So Long July, Hello August!

I've seen some very pretty flower beds this summer and some are at McDonald's, of all places, in the Big Town.  I quickly snapped these as I drove through to get a cold drink on one of those very hot days of July.  

Most of my flowers are still hanging in there in spite of the heat and humidity, but some are showing some signs of fatigue.  Much like a cranky, ole lady I know who is getting tired of a bum knee and a sore shoulder.  I wish I could leave them behind as I turn the calendar page.  I mention this because I'm hoping when I return to this post some day, I will be pain free and can say, "hey, I don't remember that!"

Did you get a chance to see the Blue Moon?  This is my shot of it along with the help of PicMonkey.  I couldn't resist. 

I snapped the moon coming up behind the tree in our yard and I didn't see a speck of blue.  

The above photo and the next three are snaps of pages from a book I found at the upscale resale shop last week.  The book title is At Home with Carolyne Roehm.  I thought it was a book on decorating, but it's actually all about entertaining with beautiful photos of table settings, menus and details about how to arrange the flowers for each season.  A sixty dollar book that I bought for only a couple bucks.   

 

While I don't entertain much anymore and especially on a lavish scale such as frequently seen in this book, there is a lot of inspiration and ideas to be found on the pages of this lovely book. 

My favorite table setting is probably the one above with the sunflowers.  Sunflowers and cobalt blue are one of my very favorite combinations.  

My TBR pile is steadily growing.  I just haven't taken time to start a book that I would more than likely stay up all night to finish.  The book I just mentioned is one that you can sit down and leaf through the pages and just enjoy the eye candy. 

Now that summer is winding down, we're pondering vacation plans.  September is a favorite month for us to travel.  It's cooler, kids are back in school and there is usually less traffic.  Part of me wants to go out west again.   Also the Smoky Mountains are on my bucket list to see some fall season.  Then, Branson is really calling to us.  We've not had much time this year, or taken time, for some mini-vacations like we normally take.  Staying in a condo at Branson for a week or so sounds really wonderful right now, too.  We'll see how the work on The Project comes along and when we'll be able to get away.  I already have a good idea which one we'll choose!

Hope you've had a nice July and that August will be even better!

Happy Saturday to you!
xo Cheryl