things that fly...

We're getting into my favorite time of year.. from September to about January.. I just love the weather, the change of scereny.. all the wonderful things to do and see.... yup, it's my time of year. The days have been warm and sunny, I planted some sunflowers, because I like them and I was told that the bees do too...

And they certainly do. I could spend hours out in the sunflower patch watching them work.... they certainly are busy!!!!

I can't get over how much pollen they collect... I had to wonder if this "poor little girl" would even be able to fly, she was so packed with pollen....

But .. they do fly and they seem like they are in a big hurry to get it all done before the cold weather shuts down their food source....

Speaking of which, we opened the hive and we so excited to find that the honey box looks like this.... combs filled with honey stores.... and many, many bees....

They still have to cap it (like the combs in the upper right hand corner).. capping is what "finishes it off" and turns it into true honey. So, there's a lot of work for them to do, but they are building up good stores....

Every frame in the honey box has honey...

We will leave this all for them - to get them threw the winter. If, in the spring, there is still some honey left... then we can take that for us... though... if they do cap it, I might just "borrow" one frame for us... it should yield around 5 lbs. of honey.... which isn't a huge amount, but at least we might get a little taste this year!!!!!

Things that fly..... we went to the model airplane show that is held each year at the local airport. Ed like to fly RC planes, so he is always so excited to go and see what "they" have.  I am amazed at some of the plane that are there... some seem big enough for us to fly in.....

Ed hasn't flown any of his  plane in a long while, but he tried his hand on this computer and proves that he hasn't lost his touch. We have plenty of flying room here on the farm, "all" he has to do is get a plane pulled out and have it ready to fly..... (which can be done in all that spare time he has!!!!)

Debbie came with us to the air show. She's getting so big and I am always looking for "experiences" for her... she had a great day...

Though I think she was more interested in trying to catch this ribbon flapping in the wind, than she was in the planes. She hiked along, enjoyed the people and watched the planes, and just acted like she has always done these sorts of things...

With all the hours that it takes to build one of these beauties... I would think you better really know how to fly before sending them up. It doesn't take much to bring them crashing to the ground.....

This shows just how huge some of these models are... and they do have the "regular" size ones as well.... it's really a pretty neat hobby, because anyone with time, patience and practice can learn to fly....

They did all sorts of demos and tricks in the sky with these planes.... it's taken very seriously....

There were also helicopter and RC cars.. along with real planes that put on a very nice show. Sadly, the wind was really blowing, so some of the models were not able to go up...

After watching for awhile, Debbie decided that a nap in the warm sun was much better. But Ed and I stayed quite a while and it was so nice being outside on such a pretty day and enjoying the planes...













Anyone want to guess where I am in the photo????

and.... it's off to school...

And -- here we are again -- Labor Day weekend... the close of summer. We had big plans for the weekend, which included going to camp, cookout with family and friends.. and the Farmer's Market. (which I haven't seemed to get to all summer). It's a nice little market, local vendors and we had fun just checking it all out.

I brought Debbie alone for the "exeperience".. she was a good girl and got a lot of attention, as always....

Once we got to camp, it took Abbie all of five minutes to get into the lake. Sadie had to work all weekend, so she said Abbie could come and hang out with us. I am always so happy to have Abbie around (and miss not having Sadie too!!!!)

There probably won't be many more swims this summer, so I thought I would just let Abbie be in the lake as much as she wanted. As she has done all summer, she gets out to eat, warm up a little and then it's right back in... she's a water baby for sure!!!!

Camille on the other hand, would rather just snooze on the couch... everyone has their favorite things to do when it comes to camp!!!

Later that day, we packed up and went to supper in a neighboring town that sits on a big lake. Kas, Nate and Reagan came with us, and we had fun poking around the shops, watching the boats on the big lake and just enjoying a summer night being out and about.

Debbie got some practice time in working with Reagan's stroller. I have to say she did really well, and never once got "hit" by it....

We found a nice outdoor spot for supper, the table was small and Debbie had to really squish under it. Abbie lightly rested her feet on Miss Deb, and everyone seemed pretty happy.

I was very pleased with our little dog... not only were there the usual "restaurant distractions" to deal with... but this silly duck as well. Have to say, she was pretty brave to walk up to us and Miss Debbie dog... you're not suppose to feed the duck, but obviously someone has over the summer. She didn't get anything from us!!!!

As we were walking along, another little girl came up to Abbie and said "hey we have the same dress on!!!"  She was so cute and they had a great time talking together... I just had to sneak a shot..... they were the same age and I think a few folks mistook them for twins....

Family photo opt.....

And, of course, Debbie is always a bit hit where ever we go. I'll have to curb these meet and greets in a few weeks, but for now, I like seeing her working on her social skills... especially with children...

Between swimming, and exploring, we have a tired little girl......(with her bee flashlight - that worked perfectly at night at camp...)

Papa and Reagan enjoying some time together.....

We thought that instead of the usual hamburgers for our cookout, we were going to fry a turkey instead. So, I pulled one of our birds from the freezer and we set up our "Lobster cooker" and decided to give it a try....

Camp was a good place to do this... in it goes.....

This was a 16lb. bird and it only took 50 minutes to cook. It came out perfectly!!! and now we're thinking we might just fry the Thanksgiving turkey when the time comes.....

It's always so  nice to have big crowd at camp... good food and good friends is what it's all about..... (and don't forget the dogs!!!)

It was pretty warm and everyone really enjoyed getting  into the lake. Hard to think that it's going to be time to get those docks pulled out......

If there was any question as to how good the turkey came out... this pretty much answers that question. Hardly a piece left......

All too soon the weekend has come to a close. Tomorrow, it's back to "normal" and onto new things. Another couple of weeks and fall will be officially here.... change of the seasons.....

So, I met up with Sadie and Abbie later in the week for the first day of school. Abbie is going two days a week to pre-school and she is so excited to give it a try. She had to show off all her new things... her back pack, I think is a favorite...

It's a cute little school not too far from their home. She jumped right out of the car and headed right in with Mommy.....

Checking everything out, and finding out where things belong......

Just a little shy moment as more children arrived......

But she quickly got over that and began to check out the class room and all the great things that they have to offer. I have no doubt she will be loving school.....

When the teacher suggested that it was time for goodbye hugs and kisses, Abbie ran right to Sadie... she was happy to have her Mom go so that they could get on with their day....










One last wave and a kiss... and she was gone... Sadie and I went to breakfast... Sadie seems pretty good about this, but it sure brought back the memories of when i was dropping little ones off at school. Next chapter.... goodness doesn't life fly by????

half of year!!!!

hello September.... and a big event to begin the month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amazing ---- how many things can change in such a short amount of time!!!!!!

 

 

 

And.... I would also like to wish Hunter and Trevor a happy 12th birthday on this September 2nd day.... they enjoyed the green grass and warm sunshine......