Simon's graduation from grade 8. What a handsome dude!

Summer sewing!

Well I am done homeschooling, permanently done. |So what now? For the summer I should get in shape. When I went upstairs, I found my exercise card completely filled out! So no need to worry that for a couple months.

Then I saw my pile of material leftovers, and some used clothing. I decided to make clothes for the naked dolls in my house, and extended family.

This is my little corner in the "spare" room. It does get very hot upstairs in our big old house. If needed, I will drag my machine downstairs. In the winter, my fingers freeze and I move downstairs. Sounds like a heat wave coming for next week, I may be in the kitchen. Such a pain, putting everything away before supper. I almost finished my first outfit yesterday. They are small, which is frustrating. I always look for shortcuts, like no lining or ironing between each step. Today, my daughter, Megan came with some alterations on bathing suits. A bottom of a size 4 child's tankini, took me an hour to alter to a smaller size! If I wasn't such a perfectionist it would have been done quickly, but ugly. I took one part out twice before I was satisfied. I don't have any unfinished sewing projects. I always finish most things before beginning something. If only I had that mind set with everything!  I haven't blogged in 2 years. If you are reading this, you may the only one! Anyway, I'll try to keep this blog going, at least for the summer. :o)

                            Daffodils

                                   From my garden,

                                        to my table!

I love sunrises and sunsets. I think almost all of them are picture worthy. I nearly missed the pink this morning at 6:30, it was there only for a couple minutes. 

I take a little bit of summer inside every fall. My winter garden. In the spring, back out they go. 

At the end of summer, we often have monarchs gathering here as they migrate. This year is one of the most beautiful shows ever. Our trees are literally orange with butterflies.

We stood outside for a long time, just watching them. I could take a hundred pictures, but you really have to be there to appreciate the miracle of it.

If you were at Bethany and Marks wedding, you will remember Rosalyn the soloist. Well, she got engaged the evening of the wedding! The plan is to get married in the fall and move to London. No more winter traveling between Chicago and Hamilton!

A big buzzing bee, warming up on the front porch. I may join him and soak up the sun.

What a difference a day makes! I even cut a bunch for in the house.

Tiny lilac beginnings. Probably my most favourite smell. I fill up the house with them every spring.

Flowering almond bush. Pretty blossoms, but short lasting.

Boston Ivy, I think. Slow grower, but I really like it. It's bright red in the fall.

My other ivy is just getting buds. Look closely! It has taken over the porch and half the side of the house. It's huge and grows fast. It's sort of awesome to think that one sprout coming out of the ground could be cut, and the whole thing would die. That would be sad.

Of course, my rhubarb patch. We are the rhubarb capital of the world after all.

This is asparagus. Takes years to get a good crop, which we have now. Good eating, but the plants are a big bush in the garden till November.

The apricot trees are beautiful in the spring. Lots of blossoms, and lots of buzzing of bees, means lots of apricots this year. I'm not a big fan of fresh apricots, and I hate canning. I'll let you know when they are ripe. Come pick them!

Want to know who was at the wedding? Here's the seating chart for supper. Zoom in real close, maybe you can read it!

Simon and I took the following random pictures after the ceremony. This, of course, is Simon!

Isabel Slingerland

Justin, with Jacob, Jen and Emily Pennings

Julianna Pennings, Lauren Pennings, Megan VanDyk, Bethany Naves, Lisa Pennings, Jen Pennings, Valerie Slingerland. The Sisters.

Bethany and Mark Naves with all the nieces and nephews on Bethany's side. Mark has a niece and nephew from his brother, Chris and Anneke Naves.

The Happy Couple!

Another happy couple, but dating only right now. Lauren Pennings and Tim Kielstra.

With Opa and Oma Pennings. (Henk and Gerda)

With Mom and Dad Pennings. ( Wilma and Herb)

The car is ready to roll. Different from all the Kleenex flowers we made for my wedding! That's when there were still coloured kleenexes.

Valerie with Izzy, Derek with Jack, Ryan in back, and Kaylie in front. The Slingerlands
Jack
Ryan
Izzy
Clara VanDyk, Kaylie Slingerland, Abby VanDyk, Emily Pennings.

Bridesmaids--Amanda Naves, Amy Luiting, Lauren Pennings, Lisa Pennings. And Pastor John and Mark. Waiting for the bride.


Pastor John, Mark, and the groomsmen. Adam, (forget his last name!) Chris Naves, Lawrence Pennings, Kevin Naves. Waiting for the Bride.


Herb, passing Bethany to her soon to be husband.



Bridesmaids listening to the soloist, Rosalyn.



Adam and Lisa, Done signing, listening to the singing.


Rosalyn, from Chicago. Beautiful voice!


Bethany and Mark, husband and wife. Signing. Look pretty serious!


Mr. and Mrs. Naves. Still looking pretty serious. But very happy to be finally married.