At least here on this side of the planet, we just said goodbye to summer (perhaps not officially for a few more weeks, but most consider the end of summer to be Labor Day).
I’ve sent one daughter off to college. I’m ordering the books for my other daughter whom I homeschool. My boys will be on the bus headed to their first day this morning. That’s it, the end.
And part of me is super jealous that a bunch of my friends are going to St. Louis to meet for the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Conference. I haven’t been to one since 2017 and would love to go. Perhaps next year is my year. But, alas, I can’t this year.
However, I was able to do a lot of wonderful things with the time I had.
I saw my first child graduate high school and along with that, had the first big party in our new house (and finally planted grass).
We put a garden in for the first time in four years. My gracious that was a lot of work all summer and now as we head into the fall. I have more zucchini in my freezer than I know what to do with and it’s a very good thing we go through about a jar of pickles a day.
Summer was full of shopping trips to outfit my daughter with everything she would need for her first year away from home, and making sure we did memorable things as a family. We even visited the World’s Largest Ball of Twine (I live within an hour of it).
It was also my twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. So, after dropping my daughter off, the Hero and I bopped on over to Duluth where we spent a few precious hours on Canal Street and wading in the Great Gitche Gumee. I also got to eat at Grandma’s for the very first time (the namesake of the marathon). I also spoke last month about the writing retreat in July that was so refreshing. I plan to do that next year as well, and may be an ongoing thing.
As I list what I’ve done, I know that I’m forgetting things, because I’m trying to look forward. What have I got coming up? Deadlines? Jobs? Conferences? Interestingly, I’m one of those people who forever think, ‘in this next season of my life, I’ll have more time,’ and I’m always wrong. Something always crops up and I have just as much time (or less) to do what I’ve always done.
But each and every day is a blessing.
For a chance to win an ebook copy of Battle For Her Heart, my most recent release, tell me one fun thing you did this summer.
Where western meets happily ever after.
Kari writes swoony heroes and places that become characters with detail and heart.
Her favorite place to write about is the place her heart lives, (even if she doesn't) South Dakota.
Kari loves reading, listening to contemporary Christian music, singing when no one's listening, and curling up near the wood stove when winter hits. She makes her home in central Minnesota, land of frigid toes and mosquitoes the size of compact cars, with her husband of over twenty years. They have two daughters, two sons, one cat, and one hungry wood stove.
Beautiful blog! What an amazing summer you had. I’m always thinking I’ll have more time sometime, too.
It’s crazy. I’ll be sure that “as soon as the kids go back to school” I’ll have more time, but something always comes up.
I traveled to spend a week with my son and his family in Knoxville, TN. The time went fast.
I bet it did! That sounds like so much fun.
Wow! What a summer you’ve had.
We went on a 3800+ mile college tour road trip. He started senior year this morning.
Ah, that senior year goes by so fast! I hope you found a college amidst all that travel.
I went to a Keith Urban concert. I had been given the tickets by my cousin and her family for Christmas last year. It was the highlight of my summer. I just adore him..
I haven’t been to any type of concert in so long, I’d bet that was wonderful!
For me, I love taking care of my flower baskets and watching them constantly changing from day to day with pretty blooms. I also enjoyed fresh vegetables from my garden.
I only planted a few flowers this year (so I only got a few blooms) but I have big plans for next year!
I went to a soccer game and watched my 4 yr old great-grandson play and I went to my 3 yr grandson birthday party.
I have never been to a soccer game. I’m going to have to try to get to one. I’d bet that was a lot of fun watching them play.
hiking
I love hiking. My favorite was a hike up Harney Peak (when it was called that, they have a new name for it now). I will have to try that hike again soon.
No trips or anything but just enjoyed the warm weather
The weather was lovely. The only hitch was that where I am, we seemed to have a plague of flies. I’d have been happy with fewer of those. Other than that, the weather was marvelous.
The one fun thing I did was going pottery painting with a group of women from church, and the 2nd fun thing I did was go back with my oldest sister and a friend!!
That sounds like fun! I’ve never done anything like that before.
I started my summer holiday by taking a spill unto our sidewalk which gave me two black eyes, a contusion on the left side of my forehead and great respect for a little thing called balance. So, while I spend several weeks healing I had lots and lots of time to read. I am not an outdoors person anyway, unless the weather is in the upper 60’s or very low 70’s. No traveling or anything for me and mine.
Oh, goodness, Judy! I’m so sorry. That sounds horrible.
Went to my sister’s house down on the lake and spent a few days.
I love spending time near the water. It is so refreshing.
I went to visit my sister and also celebrated my great grandsons first birthday.
I’d bet visiting was fun and happy birthday to your great grandson!
moved my 2nd daughter 70 miles closer to home!
I bet you were ecstatic. That’s wonderful.
I am trying to think back. Like you, I think I have things all set up, and like last week. I had two appointments when the week started and by Tuesday there were several things every day and I got nothing I had planned on done at the house.
This past June we took our daughter and granddaughter to New York City. We are all big Harry Potter fans (I am a former children’s librarian) and those familiar with the story know they get their letter to attend Hogwarts on their 11th birthday. Our granddaughter turned 11 on June 15 that day we took her to the Broadway play The Cursed Child (which is about Harry and Ron’s, etc children going to Hogwarts). We then went to the Harry Potter store. The play was well staged and enjoyable. The store is large and quite an experience. We took the train from Durham, NC to NYC and back to keep in the HP theme. We spent a week in NYC and hit many of the big tourist sites. I had been there before but it was a first time for everyone else. It was a really nice trip. My husband and I are looking for a time just the two of us can go back up and see the city our way.
That sounds like an amazing time! I am sure she’ll never forget it!
I have enjoyed eating home grown tomatoes. I have also had the opportunity to watch the stray kittens play and grown. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
I’ve had one tomato so far! Now that we cut all the branches back that have no fruit, they are starting to turn. I love home grown tomatoes (and kittens as long as they stay outside, I’ve had enough come inside).
thanks for sharing this wonderful post today. we got to spend a lot of time with our son and daughter in law. with our health issues this summer, having two kittens has been so enjoyable. God knew what we needed before we did. thank you Jesus
Lori, I’m so glad you had your precious kitties and spent time with family. It’s those little daily things that help so much.
Watched my 16 yr old grandson play baseball!!
That sounds like fun, He was probably really excited to have people there to watch him too!
Kari, your post brought up all those feelings I used to have when my boys went off to school. It really reminded me of my mixed feelings when each boy went off to school and those precious adventures we shared gathering what they needed to take with them. Thanks for the lovely post and the trip down memory lane.
wow a lot of wonderful things happening. a lot of happy feelings