Visiting Lava

We traveled to Lava yesterday to visit Jared and Carrie, Weston and Lacie and camp with them on their property at Thunder Mountain. It was a lot of fun. In the afternoon we all went swimming...along with everyone else in the world...so crowded! Then we got a bite to eat. As we were leaving the little town of Lava to go back to the property, we noticed some signs about a parade. So we stuck around (in our swimming gear...) and watched a cute little parade down Main Street. Weston and Lacie were the only little kids on the block, so they got lots and lots of candy thrown at them. I sure wish I had my camera at the parade.

Carrie and Weston after swimming.

I went on a long walk by myself. So rejuvenating to just be alone and take pictures to my heart's content.

The thistle was in bloom everywhere. Such a prickly weed, but so beautiful when it blooms.

A GREEN bee...

The sunset was beautiful. You can wish for clouds, but that doesn't mean you're going to get any:)

Water Caught in a Web

 had a lot of fun this morning experimenting with my three camera lenses. I noticed this group of water droplets caught in a spider web in the grass. It's amazing what a camera lens can capture that we don't really see, even though it's really there.

First Fruits of My Garden

So fun to pick the first "fruits" of the garden:)

Finally....A Deck Awning

After all these years we finally put an awning over the deck. It's built from steel, not aluminum so it will be stronger in heavy winds and it's also cooler. Wish we would have done this years ago. The kids were surprised that it makes the deck look even larger...I agree:)

Balloon Flowers and Hostas in Bloom

Balloon Flowers are one of my favorites. They grow like a hollow ball, or a balloon, then bloom. They are a perennial, so I don't have to do anything but watch them bloom every year.

I have lots of Hostas in my yard. They grow long stalks of blooms once during the summer, but are known for their amazing foliage. They need lots of shade.

Orange Tomatoes

First ripe tomatoes of the year. These are orange tomatoes and very sweet.

Photos for Photography Display

Here's the photos I put in the Clinton Days this year.