overall, yesterday was a beautiful day . . . (more photo nuttiness)

I told you yesterday that it was a sad day for us, seeing my mother in law in such a state of stress, and it was a sad day. It was also a beautiful day.

The sun was shining. The wind was blowing. The humidity of our midwestern summer seemed to drop a little, and things just lined up for a good day. And of course, I had that new camera on hand for all of it.

We started the day off at our local art museum's Kindermusik class, where we met some new friends for our little man, and he got some good music time in. I wish I could show you some of the drumming pictures, but I forgot to ask the other parent's permission.


After driving straight to the gas station on an empty tank of gas, sweating the whole way, wondering who I would call to help me out if I didn't make it, we made a stop at the local goodwill. We found a stack of animal books just right for the little man, and a great new skirt for me. I love it, and it being second hand, it comes guilt free!

Okay. It isn't a skirt. Its a skort. A skirt and shorts all together. But whatever. I love it anyway. I should be ashamed to post that picture, but . . . well . . . who cares right?

After stopping by the house to check on the mother in law and the eleven year old, we went straight to city park. And as the rule for good days goes, as soon as we got there, we found friends.

And I got a fistful of clover to bring home.

After exhausting ourselves in the summer sun, we came home for lunch and the little guy took a nap, a no fuss nap. No fuss naps are unheard of around here, so it was a big plus. This gave me time to wander around in my yard admiring the fresh sunflower blooms of yesterday.

This is sunflower bloom #2. It is a mammoth sunflower, is about 8 feet tall, and the head will grow to be about 2 1/2 feet wide. I have about 6 mammoths planted this year. After the heads mature, I will harvest them and store them in my garage until January or so, when I hang them from trees for the Cardinals. This picture may be my favorite flower picture of the season so far.


This is sunflower bloom #3. It is also a mammoth, but due to a late planting in the shade of sunflower #1, it dwarfed. So, I guess it is a dwarf mammoth, only about 1 1/2 feet tall. I am curious to see how big of a head it grows.

During my little picture walk, I stopped to stir up my compost. I love my compost pile, and it brought a smile to my face yesterday. It already has some good stuff in there. By continuing to add our food scraps, grass clippings, and the forthcoming leaves of fall, I think we will be in the compost money for next year's garden.

The day didn't end there, although my photo taking frenzy did. We rounded off the evening with dinner out for a friend's birthday, and then tall glasses of wine back at the house.

How could anyone complain in the face of such beauty?

Today's schedule is booked solid too, but it is looking to be another beautiful day.
I hope yours turns out just as well for you!