Hiking the Finger Lakes

The challenge  - to hike our way in and around the Finger Lakes this summer...

Assignment No. 1 - State Forest, Hemlock...

My fellow hiking enthusiasts - Dave and Violet...

(Snoop was on another assignment)

Grand trees...

Wet trails..
Of course, one must remember it has been the second wettest spring in Western New York history.

A well established old growth forest...

Combined with the sun and lush green leaves (as well as the company) made for a very enjoyable hike even despite the wet trails.
I highly recommend the hike.
However, I want to make it clear that if you do choose to go, make sure your footwear is waterproof - you  are going to thank me for this :) 
One down - nine to go :)

Dandelions

One of my favorite teachers (no, actually my favorite teacher) Mrs. Moon, asked what we saw when we looked out the school window.

"Dandelions!!!" we all responded enthusiastically.

"I see an ocean of yellow," was her response.
Beauty and perspective through the eyes of an artist.
What do you see?

All on a Friday Evening

I whisked home from work and prepared a peanut butter pie that was to be taken approximately one hour away to...

this lady right here. 
She's my Mom and yesterday was her birthday.
As you can see, she enjoyed the pie very much :)

After enjoying the pie with her, we returned home and were greeted with the sweet smell of these little ladies...

Yes, the flowers on my 21-year old lilac tree are beginning to open and they smell wonderful.
Sort of made for an enchanted evening.
Happy Birthday Mom !!!

One of the Benefits of Rain

Is that I get to enjoy this view from my kitchen window...

It is my crab apple tree...

and it has never been this lush...

Isn't it beautiful?
Happy Monday :)

What's a Girl To Do?

When all it does is rain all the time.

Even the ducks are seeking higher ground...

 I suppose you could cry until the cows come home...

But that won't change things cowgirl...

I'll tell you what you can do.  You can bring out your cute spring plates...

Bake a cake.
Not any cake though. 
Bake a Better Than a Hug Cake.
You can find the recipe here. 
It is a wonderful little blog.

Take time to smell the flowers...

And enjoy the rest of your day with your happy friends...

(admiring their cute little haircuts :)
Happy Sunday!!!

The Graduate

It is my great honor and privilege to introduce to you my daughter, the graduate.  Graduating with a double major, graduating cum laud and, most importantly, a smile on her face, we could not be more proud of her.  Without further adieu, I present to you, my daughter, the graduate - Nana...

It was a beautiful ceremony with wonderful speakers...

A day spent with family and friends who love her and wish nothing but continued success for her...

Congratulations Alexandra:)

We are proud to be your family and friends and we love you...

You are our sunshine:)

Along the Erie Canal

This is a huge weekend for my family.  Not only is it Mother's Day weekend, but it is also the weekend that our daughter (Nana) graduates from college.  We could not be more proud of her.  Yesterday, we enjoyed participating in some of the ceremonies that are associated with graduation.  In between, we hiked the Erie Canal, enjoyed the flowers, had ice cream and got six cupcakes for free.  They were delicious!!!
Come along for a wee part of our day..

   

The afternoon was a wonderful beginning to a weekend that our family will never forget :)

Whooo Goes There?

Vase by day...

Martini mixer by night :)
Here's to a good week!!!