"To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts."  Henry David Thoreau

It's almost 9am here, and it's one of those blissful mornings that make the day seem so very promising.  The air is cool and clean, the sun is shining bright.  The washine and dish washer are a hummin'.  Earlier, after we ate breakfast, I took Caleb and Seth out for a barefoot walk on the road.  We held hands and noticed our shadows.  We ran a little.  We picked up fat acorns and looked down the grate in the road at the water.  I tasted the air, delicious with the light fragrances of country, ferns, trees, sunlight.  The birds were singing, we couldn't see the main soloist, but could he see us?

What will I preserve today?  I'm thinking either corn (to freeze) or peach pie filling (to can).  Art in the kitchen.

This weekend Rich and I took the children on a quick trip to NY to see family and eat pizza.  Yes, Rich had a serious craving for his favorite pizza place, so off we went on a road trip.  Feet up on the dash, tunes playing, our little travelling companions along for the ride, willing and eager.  Good times, good times.

On Saturday, twelve of us, Mom and Dad, brother Dave, and my family, walked up to Lion's (a favorite family dog) grave to plant flowers.  It wasn't as sad as it sounds, it was nice to work together.  Jacob wrote Lion's name on a rock and dug the hole for back eyed Susan's.  After they were planted, I handed my camera to brother Dave and he took a few family portraits for me.

The "getting ready" pictures always crack me up.........

This one's my favorite.

From left to right:  Caleb (7), Jacob (15), Ethan (14), Rich (38) with Seth on his lap (3), yours truly (36) with Sarah on my lap (2), Grace (12), and Davy (9).

My life.   My loves.

Enjoy the day, my friends!