Nothing interesting. . . . . . . .

Being without my newer laptop means being really slowed down and

 somewhat cut off while trying to bring up stuff on this very old MacBook.

Dangerous looking notifications pop up, and being useless when it 

comes to technology, I shy away from going beyond my basic, comfort 

limits. Do you know what I mean?

 I'm still taking a little time here at the dining room table chugging away

 on this older, unpredictable piece of machinery with no storage remaining

 so I'm unable to bring up newer photos taken in the past week.

These photos are however recent and available as they were in a blog

draft I was about to work on when I decided it was time to get my newer

laptop repaired.

So, rather having nothing new to share you can at least enjoy - hopefully -

more photos of my Welsh Dresser style hutch which I'm always fiddling

 around with when I have nothing better to do!

 Well I did get this far without everything crashing despite little boxes

 constantly popping up and demanding passwords!  

Do you, like me, feel that PASSWORD is a horrible word which has

 made life oh so difficult . . . . . . . but apparently only if you're enjoying

 retirement years. In other words you, like me, are in a certain 

age category and didn't grow up with computers, mobile phones and

 such.  This of course is according to our children and grandchildren!

Anyway dear friends - here's to a great weekend. A Bank Holiday

in the UK should be fun, and hoping it has cooled off there.

Here we still swelter through the afternoon hours, however I've

already noticed a few acorns dropping and leaves turning gold

and rust here and there. 

With September looming, thoughts of Autumn are on my 

mind . . . . . . . . . and wondering where to tuck in some pumpkins

 on the dresser during the coming weeks!  

Technical difficulties -----------

My current MacBook Air (2018) has been sent away to the Apple 'hospital' for a second new keyboard to replace the 'sticky' butterfly version used by Apple for several years. Hopefully it will return improved and I will find typing easier. Meanwhile, I'm using my really old previous MacBook Air (2011) that is still hanging about but has no storage left. . . . . plus weird scary messages appear. Anyway I'm giving it a try with a quick message here in case you wonder where I've gone. It may be a week before the refurbished laptop is returned to me then I can blog better and leave comments again.

 

Pottering about -

Last weekend I enjoyed a couple of hours here with my lovelies. . . . . . . friend 

Vanessa and granddaughter Jasmin.

Market Imports is an amazing home and garden store covering 2 acres 

on the grounds of our State Farmers Market.

It was a hot afternoon, I wore a sun hat, comfortable sandals, and a summer 

dress. We wandered slowly taking in so many beautiful items. I think

this was our overall favorite spot as we kept returning to it.

I plan to return soon to see if the piece I keep dreaming about is still there.

Perhaps I'll bring it home!

This weekend I haven't been far. Yesterday morning I collected my order of

farm eggs from my nearby pop up market. I then stopped by Target just to 

look around. The store was totally in upheaval, a mess like I've never 

seen before. Apparently their sales are off, their profits down and they are

 going to try out new merchandise options. It was a sad sight as I've 

always loved Target.

Today the rains came. Very heavy at times, thunder rumbled in the distance.

It's beautiful out right now at 4 o'clock . . . . . . . a front porch wicker chair, 

a comfy seat cushion, and a glass of chilled rosé will be perfect before

 I cook supper.

Just because -

 

Trying a new coffee shop with someone special!

Busy days . . . . . . 

Downtown Cityscapes Part II -

 

This week we were back in downtown Raleigh for another overnight.

No dodging the rain as we did two weeks back, still very hot but we

managed to walk about quite a bit without trouble. Good times and

opportunities to take more photos of our ever-growing cityscape.

More 'City of Oaks' decor.  There are four of these interesting towers

 on each corner of a plaza and they actually play music!

Back home the figs are almost over and the bees are feasting furiously.

Instead of figs I baked a plum galette - always a favorite and seeing them

in the stores makes me think that Autumn is getting closer. . . . . . . thankfully!

I've already stored the pink early summer flower art and

 dug out from storage this more autumnal feeling oil painting.

Tea cups and saucers I purchased in Thailand.

We had torrential rain here again overnight and early this morning, 

in fact that was what woke me up before 7 AM. Cloudy all day

and we only reached 79F - the coolest day we've had all

Summer. 

Tomorrow will be warmer again, with full sun all day. We've been invited

 over for drinks on a neighbor's beautiful new screened-in porch (no 

mosquitoes!) with overhead fans and comfortable furniture. . . . hope he

 chills the rosé well then it will be a perfect evening!

 

Enjoy your weekend and take care, especially those of you in those

hot spots in the UK, Germany, France - 103F/39C today in my brother's

 village in the south of France!!!

Crystal Clear -------

 

That annoying grinding, grating noise of a lawn mower woke me

 somewhat early yesterday morning!  Right away I knew it was our mower 

and that Bob was already up and out.

 Getting an early start on outdoor projects, due to another day in the high

 90's, is necessary for health and safety.  By 9 AM the lawn looked 

great - quite green again as we've had some brief but welcomed

 afternoon rains - all neat and clean as Bob always trims the edges and

 finishes up with the blower.

By 10 AM we were running errands and back home again before the outdoor

 heat finished us off for the day.

What's a good thing to do in the house in this continuing heat?

One job was accomplished recently, cleaning crystals.

Can't stand them when they get cloudy.

I have several vintage chandeliers and sconces with old glass crystals

 which do get grimy from every day living dust.  

Easiest way is to pull an old white cotton sock over your hand, spray

 with window cleaner then gently wipe each dangling crystal. 

This removes sticky grime, brings back the glitter and makes one think of

 cool, sparkly raindrops........a great feeling on these hot, dry summer days.

Do you have a fun weekend planned?

Whatever you do and wherever you are, enjoy.

I'm thinking of making this dessert as we are still picking figs. . . . . . . 

last year I made it and added pears which was yummy.

August Already!

 

Angela Harding's August art 'The Blackbird'

Freshly gathered figs shared with others. . . . . . . 

. . . . . . those 'others' sharing some tomatoes with me, thanks!

Heavy weekend rains filled the bird baths, revived the shrubs

 somewhat, and definitely grew fresh grass.

As for the fig tree, its bounty is in excess this year.

 It will need pruning again later as it's far too big!

Hope this new month will be a good one.

July weather was disappointing here.  

August is usually very hot but thoughts of Autumn to come

will keep me going.