It's been awhile......

It's crazy how fast the summer is going, I can feel fall sneaking up on us...

 there's a smell in the air especially up north! You know, that dewy morning smell.

Rick and I have had a lot of time at the cabin this summer. 

I have been granted a lot of vacation and Rick can pretty much take off when he wants. 

We have still spent time with our families between cabin stays

 with visits, birthday parties and the 4th of July, and lets not forget video chats  :)

 The 2nd cousins and a 3rd in the back <3 p="">

(4th of July at mom & dad's)

Lewin running on the slip n slide.

Not necessarily in order, our visitors...

 Bill & Nancy, friends from church

 Ruth & Kerry, 

Rick and Kerry are golf buddies, they are good friends from church. 

 My sister's family...and friend (bottom right)

 Fun to have a couple of teenagers with us this year.

 Rick's brother Brad and wife Julie...always fun to catch up with these two.

 My friend Sharalyn spent the night along with her son-in-law and 2 of the grands

Out to dinner with some of our friends (and neighbors) up north

Scarletts 5th B-day

presents

 playing in the newly built sand box my son made.

 Big tree swing (Scarlett)

Rick has been working on refinishing the deck this summer.

 it's a big project, but it's coming along

I would pay someone to do this....he enjoys it  :)

Taking off several layers of paint down to the bare wood.

There is also fun to be had at the cabin....

Our neighbor Scott insisted we take his machines out for a drive, so fun.

 My slalom skiing man 

On a recent visit, this one insisted on taking a selfie  <3 p="">

I asked him to smile for the picture and this is what I got.... he is so goofy!

We got to hang out with these two on Saturday while Mom & Dad had a date.

They wanted a silly picture of them eating subs.... goofs.

 Sunday was spent with dear friends from church.

 I love these ladies so much, they are wise, fun and prayer warriors!

I have learned a lot from them in the "women's class" at church.

I work three days this week and it's back up to the cabin for 10 days, 

we will have 4 friends join us for part of the time, we really looking forward to it  :)

Rick and I feel blessed to be able to balance our life here in Rochester and 4 1/2 hours away at our cabin. We feel our life is richer because of the friends and family we get to share a little piece of heaven with at "Hemmer's Haven" 

I'm melting....

I'm MEEEEELTING....

Holding my little personal fan in front of my face trying to cool off after carrying 

just 2 bags into the house from the car. What you can't see is the sweat dripping off my face!

It's a sorry site for anyone, hence the photo-edit fun.

Below is a snapshot of our local Facebook weather post

Note the "Misery Meter" as being DISGUSTING.... 

that is how I feel today, after only 2 minutes outside. 

For me it's worse than oppressive, it just makes me feel icky. 

I don't mean for this post to start up an argument about the weather and who likes what better, 

I only want to explain my reason for loving fall & winter better.

Yesterday, today and the rest of the week are exactly why I love fall and winter. 

Summer is not MY season.

The heat and humidity goes against what is comfortable for me, it make me quite miserable.

My face sweats, so I don't even know why I put make-up on in the morning. 

I feel irritable, lazy, tired and all around blah.

SAD (Seasonal affective disorder) is not limited to the winter months.

 There is a true Seasonal Affective Disorder for some people in the summer ( I googled it)

I don't really have that because I don't get depressed, 

but I can see how I could get depressed if I had to live in this for very long. 

Isn't summer suppose to be a time for being outside and enjoying the weather, 

for some they do, and that's what they love... but not for everyone.

I don't enjoy being cooped up in the house day after day with the A/C on, that gets old fast!

(Remember summer is the season that your suppose to be outside)

Winter is more of a In-the-house kind of season, because of the snow and colder temps. 

but I actually enjoy being out in the winter, it's refreshing and exhilarating.

I look forward to the quiet & beauty of winter, it slows me down and it's bearable.

I love cozy sweaters and blankets, I love snuggling up with a good book and a cup of coffee.

I enjoy winter walks and hikes.

In order for me to enjoy summer it needs to be under 77 degrees with minimal humidity.

Or

I just need to go up to the cabin where I've got the lake a few steps out my door.

The lake is cool, relaxing and just about perfect. 

The lake is calling my name this week.....soon

These are my own personal feelings about summer, with all this being said, I do enjoy the change of seasons in Minnesota minus the the super hot and humid days of summer!
Luckily there are not a lot of those days.

Summer?...or fall?

Now don't be hatin'.... 

I know it's not anywhere close to "fall", but today... it feels like it.

I just love love love this weather!

Sitting out on the deck sipping on coffee, and feeling that cool breeze!

Listening to the leaves of the quaking aspen tree...it's a beautiful sound!

Wearing a sweater in June, but no socks!

That Vibrant blue sky against the pinks and greens  #nofilterneeded

I'm enjoying this lovely morning, can you tell?

Heading up to the lake this weekend to enjoy some more of this.... up there :)

These two....

Sunday morning after church...

Audrey: "Grandma, can me and buddy come to your house today?" 

Me: "Why not, but we better ask your mamma"....

The answer was YES!

Whoop whoop, let the party begin  :)

 A little posing from this soon to be kindergartner.

She is growing up in so many ways! Such a sweet & sensitive little girl! 

We love spending time with her, cherishing every time she wants to be with grandma and grandpa.

Carson needed something in the house... my guess, a cookie  :) 

This little 2 year old is such a joy, his goofy little personality is really starting to show, 

He is funny and loud....such "a boy"! 

We cherish his littleness...they grow to too fast  :/

We spent a better part of the afternoon in the backyard watching the kids swim

There was no-time for nap-time for Carson... he played right through

I love the joy in their faces, they really love each other

Be-Still-My Heart

Grandpa had to get-in on the fun!

Rick is such a hands-on, fun grandpa,

 that's the kind of daddy he was too!

There was a lot of helping going on,

 Carson helped to water grandma's flowers

Audrey had the idea to get a pail of soapy water (lots of soap) and a sponge

to clean the front entry of the house, Carson had to help too. They had such a fun time cleaning, that went on for about 1/2 hour.... such busy kids.

The day ended with Brianna & Chris joining us for dinner, 

then some more swimming before going home for bed-time....

No-nap Carson was more than ready  :)

My kind of day

Most of you will disagree with me but that's ok, 

I really do understand your point of view and if you were me,

 you'd understand my joy in this day....

My front garden

It's July 1, and the thermometer is reading just 70 degrees here in NW Rochester. 

A cool breeze hits me as I sit outside enjoying the day, no blaring hot sun,

 just fluffy clouds with some peeks of sun in between.

As most know I am a fall and winter lover.... lover of snow and all the beauty it brings. 

Taken a few years ago at Oxbow park, beautiful winter day... me in my element!

For me... the last few weeks has brought a form of
seasonal defective disorder to this girl, 

hot and humid is not a good mix for this soul....

I try, but here's the thing, nothing about 80's and humid is happy for me. 

I mostly stay indoors cooped up in the air conditioned house. 

If I do go out I immediately lose my makeup to a sweaty face and

 my hair goes from some what of a style to limp and sticking to my face....blah!!!  

Some may say "well in the winter, you sit in the house all day, that can be depressing"

Not for me, cuz that's what you expect in winter...indoors would be normal.

I'm actually more comfortable to be outside in the fall and winter...

no sweaty face, my make up and hair stays put, and I'm in my element.... 

all around comfort!

So, I'm loving this break from the heat and humidity, a coolish, overcast day, 

my kind of day!

S'more loving girl

Audrey was really wanting to spend Saturday night with us.... she had told many people at her daddy's softball game that morning, that she was having a "sleepover"
 at her grandpa & grandma's house.

 That was before she had even asked.... 

she knows all too well what our answer will be ... 

(later she asked me on the phone)

"Of course you can have a sleep over and wouldn't it be fun to
 have a campfire and make S'more's"

All I heard on the other end of the phone was a joyful squeal.

She started asking for the fire about 6:30pm, so we stalled as long as we could,

 grandpa cut up some dried branches to use in the fire.

 Supervising

tired of supervising 

Just happy with life

finally.... with S'more fixins in the foreground 

First bite 

 We had visitors....Carson and Brianna came over to share our yummy treats

I love campfires and family....they go good together!