Summer vacation. . .

School will soon be out for the summer.  When I was a young girl, the end of school meant time for swimming at the beach.  The "beach" for me meant the Pecos River which ran right through the center of Carlsbad, New Mexico.  It was an oasis for us in the hot New Mexico desert.  There was sand all along the sides of the river.  We built many a sandcastle there and swam out to the small "island" in the middle of the river.  As a teenager, we sunbathed and worked very hard on a summer tan.

 

 

I also gathered flower bouquets especially roses from my neighbor's beautiful red rose bush.  She graciously let the neighborhood kids gather roses for a rose corsage which we usually wore to church on Sunday mornings. 

Summer also meant time for cooking delicious mud pies which we served on dishes very similar to the ones above.  I loved my set of tin dishes and played with them for hours on end.  Maybe that is why I love beautiful dishes so much today.  Who knows?  I do think our childhood plays a very important part in shaping our lives.  Dear friends, I have just returned from taking care of four of my precious grandchildren, my granddaughters, Ally, Maggie, Henna and Olivia.  Their mommy and daddy went on a dream vacation to Ireland.  The girls are ages two, four, six and eight so you can see, we had a very "busy" time.  I am one pooped grandma, but I wouldn't trade this experience for anything.  I hope this fine day finds you doing well.  Do you have any special memories of summer?  I know summer is a way off, but it will be here before we know it!  Sending you happy wishes always!