Des Moines Favortites

Last weekend I was in Des Moines with Dale and we were able to hit many of my favorite spots. Above is the Saturday morning downtown farmers market. We also made it to the zoo, twice! It's a great place to go for a walk and enjoy the animals with these cooler summer days.

I love going to Trader Joes even if I don't need anything. I am usually able to find something I need!

We tried twice to get to an I-Cubs game at Principal Park but it didn't happen We had a schedule issue and a rain delay. It's still one of my favorite places

 Gray's Lake is another favorite spot. We didn't walk around the lake this summer but a rented paddle boat is a great way to get out on the water.

 Patio dining is a favorite of mine. It always feels a bit like vacation whether it's a sausage sandwich at Mullets, Mexican on Jordan Creek Pond or breakfast at Wellman's on Ingersoll. The weather was perfect for patios and so many other outdoor activities.

The Fleur is a favorite theater in Dale's neighborhood and it's always a treat to find a movie. In the six years that I lived in West Des Moines I found lots of favorite places in the city. It's great fun to get to spend time in those places when I visit Dale.

Teeth!

 No more gummy smiles. Lincoln has four teeth. Look closely and you can see two on the top and two on the bottom. That sweet smile is changing quickly...but still melts my heart!

Summer Evening

Who would have thought that a summer night in August could be so very pleasant! My friend, Joanne asked me to teach her to knit months ago and now that we know that she is having a granddaughter it was time to get started! We spent the entire evening on the patio with wine and yarn. It was perfect. . .no bugs, quiet, comfortable. . .just a simple dinner and lots of basic knitting instruction. I am so happy to be outside again more often and it was extra fun to spend a summer evening on the patio with a friend.

Garage Reveal

After six weeks I can say that the garage project is finished...for now. I hope it's obvious that the photo above is the finished project and the one below was a starting shot taken during the first days of July. I put lots of hours into this project but could not have done it so well without lots of help. James covered the bare studs and built the work bench. Dale mounted the shelves and helped with quite a few odds and ends. I can work the drill but I am not very good at it! Travis and Ashley helped with some adjustment and Mowgli kept me company! I did spend some money on plywood and shelving but the paint was a mix of all the left over shades of white that I found in the basement when I moved into the house.

I hung posters from ISU, UNI, Drake and CFHS along side posters from Broadway productions, hockey and Sturgis Falls as well as some clay art projects that have been in my house for twenty years. I bought hooks to hang yard and garden tools and bought a couple of baskets for storage. This is the smallest garage I have ever owned and it was my intention to have a "place for everything and everything in it's place." Being organized should give me more room! I still want to trim out the window and expect that there will be more posters added over the years but I have certainly put my own stamp on the garage and I think it's a big improvement. Actually since this is the first time I have been single when purchasing a home this is the first garage that I have organized and arranged on my own. It's kinda crazy that it feels so good!

Waterloo Bucks Baseball

It's been twenty years since I first saw the Waterloo Bucks play baseball at Riverfront Stadium and it's still a fun place to enjoy a baseball game. Although it's been close to ten years since I was last there and the stadium has been renovated it still has very much the same feel. The weather was perfect tonight so Dale and I headed to the ball park. Fortunately the temperatures have cooled down so it's actually pleasant to be outside!

Carrot Crop

When I planted my kitchen garden I included carrots thinking it would be good timing for Lincoln eating some solids and getting organic carrots.

Lincoln isn't very interested in solid foods yet, just a few bites here and there. When we harvest a carrot he finds the leafy tops much more interesting but he has rarely tried to put food items in his mouth intentionally.

After I tried the carrot it seemed much more interesting to him. . . just to chew a bit and get some flavor.

He can be quite hesitant and careful about what he tastes.

In the end he really did seem to enjoy the flavor of a fresh organic carrot from the garden.

Swimming Pool

The photo above is my new swimming pool and my swimming buddy. He does love the water! We can actually both fit in the pool together with plenty of room for splashing. Life has changed so much in the past twelve months. Below is my pool from last year and although I would love to take a swim in it, I think I like my new pool better for now.

Bucket Hats

I used to think that bucket hats were only appropriate for old men but I have found that middle aged men and baby boys can wear them quite well also. Recently on a walk to the park Dale and Lincoln were sporting almost matching bucket hats; perfect for sun protection in August. I guess bucket hats may be cuter than I realized! After our walk to the park and plenty of time for swinging they even posed for me.

Helping Hands

 I have been very blessed to have lots of loving help with some summer projects. Jay had offered to bring over his long handled tree trimmer to get rid of some of the dead branches at the bottom of my pine tree.He got lots of wood down and hauled to the basketball court on Saturday. Although I had the two other pine trees removed, I allowed this one to remain and I just hate the mess that it makes. I cannot walk barefoot in my yard due to prickly branches and a few needles. This is a problem. I want to be barefoot. I am hoping that the removal of the dead wood will help.

I expected to take my time getting the dead wood cut and hauled away but Dale and Ashley helped me on Sunday. Dale cut most of the bigger pieces that required sawing but there were a few left when he went home. I knew I didn't have the muscle or the energy. (Long story about anemia but I won't go into it today.)I was so impressed with Ashley cutting through those branches. Lincoln was so happy to watch the work and see how strong his mommy really is. The three of us even made a trip to the brush dump with everything that did not fit into the bin that goes to the curb.

Last weekend Ashley and Travis came over and helped me with a few adjustments on my garage project. The weekend before that Dale helped me get the shelves and brackets hung. Mowgli does a good job of keeping us company, watching for danger and giving us smiles and affection. Lots of projects have gotten done this summer and I am incredibly grateful for the helping hands in my life! Who thought I would get much done in all of this heat and drought!