A daughter is a day brightener and a heart warmer. ~ Author Unknown

One of the best parts of summer is having the children be able to visit more often!

My second daughter arrived yesterday morning and will stay until tomorrow morning. It is a delight to see her! We’ve had a wonderful time, visiting, baking, having dinner. This morning, we plan on doing a bit of shopping and stopping for a little something at Starbucks. I do not know what the rest of the day holds for us. It matters not to me as I am loving spending time with her.

Speaking of nature walks, I almost forgot to mention something that I read somewhere online about the outdoors and mosquitoes and such.  Rather than spray on OFF or another pesticide on yourself to keep those pesky insects away, you can put a fabric softener sheet in your pocket and it is suppose to do the trick. My husband tried this and he said it worked wonderfully.  He took a box with him to share with his group and they gladly took one.  Last year, everyone had plenty of bites but this year not a one.   You might try it and see if it works for you. It is a healthy and thrift alternative to pesticides.

*I do not think it works against fleas but I fancied the picture so that I simply had to post it.

To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.
Jane Austen

My dear husband led a photo nature walk yesterday at Flat Rock Brook Nature Center.  He had a nice size group of 12 people.  The Nature Center is so beautiful and peaceful.  Thankfully, the heat was not too bad early in the morning.  I had hoped to go along but my foot is still healing.  I am enjoying the beautiful pictures that he captured and I thought I’d share one with you.

*If you click on the photograph, you can see a larger version of the picture.  (I want to wander down that path!)