normal...

It's been a long time. I am trying to get back to normal life again. I did a simple outside table with a bit of "I deserve it, don't I?" shopping. Fruit plates are from West Elm.


I like simple even when the heat isn't my excuse.

The plates are a little stylized and maybe hard to see in my photos. This is an orange.


watermelon








pear


lemons



Hope you are having a wonderful summer, finding a cool place to enjoy it all. For other tablescapes, join Susan here.