Phyllis and I went to a Grange event in the afternoon.

Giant pumpkins growing, getting ready for the contest weigh-in in September.

Zucchini races:

Zucchini Sweet Contest entries. In front, my Zucchini Cakes with Walnuts, then Phyl’s Lemon Zucchini Muffins, Sandy Sanders Zucchini Bread, and Catherine Green’s Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Zucchini Savory Contest entries. The middle dish – Carmelized Zucchini and Corn – won.

In the sweet zucchini division, Catherine came in second and I came in first and won a groovy 60s apron.

Justin brought his dad, Tom, out to E Nicolaus to help spread the gypsum.

A round of putting. Avery was quite excited when he hit a “hole in one.”


Closing pep talk.

Avery staggered a bit but managed to carry the clubs all the way to the car.

If you do something for the first time in your life, it should be noted, right? Today I chased cows. I got back to Justin’s mid-morning to find SEVEN cows enjoying Justin’s beautifully manicured and lush lawn. His response to my text message, “Get them off!!” After running through the neighbor’s garden and coming back to tromp through Justin’s prepped-for-landscaping front yard, the small herd finally headed in the right direction – back to Jaime’s.


Justin came home from work to check out the damage and make sure the cows couldn’t get back in. Needless to say, he was not happy.

To end on a happy note, the walnuts are doing great. To think, in 6-7 weeks, the harvest will begin.

Happy 15th Birthday to Sarah, Maria’s granddaughter. Happy 40th Birthday to Leslie, Sarah’s mother/Maria’s daughter.

The story: I met Maria in 1975, our backyards abutted each other, our husbands talked over the fence, we had dinner together once, then twice, and we both had the same due dates for our first-born child – August 10. Leslie was born on August 4, I was 4 weeks late, Justin was born on September 7. Marriages dissolved, but Maria and I have been steadfast friends ever since. Our babies are turning 40 this year. How is that even possible?

Maria made her famous tacos – we think the record consumption is 20 tacos by Justin when he was in his teens. They are sooo good.


Papa and grandson CJ share cigars on the patio.

I’m sure a lot of grandfatherly advice is being dispensed.

Maria and Tim, thank you for a wonderful two days at Lake Wildwood. Love you.

More fun this weekend. An overnight visit with Maria and Tim at Lake Wildwood. Friends Renee and Mike came for dinner. Renee made the best potatoes and onions with rosemary.

Barbecue masters Tim and Theresa, Maria’s sister.

Sadie figured out how to keep cool, hair flying upward.



Tim with Wee Willie the Shark.