Saturday, August 1, 2015

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

48 comments:

  1. Lovely first shot of the flowers and I did not see the blue moon but that was a great shot you got. Have a lovely weekend.

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    1. Thanks, Margaret! Hope your weekend was a good one!

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  2. Hard to believe it is August. I'm sorry about your knee and shoulder. I do love the red/yellow flowers and your moon shot. Any of the vacation ideas you mention sound lovely. Your book was a great deal! I, too, love the sunflowers and cobalt blue. I like a book that I can just pick up and browse thru the pages. Hope your weekend is very nice.

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    1. I haven't seen any of this author's work before, she's very talented. I don't set tables like that, but it's fun to look. Hope your weekend was nice!

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  3. Hello Cheryl, Happy August to you! I also love the tablescape with the sunflowers. I am attracted to the blue colors. Pretty moon shot. Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. Blue and yellow are a favorite combination of mine! I adore sunflowers.

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  4. Nice book you picked up for a couple dollars...the pictures alone are worth it ;-). I hope your vacation plans fall into place soon...maybe some R & R will help your shoulder and knee...

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    1. I think you are right about the rest! I'm looking forward to it so much. Not that I work all that hard and certainly not like BG. :)

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  5. A vacation really does sound nice right about now!

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    1. Yes it does! But it's going to have to cool off a bit. It's really been scorching hot lately.

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  6. Branson, right?! My basket of petunias is tired. I am working hard to rescue it...greenfly snd apids have done a number. Hope that the knee and shoulder feel better soon...probably as soon as you can give them some rest. Have a wonderful August!

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    1. Some of my petunias are on their last legs, too, These last few extremely hot days are taking a toll on them. Enjoy your August break, Vee!

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  7. august means HOT and DRY here and it is plenty of that. hoping your aches get better!

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    1. Thanks, Theresa! It's always hot and humid here in August. Too hot.

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  8. Summer is just hitting full force here in southern California. It's hot until the early part of October, and kids mostly don't back to school until after Labor Day. Pretty blue dishes!

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    1. I remember when we didn't go to school until after Labor Day and got out of school around Memorial Day. It's a different schedule here now!

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  9. Loved your Blue Moon pic. ..
    We caught just a glimpse but I am not good with catching a picture . . .
    Loved your photos of table, glowers, settings from the book . . .
    I have heard that name . . . not sure where . . .

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    1. Thanks, Lynne! I'd never heard of her before, but I googled the name and it seems she is a pretty well-known, multi-talented woman!

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  10. Hope you are much better real soon, little Farmer's daughter....
    We've never been to Branson...had a trip planned 2 yrs ago (just before we moved) with favorite cousins and he had a heart attack and passed away...we miss him so much and not sure we would enjoy Branson without him.
    We are doing container gardening this year except for a very small rose garden...so hot and dry, we have to water the large pots twice a day....hoping to grow them bigger in the greenhouse this winter and plant everything in the rose garden next spring....

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    1. I'm sorry about your cousin, bj. My son and his girlfriend took her 2 kids to Branson this weekend. They sent some cute photos and they were having a great time. I hope you get to make the trip some time. It's a fun place!

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  11. Hope your knee and shoulder pains are soon just vague memories. Hang in there. My garden went to pot this year since I wasn't able to take care of it. I was just glad to get the lawn mowed. It is Aug all ready--Mercy!!!

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    1. Thanks, Patti! I can't believe it's August, either. It doesn't seem that long ago we were longing for winter to end!

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  12. Cheryl, I hope your achy parts get better soon. I have some of those things too. LOL. I have some RA in my pinkie finger and it hurts like the dickens. I am going to have to start drinking tea...cause it's getting a permanent crook in it. I love your pictures. You do very well with your camera. I still have weeds to pull and here it is August. Hope you get to enjoy that nice trip to Branson. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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    1. Thanks, Susie! I'd love to know about the tea and how it helps. Arthritis is no fun at all.

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  13. Hi Cheryl, sure hope your aches go away soon. Did not see a blue moon here either, but pretty picture you posted. Love those flowers, gorgeous. Blessings Francine.

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  14. It seemed like August just came way to quickly this year. July just slipped by so fast. I two love the yellow and the blues. The table settings looked so pretty. I think I would enjoy looking through that book. I did see the blue moon but it didn't look blue. I loved your picture though.
    You always make Branson seem so fun; I would love to go there someday. I hope all goes well and you can enjoy some September travel.
    Blessings and hugs!

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    1. I know you would really enjoy the book, Leann. I can't believe I found it so cheap!

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  15. Oh, I hope you get to feeling better. It certainly is miserable when you don't feel good.

    Yes, we did see the moon (blue? Not so much...lol)! Tom stepped out and took a couple pictures, but they sure weren't like you see on the Internet...lol

    Love those table settings...but I'm like you, I don't do that much anymore, if at all. But, still fun to look at and wish....

    Oh, I hope you guys will have fun wherever you decide to vacation!! (Which I know you will! )

    Blessings,
    Gert

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    1. The blue moon looked just like it always does! lol! Have a nice week, Gert!

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  16. I like the combination of cobalt and sunflowers too! Shoulder and knee...hope it gets better soon. With me right now it is my good shoulder...I lifted something too heavy I guess and strained it. Shoulders take time to heal...and patience. :)

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    1. I think that is what happened to my shoulder, too. I lifted something and I felt it go out. It does take time to heal and I'm not very patient, I'm afraid! :) Hope yours gets better quickly!

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  17. Hi Cheryl!

    I always enjoy your posts and you pictures!! It took me a little while to go through the posts I have missed, but, I must say, the sunset photos were gorgeous!!

    I can hardly believe that July is over, and August will soon turn into September! I'm not sure I'm ready for that . . . but, I guess I don't have a say, right?!

    I love your book! I also love blue and yellow together, and that table setting really is just beautiful! How fun to find a great book like that so cheap!

    I hope you find the perfect place to vacation - remember, I live in the west, just sayin' . . . ;0) But, I also love the, Smokey Mountains, and I dream of going to, Bronson! No matter where you go, you will enjoy!

    Good to catch up sweet friend!

    Hugs,
    Barb

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    1. Thanks, Barb! I'm glad you like the sunset shots. We've had some really beautiful sunsets this summer. I missed getting one with a gorgeous red sky the other evening, but I was driving and didn't have anywhere to get a good shot. Good to see you!

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  18. We are wanting to get away for a weekend or so, and it has just been this and that keeping us from doing anything. I kind of want something not too far from home...just don't feel like a super lot of driving and wondering if that is how you are leaning, too.

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    1. That's how we've felt the last few years, Rose. I do enjoy seeing the sights, but all that driving just doesn't sound that appealing right now.

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  19. Happy August! Summer is passing too quickly, isn't it? I hope you get a chance to take a few trips before it is over!

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    1. This summer is flying by quicker than any in recent memory! Happy August to you too, Pat!

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  20. Ooooh a vacation! How exciting. Can't wait to hear what you decide. Beautiful pictures!! Blessings!!

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  21. Oooh Branson! We usually stay in a hotel- do you have a favorite condo? September is a lovely time of year to take a mini vacation. I hope we will be able to do that as soon as Mark is back to 100%

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  22. Hi There, Remember me? ha.... I truly do not have time to blog much anymore --but usually take time to at least read others' posts including yours. I always enjoy them... You will have to read my blog post today to see where we saw the full moon this month.

    I'd love for you all to come to the Smokies sometime.. We'd meet you there --and have some fun!!!!! But--I know how much you enjoy Branson. We also tend to go back to some of the same places we love to go to---over and over...

    How's your daughter doing in her 'new' home?
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  23. Hi Cheryl - here in northern IL, the blooms are still going strong. The only thing that's fading is a ground cover on the shady side of my house. I don't even know what it is...a few just appeared one summer and now it's spreading all over. A vacation in September sounds wonderful. No vacation for us until our son graduates from college ($$ - !) but we'll go away for a weekend in September to celebrate our anniversary.

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  24. I am so ready for summer to wind down!!!!

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  25. those black eyed susans are gorgeous!! they are so so happy. i love the cake ... was that red velvet? what a great magazine! i will have to go look at your pics again. have a lovely week! ( :

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  26. Wow! What a great combination of flowers {smile...at the mickey-d's of all places } those red zinnias and black eyed susans are gorgeous!!
    Did you see on my last post the green eyed susans?? They are new to me, but I am loving, loving them. I sure hope that they winter well, then next spring I can divide them :)

    It is amazing how fast summer has just flown by!! I feel like if I blink, I'll miss whats left of it!

    Great find, with the book!! I love to find good deals like that. I'm wondering if they have that book for a deep discount on at Amazon?

    Going to Branson sounds like fun!! We've never been, but hope to make it one of these years :)

    Have a lovely day, sweet friend.

    ~K.

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  27. Hi Cheryl....I'm finally back blogging and I'm trying to catch up with everyone. My goodness...your bright yellow flowers, mixed with the red...is Gorgeous! Two of my favorite colors. Our vacation is coming up in September as well....Let's see....I would certainly love to visit all of the places that you listed. Branson is always fun...and I love the Smokey Mountains. The photos from the magazine...are just my style. I love the old look...anything country, as in antiques! It's hot here....hope its cooler in your area...

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