A Fair Day in 2015

Joining Like Mother, Like Daughter for some pretty, happy, funny and real times...

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

We had a fun day at the fair this year, as we do every year!

This is the same fair my father took my siblings and I when we were children.

Coastal Happy Times

Joining Like Mother, Like Daughter for some pretty, happy, funny and real times...

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

{pretty}

It was a beautiful day at Half Moon Bay!
The fog cleared up nicely and let the beautiful blue sky surround us.

World's Greatest Dad, pictured in center

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

 

{pretty}

After Mass in the Mission, we had a lovely brunch in the {pretty} town of Monterey!

 

{happy}

 

This place makes me {happy}, {happy}, {happy}!

 

{funny}

 

 

Although this old metal siding building looks as though it might topple over with the next strong wind...that would not be {funny}.  It's been here forever and I love to leisurely browse through its many treasures.

 

{real}

A gift from our pastor after his visit to Poland...{real} Polish chocolate...REAL GOOD!

 

 

Go to Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment...

{pretty, happy, funny, real} ~ County Fair Edition

When I was a child, we used to recite this in our school every morning...

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter

{pretty}

Great Grandma's Quilt

 My mom is making yet another quilt...this time for her granddaughter (my niece).  My niece isn't married, nor does she expect any children in the near future...my mom said she probably wants to have one for safe keeping, in case she (my mom) passes on...

The quilt isn't finished, but it is still very {pretty}.

{happy} 

Last year, Little Lamb won a goldfish at the County Fair;  they gave her a second one for free.

This year, she tried her luck, and although she didn't get the Ping-Pong ball into the little fish bowl, they gave her a fish anyways.  Needless to say, she was {happy}!

O.J and Half & Half meet their new friend...Sushi

{funny}

We ate the usual Fair fare...

"A fair is a veritable smorgasbord"...need I say more? 

{real}

Winning another goldfish at the fair, meant getting a larger fish tank.

OLD:

NEW:

Thankfully my children had 2 $15 pet store gift cards given to them (at Christmas). 

This allowed them to upgrade to a 5.5 gallon tank (kit on sale for $24!), with filter and light, etc...they then splurged on the colonnade, which reminded them of our recent trip to Rome.

Although it was Little Lamb's prize...everyone in the family wins.

No longer is prayer allowed in public schools (or to be exact:  the court ruled that government officials had no business composing a prayer for students to recite).  The Lord's Prayer...unconstitutional?  What!?
Do they allow our Pledge of Allegiance anymore?

We do in our "school". 

Happy Independence Day!

Go to Like Mother, Like Daughter, to find more contentment...

~ Simple Summer Breaks ~

From the garden

Something refreshing...




Something restorative...

A (as opposed to "The") Perfect Margarita...so many wonderful variations :o)

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and combine:

2 oz good/100% agave tequila

Freshly squeezed lime juice

1 Tbs. agave nectar

1/4 c water

Shake & pour over ice*

*moisten rim of glass with lime and dip into coarse salt.

Disfrutar!

Addendum:  when you don't have a lime on hand...lemons work just as well. ;o)

~ Summer 2012 ~

Fishing.  Looking for "George".  That's what Little Lamb named this whopper of a fish that has evaded her, so far.  She's been very successful at catching several fish...but she's aiming for George. 

Popcorn thinks this is great.  She sits on the highest point possible and surveys all the activity.  See the tiny white blurry spot off in the distance...just above her left ear (our right)? 





This beautiful creature lost its mate not too long ago.  So sad.  :o(

Swans usually mate for life.  I think she may be lonely; she will swim up close to our area...She likes us; but she "hisses" at Popcorn.  Too funny.  Thank goodness swans are herbivorous - I think!? 

Rosen loves canoe rides.  L.O.V.E.S. them.  Conductor had just taken her out, tied up the canoe and was leaving the area when he turned around to find her back in the canoe...sitting & waiting.

Science lesson.  Entomology. 







Some zoology.

amazing faces!!!  Beautiful markings...

And I know there is a lot of literature~reading going on somewhere nearby...I just don't have documentation of that right now.  :o)  Butterfly is our little bookworm with an in satiable hunger for reading books!  Home-schooling fun is never-ending!

Having a very blessed summer...hope you are having one too!

~ Signs of Summer ~

Bowl of Cherries

We are still wrapping things up here, as far as school goes...But a few summer activities & classes are already being enjoyed.
Conductor & Butterfly are taking a Philosophy class with the Dominicans; and Little Lamb is taking a Pottery class.  Conductor will work as a volunteer for the County Fair...(more on that later); and both he and Butterfly will start Reader's Theatre class next week.

Then next month gets REALLY busy...

Chocolate Mint

Rewind

Summer 2011 was packed with fun...
a family trip to Disneyland, drives to the Lake, the Catholic Family Conference...

Little Lamb's Ice Cream Creation - Bubble Gum, Chocolate Mint...

Visits from the Tooth Fairy...

Summer....So, so close

We are still finishing up with our school year...but I'm thinking about all the fun activities that we will enjoy this summer...

Grandma's hand-made creation

and the fruit...we love the summer fruit!

and tasty treats...we love tasty treats!


And gardening...and fun adventures...and ice cream making...and swimming...and reading...and reading...and reading while enjoying tasty treats...





Hand-made by Butterfly

I've been thinking about our 2011 Summer Fun List....just a tiny break to day-dream about the summer...now back to work.  Summer.  It's so, soooooo close.