Meeting Sheila! One of the first highlights of our summer vacation

We began our journey toward New England two Mondays ago, at 5:00 a.m.

On Tuesday morning in Knoxville, I got to meet an old cyber-friend, whom I've known for at least a decade! It was as if we only lived a few towns away from each other, meeting up for coffee every few months. Read her description of our coffee and conversation; we really hit on all topics and had a laughing-good time, along with some wonderful heart-to-heart.

Let me back up to that first day, July 27th. On that first day, we drove straight through to Knoxville, Tennessee, and set up camp in Maryville, by a lovely pond (or lake? I don't know if it was spring fed or not...it looked pretty clear).

The next highlight of our summer vacation came in the form of hundreds of Canadian geese and a couple of meadows...see for yourself!




Our campsite in Maryville, TN just behind the tree


We were over-run by these geese! I thought this might happen just from the poo on the site when we sat up the tent the previous night.


One of these guys even hissed at me, 'cause I got too close ;-)


Hubster and me at our first campsite of the trip



View from our tent site


On Tuesday, after leaving Knoxville, we headed up through Virginia and went off on our first "wild-goose-chase" of a very different kind! Kylie decided she'd like to stop and see some of Annie Dillard country...for those of you who are _Pilgrim at Tinker Creek_ fans.

We were thinking of camping on 'her' mountain, but we were losing daylight. We found Tinker Creek, instead!



Our dd was beside herself with excitement.


Stay tuned for more narrations of our amazing trip in the coming days!

Ciao for now!

Javamom

Summer Backyard Birds

Red-Bellied woodpecker fledgling and parent ~ looks almost like a mirror image

RB woodpecker

RB fledgling ~ so cute


finch fledgling looking for mama or daddy

feed me!!

Wedding Photos pt. 2

Pre-wedding, pre-haircut






Jonathan waiting to escort the moms


Scott and Ashlynn - Here comes the bride!



The vows


Bridesmaids (feet)


Groomspeople's (feet)


Our larger family!

Big, busy summer

(jute engagement ring)


Summer has been full to overflowing, ever since Ky's graduation and move, our family reunion and party all in late May, family company in June, and The.Big.Wedding.of.Our.Firstborn. We housed all the groomsmen here at the cottage and so enjoyed getting to know a little bit of J's friends in Omaha.

On the calendar for the remainder of the summer, a.k.a. "What to do next?" Rest. Slowly reorganize parts of the house most used for study and learning. Travel, perhaps Boston. Take more photos. Tend the vegetable garden and the pears.

Whilst pondering the "what comes next," I'll post more than a few photos from the big event of July. More are on Facebook and more are still yet to be given to us by Hubby's parents, also professional photographers.

One of the coolest parts early in the ceremony? The last two attendants to walk the pathway of the ceremony are the photographers whose work is represented here. They each had their Canon Digital Rebels on their shoulders. As soon as the bride entered with her father, they split from the pack and went back to work capturing these moments. Enjoy ~



























Our son, Jonathan, our new daughter-in-love, Ashlynn, and their former youth pastor, Alf.







Love those bare feet!


Thumbs up!










photographer on the right is my father-in-law

Prepping for a family photo ~ Holden, Ky, Ashlynn, Jonathan, me

Most of the proud parents with the bride and groom :-). We are looking over toward Hubby who is still working his way over to where we are posing.




The barefoot attendants











Tattoo rings! Pretty smart for the jobs they do.



sisters now!



Successful day comes to a quiet end.

Dress for Oldest Son's Wedding

I know it's the fourth, but this year, instead of our usual big fourth cookout with family and fireworks and a boatride on the lake, we are doing final preparations for our son's wedding.

I saw a dress very much like this on sale at Ann Taylor in their wedding shop online. I wasn't sure how the fit would be, since they don't offer the same dress in the local store nearest us. I also didn't want to have to pay $199 (now on sale for $149) if I could make something similar myself.

Yes, I do know that takes time and patience, but I *like* working to get ready for a big event. Well, maybe not all the deep cleaning, but the special preparations, because it is outside the run-of-the-mill, everyday routine.

Here is my project, which still needs a little more adjusting to the bodice to make it fit me in the best possible way:











More on the wedding coming up, and


Happy Independence Day, all!


Javamom