Random July

Photos that haven't made their way into other posts during the month of July 2023.

 July 11, 2023

Anne arranged for our Books With Friends group to make lunch for the day campers at church camp on this day.  It was wonderful to get the opportunity to serve with these ladies.  

I told Debbie and Karla I was getting an 'action shot'  :)

Then Anne and Colleen said we needed the 'oh we have worked so hard' shot  :D

Debbie had the longest arms to take our selfie

Someone at the church took this for us 

On the way home I stopped to see Daddy and we watched Jackson and Jonathan in the front yard taking photos of the 2 year old fillies.  Jackson is wanting to work on selling them so needed some photos.  I could just sit and watch my boys forever.  :) 

Friday, July 14, 2023

The boys had been working in there on that gate area around the back of the new horse barn.  

 

July 19, 2023

Marvin got the gate finished on the pool deck - it looks great! 

July 20, 2023

Anna and Matthew sent this cute photo to Daddy, who passed it on to me.  :) 

July 21, 2023

A happy Dad and daughter - upon James' arrival home. 

Saturday, July 22, 2023

A fellow came up to take a look at Gemma and ended up buying Luna instead.  Worked out well for Jackson.  I always hate to see a horse leave the place, though.  :) 

Jackson sold Luna

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Pete and Kady came to have breakfast with Daddy.  That is always a wonderful event.  :) 

July 31, 2023

Anna and Matthew came up to visit Daddy.

Andrea's Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Andrea's Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

Andrea first brought this to wine night and everyone LOVED it!  She shared the recipe and I have made this several times since.  

Trim the woody ends off the asparagus.  Wrap a small bundle of asparagus in a piece of bacon.  Repeat.  :)  Season with salt, pepper, garlic, or however you like.  Drizzle with a bit of olive oil.  Bake at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes.  I draned the bacon grease from the pan and then put it back under the broiler for about 2-3 minutes to crisp up the bacon.   Yum!

Lora's Layered Hummus

Oh my goodness, this is the best tasting stuff!  Dear Lora first brought it to my house for a little get together and since then she has brought it a few more times, and I even tried to replicate it here myself!  

Lora's Layered Hummus

Spread hummus in the bottom of your serving container.  (I used store bought but Lora typically makes her own, homemade)  Sprinkle Za'atar seasoning over top.  This seasoning really is a key ingredient. I had never used it before, but now I have my own supply, thanks to Lora!  :)  Drizzle good olive oil over the top of the seasoned hummus.  You may use a pastry brush to spread it around if you like.  Then layer browned ground turkey (you may also use browned ground beef if you prefer).  Next layer olives (I used green), diced pepperocinis, thinly sliced green onions, and diced tomatoes.  Serve with warm pita bread cut into triangles.  Yum!! 

Here it is on a plate (bottom right) with some pita chips - and other yummies.  :D

Lora comes to visit

July 19, 2023

Dear Lora came over this evening to hang out with me.  The weather was lovely and we floated in the pool awhile, then enjoyed dinner (and a little wine) on the back patio.  I really am so glad that she moved back 'home' - I love getting to spend time with her.  

She brought this hummus dish that was soooooo delicious!  And I am not the biggest hummus person!  It was homemade hummus first of all (that makes a difference to me, I know) using bush beans and good tahini that she gets from the middle eastern store in Columbia.  I asked her to pick some up for me, too.  Then she added those pickled pepperocinis, some ground turkey, green onion (I think), this amazing middle eastern seasoning called Za'atar (that she gave me some of), tomatoes, olives that she had smoked but she said they didn’t get very smoky so I think I can use what I can get and it will be okay.  Other stuff, too, I think. I asked her to write it all down for me.  I will make this again!  Served with pita pocket bread torn into chunks.... on my word it was sooooo good!  She also made that zucchini thing that was good with tomato sauce and cheese and basil on it, but it wasn’t nearly as good as the hummus!  Then there is my tomato/mozzarella/cucumber salad thing.  

full on picture of that hummus... Good grief it was tasty!

such a beautiful evening!

Here we are!  Lora and Laura   

The 4th of July

July 4, 2023

This was truly another wonderful day.  In the morning Mav and Brianna came to swim in the pool.  I could hear Mav laughing with glee even from inside the house!  :)  What special time for Mav and his Mama.  Jackson took care of Carlile.  

On a sad note, I picked up Daddy and Julie to head to the graveside service for cousin Don.  We are so sorry to lose Don - such a wonderful man with a huge smile and laugh and always a good story to tell.  It was good to see Kim, Dee, Kyle and meet Kim's daughter Rachael.  She is an impressive young lady and I know how proud Don was of her (and all his family).  

We got home and started getting ready for the 4th of July festivities that evening.  Jackson did the grilling of hamburgers, brats and chicken.  We made some other sides and desserts and then everyone who came brought potluck.  I just loved all the little ones we had... a lot of hope in the room.  New generations.  I love it. 

Susanna and Maverick 

We were able to fit most of us inside on this hot evening

some at out on the patio 

Oh my goodness... Namuna's little sister is a warrior princess!  I love her spunk!  She and Mav had an absolute blast playing together.  She just grabbed his hand and said, 'friends' and off they went.  :D  

July 4 is Julie's birthday so we always celebrate two occasions on this date.  Dear Namuna and her family brought a lovely birthday cake for her. 

It is a Nepali tradition that the birthday celebrant feeds the first bite of cake to 'the one she loves the most'.  Julie fed Daddy the first bite of her cake.  It was a perfect and beautiful moment, indeed.  I have to say I love this tradition!  

Julie and Daddy 

I love this photo of Namuna's mother holding Gwendolyn. 

Brian, Marvin and Jonathan

Aasha

Grandpa Brian holding sweet Gwendolyn

Daddy saying goodnight to all 

Candace, Carlile and Brianna 

This was hilarious and adorable. Mav was trying to blow that pinwheel - with varied success.  Anna told him she would blow in his ear and it would come out his mouth to move the pinwheel.  So he opened his mouth and she blew along the side of his ear (toward the pinwheel) and he was just amazed!  ha!  Matthew mentioned that this might be teaching bad things to him - or at least confusing anatomy.  Anna laughed and said, "We'll fix it later!"  hahahahaha!  Later she remarked that if he goes to medical school she will have to have a quick talk with him just before 'to clear a few things up'.  :D  hahahaha!  Mav was so cute.  

Mav loves this trick!  ha!!

we all headed toward the barn to see the horses for a bit 
look at all the kids in this photo!  I love it!

Jackson with Brooks

Mav hooking himself to the hitching rail.  :D 

visiting with Jo

Laura with Namuna's wonderful parents

visiting more horses

Hoses are a lot of fun!  Even when they aren't turned on!  :) 

back on the patio

fireworks time!

Jackson passing out sparklers

Maverick - his profile looks so much like Jackson at this age, it is quite surprising!

Maverick 

Rojina and Aasha

Maverick 

Aasha

throwing snappers  :) 

A perfect evening!

You can see an entire album of photos here...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/williscreekranch/albums/72177720309628471