To Do or Not To Do.... That is the Question!

Tonight while flipping back the calendar pages, I realize just how much I haven't written. Many photos of beauty and pleasure, laughs, and faces I love sit in computer memory never to be seen. These are memories so current, yet seemingly many months ago.

While keeping up a quick pace with my life, as it whisks along each day... well, then I drop the ball on keeping time with journaling here. Something, somewhere has to give. I've noticed this is how life seems to go - two steps forward, one step back. I'll feel so productive and energetic - happy with all the accomplishments of a day, or a week. Then .. WHAM! on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday morning (or whichever day one may choose)  I 've lost the momentum and the need to drop one item from the daily to-do list is a necessity.

The beauty you haven't seen lately? ... here's some of it ~

There ya have it... a full life; a full calendar - keeping me busy, and happily so. Thinking that possibly when the calendar says it's winter and days end much more quickly.. possibly then I'll sit on the sofa with a little less to do, and I'll drop gardening from the daily to-do and spend more time here posting on the blog!

So It Goes....

September makes me feel as if it is the beginning of the year. I felt this much more strongly when I worked for a school district, but to this day - as summer winds down and the kiddos head off in the early morn, there is a definite rustle of newness to the days.

Still, days and nights are filled with simmering summer. Downtime of celebratory shenanigans, and much that keeps me from sitting down indoors to type out a post in this little spot. Sorry for that - I've definitely lost momentum in journaling at Abundant Picnic. So it goes though - as the air swishes and the trees drop their brittle-sun dried leaves... Autumn nears and cozy time on the couch will begin. I expect that posts will be more abundant soon!

final days of sunbrellas on the beach...

ete is French for Summer

 

 

 

Tell me it isn't nearing fall.......  harvest, much?? look at these beauties from our neighbors ^

In a Nutshell

Here's a glimpse into the life of a harried-gardener-essentially-summer-goodtime-gal, non-blog-posting writer at Abundant Picnic....

Where have I been? Where HAVEN'T I been?....



Trawling fish shops in beach towns...

Hanging in hen houses...

Wine tasting... thus the blurriness (nah, not really)...

 

 

Photo shooting in hot & humid towns with girlfriends....  (isn't she cute?)

 

 

 

 

Picking fruit anywhere and everywhere - at home and the nearest Mexican market too...

 

 

 

Slurping 7-11 Slurpees on July 11th (7-11) because they were free for the corporation's Anniversary -

AND!! also because that was a special date in our family too - our Great Niece Madison was born!

 

 

Traipsing through the fields along oceanside bluffs....

 

 

 

Brushing coats of primer to our new outdoor shed - attempts at making it MORE THAN just a shed..

still in the works...

In a nutshell - this summer has been fast paced, filled with goodness, over punctuated with PARTY-TIME and is still on a roll. Family camping coming up. An unexpected and welcome visitor from Japan filling some days. An all-girls annual event just over. My Goat Hill work with fun & challenges too.

My, my stories to tell.....    wide open writing spaces, and beauty as far as the eye can see... camera in tow and beaches aplenty; sunshine sparkling and an abundant picnic spread before me - I will be back to share it all....

All of That Annual Patriotic Partying... and Summertime Sunshine

Yesterday, and well - the last couple of weeks - have been chock-full of good time seeking. We've been doing anything we can to beat the heat. Temperatures have hovered near to 100* in our area - making for hide and seek games with the afternoon sun! I've gotten out of my darkened, fan-blown cave a few times to try and get some exercise. Sometimes I've opted {in the past} for mall-walking to be in air conditioned confines, but this is not one of my favorite venues. So many people, and too many distractions with window shopping!

Swimming pools are good places to hang out!

The garden is overgrown. Plums sweltering, and fermenting by the bushel in the gravel pathways.

Our hand-wrought wooden baskets far too small to hold the bounty from two trees ~

Lavender bunches trimmed...

{I have to say - I love reading blogs that mention harvesting lavender, and then then performing the ultimate DIY with said harvest. Unfortunately, this is not me! I trim just to downsize the plant}




And, yes! - we did also participate in patriotic partying. The 4th of July is just days past one of my brothers' birthday - so there is an annual celebration of both....

This morning brought cool air to my fluttering curtains.... very grateful for this! Yet, I realize there are still months to these ..



                      DOG DAYS OF SUMMER ~

They Are Plum Delicious

That time of year again...

Basket loads off to family & friends' homes and double that amount on the ground. Have you ever squished your toes in a sun-warm, over-ripe, fallen plum? gooey & cringe inducing, it is!!


Proably should call out our local food for the hungry establishment and ask if they'd like to get some bags full. They'd have to cart their ladders with 'em though - much of the bounty is now left in the higher boughs.




I would not mind trading some purple plum, for some cherry cherries!! Our backyard garden forest doesn't include these delectables...

Summertime is upon us!

Beaching

Usual sentiments aside.... I'll just post some really pretty pictures of the beach on a recent visit...

You know how I love a beach....

particularly love this beach ... as I briefly lived here once upon a time..

Junior 'Guards were out in force, being trained

One of my favorite flowers - dahlias - ... I usually am able to buy a newly clipped bouquet from a leathery garden lady in this beach town. On this day she was not out in her yard. Sure hoping that doesn't mean she's no longer gardening...

Midsummer's Day Dream

This is what summer's all about Charlie Brown in an ABUNDANT PICNIC life...

and just to change it up a wee bit ~

Off to enjoy another California-style summer day...   What might my outing be today?...

Hey maybe I should do a Where's Waldo  Shari post? find me in stripes somewhere walking in one of the insanely fabulous spots that I discover....


**Edited - I've linked my summer post to My Romantic Home... where Cindy hosts a weekly series.

Tapas Together

Summer party picnicking at it's easiest - which might also mean at it's best!...
I called two other couples at the last minute.
Spread a tablecloth or two.
Chilled a bottle of wine, or two.
Plated the simplest and most delicious savory samples.

and VOILA!!!  A tapas party..

Short, simple, sweet, sublime - SUMMER

Edited : I've decided to link to another blog : Romantic Home.... click and go see all of the inspiration!
              My first time checking the blog: Cedar Hill Ranch. A Texas gal with French style. I loved the post on her  fave place for a summer picnic! Go and see..