This is my first blog post. I know! I know! I opened this blog right after I had my daughter thinking then that I would have some time to do it. It's taken me two years to find time. :o) So for the first post, my love for summer is on my mind. Living here in NC has taught me to really appreciate each season. The Fall is fun, festive, and laid back. You still have some warmth but a bit of a chill is in the air. When Winter is upon us, all I can think about is getting these socks off my feet! Spring is just life and love bursting all around. Then I find myself anticipating when I have long sunny days to do what I love. At the first sign of humidity and sunshine, I am feeling like a new person.
It's August 24th and only thirty days of Summer left. What does that mean? It means that I have thirty days to enjoy the best things about this beloved season. Coming from a region where Summer was almost all year round I loved being able to wear flip-flops, tank tops, short-sleeve shirts, skirts, and dresses. I love BBQs with family, beach trips, fishing at the pier, picnics, leche raspas, and longer days. Oh, the warmth and comfort the sun gives as it hits my skin going all the way down to my bones. Being able to cook fresh veggies from my husband's garden and picking summer berries from my father-in-law's garden as well.
With my daughter having so much energy I had to think of ideas of keeping her busy outside. We've had our fun in the pool and drawing on our driveway with our side-walk chalk. I have had nice cool glasses of my sweet tea as I sat on my deck, oh and yes an occasional squeal of fright when a wasp comes. (Blast those things!!! They are my only enemy.)
This Summer, I have experienced cooking new dishes for my family. I love to hear when my husband is sitting at the head of the table, leans back after taking the last bite, looks at me and says "honey, that was one of your bests!" Nothing makes me happier than putting comfort food in the bellies of my loved ones. I also have become quite comfortable with baking. I have made a four-layered chocolate cake topped with pecans, chocolate chip walnut cookies, and a blueberry pie. Everything made from scratch with so much love. I am a happy girl when you find me wearing my favorite jeans, a comfy shirt, flip-flops, and my apron with my hair tied back in my kitchen whipping up a recipe adding my own twist to it.
So here are some pictures of what my Summer looks like here in this wonderful state of North Carolina.
My first Summer in NC 2007
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| From my husband's garden |
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| My sisters from Texas came to visit |
Fourth Summer in NC 2011
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Before we hit the beach we have a tradition to stop
at Krispy Kreme for some yummy donuts. |
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| Fun at home |
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| The making of the 4-layered chocolate cake |
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| Fun at the Park |
My family visited this Summer as well! :o)
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| Goin' to the Cape Fear |
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| Gotta get our Fish On! |
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| Love me a footlong from Norris' |
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| At the Fort Fisher Museum with my sisters |
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| I made this cake for a small party to celebrate the ENGAGEMENT!!!! of my little sister Lori Charles. |
I hope you are enjoying your Summer, however you like to do it. Looking forward to the Fall for some state fair food, and the leaves changing, apple pie in the oven, pumpkins everywhere and I might be wearing my flip-flops for some days! ;o)
Adios!
