Summer is great here...how are things going with you? Are you on vacation?

It has been really cold here since the 21st of June. Much colder than previous winters. It even did snow one morning... but it melted as soon as it hit the ground. Early this week... all my water pipes were frozen. Another month to go... and things will start to get warmer hopefully. Unlike Canada and Europe... the winter only last 3 months in Australia.

Hi Raia, I'm happy that you are experiencing some warm sunny weather after the turmoil of the past winter. We too have been enjoying some sunny weather but with probably more rain than you've been seeing. As you say, some parts of the world haven't been as fortunate, so I must not complain. Blessings.

Hello, my dear friend. I too have a countryside retreat in my own back yard. I can walk up, beyond the hedge and I'm in a different world. I love to sit out in the Summer, especially close to sunset, but also during the day, when the blackbird comes to chat with me. The robin is also present and sits close by, picking up the gossip! lol. However, I still like to wander further abroad. I've been to an annual barbecue this evening which I've just written about and which was great fun. Then, next week, I plan to go to the Lammas festival in Eastbourne which is held over the Lammas weekend each year. There's a parade, Morris dancers, folk music, metal music and a pagan craft fair, and I intend to make it there this year, hoping the weather holds. In October, I'm taking a short break in Suffolk, which will be a nice change. It'll be my first time in a very historic part of England and I'm looking forward to that. Otherwise, I get up and go as the mood takes me. I've done a lot already this Summer, and I'm enjoying every minute. Brightest Blessings my friend and soul sister. Love to you both. xxx

Our summer it wonderful! Not that we have gone anywhere or done anything, but the tempts have been great for just getting out in the back yard all day and having fun! We are having a summer like I remember when I was a kid. So we have been swimming, playing games, and staying out in the backyard till it's late telling creepy scary stories to one another.

Summer thus far has been great here in the Dunning household. We haven't done any vacationing this year, but we did go camping out at the lake nearby, which was a blast. I guess one could view that as sort of a mini vacation..lol Though that is about all we have done this summer, since my husband's work hasn't been giving him much time off like they usually do over the summer months. We are hoping to get in one more camping trip before summer is over though, so keeping my fingers crossed he'll be able to get the time off for it.

Hi Raia here in the uk the weather has been a bit of everything June was a funny month but this month it has been lovely and the sun has been out full belt and the evenings warm now and then though we have had the odd cold rainy day but so far am enjoying the sun and warmth for as long as I can your friend littleowl

Hi we are not doing much for Summer. Staying home since we can't afford to do anything. We have plenty of stuff that needs done here anyway like fixing up our trailer, working on our yard, and taking care of our pets. Anyway glad you guys are vacationing at home. I guess we are too except I have a lot of work I have been doing every day. Enjoy your vacation! :)

nice to see you here again. hugs hugs hugs. your summer is just here and our summers are finish already though most of the time it still feels like summer for we only have two seasons the hot and rainy season. yes! it sounds boring lol. but during summer here we didnt have much outing for as you know the budget will not allow. my chilfren just got bored and just watch tv. now the school season started last june so they are quite busy

Glad to know that you and hubby are enjoying this wonderful summer. I can certainly understand how you would choose to stay outside as possible after such hard winter weather. I love the hammock and specially the water ponds - water running always makes me feel so good and peaceful:):):) THen after that the fire pit would make my day as well LOL I"M thinking roasted marshmallows every once in a while heheheh TO continue brightening my day,you go ahead and talk about like with the two most important key words: Swimming and canoing. Oh my, that just sounds like Heaven to me. I'm sold, packing my bags and moving to Manitoba... wait.. wait a second.. I also have that here hehehe just haven't had the chance to do it lately. Well, in any case, you guys are all set for the most wonderful summer time, and I'm so glad for you. What have we been doing.. well not much. MY daughter started working and has been doing as many hours as she can because she bought a car and wants to have enough money saved now for when she works less during school time. MY soon was really sick last month but is well know - thankfully because it was a big scare - and is now starting to do what all 15 year old kids do - lazy around, play video games, go outside to play soccer and basketball with his friends etc. etc. etc. HUbby is working for which we're grateful of course:) ANd I have been taking some time to really rest, I've been sleeping a lot - sleep is one of the things I lack the most during the time I"m working -. MY mom is here with us, and it has been nice although there have also been a few things that have to be compromised and talked. THe main one being that she is a person that needs a lot of personal attention and is used to a different kind of life from what we have here. She is used to go out every day, do some window shopping, buy whatever she likes, then sit down at the cafe or restaurant and have her lunch.... she's used to go out basically every weekend to some nice place and sleep in a nice hotel. We can't really do that. And she is missing it. We did go out a few weekends but only stayed out for the two days once = last week when we went to kingston's thousand islands and then to Montreal - . We took her to some places close by, some she had already visited before and didn't really pay much attention to. In any case she needed to understand that our life here is not what it was back home and we can't do the same things. To top it of, I am not a person that likes to go to a mall and spend my afternoon there - I get a headache after a bit more than half an hour. - and I don't like to window shop. WHen I need something I go and buy it, but if I don't need anything or can't afford it I hate to go around and look at it LOL Oh well.... I"m still very happy that she's here and I hope that she will stay until November, but from what I can see, she might decided to go a bit earlier. Have a beautiful saturday, Raia

Wow--Perspectives just love that photo and your backyard does look like a bit of paradise to relax and chill out in. I too am hoping...no correction "planning" to have a home and would absolutely love to have as much land with a lot of trees as possible. I've always been a nature gal and feel my soul is alive when I'm surrounded by nature's beauty. As for what I've been doing..still keeping busy as usual, with writing articles, my novel...but have to admit to slowing down a bit more and not at my frantic pace that I'm normally at. I haven't been mylotting as much either but actually have taken time to browse about on ebay which is something I haven't done in ages....and got a number of bargains lately....Since I subscribe to James Arthur Ray's website I get updates on what's going on...and sometime back there was an actual invite to watch his Harmonic Wealth DVD on the computer for FREE...the trick? One had to register at a clear and specific time...my designated time was 8:00 in the morning....a time which I confess I'm still asleep..LOL. So I guess I must have "programed" my mind...I wanted to be up in time to register. Well, as you can guess...a few minutes before that time I was wide awake, rushed over to the computer and registered...LOL. The free showing was good anytime of the day once registered..So just think I was able to watch the Harmonic Wealth for free that way....but then...I thought...I would love to have a copy. So last week at ebay there were a number of the DVDs available...at a steal from the original price..and of course I won it...I also won Louise Hay's wonderful "You Can Heal Your Life DVD also at a bargain and watched it last night...she is SOME woman! I've had her book for years. Things are falling into place for me....I got that IRS check refund issue resolved and am using the money to buy a lot of necessities...and I won't kid you...it feels GREAT to have money to burn and spend...there might be some other prospects there to go after and claim monetary wise which I want to go after next week. It's almost as if whatever "resistance" or negative energies that had been around me have lifted somehow...and I know you know what I mean on that score..LOL

I love your little retreat at home. I am still on medical leave, at least until November (injury to wrist), and I am now not concerned with getting back to work til next spring, since all the seasonal workers are going on leave at the end of September this year (government budget restraints). So I've been spending most days at home. My s/o has bought me several hanging baskets, and potted plants, so I have a little 'garden' on my back porch now. I love sitting out there with my dog. She loves to lay out there when I'm on my laptop. We have been having rain showers come through in the afternoon and evening the past few days, but the weather has been unseasonably cool for this time of year. We are going for a little day trip tomorrow, to a place near here called Hawk Mountain, there is bird watching look out there, I'm hoping to get some awesome pictures of the hawks and other migratory birds. Glad to hear you are having an enjoyable summer.

I think you are enjoying your summer's pretty well there but here in India it's rainy seasons ,it rains a lot here during this seasons,i love this season because it brings the nature in it's true color,greenery and freshness seems to be distributed in every part of the environment.It effects the work here too,raining all the time,but who cares ,its awesome.

It does sound like you have a nice atmosphere where you are at. I am sure it does get pretty cold up there during the winter so I imagine you enjoy your summers. I am a bit further south than you! It is quite hot and humid here and we have been a little dry lately. I have been a stay at home mother and my husband works. We do like to barbecue every once in a while or sit out on the deck. I like to sit outside in the evening sometimes and enjoy the cool air if there is any! Other than that we have just been trying to keep cool.

i would like to go to mahone bay and lunenburg, right here in my home of nova scotia. i've never been to either of those historic fishing towns, so i'd love to see them. i'm interested in photography and i am sure there are tons of opportunities there for sightseeing, picture taking, etc. i hear there are some fantastic walking trails along the shore as well. however, with the cost of gas rising, i am not sure i will get there this year! they are day trips for me..i could probably be there in an hour or two...but filling up my tank costs 60 dollars!

So far I have had a busy summer. The grandsons have been spending lots of time with us. They will be moving soon a few hours away. I am not happy about it but there isn't anything I can do about it. I keep telling myself at least its not across the country. I have also been busy with my mom, last week we went on a long drive, to a flea market. It was 3 hours away and I did the driving. We had a nice time and she was happy. We used to go to an outdoor flea market every year. The one we went to this time was indoors, with AC, fans and benches to sit and rest. Since my moms heart condition has gotten worse she sometimes gets dizzy spells and has to sit, she also can't be out in the sun for long periods. I don't do well with the heat neither. Today has been much nicer, its cooler and less humidity. I get uncomfortable when it gets in the 90's with high humidity. A few days ago, my DIL, grandson and granddaughter went to the county fair, we all had a nice time there. I like spending time with the kids. My backyard is a haven for kids. Lots of toys, a large wooden swing set, a basketball court and the best part....a pool. Its hard to believe that its the last of July already, it seems that winter just ended. It will be back all too soon. We have started harvesting fresh vegies from the garden, that is always such a treat. We have also down some outside BBQ'ing. I have an ice cream maker, I have been giving that a work out. My little cookie monster is an ice cream monster too. All in all its been a good summer so far. Its nice seeing you again, take care and enjoy the rest of the summer.