Independence Day, our way

Two hundred and thirty five years ago some pretty snarly guys set the record strait. We don't do well with people telling us what to do. Yesterday we celebrated just the three of us, at home, making our own traditions, well sort of. Jojo and I spent the day playing out side. the sun shined and the breeze blew and it was simply beautiful out. Just right for playing in some water and checking out the garden and the rest of the yard. I'm trying to get him outside as much as possible. He loves it and I love watching John cringe as he watches the little guy toddle across the concrete  with bare toes and knees. He's only picked up a few raw spots. We keep the neosporin handy. the booboos never seem to slow him down.  

 He is not to fond of the grass yet. It's kind of pokey...

 Checking out the flowers

 They even feel good.

 After all the rain we had the last couple days my Hollyhocks are starting to bloom. As a child my mom always kept a row of them along the back side of the deck at home. I can remember them towering over me each summer. They were the first flowers I knew I had to have in my garden when we started landscaping here. Even with all the wind out here they seem to fair well. To bad they don't smell as wonderful as they look.

 While hiding out in the bathroom yesterday morning, I came across this recipe for a quick peach dessert. Yes, there is a time most days that I head to the bathroom, even if I don't have to go. It's quiet and uninterrupted and filled with good reading material. It's a well spent five minutes here and there throughout the day. Back to the peaches, I can't think of anything more summer than a good peach. We had a peach tree in our side yard and every August peaches would fill the branches so plentiful that we would move the clothes line poles under the branches to help support them. The peaches were so ripe they juiced all over every last inch of your fingers as you ate them. Mom would clean them in the yard while we played for canning and offer us slices. I don't think I will ever eat a peach again as good as those. Dessert turned out so well that there is another in the oven as I type to take to dinner with a good friend tonight.

 Gel clings hold a special place in my heart.

 John cooked hot dogs on the grill. I don't think there is anything more American. Jojo tasted his first hot dog yesterday and ate the whole thing. Minus the bun of course.

 We ate inside with all the windows open to help bring the outside in it was just that nice.

 A little relaxing in the living room after dinner. iPhone in hand. We have to lock the phones because he is one smart little boy.

 This is the look the cat give Joey when he is in the middle of temper tantrum. It's one of a kind.

 My Mom stopped down with Dick after dinner and she took Joey for a wagon ride in the yard cart. The light was so nice I couldn't resist making a photo. I love having my mom so close, I'm pretty sure Joey and John feel the same.

After all the dishes were done and Joey went to bed John and I climbed into bed just in time to see the New York City fireworks. I started watching them a couple years a go when John showed them to me. He used to watch them all the time when he was living out east. They are fabulous. Last night I added "Watch the New York fireworks live" to my life list. It will happen.

Today I'm thankful for:

-Those five minutes in the bathroom.
-Beautiful weather.
-The ability to put the chores of life aside and just PLAY for a while.
-My mom's potato salad recipe, forever in my mind.
-A day free from nausea and exhaustion.

-All the love in the Universe-