It’s not uncommon for the husband and I to stick relatively close to the homestead on a given weekend.  Let’s face it:  life is busy, and sometimes it’s just nice to stay home, even when the pull of the trail is strong.  Plus, there seems to be an never-ending list of projects to do around the house.

This last weekend was such a weekend.  The original plan for Saturday was to tear down a wooden platform built in a tree by prior residents for their grandchildren.  However, on Friday we discovered that our favorite local blueberry field had opened for u-pick.  Summer fruit can be a fleeting thing, so we spent our Saturday morning picking 19 pounds of blueberries.  We knew we had done a fine job when the blueberry farm woman was impressed with our haul.  We spent the remainder of the morning and into the afternoon processing berries.  Jam and pie was made and berries were laid out on cookie sheets to freeze and then bag for use during the winter.

We did go into town in the late afternoon on a quest for backsplash.  We’re getting new counter tops.  Have I mentioned that?  I’m in a bit of a lather about the entire project.  Christmas in July!  We have a nice kitchen…hardwood floors, cupboards that I like.  But, the countertops are basic laminate.  And, I hate the tile on the island (impossible to clean cracks).  So, we bit the bullet and are scheduled to have quartz countertops, glass backsplash and a new under-counter mounted sink installed in August.  It is going to be amazing!  I can’t wait!

Looking at backsplash made us thirsty, so once we returned home I crushed blueberries, put them in glasses and topped them with lemonade and gin (for me) and vodka (for the husband).  Summer in a glass.

There were initial plans to tear down the platform on Sunday, but the husband wasn’t feeling very well.  After running a few errands, I decided to finish weeding (or re-weeding.  Because isn’t that a more appropriate term?  Is weeding every complete?  No.  We’re always re-weeding) my flower beds.  I did that, threw the chicken on the Traeger to smoke for a few hours, then stepped back to consider next steps.  That resulted in a photographic break.  One would think that a disadvantage about staying home is that it limits photographic opportunities for those of us who prefer landscapes and flowers.  Not so for me.  The beds and pots are bursting with flowers.  Bees are buzzing.  And, if all else fails, there is always moss.  Always.

I spent some time stalking the bees buzzing merrily around the lavender, then assessed the yard.  Re-weeding was done for the moment.  The garden was watered.  I had stabilized my dahlias and deadheaded them.  I walked around the side of the house and eyed a very large rhododendron that didn’t bloom this spring and was threatening to swallow a corner of the house.  Next to it, a lilac bush/tree gone wild.  I grabbed a short ladder and the loppers from the garage and channeled Edward Scissorhands.  Unfortunately for the rhodie and lilac, they were not shaped like animals when I was done.  I mowed through two other rhodies and managed to clear away the mess before the husband stepped outside to ask what I was doing.  I said, “Okay.  I’ll show you…but don’t freak out.”  I guided him around the house and his eyes goggled.  I grinned, wiped the sweat off my face and said, “No worries!  They grow fast.”

After cleaning up I exchanged my loppers for my camera and again wandered about the yard.  The husband helped me out by watering the flowers (who doesn’t love a good water drop?) before we settled down for dinner and a quiet evening.

Boring weekend?  To some, perhaps.  But, it’s our life…and we kind of dig it.  As for that darn platform…another time.  It’s got to go because when the sun sets it goes down on that side of the property and though there are too many trees to photograph the color of the sky, I like an occasional sun burst photo…and that platform always gets in my way.