July Joys, Family Adventures & Happy News
July was wonderfully full from beginning to end.
Most of the kids came home during the week of the Fourth of July, and we decided then and there that July is officially going to become our annual family summer gathering. It was such a blessing having everyone together again, watching all the cousins make memories that I hope they'll cherish for years to come.
One of the highlights was loading up all the kayaks and canoes and heading to little Elkhorn Lake, tucked away in the Shenandoah Mountains. It was the perfect place for the grandkids to experience boating on a lake for the first time—even the youngest ones!
The fun didn't stop there. We set up the kiddie pool and Slip 'N Slide in the backyard, celebrated three family birthdays, and spent a day at our local Arboretum. If you've never been, they have an incredible playground complete with fairy huts that captured every child's imagination.
Our local fireworks display was especially spectacular this year. The children were completely mesmerized. My favorite moment was hearing our three-year-old grandson excitedly point to the sky and shout, "Rockets to the moon!" Those are the little moments that make you smile long after they're over.
On the hottest day of the week, a group of us—including me—floated down the Shenandoah River in our kayaks and canoes. What should have been a two-and-a-half-hour trip turned into nearly five hours, and honestly, none of us minded a bit. The river was low, so we had to get out and walk our boats over several shallow spots. We even stopped to sit on the rocks while the cool river flowed around us. It was peaceful, refreshing, and exactly the kind of slow-paced summer day I love.
Of course, with everyone home, there was plenty of cooking. I always enjoy feeding the whole gang. We had all the traditional summer favorites, along with two family-requested desserts that disappeared quickly—Peach Cobbler and Strawberry Shortcake.
July also brought two wonderful family milestones.
We welcomed another beautiful granddaughter into the family. She is absolutely precious and, if you ask this proud Grandma, every bit as beautiful as her momma.
Then, just when we thought the month couldn't get any more exciting, our daughter became engaged to a wonderful young man. Now it's time to start planning the last wedding of our brood. It's hard to believe we're finally at that stage of life!
On the creative front, I've been preparing a submission for Pattern Magazine. The biggest challenge isn't creating new work—it's narrowing everything down to my favorite ten designs! I've also been giving my she shed studio a little facelift in preparation for the photo shoot that will accompany my submission. It's amazing how motivating a deadline can be.
I hope your summer has been filled with time to slow down, enjoy the people you love, and make memories together. Summer has a way of reminding us that some of life's greatest blessings aren't found on a schedule—they're found around the dinner table, on the water, watching fireworks with wide-eyed grandchildren, and simply being together.
Until next month, enjoy every sunny day!