moments of bliss...

A picnic packed by dad...
trees waving in the wind...

Happy chatter...
shoes off...

Loved ones sharing an afternoon...
simple blessings...

Smiling in the summer sun

Did mom say I get a sundae?

Chin tilted upward,
my youngest peeked toward the drive thru window.
He knows McDonald's means yummy things will be arriving shortly.
But...
what...
What was it that mom said?
Who is getting that soda?
Who is that iced coffee for?
Please...
Please let mom know I want ice cream!

Yup,
don't worry little guy.
Mom did know...
one of those hot fudge sundaes is for you!

Sigh...
simple pleasures...
my boy does love goodies.
I wonder who he got that from?
=-)

After the fair... everything else is just gravy... I love summer!

Ever since I was a bitty child,
I have enjoyed our Ohio State Fair.

There is something truly magical about dripping roasted corn,
watching product demonstrations
and walking until you just may drop.

Some years I've milked cows,
others I've ridden the overhead sky lift.

Every year I come home with a smile and wonderful memories.

Truth be told I'd love to go again this year,
but,
once will calm the craving.

I visit the same places every year.
I buy my corn and chat while it is dipped in the butter vat.
(butter vat... how fun is that?... yummy!)

I get my diet soda at the stand that will fill any cup for 99 cents.
They don't even care if it is a McDonald's cup from the "outside".

The concession workers at the family owned booths
are generally the same from year to year
and it makes me smile when I recognize them.

I love the photo opportunities and the free samples.
Yup!
I'm going to share some of my photos with you.

If you get a chance,
get yourself to the fair
and experience the most wonderful
summer tradition I know.

Sigh

Have I mentioned I love summer?
=-)

We found it!

Under a bush,

sitting on top of the pine needles and other leaf litter....

not under a piece of slate as it was suggested,

My dear friend and I found our first letter box!

Only one car slowed in the parking lot when I initially sat down to stick my hand under a bush.

Thankfully my buddy and I look harmless and though the woman in the car looked a little puzzled, she kept going and our quest was safe!

I ended up half way under the bushes before I found the box.

With a hushed cry of triumph and a giggle at how silly I must have looked, my friend and I quickly headed a distance away to open our treasure and discover its secrets.

Inside the box was an amazing hand created stamp featuring an amazing likeness of the famous Seurat painting the park's bushes bear resemblance to.

The logbook was a lovely discovery as well. The happy stamps from other adventurers made me smile and at the same time wish I could meet the interesting people who were there before me!

Most of the stamps were from people around Ohio and some dated back several years!

How fun to become part of such an interesting pastime.

My dear friend and I are already planning our next adventurous hunt.

She's heard of a set of seven boxes that we just must find!

Can you hear my happy sigh and feel my smile?

The wonderful break from the real world was so welcome that I seem to be unable to find words to convey the sheer joy of it all adequately.

I hope for you today,

that you are able to find a break when you need one.

I pray your days are filled with the adventures you need

and the peace we all crave.

May you be blessed!