Thursday, September 14, 2017

Champagne Summer



I'm sitting on my patio going through summer pictures on my iPhone, trying to organize and weed out those that are redundant or not so fabulous.  It's taking me way longer than it should, and I'm not deleting very many.  Instead, I'm sipping champagne and  smiling as I remember all the enchantment and love of the last few months.  For most of this summer, the weather was delightfully sparkling and warm, family and friends were bubbly and sweet,  and my adventures were all fun filled and effervescent.  Kind of like

Champagne!

I'm about an hour into my picture organizing (and champagne drinking) and I realize that the folders I've created mirror the very reason that this Summer of 2017 will go down in my book as almost perfect.  Take a look inside my photo book.

CELEBRATIONS

Oh, celebrate we did, with dance recitals and birthdays and weddings and retirements.  And champagne!
Madi aka Moana.  Away Away!
Jess turns 21!  The twins are 4.  Mom is 89 <3
Another retirement celebration??  I know--how awesome is that??
Nate and Lindsey are married!
       

Throughout all the celebrating we cheered and ate cake and sang and danced.  (and drank champagne!)


THE PATIO

My backyard beckoned me every night this summer.  I (and usually my mom and Jewel) spent so many warm, quiet evenings listening to the bubbly fountain and crickets, reading books and emails and letters, planning our days.  And drinking champagne.

Solar lights, sparkling water, books, Jewel
Fitzgerald, tea, and a real letter from Cousin Ginny


I'm hoping these patio nights linger way into autumn.

     
A TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE (of the heartland!)

I never imagined that seeing a solar eclipse could be so magical, but experiencing this celestial event with my mom and sister and nieces and nephews made it so.  Read about my experience here.  

Diamond rings, eclipse glasses, and family

AUGUST

Yes, August!  I've always dreaded the month of August.  For as long as I can remember, August signaled school starting and the end of summer.  I always had a sense of sadness as August loomed ahead, knowing that my days of leisure would soon be filled to the rim with school work, early nights, and way too much stress.  Not this year!  I think I was looking forward to August most of all--no school and no stress.  Instead, August brought glorious weather, brunches, more patio nights, long walks with Jewel, road trips, out-of-town visitors.  And champagne :)

Road trip essentials, fresh veggies, brunch
Brunch, summer flowers, reading
Peg's veggies turn into fresh salsa and pasta sauce

   

FAMILY

I'm almost finished with my picture organizing project.  I spent way too long looking and not enough time deleting.  But my folders are complete.  The last folder is the fullest, and I find myself lingering the longest as I feel the love all over again.  I got to see every single member of my fam this summer, whether in Colorado, Nebraska, or on the shores of Christmas Lake.

Nebraska, Colorado, and Minnesota family love
Everyone's a fish at Christmas Lake

Christmas Lake Love

  Nothing brings me more joy than love and hugs from Mom and sisters.

I'd melt for my sisters
 and brothers
and brothers
 and nieces and nephews
too hard to get nephews to pose--the girls are always game
and Royal Babies
all 8 of them!
and besties.
BFF
And a few more--this isn't even close to all the pictures in this last folder--it would be overflowing if it were a real folder!



And a grand finale lake compilation <3



And now, with my photos nicely organized in my new iPhone folders (Celebrations, The Patio,, Total Eclipse, August, and Family), I'm almost ready to say goodbye to this perfect summer.  But first, one more glass of  champagne.






5 comments:

  1. ������ Ms. Cheryl~ what a beautiful blog! I've been a fan now for about three month. Your style--encouraging writing, love images of your world, are all enchantingly dear. Couldn't believe I'd be included. Hugs from a devoted cousin.

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    1. Thank you so much for reading my blog and taking the time to post a comment. I am honored! Hugs, dear cousin (Ginny?)

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  2. Loved this! You always capture the family so well!

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    1. Thanks for reading and commenting, Peg! So happy that you and the Coovers were such a big part of my champagne summer!

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