Pick Up Sticks

Long Weekend

Hubby and I headed out for a long weekend last week...we camped in Ohiopyle State Park.  We had a blast.  This was the first time we had ever camped just the two of us.

We hiked all day on Saturday...hitting 8 miles of trails...the afternoon trail was nearly the end of me.  It was listed as easy and we were supposed to see Cascade Falls.  The hike was not easy...it had steep rocky inclines and the falls were not worth the 2 hour hike to get there...and then the rest of the hike was a steep incline that even my husband got winded over...me...I was afraid to stop thinking I would never want to start up again...but we finished the hike and then settled in along the creek and put our tired feet in the freezing water...which revitalized us immensely.

 

We head back to our campsite, took hot showers and were ready for a great dinner cooked over the fire and shared a bottle of wine.  And of course marshmallows over the fire...nothing better!

Sunday we rented bikes and rode 20 miles - yes 20 miles!  I impressed even myself with that one!  We worked up a good sweat, ate a picnic along the river and took a trip to a local winey.  Then a short hike to Cucumber Falls and then a trip to a local pub for some microbrews and to listen to a great 3 member band who played oldies like James Taylor and Jimmy Buffet...a great day!

Monday we headed to see Fallingwater - Frank Lloyd Wright's design for the Kauffman department store family...The house is built into the stone of the mountain over a waterfall...the water runs right though the foundation of the house...it was wonderful and had all the origial furnishings and art from the original owners...the scultures were fabulous and had several Picasso's.  The tour was great.

A Volunteer

I have a huge old crock that I drag out - ok my husband drags out - each spring and fill with plants.  This year I picked plants in shades of orange and chartreuse green.  I used an orange zinnia, a greeny-yellow coleus, an orangey-yellow million bells and a variegated leaf geranium.  Love the color combination. 

This year out of the plants rose a new plant...something I did not plant...a volunteer.  Can you see it?  Growing taller and taller.....

 

I almost pulled it out...thinking it was a weed.  Then it developed a flower bud.  I think it is a sunflower...we'll see......

Summer Evenings

Last night - Saturday - was a perfect summer evening.  We cooked on the grill and had a salad made with lettuce and tomatoes from our garden.  It was cool and breezy which kept the bugs away.  We ate on the patio and stayed out there after dinner...me knitting my upstairs wrap...hubby on the laptop...enjoying a beer...or two.

 

 

We then decided to out together our new tent.  We bought a smaller tent for just the two of us.  We camped often with the boys growing up.  Next weekend will be the first camping for just the two of us.  We are planning a relaxing trip to Ohiopyle State Park for 4 days...with lots of down time...some hiking...a trip to a winery...marshmallows cooked over the fire.

The tent directions said 'goes together in minutes"...well 30 minutes later it was together...the rain canopy is still on a little wonky...

Glorious Weather

 

The weather in PA this month has been glorious...breezy sunny days in the low 80's and cool nights in the fifties.  I love this weather... and so does my garden!

The weather here in PA for the last week has been fabulous. After the rainiest May and June ever we have had sunny, clear, non-humid days in the low 70’s/mid 80’s and evening temps in the 50’s. This is so unusual for our area which is normally has hot and humid summers. I LOVE this weather! I swear I have SAD (seasonal affect disorder) – where clear bright days find you with tons of energy and dark rainy days make you tired and lazy. I want this weather all the time. Some friends have been complaining that it isn’t warm enough – but it’s plenty warm enough for me!!!!

Chas and I have been getting up early and going for a 45 minute walk in the mornings – we leave about 5:30 and the sun is just coming up, the sky has been beautiful, the birds and bunnies are out and about and we enjoy a nice brisk walk and a good chat. We plan on doing this most mornings. I’ll go even if he doesn’t want to – I NEED the exercise – desperately! On the way home from dinner out last week with Matt and Jess – I was feeling so stuffed and overweight. I stopped at Target and bought some socks to wear for walking/exercising, a sports bra and some moisture-wicking sleeveless tops. I made room in my armoire for a shelf with work out clothes – I figure I can have everything handy for a quick change in the morning and be out the door with very little effort.

I am SO tired of being overweight. I saw pictures from our annual reunion on the 4^th and once again I look terrible. I hate always being the fat one in every picture. Now granted most of my aunts as well as my mother are built the same as me…but my cousins all look great. I get so disgusted with myself to think I let myself get this big. I was always thin growing up – although I never felt it. But to think I was 5’ 4" and 115 lbs in high school – I know I was thin…funny how perception changes with age!

Here is a picture of me and my cousins from our family reunion...first of all i am old enough to be most their mom's...ha ha...I am the chubby one on the far right!

So despite being heavy and disgusted with it you would think I would do something about it…but no…I continue to overeat and be miserable. That stops today!!!!

I’ve joined weight watchers online…and I am trying to get my favorite aunt to join as well…but whether she joins or not…I need to do something!!!!  I've started another blog to hopefully journal my weight loss journey as well...and while I have not been good about blogging here I really plan to try to keep up with both blogs.

I also love this weather because I love to garden!  I plan to use spend 15 minutes each morning after my walk to browse the gardens, pull weeds and deadhead.