Summer Love

Of all the silly things my dad has done during my lifetime, one of my very favorites was when he would answer the phone and say "Folkman's summer home. Some are home; some are not." Ha ha. Get it? (Faus pas gone JazznJenna.) Oh, except he didn't say Folkman's because I wasn't a Folkman then.

Anyway: that has been our theme this summer. Some of us were home. Some of us were not. It seemed like we had bodies heading off in different directions all summer, but I guess that's what happens when you have teenagers. While it was a lot to keep up with, we still had a great summer.

We went swimming at the lake(s). A lot. (I added the plural just to be bratty. Sorry about that.)

We took a quick trip to Spokane. I am in awe of the architecture downtown. I need to spend some time there, just me and my camera. Mano-a-mano.

Campbell House Museum

Our big trip of the summer was our trip to Utah. Oh my, we had fun! We saw family and dear friends and played, played, played. Since we live so far away from civilization, (OK not really. But yeah, kind of.) we get a little deprived of the man-made fun they have in big cities. And the shopping! And the restaurants! Good thing I don't live there or I would never cook.

Salt Lake Temple

We had so much fun that I actually thought, "OK, life in the city is not so bad. I could live here." But then ... but then ... Montana. Oh, Montana. Why are you so beautiful? Right when I cross the border from Idaho, I take a deep breath and sigh and know that I am home.

Sunset down the Swan. This picture was snapped out my window while I was driving (Mom, don't tell Dad!), which is ironic because I pulled off a handful of times to take pictures of barns and none of them really turned out. Guess I will save time and just snap shots while driving.

Of course you remember hearing all about our awesome Rock-n-Roll themed family reunion. Sad how that seems like ages ago now.

I didn't get to spend much time working on writing projects this summer, but I guess that's alright because I have 9 months of crappy weather coming up. I did get to read a few good books though, which always makes me happy. My very favorite was this one:

 We didn't go to the movies much this summer: it was just too stinkin nice out to go sit inside for two hours.

Oh, and I got to replenish my huckleberry freezer jam supply. It will last about two months. Maybe.

What did you do this summer? What did you love? Where did you go? What did you see? Are you sad to see it become just a memory?

It's the last week of the month so check back for the monthly winner on Thursday. The prize might just be a box of tissues since we are all shedding tears over the end of summer!

The End Is Here

Do you remember me taunting you with the promise of something awesome this week? Well ... you're just going to have to wait. It's not ready yet. I know you really had your hopes up. But come back on Thursday and I'll tell you all about it. Promise.

And until then, allow me to give you more bad news:

It is with a heavy heart and much solemnity that I tell you the following: summer is over. I know it is rather unexpected. September--which once seemed so far away--is now at hand. 

As is often the case when we aren't given enough time with something we hold so dear, our hearts are filled with regret. "If only" seems to dominate our thoughts.

So I give you my "if onlies" for our beloved Summer 2011.
If only you would have been a little bit warmer, then I could have picked huckleberries.
If only you would have given us one extra day in the week, then I could have spent more time at the lake.
If only you would have made gas prices cheaper, I could have traveled more, and I could have had more company come visit too.
If only you would have given me a bigger stomach so I could eat more fresh food.

But, not wanting to seem all negative, I shall pay tribute to the great memories Summer 2011 left behind.
I liked it when you took my family to Birch Lake, and how the kids jumped off the snow banks and into the freezing water.
I liked it when you gave us this cookbook, and when you introduced us to this corn. (That corn isn't heavenly. It's so good it's a sin. Seriously.) (Oh, and BTW, technically it was my lovely mother-in-law who introduced us to those things. But summer helped too.)
I like it when you brought family to our house. And I liked it when your brought us to see the grandparents, both sets.

So now it's your turn: Tell us  your "if onlies" for summer. And tell us what was great about your summer. And then we will pass around a box of tissue and sob uncontrollably as we think how it will be another 10 months (in Montana) before we see summer again.

What do you do in the summertime?

Ah. Summer. Doesn't it feel good? Fresh fruit and veggies. Kids playing outside. Going to the lake. (Which, BTW, is still too darn cold to enjoy. Am I really going to have to take the kids to the pool this year? Groan.) Cooking and eating outside. Hiking through the forests. Feeling the sun on my back. (I especially appreciate this one, since the sun has been MIA since last summer.)

Since I worked you so hard last week, I'm making this one a no-brainer. What do you love about summertime? Leave me a comment and you could win something very summery. Like this:

I kid. Because when you see a bikini on my blog, it might lead you to think of this:

So I won't be giving away a bikini. It will be something awesome-er. So play along, pretty please!