OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY - WAITING FOR EARL

With a category 4 hurricane out in the Atlantic Ocean and no one really knowing which way it is headed except for a "well, here is the worse case scenario and, then again, the best case scenario" from all of the weather "guessers," I took a ride to the bay to see what was happening there. It appears quite calm and the boats and jet skiers were out having a good time -it was very hot today - 99 degrees.

A little closer to the shore, the water rippled gently against the sand and rocks. Nothing here to show that 135 mile per hour winds were lurking in one of the first of the season hurricanes churning up the coast.

We will have to wait until the end of the week and possibly by Thursday we will know if it is going to graze our shoreline or move on up to Nova Scotia and Canada.

To see more Outdoor Wednesday posts, please hop on over to Susan at A Southern Day Dreamer.

SIMPLE PLEASURES

Finding just the right frame for your family photo at the thrift store for 99 cents.
For more Simple Pleasures please visit friend and hostess, Dayle at A Little of This and That.

I apologize for the quality of this picture, the flash makes the wood on the sides look gold but the color is consistent throughout.

OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY

As I was driving home one day last week I saw these trees all in a row. I didn't have my camera with me, of course! So today, in the rain, I took this picture. I have been on this road many, many times and for some reason they just came into focus for me that day. The thing I like about them is their raggle-taggle look. Forlorn and wind-whipped, they line the driveway of a not so prosperous nursery near my home and probably have been there for years. I just never noticed.

If you would like to see more Outdoor Wednesday posts, please visit our hostess, Susan at A Southern Day Dreamer.

CIRCUS DAZE

When I heard that the Clyde Beatty/Cole Bros. circus was coming to a town near me, I immediately called my daughter and told her about it. It was going to be during a week that she and her family would be spending the week at the Jersey shore. She was excited about going to see a real circus, as opposed to one that was performed in an antiseptic arena!

Here we are watching camels giving rides to children before the show started.

The first act, after the clowns performed of course, was the tiger act. The beautiful white tigers did all that they were asked to do and did it well! The extra safety net made it harder to see them but I'd rather be safe - what do you think?

My granddaughter paying rapt attention to the trainer taking those beautiful animals through their paces.

The ringmaster introduces Jennifer who would be doing an aerial "dance." I'm sorry I didn't get any pictures of her act. The girl in pink you see in the background climbing the rope was also in the aerial act.

During intermission, my granddaughter and grandson rode an elephant! Very exciting to be on that huge animals back!

After intermission was over, the motorcycles took over - they were very LOUD and did many tricks that were pretty dangerous. But the most exciting thing was performed in the STEEL BALL that was brought out into the center ring.

Into this steel ball two and then THREE motorcycles went round and round barely missing each other!

A better picture of the steel ball...

After the motorcycle show, came the finale...a man being shot out of a cannon!! The cannon is lowered into position and the man shot out over the steel ball and into a net at the far end of the circus tent! A super ending to a super show!

Here are their expressions when I asked them how they liked seeing the man shot out of a cannon! Very comical!

It was very fun being with my grands, daughter and SIL at the circus! These are the times that make memories for the rest of our lives and I wouldn't trade them for anything. How about you?

SIMPLE PLEASURES

Watching my daughter read Goldilocks and the Three Bears to her daughter.

You can find many more Simple Pleasures hosted by our friend Dayle at A Collection of This and That

OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY

I just loved it when my two girls and their families came to visit our Jersey shore the same week! We had a fun time posing for my other SIL on the lovely beach as the sun was going down with the waves lapping at the sand behind us.

For more great pictures please visit Susan at Outdoor Wednesday at A Southern Day Dreamer.

SIMPLE PLEASURES

A lovely bouquet from my dear neighbor's garden. She left it by my front door and I was totally surprised. Is there anything nicer than someone saying, "I appreciate you?"

If you would like to see other Simple Pleasures please see friend and hostess, Dayle atA Collection of This and That

OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY

Relaxin' at the beach...chillin' near the water's edge...gorgeous day at the beach!

And as I was leaving the beach, I noticed this beautiful Crepe Myrtle and Hydrangea...beautiful!
If you would like to see more Outdoor Wednesday posts please see Susan atA Southern Day Dreamer.

BEACHY DAYS

DaDa and I walking to the beach to see the big "pool!" I just love the sand and water! Oh boy here we are and I have my sun hat and "pool" shoes on! I'm ready!

Mommy and I share some fun time too - just getting wet!

I love watching the waves and can't wait to run into them!

Look at that big wave coming DaDa!

Ut oh, I'd better run before it gets me!

Whoops! I just did a split! Ha Ha! Mommy gets the picture too! Fun day at the beach! Gramma is here with us too!

These are precious days that won't last long and we must enjoy them while we can! Love every minute of it!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL AT ZION

This past week was our Vacation Bible School at Zion United Methodist Church and we (children and adults) had a good time learning God's word. As the children walked into the Social Hall, they were greeted by a cave-like structure that let them know they were not in their normal Sunday School building anymore! There was even a Parrot to greet them, sitting on a branch near the cave entrance.

Inside they could see the ISLAND they had crashed landed on and, "Oh my, how were they going to SURVIVE in a lost world! Luckily, our VBS teachers had the answers they needed! "It takes GOD to survive in this world." Matthew 4:4

Here they learned they had landed on ZION ISLAND!

Here, in one of the classrooms they learned about JESUS in a Tiki hut! How Fun!

Below is one of the Team Leaders wearing the team shirt with the theme of our VBS.

...and back...

I am so glad I was part of this wonderful adventure with the children who attended this year. I was part of the "Treats Team" that provided the goodies that the children looked forward to during the evening's adventures!

SIMPLE PLEASURES

"Slip covering" an old brown chair to give some lightness and airiness to my bedroom for the summer was a very easy thing to do. Now, every time I walk into my room I can feel and see Simple Pleasures!

Thank you to our hostess and friend, Dayle at A Collection of This and That.