I hope that everyone had a great 4th of July! We did. Our first here in Starkville. We’re actually closing in on our first year anniversary of living here.

The year just zipped by, as years do.

Anyway, here’s some of what we’ve been up to lately.

My first little tomato. Isn’t it cute? I’m anxiously awaiting my cucumbers. If the number of blooms means anything, I’m in for a bumper crop.

The countryside around here doesn’t have the hills that I adore… but it’s still lovely. I liked the stripes in this field.

Eli mugging for a picture at Walmart. He is so funny. He likes hats. Usually it’s a fedora — but cowboy hats are fun, too.

Speaking of hats, here’s Jon, my big hat, and me at a family pool party. Do you know what I found out? Big old hats get in the way of you getting near anyone — and here I was thinking the folks on Downton were emotionally detached Britons when it might just be the gigantic hats they have on. Though, hats and emotional detachment aren’t mutually exclusive, I know.

This is Charlie and Star. Star is a precious Weimeraner who likes to roam. We spent a pleasant morning with her while waiting for the animal control guy to come. She was so sweet that we sort of hope she’ll get loose again and come for a visit.

Eli sitting on the pumpkin at the farmer’s market. I think that pumpkin sitting might become a tradition.

I asked my boys what this cloud reminded them of and the unanimous opinion was a Dodo bird. The sunsets here are routinely gorgeous.

Ending on food, here is a pizza I made last week. It’s a bacon, chard, caramelized onion, and egg pizza. I thought it was wonderful and couldn’t believe how perfectly the egg cooked. So very yummy! I can’t wait to make it again!

Happy Sunday, y’all!