It's the first Monday of Summer 2022 and the new season is well underway! I hope that summer is off to a great start for you and yours!
Gray-headed Coneflowers
Along the Gravel Road
I've been working more hours than usual lately and it feels good to finally be getting back into the swing of things. Due to COVID Missouri State Parks were pretty much shut down in 2022. I was still working, but the nature center was closed and no public presentations were allowed. Then, last year, due to my husband's illness and death I hardly worked at all. In the past week I have gotten in on two events and am very thankful to have been able to be a part of them.
Thursday evening I led a wildflower hike at the Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site at Butler, Missouri. The weather was perfect, we had a good turnout, and I was thrilled!
Wildflower Hike @ Battle of Island
Mound State Historic Site
On Saturday we held our annual Hug-A-Herp Day...although...it is the first we've had since 2019. We had 22 live animals on display for the public to observe, handle, and enjoy. One of our visitors drove in from five hours away specifically for this event and, before the day was over, we had visitors join us from Texas and Florida. The pivotal moment came, though, when a boy that came in scared of snakes proclaimed on his way out, "Mom, I'll never be scared of snakes again!" It was an awesome day!
Six-lined Race Runner
Frogs in All Stages
Prairie Ringneck Snake
Red-eared Slider
Yellow-bellied Racer
Saturday evening I went to Patrick and Amber's for supper and to celebrate Esther's 8th birthday. Afterwards, we enjoyed cake and ice cream, then, went for a dip the pool. It was so much fun! I'm wondering if Nana doesn't need to get a pool of her own to play in!
Granddaughter Esther
The Lovely Underwater Cake That
Amber Made for Esther's Birthday
Sunday was bittersweet in that it commemorated so many things...the 17th anniversary of my mother's passing and, what would have been my friend, Dorothy's, 61st birthday. Dorothy passed away in July of 2021 (COVID) following just a few days after my husband.
Me and Dorothy
Sunday was also Amanda and Aaron's one-year wedding anniversary and, with it, frail as he was, memories of my husband's miraculous ability to, not only be there, but to stick around for the reception. It was amazing and we were so blessed!
Amanda and Aaron
It was also Hannah's birthday. I ran over after church and visited with her for a while. Before leaving the whole family took a walk around the yard and went down to the creek. We looked at the flowers and garden, saw a rabbit, and played with the kittens. It's always so beautiful and relaxing out there.
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Granddaughter Hannah
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Now it's Monday and I'm headed for work. I'll jot down a quick to-do list and menu plan, then I'm out of here for the day.
This week's master to-do list...
- work
- clean house
- do laundry
- finish weed-eating (have already got most of it done)
- get an eye exam
- go to the store
- see Amanda briefly when she drops the girls off at Auntie's
- figure the July budget
- go to the bank
- pay July bills
- figure out my plans for Independence Day
This week's menu plan...
Monday - Cheese tortellini with sauce, green beans, and homemade French bread
Tuesday - Broccoli, cheese, and rice casserole
Wednesday - Turkey burger and oven fries
Thursday - THM Cauli Nachos
Friday - Breakfast for supper
Saturday - Oven-roasted chicken, baked potato, and brussel sprouts
Sunday - Leftovers
That's it for today! You all have a nice day and a great week ahead and I'll be with you again soon!
Until next time...
~Rebecca
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