Summertime at our Country Bungalow.
Hello Summer Hodgepodge. Thank you, Joyce!
1. Summer’s here! In the northern hemisphere anyway. If you’re in the southern hemisphere substitute winter for the word summer. What do you love most about summer? What’s your biggest summer pet peeve?
I love summer fruits like nectarines and peaches and plums and watermelon!
In our neck of the woods mosquitoes and mean bugs like wasps are a nuisance!
2. What song always reminds you of summer?
The Beach Boys ‘California Girls’. I was born and raised in Southern California and my early days were filled with music by this classic group.
3. What’s something you remember about your childhood summers? Do you think kids today get to enjoy summer the way you did as a child? Elaborate.
Honestly, I don’t remember specifics about summer versus other times of year. We were outside a lot. We would go to the beach with other relatives. I do remember getting the worst sunburn of all time and our mom soaking rags in vinegar to put on our burns.
Our summers as kids were very much unplanned by our parents. It seems like parents nowadays are more hands on and do more planning for summer activities. Summer camps and summer sports, etc.
4. We celebrate Fathers Day on June 21st. Do you favor your dad in looks or temperament? Tell us something about your dad. Or your husband as a dad. Or a son/son-in-law as a dad. Or your grandpa.
Our Pop worked hard to support his family. He was a man who loved His Lord and Savior and was faithful to our mom and us. He was punctual to the point of being early especially for church. He loved jigsaw puzzles and in his old age worked on them to pass the long hours of the day.
My Pop and me camping in Southern California. He is working on a jigsaw puzzle.
Our dear Pop was called home to heaven June 24th, 2018. Eight years ago today.
I’m a combo of our Pop and our Mom. I do enjoy jigsaw puzzles and I’m punctual to a fault.
5. Let’s wrap up with a summer this or that-
- flip flops or sandals
- beach or pool
- watermelon or peaches
- shorts or sundress
- iced coffee or ice cold lemonade
- amusement park or water park
Sandals, beach, watermelon, sundress, iced coffee. Neither an amusement park or water park are on my list ever for the summer. 🙂 I’d rather go to a place like Disneyland in the cooler months.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
We are getting ready for the 250th celebration of the USA at our house. Here are some initial decorations to mark this epic event.
A lot more will be coming out of my red, white and blue bins.
Our schedule is not our own this week and it will be hit or miss as to whether I can visit as usual. If not, I will catch up next week.
Happy Summer everyone!
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Great family photos! Living in Southern California, you probably didn’t have too many demarcations of the seasons, did you? The weather was likely always lovely. Your decor looks pretty- I have most of mine up as we look forward to the big celebration!!
I loved the pictures of you and your Pop. I don’t know why but I had always thought you favored your mom in your countenance, but seeing these pictures with just you and your dad I could really see the resemblance you have with him. I loved this!
Love all the red white and blue! I grew up on the East Coast where the seasons were clearly defined by the different types of weather. I sometimes forget that’s not true everywhere : ) Enjoy Cannon Beach. It’s so pretty there. We stayed in a hotel on the beach and the views could not be beat!
We have a lot in common, Ellen – except I wear flip-flops rather than sandals all summer long. Have a fun week!
No flip flops for me when I am out and about. I tripped while wearing g them and ended up have surgery. Only at home. As a “California girl” myself, the Beach Boys were the epitome of summer. Enjoyed your answers.
Happy Summer!! I loved the photos today. 🙂 I love that you worked on a puzzle on the ground camping. That is so cool. 😉
I love the summer fruits too, especially strawberries when they are big and juicy! I am not a fan of the bugs either and I hate wasps! Summers now seem more structured for kids, I loved the carefree unplanned ones that I had. Your Pop sounds like a wonderful man! Sending love and hugs on this hard day.
Huge jigsaw puzzle fan here as well! My mom and I worked on them together, so lots of happy puzzle memories for me 💕
Yum on the fruit. Sorry about the bugs. Nice song choice. Sorry about that sunburn you got. Your father sounds like he was a good man. So sorry for your loss. I love your decorations.
Even though the California town of my childhood was not near the beach, hearing any of the Beach Boys songs immediately “takes me back”!
I let my grandchildren get sunburned at the beach recently, and someone told me that same remedy of vinegar, which was the first I heard of it.
…your globe blue spruce is a beauty!!!
Wonderful to read all your answers. Great photo of you and your dad!!
Love the patriotic decor and reading about your dad.
Great photos!!
I am not a big fan of summer, mostly because of the oppressive humidity that characterizes the season here, but I have learned to make the most of it and enjoy the good parts like an occasional trip to the beach and ice cream cones and long days. I do feel like the summers of my childhood seemed endless (in a good way!) . . . so many days to sleep in, play outside with friends, or read book after book.
Love the photos of you and your father! I can hardly believe it’s been 8 years since your father’s passing!
Sounds like you have a busy week ahead! Hope it’s filled with summer fun!
Happy Summer, Ellen! I’m not a big fan of hot and humid days but I do love summer’s long daylight and all the flowers blooming. Enjoy it all!
Happy Summer! Great family photos! Take care, have a great day!
Happy Heavenly birthday to you dad! What a grand reunion there is going to be one day!!
Wonderful photos and very special! Happy Birthday to your dear Dad. Your Hodge Podge posts are always delightful reads.
Delightful Hodge Podge . . . life, liberty, and the pursuit of perfect Independence Day decor!