Summer went by too quickly, but I am doing OK.
Other than commenting on other people's blogs, I have not been around Blogger too much this season. I have written several entries, but have never finished any because of one reason or another. I hope to continue with my writing but I really don't want to be on a schedule. I do hope, though, that the people that I have come to like and admire will still pop in and say hello even if my posts are sporadic.
At this point of the year, I usually write about what I did on my summer vacation. I actually did a lot, but I really don't want to bore people with a slide show. Oh, you really want to see, you really, really want to see, well since you asked, here is a quick run through.
May was a dry month, but then the flood gates opened up and the planting season started off well. We visited many nurseries deciding what flowers we would choose. I, as usual, chose too many. We celebrated the late spring nights on our deck, admiring our work in the yard and toasting to the moonlit sky. I could go on but.....
Vacation time came and we started off with a trip to the vineyards of the Finger Lakes of New York State. It rained, except for one day. We stayed in a castle that had spigots of free fine wine in its halls for people to drink. Our suite had a hot tub that I could get in, but not get out (picture omitted). Their restaurants were lovely and with the company of good, dear friends, we had a great time. I could go on, but ......
When we returned home, Hubby (renamed, The Retired Man) went out to California to visit our daughter and her family for two weeks. He had a great time and I was so happy for that. He drank fine California wine on the beach and I drank cheap wine on my patio, except when it rained, which it did plenty in Pennsylvania. I could go on, but ......
Two days after he returned, we took off for Charleston, SC with my youngest daughter and grandson. We love the city (been there three other times) and took in many of their interesting and fun sights. If it hadn't rained so much, we could have seen more. We met up with some very dear friends in the day and had some fine wine in a lovely restaurant named Cypress in the evening. It was a very enjoyable day. I could go on, but ......
The next morning we were off to our destination, Harbor Island, a private island that is a preserve for birds, alligators and turtles near Beaufort, (a gem of a city). There we met up with another daughter, her husband and our grandchildren. They stayed in a fantastic eight bedroom house/McMansion with another family. We had rented a condo on the beach not too far from them. We all got together everyday and enjoyed some fine wine in the evenings when the kids were otherwise occupied. We were glad that the decks and porches had an overhang because of all the rain. I could go on, but......
We returned home and worked on the gardens. The flowers were enormous and beautiful and the tomatoes were (are) large and plentiful because of the rain. On Labor Day, we went to a local vineyard that has an annual festival at the end of the summer and drank semi-fine wine. We had a wonderful time enjoying good music with the company of very dear old friends. It did not rain.
I could go on, but ...... I already did.
.
Other than commenting on other people's blogs, I have not been around Blogger too much this season. I have written several entries, but have never finished any because of one reason or another. I hope to continue with my writing but I really don't want to be on a schedule. I do hope, though, that the people that I have come to like and admire will still pop in and say hello even if my posts are sporadic.
At this point of the year, I usually write about what I did on my summer vacation. I actually did a lot, but I really don't want to bore people with a slide show. Oh, you really want to see, you really, really want to see, well since you asked, here is a quick run through.
 |
| Best picture ever of me. My legs never looked so good. |
May was a dry month, but then the flood gates opened up and the planting season started off well. We visited many nurseries deciding what flowers we would choose. I, as usual, chose too many. We celebrated the late spring nights on our deck, admiring our work in the yard and toasting to the moonlit sky. I could go on but.....
Vacation time came and we started off with a trip to the vineyards of the Finger Lakes of New York State. It rained, except for one day. We stayed in a castle that had spigots of free fine wine in its halls for people to drink. Our suite had a hot tub that I could get in, but not get out (picture omitted). Their restaurants were lovely and with the company of good, dear friends, we had a great time. I could go on, but ......
 |
| 10 year old granddaughter looking for a wave |
When we returned home, Hubby (renamed, The Retired Man) went out to California to visit our daughter and her family for two weeks. He had a great time and I was so happy for that. He drank fine California wine on the beach and I drank cheap wine on my patio, except when it rained, which it did plenty in Pennsylvania. I could go on, but ......
 |
| A mule and carriage tour of Charleston |
Two days after he returned, we took off for Charleston, SC with my youngest daughter and grandson. We love the city (been there three other times) and took in many of their interesting and fun sights. If it hadn't rained so much, we could have seen more. We met up with some very dear friends in the day and had some fine wine in a lovely restaurant named Cypress in the evening. It was a very enjoyable day. I could go on, but ......
 |
| A horse and carriage tour of Beaufort |
Relaxing our time away on Harbor Island
The next morning we were off to our destination, Harbor Island, a private island that is a preserve for birds, alligators and turtles near Beaufort, (a gem of a city). There we met up with another daughter, her husband and our grandchildren. They stayed in a fantastic eight bedroom house/McMansion with another family. We had rented a condo on the beach not too far from them. We all got together everyday and enjoyed some fine wine in the evenings when the kids were otherwise occupied. We were glad that the decks and porches had an overhang because of all the rain. I could go on, but......
We returned home and worked on the gardens. The flowers were enormous and beautiful and the tomatoes were (are) large and plentiful because of the rain. On Labor Day, we went to a local vineyard that has an annual festival at the end of the summer and drank semi-fine wine. We had a wonderful time enjoying good music with the company of very dear old friends. It did not rain.
I could go on, but ...... I already did.
.
Huge smiles from here.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds wonderful. Could you nudge some of that rain in my direction please? We have been promised and promised rain. Incontinent pigeon rain (splat, splat and its gone) ensues.
I remember some seasons when we had droughts. They were not pleasant. I do hope that your spring will bring some wonderful rainy days.
DeleteSounds like some wonderful vacations in spite of the rain. That fern is amazing and I just love the castle.
ReplyDeleteThat fern is not one you could put in a house, perhaps, though, a castle might work.
DeleteExcept for rain, your summer sounds very like mine. Tomatoes were abundant because of a gray-water system we installed several years ago. And wine? Well, it's California and the industry won't reflect this year's paucity of rain for another couple years. However, your lovely pictures --especially the one under giant fronds-- furnishes great encouragement. Somewhere, at least, the weather ventures down from the sky and interacts with earth. I am enjoying a Chilean cabernet at the moment in hope to conserve local wine for the future. Delightful post!
ReplyDeleteThere will a paucity of California wine, Geo, oh no! Say it isn't so. We must do a GO FUND ME to save the wineries or the world will be much less livable.
DeleteI think all the places you went and all the things you experienced (especially free win and the hot tub!!) sound marvelous! Thanks for sharing all the pics and details with us! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think I will try that hot tub thing again. As we age, some pleasures should be left behind.
DeleteThat's a great green hat you've got there. You'd be a stand-out if you wore it to the races! :)
ReplyDeleteIf you'd asked...I would've joined you on the balcony...I'd even brought my own wine to share with you. :)
I did fancy myself in it, Lee. Thank you for your comment.
DeleteI think you had the best summer ever! I cannot believe the egrets are that up close and personal. Thinking back I guess we did have all that much rain. The garden enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteIt seemed to rain every time we went anywhere. Maybe it is time that I went out to California to help them out.
DeleteI am so jealous of your trip to the Finger Lakes. That's my neck of the woods and I miss it terribly. Sorry to hear it rained so much, I had heard they had a cold, rainy summer. My favorite wineries are the ones on the southern end of Seneca Lake. You can't find a single dry Riesling down here in Central Florida. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteWe visited 12 wineries on Senaca Lake. At the third one, we decided to share the tastings or we would not have been able to get to the fourth. Hiring a driver is a must on these tours.
DeleteSorry, misspelled Seneca. It must have been due to the wine I am drinking from that lovely area.
DeleteDear Arleen, your posting made me smile. It sounds as if you've tasted numerous wines in several places and enjoyed soft rains in many habitats. I could go on but . . .
ReplyDeleteI just wanted you to know that I posted a response to the comment you left yesterday on my blog. It's a long comment so get yourself a cup of tea or coffee . . . or . . . a glass of wine before you settle down to read it. Is it raining in Pennsylvania right now? I could go one but . . . Peace.
I just read your note and left a comment. I hope that others who read my posts and yours, will see this and go over to your blog to heck it out.
DeleteDear Arleen, being back in the blogging world--and you got me here--feels so good!!!! Thank you. Peace.
DeleteOh, this was lovely. Sounds as if you had a summer to remember!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joanne. It was a nice summer with friends and family.
DeleteAll that wine drinking; it sounds like you'd enjoy it here!
ReplyDeleteI sure would.
DeleteOne of the things I like about Blogging is getting a peak at other people's lives so there is no need to be apologetic about this kind of post! Charleston has long been a place I would like to visit and Beaufort sounds rather nice too! I will be retiring at the end of the year so I look forward to lots of travelling - there's much of the UK we haven't seen yet.
ReplyDeleteBeaufort is a smaller Charleston and well worth a visit. It is a very charming, historical city. The best part about it is the friendliness of the people. I so enjoyed my visit to the south because of the welcoming feeling that you get from everyone you meet. Their food and sweet tea was outstanding also.
DeleteLOL! What a great post, Arleen. It sounds like a lot of fortification with...wine.....my kind of enjoyment. So glad you had wonderful vacations...except for the rain, of course. "Into every life, a little rain must fall....but then, there's wine". Wishing you a beautiful Fall.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, a little wine can bring some sunshine into a rainy day.
DeleteSounds like a good and fun summer for you and the Retired Man.
ReplyDeleteThe Retired Man is still adjusting.
DeleteI see what was missing from my summer-wine and more wine. In fact spigots of wine sounds a wonderful idea. Already planning where to put them in the house and barn and possibly, probably, absolutely in the garden.
ReplyDeleteI am a cheap wine drinker and often have wine from a box. The boxes all have spigots so you could put them around the barn and garden. What fun that would be. Of course, with me, I'd probably forget where I put them.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to have a glimpse into all your summer activities, it sounds as though you and 'Retired Man' had a great time. And to return home to big flowers and tomatoes is a bonus!
ReplyDeleteIt was fun experiencing different places and environments (note header) and The Retired Man enjoyed the change of scenery.
DeleteI am still picking many tomatoes and trying to figure out what else I can do with them.
An excellent cornucopia of a summer vacation! Wine seems to have hit the spot.
ReplyDeleteIt usually does, especially now that I live 24 hours a day with a retired man.
Deletewhat a wonderful heading picture - where did you take the photo?
ReplyDeleteAt Harbor Island. It is a sanctuary for birds and he used the zoom lens of his new camera to get that picture. I am thinking of enlarging It and framing it for our house. I just have to figure out where it would fit best. Thanks Heather.
DeleteI love reading your blog, you have a wonderful sense of humor and you make me want to go everywhere you've been. I can't drink (allergic to alcohol) but wish I could. Our summer was a bust but I must say the flower gardens which were mostly weeds actually looked lovely from a distance but my retired man decided to apply weed killer to the tomato garden and well you get the picture. Hope the autumn there is less rainy. Our weather has been lovely lately and we plan to head north to Leland in a couple weeks. Always lifts our spirits and brings back memories of many wonderful times with our children. Thanks for a all your care and support during our difficult days. love.
ReplyDeleteI saw some of your gardens on Facebook (Chris) and they were magnificent., Patty. It made me wish that I had planted Zennias. Maybe next year. I have not put my fall garden in as summer is lasting long and most of my plants are still healthy. I also hate the thought of all the work it takes to put it to bed.
DeleteI do hope that the coming season will be kinder to you and Dave. Love you both.
Arleen
Sounds like you did some good things in the summer, and it's nice to see the photos. What an amazing building in the second one. I love your header picture as well, that is a great shot.
ReplyDeleteThat resort was just lovely, and their wine was good also. FYI, it's name is Belhurst Castle in Geneva, and if you ever visit The Finger Lakes in NY state, Jenny, this is a nice place to stay.
DeleteI loved reading about every bit of it!!!!!!!!!!! sure sounds like a perfect summer to me!! wish we couldve met up while you were here in Charleston!
ReplyDeleteI love your beautiful city, BG. It is so pretty, interesting and the people are so friendly.
DeleteI LOVE your header picture. Did you take that when you were at Harbor Island?
ReplyDeleteWow, a New York castle with free wine flowing from spigots in the hallways? Now, there's an unusual experience!
Sounds like you had a lot of fun this summer. Just enjoying life, and sipping a little wine to make the fine things even finer.
And of COURSE we'll continue to visit your blog, no matter how often or infrequently you choose to post something new.
Yes, that picture was taken in Harbor Island. It is a very interesting place to visit. We visited Hunting Beach which was down the road a bit. A week before our visit, a shark took down another PA visitor there. He lived ( the man) , but I thought it was safer to sit under the tent and read my book and leave the wild life to the wild life.
DeleteThanks for sticking around. I seem to have become a monthly writer, but I am still mostly a daily reader.
Well, no wonder you have been posting sporadically. You have been one busy chick! Love the FERN head picture-GREAT legs! lol I am glad you have been gone having fun, though, and not for other reasons.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great October First and thanks for visiting me today, too. xo Diana
I should take that fern with me everywhere. It compliments my face very well.
DeleteOh my--- you've had a wonderful summer!! Visited some great places!! I always always love reading your stories-- they make me laugh out loud sometimes. You have amazing wit:)
ReplyDeleteLove
Vicki
Thank you Vicki! We went other places this summer also, and had friends and family visit, but I didn't take pictures because it was raining. Oh, I could go on .....
Deletethank you so much for stopping in and checking on us!! How is the weather your way, what is it doing?
ReplyDeleteRaining
DeleteSounds like a great time. Couldn't fit me in your suitcase? Oh well, maybe next year!
ReplyDeleteI am sure that I would have a great time with you along on my vacations, Amy.
DeleteThanks for popping by my blog this morning. Hope you have a great weekend! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteIt was a very beautiful fall weekend here. I started dismantling my summer gardens and now my back is telling me that I overdid.
DeleteLooks like you had one grand summer.....that fern in the first photo is "unvelievable"!
ReplyDeletexo
Jo
Do u think they used Miracle Gro?
DeleteArleen, Sounds like you had a fantastic summer! Love your "best photo ever," and the fact that you could get in, but couldn't get out of the luxurious tub! I agree that the quantity of posts doesn't really matter, because your quality is always 5-star! I'm glad you had the opportunity to visit so many beautiful places, and spend time with your lovely family. You were even a good sport on the rainy days. Your family is very lucky to have you!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Thank yo for your kind words, Julie.
DeleteI really enjoyed your summer vacation. I like Charleston, but Savannah is my favorite on the coast. Beaufort is a complete gem and I'm overdue for a return visit.
ReplyDeleteI also like Savannah and we visited it on one day when the sun was shinning and we had enough of the beach. We took the tour and had a lovely lunch down by the water area. It is a beautiful city.
DeleteOh, how i sympathise with you in your hot tub......so many things now that i can get into but can't get out of!
ReplyDeleteGlad you have such a nice summer. Charleston and the surrounding area are pretty close to the top of my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteI was born in SC! I wish I could have gone with you just to see what it was like. I was born in Myrtle Beach and we left when I was just a few months old.
ReplyDeleteI love that castle in NY. So pretty!
Hi Arleen,
ReplyDeleteFinally, I actually arrive and leave a comment! What an interesting post and I felt like I got the grand tour of the USA. For one brief moment, I thought you were wearing a gigantic hat in that first photo...
Have a very nice weekend.
Gary
thanks for stopping in to see me! Fall feels sad to me too....its not really here tho............its in the 80s and so hot.....air conditioners still going full blast. What flowers for Fall do you have going?
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful time and what a gorgeous header photo! A perfect picture of autumn.
ReplyDelete