Sunset on Lake Tahoe

We took a walk down to the beach last evening to catch the sunset. The kids dug in the sand while the rest of us waded in to the COLD, COLD water or just sat and enjoyed the view.

My mother and her two kids - I thought maybe the title of this pic should be "Big, Bigger, Biggest" (l to r, of course) but my brother who has no respect for his elders thought it should be "Dumb, Dumber, Dumbest" (r to l, OF COURSE)!

SUNSET ON TAHOE - AAH!!

Sister-in-law, Joanie, and her niece, Heidi (also our daughter) - we also have pictures of Heidi standing along Lake Tahoe some 30 years ago - probably with Aunt Joanie too.

Lake Tahoe Activities

Boating on Lake Tahoe with tubing and some youthful drivers!

Gondola ride to the top of the mountain and beautiful views of the area.


Hikes along the trails. Lots of fun for everyone!

Family Reunion

First cousins from my dad's side of the family - not all, but quite a few of us - have no idea how we got so old.

All of us together - it was a great time. My cousins planned it all. We had activities for the kids and great food, "ancestor discovery" time, sharing time, and lots of visiting. How could a family that had its beginnings in Kansas end of having such a large family reunion in California - a few of us were from Kansas and two from Nebraska - California had the rest. Will have more from the small get-together in Lake Tahoe in future blogs!

Trip Time

I'll be vacationing again - to California. We'll be spending time at a family reunion on my father's side and we'll spend time in a smaller family reunion with my family at Lake Tahoe. Will see people I haven't seen in many, many years. Will blog about our trip later. See you in a few days!

Fun Toy

Found a new toy to play with - www.bighugelabs.com. I took a picture of my friends Judy and Janice who also happen to be sisters and "Warholizer" -ed it. Go visit this sight and do fun things with your photos. Another thing I read about on someone else's blog! Always learn something!

Mid-Summer Blooms

The hibiscus are showing their stuff now. These blooms are dinner plate size and are just gorgeous! The mandevilla is also blooming like crazy. I hate to be gone in the summer when things are blooming. Every day there is something new in the garden.

Blog Award

I have been tagged (a first for specifically me) and I've been awarded my first blog award. What an honor! Thanks to Diane from A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words for giving me the award. She also tagged me to answer the following questions:



1. Where would you like to live? I'm happy right here in Kansas.



2. What is your decorating style? I would say traditional bordering on country with lots of antiques thrown in there. Is that "hodgepodge"?



3. How many times have you been married? Once - to the same guy for 39 years!



4. Where have you traveled? England, Italy, Alaska, Hawaii, and most of the other 48 states.



5. Favorite color? Red



6. What is your proudest accomplishment? One is my education - I have a masters degree in education and two would be raising two kids who are self-sufficient and educated in their own rights and are great adults!



7. What would be absolutely shocked to learn about you? I'm a worrier and I dislike that intensely in myself.

Vacationing in the Ozarks!

We've been to the Ozarks. We went to spend a few days in Branson and also spend time with friends on Tablerock Lake. This is the BEST weather we've ever had there. Never above 90 degrees and the humidity was LOW. The country is lush and beautiful. Tablerock Lake is way over its usual level so trees are right in the water. The scenery was gorgeous! We spent time seeing shows - our favorite this time was the group SIX - they are outstanding! With our friends we went for boat rides; out to eat; and rousing games of SEQUENCE. Fun to get away and fun to see friends and spend quality time with them. Can you believe I only took one picture and this was it! Thanks to Dennis and Vicki for a great time!

Bog Redo

One of the summer yard projects this year was to completely overhaul the bog area of the pond. It had been taken over by invasive bullrush, miniature cattails, and variegated reed grass. You could not see the bubble rock that feeds the bog - and it's one of my favorite features (top picture - enlarge to see it better in the lower left hand side). It looked no better than an overgrown weed patch! It was impossible to clean-up without removing all the dirt (sand) from the bog down to the liner so that is what Phil did this spring. It paid off. Lesson learned. Most of what is now planted in the bog is buried in pots and they are looking excellent. We have lythrum, umbrella palm, papyrus, watercress, "hootennanny", elephant ear, canna, and my new heron sculptures (birthday present for me). As the lower growing plants cover the pot rims, it will look even better. Gardening is a series of lessons.

Ladies With Books

Nancy's choice for our book club this month was The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean. It's a good book about Alzheimers as well as story of the Russian suffering during WWII. I am from a generation not well informed of the story of the Russians during WWII other than they participated. I found this book to be very interesting. Nancy even had a slide show showing us some of the paintings mentioned in the book - of course they were the Madonnas. I would recommend this book highly to readers interested in art, history, or family interactions. Great choice, Nancy!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July to everyone! We're a patriotic household - even have a bedroom done in red, white, and blue. We have a Christmas tree of red, white, and blue! We live in a great country - there can't be any better. Today we honor those Americans who defend our country.

Two of my favorite Vets - my brother who served in the Navy on the U.S.S. Ranger during Viet Nam and my father who served in the Army in the 41st Medical Evacuation Unit in Europe during WW II.

Our flag, long may she wave!!

At the Pool

Our oldest grandaughter, Kaitlin, swims on the Derby Dolphins Swim Club. This is her second year on the team. She usually swims freestyle, backstroke, and a couple of relays. She changed age levels this year so it's been a struggle but her times are really so much better than last year and her skill has really improved.

Ready to swim.

Get ready!

Finished. Good job, Kaitlin!!