Off he goes........

After a patient six month hiatus, orthopedic foot doctor's appointments and four weeks of physical therapy, Jim has beat his current bout of plantar faciitis and is running again.  Today's heat index of high 90 degree temps did not deter his run to the gym.

Lettuce

We have been harvesting lettuce for 2 weeks........lots of good salad eating when added to the broccoli and onions from our garden and local asparagus which is prevalent now.

These heads of lettuce were given away today as our lettuce crisper was full.

Ducks, new patio, and magnificent sky

This morning Jim took some time to feed his duck friends who waddle up onto the backyard whenever they see him.  He feeds them corn.  He is sitting at our new little bistro table which now fits on our new patio he made with pavers (you can see the corner of the patio on the bottom left corner of the picture.)  I think the ducks like that they will see more of him now that we have some backyard seating.

Returning home from the western shore on Thursday, we encountered beautiful sky all the way home.

Strawberries

'Tis the season for southern Delaware strawberries.  This is a good year for them as the spring rain and then short dry spell has produced big sweet berries.

Prep......

Ladling the sweet syrup into clean jars.  Then freeze.

We will dig into the jam tomorrow on toasted English muffins....yum!

Layne's concert

Last evening was Layne's choral concert.  It was most enjoyable and we each had our favorite arrangement.  I liked a song called FIREFLIES. Layne's favorite was Journey's DON'T STOP BELIEVIN'.  We also got to see Layne's new middle school and eat a celebration chocolate cake!

Hikes

It has been a week of hiking.  This past weekend while visiting Jenni, Larry and Will, we hiked  Huntley Meadow Park and saw this frog as well as a ribbon snake, geese, baby ducks, turtles, snails, a beaver lodge and bull frogs (only heard).

Our trip to Krispy Kreme started us off.....

Will and his Dad start off running down the trail.

Earlier in the week Jim and I hiked the Sea Hawk Trail in Holt's Landing State Park and saw this pink lady slipper.

Quiet serenity......

Fashion show

My first fashion show!  Here I am modeling my "casual" outfit.  I also modeled a dressier one .  The occasion was my women's club annual luncheon and fashion show held at a very elegant golf course restaurant.  Jim volunteered to be our photographer.

Getting ready.........

Here at the beach, all is in readiness for the summer crowds.  Jim captured much of the prep work today.  Above, the beach roses are in full bloom.

Stores are displaying their goods.

New boards and railings on the boardwalk are being built.

Our favorite diner is being freshened with paint.

.....and the trolleys are out for practice runs.

On the cove and soccer and moms........

One of the reasons we spent Saturday on the cove was to watch Eva and Jack play soccer which they do very well.  Here is one of Eva's terrific kicks......

....and then there was Mother's Day to celebrate.....  Ann Marie with Eva, Jack, and Layne....lucky mom!

Always, Jenni and Will are a pair!

Jack has a mighty kick, too!

I feel very fortunate to know that my girls are such excellent mothers.  I hope they are feeling  my love as well as the love of their families today.

Ella plays lacrosse

We had the pleasure of watching Ella play her first real LAX game this week. (She is #9).  What a great player she is!  And the girls play on the full-sized field which means a lot of running!

My purple garden

My purple flower garden is beginning to bloom.  In the foreground are purple alliums.  Behind them are my 3 peony bushes which are sprouting LOTS of buds this year.  In the pot in the background are purple pansies.

Weekend in Rochester

Never go to Rochester without stopping at a Wegman's....best super market ever!  We grew up thinking this was the norm.  Today's purchase included white hots......

The reason we are in Rochester is to celebrate Dad's birthday.  Isn't he the most handsome 89 year old ever?  Here he is with his birthday cake.  We took him out to Infantino's for an Italian dinner.