Let Summer Commence...

With a friendly breakfast that includes some friends and the sun... even if it was raining outside!

Tonight: 

Chili Cheese Dogs (vegetarian of course)

Frozen chocolate covered bananas

 and a game or two?

I hate games...

A Boston Whaler...

I still can't believe we are fortunate enough to live by such a beautiful lake, it is almost surreal when I catch a glimpse of it in the morning hours on my way into town...

Our good fortune does not end there... turns out, people who live by a lake tend to get boats to further expand their relationship with the great body of water set before them.  Now, we do not have a boat as of yet but our dear friends do and they were nice enough to take us out for a spin over this beautiful holiday weekend!

                                                                                                             

Decorated with banners and flags, this cruiser was ready to make its summer debut on Lake Champlain.  

                           

The boys

The Lemonade

The Mr. and I

I am not a swimmer.  I spend most of my time at the beach trying to keep the sand off of me and most of my time on a boat trying not to get wet.  It is pretty comical if you ask me and I gladly laugh at myself for it... but the Mr. and the kids love to swim and get super wet and I am perfectly content to be the spectator!

This is where I would be panicking!  Way to cold for my liking... But they love it!

This is where I regret the moment I decided it might be a good idea to get in... It must be my prissy up bringing with 90 degree pools all summer long!

 Gabrielle dove into that frigid water as well, I was happy to see her swimming skills are still strong after a long hiatus.  She also did a little steering for us as well... I am not sure if she knew the boat was anchored, but that's okay!

So... one of my favorite movies is Captain Ron.  It never fails to make me laugh especially when I watch it with my dad.  So when I was getting ready for this little adventure I heard some shenanigans going on out my window...  to my amazement Captain Ron himself was blasting calypso music while stringing a banner to our water ride!!  I rubbed my eyes in disbelief... 

Turns out, it was Mr. Taylor...  

 

You guys are great hosts and we thank you genuinely for a lovely time!  We can't wait to do it again!

Holy Hot...

What the hell is this?

Where is the central air?

You mean I have to put this thing in the window while not dropping it to a concrete demise??  Then I have to turn it on to only cool down one room... These contraptions are sort of comical if you ask me.

Matt thinks so too...

He makes me laugh so hard.

We had to carry that crazy thing up from the basement together, jeez.   Thank god we have each other.

Then we debated for about 45 minutes on the placement of these ridiculous cooling devices.  We wondered if the windows should be shut or left open... if they cooled the whole place I say shut, but the cracked sky lights let out the hot air that is rising... we shut them... we have no idea what we are doing.

Thank god for 69 degrees on friday!

The Beginning of a New England Summer...

Well yesterday was just lovely.  

My arms actually saw the light of day.   

The sun beams actually reached the surface of my skin.

I actually felt...warmth.  

It was yummy.  

I smiled all the way home.

To celebrate this glorious day; Mexican food!  My Favorite.

 This is a favorite dish dating back to 1985.  When mom said we were having dip my brother and I literally jumped for joy.  Organic re fried beans, taco seasoned sour cream (Vermont brand of course), and fresh ingredients to pile high!

 I also discovered local tortilla chips and they are delicious!  The house on the package is clearly in Arizona.  I know this because  Saguaro's are indigenous to Arizona and I am pretty sure I have passed that house once or twice on my way to California; somewhere right outside Gila Bend.  Good Grief that drive is terrible.  Thank goodness for Dairy Queen blizzards to take the edge off!  I never did have one of those weird Date Shakes.

 We had some pretty delicious pineapple smoothie shakes last night with our dip though!  Just fresh pineapple,  some ice, and a squeeze of Agave Nectar.   This is the most, all time, refreshing drink on hot summer days.

So there you have it.  Thursday night dinner, outside, in the warmth of a New England summer,  

enjoyed by all...

After dinner we engaged in some warm weather activities...

 Noah got in some much needed time with a ball.

Gabrielle got artistic with some chalk. 

It is refreshing to see a color besides white dress that tired old walk way...

Mr. Witt and I enjoyed the pure beauty that surrounds.  What a dream we are living these days.  So much change, so much excitement.  So wonderful to see the Earth come bursting out of its hibernating state.  I can feel the pulsation of life all around me.  The plants are growing, the wind is blowing, the bugs are crawling, the sun is shining...  Not to mention the birds are chirping, the clouds are moving, and the rivers are running.  I do not feel alone here.  I definitely feel my place within it.  And I know that the Mr. does too...

Summer foooooood.....

 I do not know how my body survived this winter without all the summer food I adore.  I practically starved to death.  Wine and cheese with a touch of cereal saved my life.  Literally

For a person that enjoys multiple servings from the fruit family a day and lived in the orange mecca of the world, I was a mess.  But look what has popped up...

.

WATERMELON!

Oh how I have missed you.  Desperately.

So to celebrate... a dinner on the grill on a Saturday with a beer.  I don't even drink beer!

Two veggie burgers for man and child, grilled lettuce and asparagus, and a yummy piece of Canadian salmon just for little ol' me.

 A new summer drink, introduced by a Mr. Taylor, sparkling water with a slash of juice.  All the deliciousness of a carbonated soda without the hideous soda ingredients.  LOVE!

An IPA in a tall glass.  I have learned, for myself, to sip beer like a fine wine or a cheap wine.  Not only do I like it... I LOVE IT!

There it is, my favorite meal.  Simple, lite, scrumptious, and warm. 

I am so thrilled to be reunited with my grill.  The last time I was with you the wind had  

knocked you over!  

 

When I ran out to save you the wind knocked me over and when I finally got you up it knocked us down together.  First I cried, then laughed, because it was hilarious.  Then I called Matt at work and cried again.  You are a little banged up but you still work just fine. 

 

And legion joined us....