What I Did During Summer Vacation by Christy Roseveare

You know you have officially started back to school when the teacher asks you to write, or in the case of younger children draw, what you did during your summer vacation.  We’ve been back in school three weeks now, as I sit by my open window enjoying the rare treat that is a cool breeze, its the first day that has really felt like fall to me.  And so, I find myself reflecting on my Summer 2011.

Dan and I took our first trip alone together since the babies were born three years ago.  We toured San Francisco and the Sonoma Valley wine country.  I shot this boat on the side of the road on our way out to Sonoma.  In Texas you might see an old truck or a broken down trailer, but seeing this boat was proof positive we truly were a world away.

Back home we grew a few strawberries,

and seemingly endless piles of tomatoes.

I drove kids to golf,

applied layers of sun block as they jumped in the pool,

and made homemade ice cream sandwiches.

We visited Colorado’s Garden of the Gods at sunset.   .   .   Twice.

Because my daughter enjoyed it so much the first time.

I shot this photo, that I love for its composition and directness,

and this one that I love because it just oozes friendship and summer fun.

I waged countless battles with one stubborn Boogie,

trying to make the most of his terrible twos. (All I wanted to do was take his picture!)

And I prayed that God would remind me that two turns into eight

in the blink of an eye.

So, while summer 2011 may go down in the record books as Dallas’ hottest (ie most miserable) in history, it was, in my book anyway, a blessed time of growth and joy for which I am truly thankful. Now back to our regularly schedule program (ie supervising homework).

And the Winner is. . .

And the winner of the Lime Basil Recipe contest is. . . Laura Pulis.  No Laura, you didn’t get any special treatment just because you have supported the idea of my blog from the very beginning. (Although, I do really appreciate your support.)  I actually assigned all contestants a number in the order that their recipes were submitted and used the random number generator at www.random.org. Your number just happened to come up!

And what does Laura win?

A $25 Tom Thumb Gift Card, a set of fun summer cocktail glasses, and an unending supply of lime basil, of course.  Enjoy!

The Lime Basil Dilemma

Three Cheers for Community Gardening

If you live in Oak Cliff, or anywhere in Dallas for that matter, and you have not already checked out The Community Garden at Cliff Temple, do.  If you are not local, google community gardens in your area and have a look see.  I was immediately sold on the idea when I read about friends and neighbors working together to grow a little produce and give back to the community. Of course, it didn’t hurt that I was raised around gardens and farming, and thus have an innate affinity (read “love,” not “skill”) for growing edibles.

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