Summer Rundown

Summer is supposed to be a time of breaks, but it ends up being almost busier than the school year! Now here we are in September, one of my favorite times of the year. Our summer was a blur of tennis, swimming, cake-making, a new job for my husband, community group, AHG camp, reading (of course), trips to see my dad during a long surgery recovery, and the Carowinds trip mentioned in the last post. Being a homebody, I don't seek to be "on the go," but this summer, it just happened.

Here are some photos I took during the past three months, that I'm happy to get around to posting: 

This summer, we became fans of "Kids' Baking Championship," and my girls started teaching themselves to bake cakes. This is a vanilla one they made for their grandmother's birthday in May.

Some-birdie decided to set up camp right on top of the hedge in front of the house! I enjoyed a frequent rustle in the bushes as I sat out on my bench.

Our community group didn't take a summer vacation. Being with these folks every Wednesday is a highlight of our week! There's nothing like Liz's homemade bread, and enjoying it with our group's company.

Memorial Day weekend means meeting up with our pals from all over the state for the Tarheel State Junior Qualifier. Players who compete are then eligible to play in the Southern level competitions in June. This picture illustrates what occurs when matches are on a rain delay!

We made it through the Qualifier, and then through Southern's two weeks later, in two separate cities (and states!) on the same weekend. Every age level was divided into its own tournament, so while Jeremy and one daughter were in Cary, NC, I went with another to Columbia, SC. After that, it was time to celebrate another year.... 

 ...with my annual espresso cake! This was baked by a local lady. It's as much fun (almost) to smell it as it is to eat it! Can you guess the number on my cake? Hint: I didn't turn 411 years old!

My birthday tradition is to thrift shop with my girls and Liz. I found these: 

The next day, my actual birthday, I spent at a homeschool curriculum/book sale. I thought I was supposed to be a seller, but I ended up being a buyer. At the end of the day, I guess I broke even: 

More odds and ends... 

This cute guy comes around this time of year. We don't know if he is "Chet" from last year, as we call him, but we enjoy seeing him behind the house.

My girls made this scrumptious, gooey cake for their grandfather, who turned seventy and whose favorite treats are Reese's peanut butter cups.

A friend told me that if I enjoy Jan Karon's Mitford series, I'd surely love Thyra Ferré Bjorn's books. I spotted Dear Papa on the library sale shelf for a quarter...and it's signed by the author! Papa's Wife was found a few weeks later at a used bookstore for fifty cents. As rare as these books are, it's thrilling to find them, especially for less than a dollar for both! Inexpensive treasures are fun.

One more cake! You can tell I'm proud of my bakers. This one was apple flavored, made by the girls for a party hosted by their aunt and uncle. The leftovers were wonderful for breakfast with my coffee!

"Are You Kidding?" Cake (from Pinterest):

One box of any flavored cake mix

One can of any pie filling

Three eggs, beaten

Mix these ingredients and pour batter into greased 9x13 pan; bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

The girls used vanilla cake mix and apple pie filling, but you can try any palatable combination. 

Goodbye, summer!