Whew!

It has been non stop wackiness around Rabbit Run Cottage of late!

I have had little to no time at all to visit or post here and for that, I humbly apologize!

 I know all of you are up to sweet things around your places and I promise to drop by soon!

We celebrated our dear son's birthday last week. He is so much like his Dad...cherishes the simple and quiet things in life...so a little family party here at home was just what he wanted. His favorite coconut cake finished off a dinner of grilled hot dogs, french fries, shrimp and yes. Sushi. The boy loves his sushi!

Grace knows exactly what to get her big brother...the gift of Starbucks!

Then we attended an awards event at Grace's school. She had no idea she was

winning anything nor that we would be there!

This is the "What are you two doing here?" look we got when she spotted us!

Thankfully, the surprised look changed to a big smile for us!

We knew she was recieving awards for orchestra and art club as well as the coveted "Most Improved Student" award but they surprised all of us with another...

Grace was given one of the Presidential Awards For Educational Excellence.

The award is quite lovely, signed by the President and the Secretary of Education and came with a Presidential Seal pin.

Her teachers told us she has worked so hard, been so dedicated to learning and come so very far in the last few years. We are so proud of her, of both of our children, and all they have accomplished!

Lots more to talk about but too little time to post! Today is Grace's last day of Elementary sachool! Yikes! Where did the time go? The PTO is throwing the kids a wonderful party at the Township Rec Center. I am on the decorating committee so need to run! I have a lot of balloons to blow up! *laugh* Should be easy for me! After all, I am filled with hot air!

Thinking of you all and sending each one of you lots of love!

I hope your June is going beautifully!

A Frosty February

I am so sorry to have been away for so long! It has been such a busy 10 days! Kipper had another small surgery, we welcomed in some company, and, well, just the day to day busy~ness has been extra busy!

Our area has had a few recent snowfalls and my! What a beautiful sight! I have been able to get out a bit and take some pictures...that always lifts my spirits!

I have a few things to share with you, the annual Chinese New Year celebration, our area's bi~annual Restaurant Week and so much more! But for now, I need to get ready for Grace's class party tomorrow!

Being a home room Mom is fun and rewarding but hectic at times!

I hope you are all staying warm and safe and wearing a smile!

Love to you all!

Hugs,

Susie Q

Oh, What Magic Christmas Brings...

(C) Sue Combs 2008

...and so, so much to do! I know I am woefully behind but I haven't been lounging around eatting sugar cookies no Sir!

Just decorating and getting cards ready and finishing the holiday shopping...

I have also been working on the craft fair/cookie walk which will be held at our church this weekend and preparing the goodies for Grace's class. Being a homeroom Mom is such a fun duty!

I will be posting pictures soon...from the seasonal events, our house and some of the sweet things I see around me this time of year! Doesn't it just make you happy to see the twinking lights?

I hope you are all well and warm and enjoying each moment of this blessed month.

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Extreme Week-Over

The week is over but it was such a sweet one. These last days of Summer are perfect for enjoying a nice long drive in the country, buying some farm fresh produce & flowers or visiting a fun local spot...

...a place like the Second Street Public Market in downtown Dayton. Straight from the garden flowers...

...smell oh so sweet!

Delicious food treats...from vegetarian...

...to soup and sandwiches...

...to beautiful crepes.

Paired with a good bottle of wine. Perfect!

Then there is dessert...oh yes. Blackberry pies, chocolate fudge and Greek pastries...

Or, how about a made from scratch berry, creme and chocolate crepe?

And when you can't eat one more bite, indulge yourself with

some lovely scented soaps and lotions.

Or stop by the Humane Society booth & visit with one of the adorable

dogs and cats looking for homes.

We left the Market and drove into Beavercreek to see the Extreme Makeover house!

You will soon see this home featured on the new season of the popular series. Ty Pennington and crew were here recently and this is their finished product! I won't give away any secrets before the episode airs but it was a joy to see this family gifted with such a blessing. Here is your sneak peek...

We also spent a little time North of Dayton, in Urbana, Ohio. We had

to be in the area one day and we stopped by the Robert Rothschild Farm.

We picked up a few goodies...jams and oils...to bring home but I wish we could

have brought these sweet ones along too...

Whew...that was just a taste of our week's activities! I hope you enjoyed coming along with us! It is always a joy to share a little fun!

Tonight is game 2 for Grace so off to the football field we go!

I hope your weekend is treating you well and that you are finding lots to smile about!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Alone Again...Naturally...

Edited to add:

I love you all..thank you for the sweet comments. Please forgive me for being so silly and selfish and self absorbed. I think that the last 3 weeks of busy-ness and being so tired have taken their toll on me! And yes sweet Chris, part of it is MENOPAUSE! *laugh*

I promise I will become more regular at posting and do more visiting as well. I fully understand people not leaving comments. I DO I swear. I do the same things I am afraid. : (

I guess that, after almost 3 years of blogging, I was beginning to think I had worn thin on people.

But I love all of you and love what blogging has brought to my life. I am thankful for you, for it.

God Bless you all. See you on Tuesday!

...as a child of the 60s and 70s, so many things remind me of song lyrics from that era. Anyone else remember the song in the post title? *smile* Yes, I have been a naughty bloggy friend and not visited as I would like to. These past 3 weeks have been crazy and this weekend is no exception. I have so many photos and postings to share with you all. But I must pop in and say something. I am beginning to feel quite alone here of late. Maybe it's just the Summer funks for me or whatever but I find myself wondering if I should continue blogging. I seem to be losing visitors by the handful these days and so many old friends don't drop by like they used to. Maybe I am just tired and cranky and menopausal (probably!). I may not "give the people what they want" so no one cares anymore. *shrug* I dunno...maybe I am just feeling sorry for myself.

That's probably it huh?

Bloggy World has given me far more than I ever expected or deserved...new and oh so dear friends, a new found joy in the world of photography and a chance to express myself a bit from time to time. I treasure these things.

I am at my brother's this weekend, staying with my nephew while they are away. It has been a wild weekend of high school tours and birthday parties and my Mom is still not feeling as she should so that is a huge concern for me. I hope to be back blogging regularly by Tuesday and, even if I am just talking to myself, I think I will be here. I always did talk to myself anyhoo.

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend...Summer is officially here!

This Memorial Day, take a moment to pause and remember all of the men and women of our Armed Forces, past and present, who unconditionally give of themselves for us.

Then go grill a burger or two...

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q, who will get over her funk soon

A Catch Up Here, A Catch Up There...

Here a catch up, there a catch up, everywhere a catch up! Where does the time go? Whew. It seems that we are all running as fast as we can these days! The holidays are upon us and there is always something fun to see and do. It is that way here at Rabbit Run Cottage and I am sure it is that way at your home as well. Never enough hours in our days and blogging often gets put on that proverbial, all too crowded back shelf!

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving we attended Grace's first violin performance. It was such a nice concert with so many children participating. All of the 4th and 5th grades from our community were included and each child seemed to be having a wonderful time. It was so exciting to see that many young people involved in music!

Our own virtuoso!

Wednesday was a day off from school and Grace had her now weekly ice skating lesson. This was her

3rd lesson and not only did she NOT fall but her sweet instructor had her moving about on one foot!

I point this out not to brag but rather to mention that Grace's mom is lucky if she can stand on one foot on warm, dry ground! Hmm...

Thanksgiving Day dawned bright and clear and was such a beautiful day here in Ohio.

I was able to get this picture of Daniel and Grace as we left for my Mother's.

We spent Thanksgiving Day at my Mother's with Mom, my brother, sister in law and nephew.

It was a quiet day, a day for good food, family, football and parades. Just the way I like it! While waiting on her turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes, Grace used her time to work on Christmas craft projects.

When will that turkey be done? Okay, how about a little game of checkers with your big brother?

Who won Miss Grace?

Hey Boo! Happy Thanksgiving!

My nephew, the Boo man...

How's that turkey lookin' there Boo?

Thumbs up eh? Gooooood turkey Grandma! Gooooood turkey.

Grace with her Grandma

Aw gee guys...showin' Dan a little love huh?

My favorite turkey...Bill! Now THIS is a scary sight!

Grace with Boo and Boo's pretty Mommy, Grace's Aunt Lisa.

He is soooooo smoochable!

Hey Daddy...what'cha doin? Sleepin?? Wake up Dad!

The next day we attended a parade of trees sponsored by a local hospital's ladies auxiliary.

I think my brother and sis in law would have loved this tree... Go Buckeyes!! OH! IO!

Isn't this adorable? Bidding was way up on this little tree! The sweetest glass ornaments that looked like chocolate chip cookies, Starbucks coffee mugs, Hershey Bars, well, it was just as cute as can be. The tree sat in a big coffee cup for good measure!

Grace loved this one as you might guess! All things Hannah Montana!

All for the children in need of care at the hospital...

Two of my favorite holiday treats...Grace and Bill!

And Mom too!

This tree was gorgeous. Faux hydrangea, pheasant feathers, glass ornaments, beautiful ribbon...it was a beauty. When I commented that I would love to do our tree like this, Grace and Bill looked at me like I had just announced I had switched my ardor from Brian Dennehy to

Pauly Shore! Shockers!

The tree lighting event at The Greene, our area's newest shopping and dining destination.

Santa arrived, the tree was lit...the kick off to Christmas has begun...uh oh! I better get moving!

Yikes! So much to do...where do I begin?

Till next time, I will be by to visit you all soon and dropping in here from time to time.

As always, each one of you stays in my heart, thoughts and prayers.

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q