HOT!!!!

Oh boy is it ever hot here! It's going to be 97 degrees which is one degree below our record for June 27th. Our average for this time of year is 77 degrees. The fed-ex driver just stopped to deliver a package and stood in front of the AC while I signed for the package. There isn't AC in her truck... can you believe that?!?!

There's a new county pool near our house that I've not been to so I thought I'd take the kids there this afternoon after work. This pool puts the city pools to shame!!! There's a review of it here. It has diving boards, a cool slide, and buckets that dump water like a fountain. I have a feeling we'll be spending a good amount of time there this year.

Arbor Crest Winery

I had a fabulous evening yesterday. I attended an event at Arbor Crest Winery. The winery is on a hill overlooking the Spokane River and the views are absolutely gorgeous! The gardens are really beautiful. The winery is on 84 acres and it's a great place for a stroll or a picnic.

The house in the photo was built in 1924 and was open last night for viewing. It has incredible views and some really fabulous antiques. The kitchen has an electric refrigerator that is one of the earliest refrigerators. If you click on the history link on the website you can find out more about the history of the property. The original owner was somewhat of an original thinker. Very interesting.

I'm not a wine drinker (I guess one day when I grow up I'll come to like it) but I do know that Arbor Crest has won several winemaking awards. Wine Spectator recognized them as one of the Top 50 wineries in the world for their production of affordable premium varietal wines. I picked up a bottle of their Cab Franc for my husband.

Catered for You provided the food. Our menu included:

Summer Grilled Chicken w/ fresh fruit salsa
Jasmine Coconut Rice
Salad w/ raspberry Vinaigrette
Seasonal Grilled Vegetables
Rustic Bread & Butter
Lime Custard Tart
Ice Tea

The food was absolutely delicious! It was such a great time. If you are in the area and haven't been to Arbor Crest, you really must!

My Summer Reading List

Today's 2Peas Challenge is to blog about what's on your summer reading list. I LOVE to read. I read about 4 books per week. It's my biggest way to decompress after work. I just finished reading Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. That is an excellent book. I think I enjoyed it even more than the DaVinci Code. I'll probably read another one of his books this summer. Maybe both! Right now I'm reading The Devil Wears Prada. Very funny book.

I bought a really great book from Borders yesterday. Making Family Journals by Linda Blinn. It includes instructions on making different kids of book structures and different kinds of projects about your family and to do with your family. It's very artsy. There are several techniques and projects that I'd like to try when I can find some time. There is a kitchen journal that includes recipes, photos, labels and also guest comments and/or drawings. I love this idea because the kitchen has always seemed like such an integral part of the home. I love to cook for people and the kitchen is such a great gathering place. Great book! Check it out if you get the chance.

My little scrapper

Isn't she adorable? She loves to scrapbook with me. She has her own ciderella 8x8 album. She chooses all the papers and embellishments and creates the pages all by herself. (I do have to help her cut the paper to keep it straight.) We love scrappin' together! This weekend, we are going to use Rhonna Farrer's new hearts and stars stamps. I love the way these look!

Happy Mail Day!

Yesterday was a happy mail day! I got a package of goodies from my 2Peas BGF, Monica. This adorable little notebook was included. Just love it! Green is my fave color. She also sent me an assortment of embellishments including a zipper. I have never used a zipper on a scrapbook page so I'm looking forward to trying it. If anyone has suggestions I'm certainly open to it.

I also got my Stampin'Up order yesterday. I ordered the stipple celebrations stamp set so that I could make cards. And two 8 1/2 x 11 albums. I'm going to make some cards this weekend and hopefully do some scrapping.

It's Officially Summer!

Summer is now here! The kids had their last day of school last Friday. That means I now have a 1st grader and an 8th grader. How scary is that? I'm really feeling old.

My son broke is collarbone in 2 places last week. He's being such a trooper about it. He hasn't been taking any pain medication at all. The worst thing about it for him is that he has to stay off anything with wheels for 2 months. And summer just started! That means no dirt bike, no bicycle, no rollerblading, no scooter, no skateboard. That's been pretty rough on him. He loves playing outdoors and there's not a lot to do with one arm in a sling. I'm just so happy that he's okay and wasn't hurt more seriously.

Spent quite a bit of time scrapbook this weekend. Worked on a mini album of the first day of school. Started a circle journal for a new group. Found the painting I want to scrap about in Brandy's circle journal. I'll post photos when I get a chance.

Hope everyone has a great week!

THANK YOU SARAH!

As you can see, I now have a photo banner. Isn't it gorgeous? Sarah made it for me! Isn't she fabulous! Thanks so much Sarah. You're the best!