Photo Shootin'

I was so excited to be asked to take some family photos recently! This is an amazing family and I adore them all. I wanted to share some of the pictures from lovely that evening at Cox Arboretum..

     Tanya and Todd have a beautiful family...they are also foster parents, daytime caregivers (One of their charges is my own beloved nephew) and wonderful friends.

I had such fun with them...

Love to you all!

Sweet Summer Day

As always, each photo can be enlarged by clicking on it...

Recently I spent a few sweet hours at Cox Arboretum, part of Dayton's wonderful Five Rivers Metro Park system. I shared the day with Grace, her BFF, Miss Kelly and the talented

Sara . If you have yet to meet Sara,

hop on over and say hello! She is one heck of a great shutterbug! We had a great time walking, chatting and snapping photos. She features her work on her blog and I know you will enjoy it!

It was a lovely day, not TOO warm, low humidity and lots of warm, bright sunshine. The perfect sweet, Summer day!

I am sorry to be such a bad blogger again but I have been watching my nephew this week and Grace has been in Summer Strings and softball tournaments! But I will be by to see you soon! Look for me! *smile*

My love to each one of you...have a safe and happy weekend.

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Late September Sunshine

One of our favorite spots to visit, in any season, is Cox Arboretum, part of the Dayton, Ohio Metro Parks system.

But I do so love to visit in the Fall when the air feels crisp and the sky is clear.

Each year, in late September, the Kettering Hospital Garlic Festival is held on the Arboretum's grounds. It's always a fun way to spend a day. The air is heavy with the wonderful smells of garlic cooking in oh so many ways. There are craft booths filled with all manner of treasures, children's activities and, of course, the park is the perfect place to walk and enjoy nature. Bill, Grace, Grace's buddy Erin and I spent a few sweet hours here, walking, nibbling, people watching and listening to some great bands. The perfect way to say goodbye to September and hello to Autumn.

Grace and Erin

Erin, Bill and Grace

More bulbs of garlic than you can imagine! Alfresco wine tasting

You say potato and I say potahto... What DOES purple taste like? Just floating Reflections of September A wedding was held in the park today and I was able to chat a bit with the happy couple. They encouraged me to snap a few informal photos as their photographer set up shots.

Talented Artists

The fruits of the season

Friends

The beauty of this wonderful park...

I hope your weekend was a lovely one. I wish each one of you a week filled with smiles, fulfillment, family, friends and sweet Autumn delights!

Love and hugs,

Susie Q

Weekend Finery

There was not a lot of sun light peeking through the clouds this weekend but oh how warm & sunny the days felt anyway! We had a full weekend of sweet moments with family and friends. Our dear friends, B & J, were here from Tennessee so we had a small get together with a group of our buddies. On Saturday evening, our wonderful neighbor, W, had a delicious dinner for us and 12 other neighbors. It was just one of those nights that you eat well, laugh often and enjoy the company of some very special people. Sunday found us in church, visiting with family and enjoying nature. We took a drive through some favorite areas of town and then stopped by the Cox Arboretum for a walk. A little drizzle didn't hurt! Heck, I didn't even melt. I am not made from sugar you know, oh no, far from that! Then we ventured downtown to The Neon Movies and saw "Miss Pettigrew Lives For The Day" and so enjoyed it! All in all, a nice two days! I hope your weekend was a sweet one and that you found plenty to smile about. I will be able to return to visiting all of you today and tomorrow. I have missed doing that regularly!

Love to you all! Susie Q

Ooh..Smell That Garlic...

Welcome to the annual Garlic festival at Cox Arboretum where the motto is, "Have a stinkin' good time!" The lovely table arrangements..seasonal lovelies arranged in hollowed pumpkins. Grace and her buddy, the Divine Miss M helping hold up a very large garlic clove. I'll have one of those and one of that and some of these... 2 pretty girls who absolutely reek of garlic! This little guy seemed to prefer the flowers over the garlic...

The wonderful smell of garlic simply permeated the air and oh how delicious everything tasted. Fantastic jazz bands, lots of friendly people, talented artists, seasonal displays and lots of laughter. Happy weekend to you all....please excuse my breath! I think that last garlic, brie and crouton soup did it!

Hugs, Susie Q