Come share my lunch by the Lake

Summer is flying by, isn’t it?

It always does. 

At least for me, I love summer.

Work has been busy… very busy.

That is a blessing…..

                                          and a curse.

So instead of lamenting on what I cannot do, I will share my little specks of time I grab to enjoy being outside and glorying in the gorgeous summer weather.

Today we are going to lunch by Lake Alpine.

The day started sunny, hot and more than a little steamy.

It is a bit of a hike to get from the parking lot to our spot.

But the fun thing is the path to the picnic table is lined with wild flowers. 

Eye candy for a flower lover.

There is only the slightest of breezes and it has a hint of coolness to it…

and the sweet smell of rain..

keep following the path, it leads right to the table beside the lake. 

Are you getting weary??

Take a seat on natures bench.  You can get a closer view of some of the wildflowers surrounding us.

 

Just a little further and there is a carpet of lupines..

waiting patiently for the raindrops to fall to give them a refreshing drink.

These resemble larkspur…

the royal blue a stark contrast to the softer colors around it.

A little further along…look close,

an interesting character, 

I wish I knew what it was called..

Listen,

can you hear that???…

the thunder clouds are rumbling in…

the sky is getting darker..

I wonder if we will get rained on while we eat…

we are very close to the lake now..

you can hear the giggles of the children as they splash into the cool water.

They jump from the rocks that line the shore..

Watch your step, the trail is a bit uneven…the nice thing of looking down is seeing more flowers…

A touch of pink, they look like little pink puff balls.

These remind me of Baby’s Breath…

And there is a table, to the left, where we can sit and enjoy our meal..

And watch the little wild critters that are enjoying the day too…

I am not sure what it was the was digging and tossing the dirt for about 3 feet as it dug around, it moved to fast to be identified but he was entertaining.

A few rain drops splash us as we eat but not enough to worry about. 

Before you know it, it is time to head back to work. 

Really, floating on an air mattress on the lake is way more appealing.

                                      Sigh!

But back to work I go.

Maybe before summer is over I can take a day to just float on the lake…

want to join me??? 

It will be relaxing, peaceful and oh so lazy!

Sounds like heaven……

 

Pamela

Joy From the Garden

How is everyone this morning?  

My work has kept me so busy it seems one day melds into the next. 

But one thing I never miss is my morning garden walk.

It brings me joy…..

                                  joy I must share with you all.

My how the garden has changed in a mere month!

June 11th it looked like this from the street corner…..

and now,

                                 a completely different scene.

The roses have finished their first flush of blooms and are gearing up for another.

And yet there is tons of joyous color to behold.

The air is laden with a sweet perfume.

Can you smell it?

It is our Trumpet Lilies..

fighting for room amongst the over exuberant Black eyed Susies. 

Walk around to the other side and you find some Crazy Daisys .

Each plant is a little bit different.

Vying for attention and the chance to delight us.

The air is soft and cool this morning, rather refreshing after that week of warm sultry weather we had.

The damp heat was a bit much for most people..

But the garden loved it! 

And since the they had such a grand time with that touch of heat, the flowers are sharing their exuberance with us. 

Providing a pop of color to our now, wee bit cooler, summer days.

They bob and sway in the soft refreshing breezes…

Sending us a friendly wave..

and a touch of cheer.

Even to the weary soul.

A few of the roses are still blooming, they are on my back deck. 

You saw them in the third photo from the top.

They seem to love it there, and keep me company when I enjoy an al fresco meal.

Little bouquets of sweet scented happiness…

and bright bursts of radiance.

And sometimes a little surprise…

like a volunteer tomato in the middle of some petunias.

I will find it a new home, with room to stretch its feet and maybe reward us with some luscious, flavorful fruit.

Enjoy your day!

Tequila Lime Coconut Macaroon Bars

 

Did you think I had forgotten about sharing my latest sinfully delicious temptation?

Not a chance…

I have merely been buried in work.

Everyone….

                           …and that is no exaggeration…

has seen fit to escape the heat by flocking to the mountain.

Therefore there has been a bazillion houses and condos to clean to shelter all these happy holiday goers. 

And who gets to clean them…

                                     you may well ask

Yep, ME and a few other cleaning contractors. 

But in my after hours I have been attempting to teach my nerdy mechanical engineering husband to bake.

He already has learned to cook many delicious items…

(to my utter delight as he usually has dinner waiting for me when I crawl home exhausted)

and now he wants to bake.

(it is a very good thing many of these condos and vacation homes I clean are 3 stories, lugging a vacuum up and down stairs burns a lot of calories)

This recipe caught our eye when it started with “Tequila”..

Even the eggs were happy to meet Senor’ Cuervo

The description of the flavor is Margarita meets Pina Colada ( they get married and have babies. )

Now this recipe does call for a lot of sugar but I can handle that…

                                                                     remember the 3 flights of stairs and vacuum lugging

 

This recipe is from My Recipes.com

Tequila Lime Coconut Macaroon Bars

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour, divided
2 cups sugar, divided
1.2 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
4 large eggs (they may even smile at you)
1 ½ cups sweetened flaked coconut
1 teaspoon lime zest

1/3 cup fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons tequila
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
Garnishes: powdered sugar, lime rind curls
Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line bottom and sides of a 13 x 9 inch pan with heavy duty aluminum foil, allow 2 inches to extend over sides; lightly grease foil.

2. Stir together 1 ¾ cup flour and ½ cup sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or fork (or got the very easy route and use your trusty dusty Kitchenaid mixer)

3. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 23 minutes or until lightly browned.

4. Meanwhile, whisk eggs in a medium bowl until smooth; which in coconut, next 3 ingredients and remaining 1 ½ cups sugar. Stir together baking powser, salt and remaining ¼ cup flour; whisk into egg mixture.   Pour over hot crust.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until filling is set. Let cool 1 hour on a wire rack. Lift from pan, using foil sides as handles. Remove foil, and cut into bars. Garnish if desire.

 Here is a link for making the lime rind curls.  Shiska Blog

 

So turn on that oven and whip these babies up, it so worth heating up the house for a little bit.  It really is!

 

Though I work long days I do take the time to enjoy the beauty that surrounds me. 

I drive up to Lake Alpine on my lunch break and enjoy the scenery while I eat. 

I even took some photos of the wildflowers that are performing so grandly right now.

All to share with you…

  that will be coming up soon…very soon.

Now go have a party with Senor’ Cuervo…your taste buds will thank me. 

~Pamela~

My Serene Spot 3 Ways

Come on over and rest a spell.

I will pour you a glass of wine and we can sit and talk.

I have this little spot on my back deck that is waiting for you.

It isn’t fancy…

Just restful and quiet on a warm summers evening.

The softest of breezes is blowing…

it brings along the sweet perfume of roses.

Take a deep breath and enjoy.

We can watch the hummingbirds stop by to take a nip from a bright petunia blossom.

Their grace and beauty are a site to behold.

Oh….

Can you hear the robins singing?

They have enjoyed the warmth of the day and now are tucking their babies into bed.

Their song is a lullaby that calms and comforts.

The only other sound is the gentle melody of the fountain. 

Just sit back, put your feet up and relax.

Do you need an extra cushion?

Maybe a refill on that glass of wine?

I will go get that for you now.

 

“wishing you were actually here to really enjoy”

 

Pamela

PS: in case you are interested.  I built the pew bench.  Here is the link to that post. My Shabby Bench is DONE

 

Summer Linky Party, Share Your Cup Garden Party, Be Inspired, Fertilizer Friday, Hookin Up, Shabbilcious Friday,  Feathered Nest Friday, Inspire Me Linky, My Romantic Home,  Flaunt it Friday, Frugal Friday, Inspire Me, From the Farm,  Funky Junk Party, Weekend Wrap Up Party, Share Your Creativity, Metamorphosis Monday, Mop It Up Monday, Show Me What Ya Got, Transformation Thursday, Sunday Showcase, Flamingo Toes