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Thursday, July 23, 2015

Happy Summer Days!

Hello friends!  I hope you're all keeping well and enjoying these lovely summer days!  Can you believe how quickly the season is progressing?  August will be here before we know it!  I haven't posted on here for several weeks, so I thought I'd share some of the highlights of my summer with you today.  

Outdoor Picnics

Outdoor picnics really top my list of fun things to do in the summer.  A couple of weeks ago, my girls and I visited the Saturday Farmers Market in downtown Barrie.  We purchased some delicious pierogies as well as fresh artisan bread and walked over with our purchases to Heritage Park adjacent to the lake.  We chose a shady spot on the grass under a tall tree, laid out our blanket and enjoyed our yummy lunch!  


Summer Flowers


Last summer, I was driving along one of our neighbourhood roads and spotted the most beautiful zinnias growing along the edge of someone's home.  I stopped the car and went over to get a closer look, as zinnias aren't very common here. As I was admiring the flowers, the owner of the home (an older, mature man) came out to greet me.  I mentioned how beautiful I thought his zinnias were.  He was so pleased that I like them and went on to ask me if I would like a bunch of his dried zinnia seeds.  I of course said yes and thanked him profusely!  He explained how I should sow the seeds in the spring.  I did as I was told and planted them in my garden in late May.  About a week ago, the first zinnia bloomed!  And now they're all blooming!  I'm so pleased with myself! 




Baking Pies

A few weeks ago we went strawberry picking at Barrie Hill Farms.  The strawberries were so sweet and delicious, we came home with quite a haul, Most of the berries were gobbled up within a couple of days, but not before setting some aside for this strawberry pie!  It was utterly delicious served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!


Picking Wildflowers

On this day, I went with Annabel to a playground near our home.  She rode her bike, we sat side-by-side on the swings, talked and laughed about nothing in particular at all.  On our way back home, we stopped over at a field to pick wildflowers, something we love to do.  Annabel filled her water bottle with buttercups and was especially chuffed with herself when she found a way to secure the bottle to her bicycle for the ride home.  She's too cute!

Ice Cream

My English girlfriends will know precisely what this ice cream is called, but for those of you who don't already know, these go by the name 99 Flake or simply a 99! It's really just a regular soft serve ice cream with a piece of Cadbury Flake bar inserted in it.  This was the very first time I saw an ice cream truck owner (on this side of the pond) with this option on their menu.  Of course, I had to try it.  It was an absolute treat and needless to say, my girls and I felt very "British" while eating our 99s!  

Beach Days
Nuno, the girls, and I headed to Wasaga Beach on Sunday for some fun in the sun.  It was our first real beach day of the summer.  I adore this "selfie" Nuno took of us!

And here is a photo of me and my girls in the water.  I'm not sure if you can tell from the photo or not, but Annabel was the only one brave enough to immerse herself in the freezing cold water! Anita and I barely made it past our knees.  Ha! 

And a sweet surprise!

My dear friend Martha Ellen, over at The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen returned from her holidays in England and has been blogging all about her adventures there! She purchased the above bluebell mug in a National Trust store for a giveaway on her blog. I entered and was so surprised to learn that I had won!  Look how far this little mug has traveled - from England, back to America,  and finally to my home here in Canada.  Thank you so much, Martha Ellen!  I have already enjoyed a cup of tea in my new mug.  I dream of seeing those same bluebells in England one day, just as you did!


Wishing you a fun weekend filled with the many pleasures of summer!   xo

26 comments:

  1. Sounds like an ideal summer for you! Love this blog entry! Have a great day! xo

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    1. Thank you, Nellie! Have a wonderful weekend! xo

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  2. What joy filled memories :-) I wanted to reach right in for and slice of that delicious looking strawberry pie! Yum! Do you have a recipe? Sending love through the miles to you today dear friend. XO

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    1. Thank you, dear Georgie! Sending big love and hugs back! I do have a recipe! I can send it to you via email if you like?

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  3. It looks like a beautiful summer, Rosinda! I can't believe it's nearly August. We have had just the busiest summer as well- lots of fun though. The weather here hasn't been as hot and muggy (mostly) as it normally is, so it's been a joy!! xx ps- your crust on your pie looks amazing!!

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    1. Thank you, Patricia! It really has been a wonderful summer. I'm glad you are enjoying the lovely weather. Happy weekend! xo

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  4. Rosinda, you and your family have been enjoying the perfect summer. I love all of your beautiful photos! Your zinnias are just gorgeous--please be sure to save some dried seeds this fall so you can enjoy them again. How thoughtful of your kind neighbor to share. That's what I love most about gardeners--they love to share! I'm so glad you are enjoying your bluebell mug---It looks right at home with you. Have a wonderful day. xoxo ♥

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    1. Thank you so much, Martha Ellen! I am definitely going to save the zinnia seeds so I can replant them again next spring! Have a wonderful weekend, sweetie! xoxo

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  5. Ok my friend!
    I so enjoyed this peek into your summer!
    Your pie looks amazing!
    Enjoy the rest of these wonderful days! : )

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    1. Thank you, Billie Jo! So lovely to see you here! Happy summer weekend to you and your lovely family! xo

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  6. Great post Rosinda. Love to see what you have been doing this summer and boy I think you have had lots of fun. You have made me examine my days and how we never take time to just go have some simple fun. Going to change that right away. Life is passing by us too fast. I'm also going to make a low carb dessert to enjoy. Gotta have more fun. Love your Zinnias, they are lovely. What a nice man.

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    1. Thank you, sweet Sandy! I hope you can take a break from your busy schedule to relish in the simple joys of summer. I agree! What a nice man! I hope I see him around one day so I can tell him all about the zinnias! Happy weekend! xo

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  7. You are enjoying your summer in the most beautiful of ways!! Visiting farmer's markets, picnics on blankets, beach days (even if the water is cold), ice cream (which looks so incredible), and new found gardening lessons!! The zinnias are awesome!! Mine are being eaten by something and the leaves are lacy- but not in a pretty way. I haven't been able to figure out what is doing it yet or how to cure it! Your 'garden advisor' may have some suggestions!! You all look like you're having a great time!! Hope your summer fun continues! xx

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    1. Thank you, dear Joann! I hope you figure out what's causing damage to your zinnia leaves. Let me know if you do! Happy summer sweetie! xoxo

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  8. This all looks fabulous, sweet friend! I loved the story of the zinnias and your generous donator! What a nice thing to do. And sweet Annabel too. Loved AlL the pictures, you are looking gorgeous as ever (I really like that 1950s bikini you have!) happy Summer, dear Rosinda...keep enjoying! Xoxo

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    1. Thank you sweetheart! I fell head over heels with the high waisted striped bikini. Couldn't resist buying it! Have a lovely weekend! ❤

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  9. Oh wowza what a fab summer you've had so far. I feel refreshed and summery just seeing it all! So happy you have your girls to share your fantastic adventures--how much sweeter it is to build all those memories together. I've never had a flake ice cream cone but once I did have a date with an ice cream man!! That was a million years ago. Your pie looks so gorgeous and I love your swimsuit. It looks vintage or vintage-inspired. I love that you happened on the Johnny Appleseed of zinnias! Keep having fun! ♥

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    1. Thank you, Nancy! We've been enjoying a wonderful summer so far, Sharing these summer holidays with my girls means the world to me. It won't always be this way, so I'm savoring every bit of it. The vintage inspired bikini reminds me of that vintage 1950s Barbie dressed in a striped swimsuit. Do you know the one? Anyways, I fell in love with it the moment I saw it and had to have it! Hope you've got some fun plans for this weekend. Love and hugs...xoxo

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  10. Your summer has been so beautiful, Rosinda! As it should be! I loved seeing all the pictures -especially of your zinnias! They are so pretty! And that strawberry pie looks amazing!!! I'm so glad you are having a lovely summer and enjoying these long days with your family! Let's make it last! ♥♥♥

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    1. Thank you so much, Danielle! I'm thoroughly enjoying these summer days. I hope you are too. Summer is such a fleeting season! Take care! XOXO

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  11. Hi Rosinda,
    What wonderful summer pictures. You and your girls look just great on the beach, they must be so proud of their Mum and you of them.
    Zinnias are a favorite flower of mine because of their bright colors and yet I have only planted them once. Now that I see yours, I must remember them for next year.
    How lucky for you to win the bluebell mug. Each time you have your tea, you can dream of walking in a field of bluebells in England, of course.
    We are having a busy summer here as well, with lots of sunny weather.
    Audrey. xo

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  12. Thank you so much, Audrey! I'm happy to learn that you've been keeping busy and enjoying the summer sunshine! I can hardly believe August is nearly halfway through! Enjoy the rest of the summer. Hugggs! xo

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  13. Love the zinnias! Do they reseed or do you plant new seeds each Spring! Such a fun, sweet summer you and your family have had. And I'm sure there have been many more adventures since this blog (which somehow I missed so I'm glad it popped up in my fb feed today!). ♡♡♡

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    1. Thank you, Karen! Zinnias are annuals, so you have to collect the seeds once the pods dry to replant the following spring. My zinnias are still looking pretty, although some have already dried up. I am going to save all the seeds to plant next year! Hope you're enjoying these last days of summer. Take care! xoxo

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  15. Dear Rosinda, I have no idea how I missed this so beautiful blog!
    Loved all the pictures, contagious smiles, bathing suits and all the happiness on your faces.
    What a beautiful vacation and priceless memories!
    What a beautiful family, that I am so proud to call mine!
    Hugs and kisses to you, Nuno, Anita and Annabel
    L❤VE you all 😍xoxo

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