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Today's post I dedicate to all my blogging pals who love, worship, and adore summer.
As you know, summer is not my favorite season.
However...
This time of year, I try to make the best of it by focusing on the positive things about summer and what I enjoy.
Since I'm a vegetarian, I love fresh summertime produce and making scrumptious salads...
I also enjoy spending time outdoors (when it's not too hot and humid), surrounding myself in the beautiful shades of summer.
Lush green.
And the colorful potpourri of flowers.
Please enjoy the images I captured over the past several weeks, both here in the city and burbs...
These are the blossoms up close on the tree above...
Last week I went to Ardmore for the day and stopped by my favorite park, Linwood Park ...
A trail area inside the park...
Don't ya' just LOVE green?...
Whenever I see sunflowers, I smile...
Oh wait! Oooops...I totally forgot.
There is one more very important thing that I really enjoy about summer.
Men's legs in shorts.
Woof!
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Yup, I'm a leg-man!
Hope you're all enjoying a faaaaaaaaabulous summer!
💖
Ron, I love your positive attitude about a season that's not your favorite. I wish I could be that way about winter. My favorite seasons are spring and fall. I don't mind early summer. It's mid and late summer that I'm not fond of. Too hot and sticky.
ReplyDeleteI too am enjoying the summer produce. Those two salads you hightlighted look so delicious! I've been eating a lot of strawberries (when they are on sale). God, have you seen the price increases on food lately?
Excellent photos! The 9th one down (yellow daylily) is incredible. Such clarity.
Thank you for the summer highlights, Ron. Both the flowers AND the legs. LOL!
Morning, Candice!
ReplyDeleteThe reason I try and stay positive is because there is nothing I can do about it. So, it's easier for me to stay positive, than focus on the things I don't like about summer. But trust me, I have my days when I grumble about the summer heat and humidity. Also, summer in a city is much different than summer in the burbs. City heat and humidity is truly hideous.
"God, have you seen the price increases on food lately?"
OMG....yes!!!!!!!!!!! Funny you mentioned that because I was in Trader Joe's yesterday, picking up a few things. And when I was in the produce section (looking for strawberries), I saw how much the price increased from being there on Monday. They went up like TWO dollars!!! But it's that way with a lot of things right now. Prices keep going up and up.
Thank you. I took that photo on macro.
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a great rest of your week. And stay cool!
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"There is one more very important thing that I really enjoy about summer.
ReplyDeleteMen's legs in shorts." ---- Ron, that cracked me up! And I agree. Leg man here! Woof, woof!
Not a fan of summer either. I don't like the extremes that come with summer and winter. However, I would rather be cold than hot. I can always put more close on to stay warm. Summer (especially the end of July and August) drain me.
Your photographs are so beautiful. You captured such a variety. And yes, I love green! The shots of the pink rose and lily with rain drops are gorgeous. What type of camera do you have?
I'm enjoying salads right now as well. And those photos made me very hungry!
That park looks amazing, Ron. I love your photo of the paved curving trail through the flowers. So much beauty and your captures of the flowers close up are lovely. You have the eye for that! I’m thinking that first big tree is a honeysuckle. Did it smell really sweet? And did you touch the Lamb’s Ear (tall, velvety plant with purple flowers)? I can never resist that.
ReplyDeleteYummy salads. I need to start adding red onion to mine. So tasty. We have Big Salad Sunday here every week as our dinner. This week ours looked a lot like that first one with strawberries, toasted almonds, pistachios, and avocado. I also used feta cheese. So good!
You and Danny Pelligrino with the men’s legs! Lol! I’m an abs girl, but really, it’s the eyes that do it for me. XO
" And I agree. Leg man here! Woof, woof!"
ReplyDeleteHa! You too? Yup, that's one of the things I really enjoy about summer. Nothing like a nice set of " hot wheels." LOL!
"However, I would rather be cold than hot. I can always put more close on to stay warm. Summer (especially the end of July and August) drain me."
Yes, to all of that! You will never hear me complain about the cold of winter. And I don't care how cold it gets. But summer heat and humidity wipe me out. But I have to say that so far, it hasn't been too bad here. However, I have a feeling July and August are going to be insane.
Thank you! I use a Canon Rebel t5 camera. But most of these photographs were taken with my cellphone. I've gotten so lazy about carrying my camera with me.
Last night I made a HUGE salad with arugula, sliced avocado, strawberries, beans sprouts, bell peppers, sliced almonds, feta cheese, and balsamic dressing. HEAVEN!
Thanks so much for stopping by, Daniel. Always great to read your comments!
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Goooood morning, my friend!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you! I've gotten very lazy with my Canon camera, though. I took most of these with my cellphone camera.
" I’m thinking that first big tree is a honeysuckle. Did it smell really sweet? And did you touch the Lamb’s Ear (tall, velvety plant with purple flowers)? I can never resist that."
OMG, thank you SO MUCH for mentioning the tree because I had no idea what it was. And yes, it did smell really sweet! And yes, I did the Lambs Ear. Sooooooooooo soft!
I love that park. In fact, I was there yesterday.
"We have Big Salad Sunday here every week as our dinner. This week ours looked a lot like that first one with strawberries, toasted almonds, pistachios, and avocado. I also used feta cheese. So good!"
Yummy! Sounds absolutely deeeeelicious! And is so ironic because last night I made salad with arugula, sliced avocado, strawberries, beans sprouts, bell peppers, sliced almonds, feta cheese, and balsamic dressing. I also had a few slices of seeded bread with garlic hummus. FAB!!
"You and Danny Pelligrino with the men’s legs!"
Lol! LOVE Danny Pellegrino! And you're right, it's the eyes that do it for me as well. Windows to the soul!!
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend! Hope you're having a FAB summer. Can't wait to read about your trips!
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Aw...thank you, Daniel!
ReplyDeleteIsn’t Danny hilarious? I listen to his podcast and he cracks me up! He’s from Cleveland and I love when he makes references to it. Plus, we share a love of Bravo shows.
ReplyDeleteHe's HILARIOUS! I follow him on YouTube. I just recently watch one of his interviews he had with a medium (Theresa Caputo) who share a very emotional (and accurate) reading. It actually brought me to tears because he got so emotional.
ReplyDeleteHere's the link in case you're interested:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ2Il9UOFJ0&t=1423s
Oh Ron, I LOVE the way you ended this post! Did not expect that at all. What a hottie!!! Hubba Hubba! Nice set of wheels! LOL!
ReplyDeleteGlorious photos! You truly captured the positives of summer. As you know, I live in Florida but am originally from NY. NOT a fan of summer either. It's warm here most of the time (which I can take). But summer is the worst. And it's so long. The humidity is what kills me the most. It's like a steam bath after it rains. UGH! I miss the change of seasons.
Both of those salads look so good! I love me so avocado. I like going to Publix because their produce section is the best. So is their bakery and deli.
Thanks so much for post this morning, Ron. I'm at work and having a not-so-good day. But you always make me smile. Like a sunflower! xo
Hola Denise!
ReplyDelete"Nice set of wheels!"
LOVED that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And you are sooooooo right!
" The humidity is what kills me the most. It's like a steam bath after it rains. UGH! "
OMG....YES! And that's what I tell everyone who says to me, "Why did you ever move from Florida? I would love to live there!" After it rains, the humidity is worst. I remember walking outside and literally seeing the steam rise from the ground. UGH is right.
" I like going to Publix because their produce section is the best. So is their bakery and deli."
So funny you mentioned Publix because I was talking with someone at work not too long ago and telling them that my favorite grocery in the world, is Publix. Great produce, great deli, and they have the BEST Key Lime Pie in their bakery. I used to bring one to every party I went to as dessert.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Denise! Hope your day gets better. Sending you good vibes....
(((((((((((((((((((( YOU )))))))))))))))))))
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I love pasta salad!! And flowers, and MENS LEGS! Woof is right! You and I are so alike. 🤣🤣
ReplyDeleteI scooted down the comments to see what that tree was. A Honeysuckle! It's so pretty!
Great post, my friend! 😘💕❤️
Hellooooooooo there, Kari!
ReplyDelete"and MENS LEGS! Woof is right! You and I are so alike."
That's because we have GOOD taste. LOL!!!
Yes, thanks to Bijoux, she named it because I had no idea what it was. I love trees, plants, and flowers. However, I have no talent for knowing which is which and their names.
Always a delight to read your comments, my friend. Have a great rest of your week!
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Ron, it's so funny you mentioned legs because when I first met my husband it was during the summer and he was wearing shorts. And I told him (after we got married) that it was his sexy legs that caught my attention at first. I also told him I thought he had a nice butt as well. LOL!
ReplyDeleteFantastic photographs! How the world do you do it? I've never seen a BAD photograph you taken. The color and clarity are just stunning.
Right now (because of the summer heat), I'm making lots of watery salads for the two of us. The photo of the veggie pasta salad gave me an idea for tomorrow nights dinner. I don't feel as bad eating carbs when I mix it with vegetables.
Can you believe July is coming up? Where did June go? I'm already looking forward to fall.
Have a great weekend, sir. And stay cool! xox
"....when I first met my husband it was during the summer and he was wearing shorts. And I told him (after we got married) that it was his sexy legs that caught my attention at first. I also told him I thought he had a nice butt as well. LOL!"
ReplyDeleteElaine, that was hilarious! And I'm sure he was VERY flattered by your compliments. I've always been a leg-man. Actually, I've always been a "from-the-waist-down-man"! LOVE the lower extremities. LOL!!!!
Aw, thank you! And the only reason you don't see a bad photo is because I don't POST them. I deleted them. HA! Trust me, I've taken some not very good photographs.
I love what you said about eating "watery salads" during the hot summer months. I find salads so refreshing, light yet, filling when it's so hot. Me too. I don't feel bad eating carbs (which I love) when I mix them with veggies and protein. I sometimes makes pasta with white beans.
I know, June flew by. But hey, I'm not complaining. Looking forward to fall as well!
Stay cool, my friend. And thanks for stopping by!
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So agree, Ron! The Key Lime Pie in the bakery is the bomb! And I like how the whole store is laid out. It's very organized, spotlessly clean, and the people who work there are always helpful and pleasant. I also like how you can purchase wine too. They have a great wine selection!
ReplyDelete"I also like how you can purchase wine too. They have a great wine selection!"
ReplyDeleteOMG yes! And that's the one thing I like about Florida versus here. You can buy wine/beer anywhere (grocery store, 7/11, Walgreens, etc.). However, in this state you can only purchase those items in a liquor store.
I MISS Publix!
Beautiful variety of photographs, Ron! I love the first one (below the post title) of the pink primrose (Pink Ladies).
ReplyDeleteI too am a vegetarian. Those salads look so delicious. Curious, what made you become a vegetarian? I did after contending with several health issues.
Men's legs? Yes!
Thanks, Abby! And thank you for sharing the name of those flowers (Pink Ladies) because I am so ignorant when it comes to knowing those things. I saw those flowers in the park one day and I thought they were so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI became a vegetarian for no other reason than I just naturally felt more drawn to eating veggies. I grew up in a family that was heavily into eating TONS of meat. And to me, that just never appealed to me. I knew when I got older and was out on my own, I would no longer eat meat.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Abby! Have a super-duper weekend!
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What gorgeous photos you've shared of your trees and flowers in bloom, Ron -- thank you! Yes, there's something about sunflowers that makes me smile, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you, my friend. Summer isn't my favorite season, but I always try to make the best of it. It's far too hot and sticky for my taste, and I absolutely HATE being a mosquito magnet! Your summer salads look yummy, and like you, I tend to eat lighter when it's HOT outside!
I hope you missed all that smoke from the Canadian wildfires. We had a bunch of it for several days, and I tell you, it was nasty. (As was the super-wicked storms that blew through yesterday). xx
Gooood morning, Debbie!
ReplyDeleteAw...thank you! And isn't something how sunflowers make you SMILE? They are such happy-looking flower.
"Summer isn't my favorite season, but I always try to make the best of it. It's far too hot and sticky for my taste, and I absolutely HATE being a mosquito magnet! Your summer salads look yummy, and like you, I tend to eat lighter when it's HOT outside!"
So far, it hasn't been too-too bad here this summer. However, I see in the forecast that July will be bringing the high heat (the 90's) and humidity that I dread. UGH!
Yup, we did experience the smoke from the Canadian wildflowers that lasted about 2 days. When I woke up that morning, I thought it was just a mist/fog in the air. Later that day, I discovered what it actually was.
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fantastic weekend! And Happy 4th of July!
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Ron, I agree with you about not liking summer as the most favorite season, but I do enjoy seeing the beautiful flowers and when the weather is not TOO hot outdoor walking is the best. My favorite seasons are all the rest, especially autumn.
ReplyDeleteYou captured some really wonderful photos with your cell phone and I often do the same with mine. I no longer have a digital SLR, and even though I have a smaller and very good Canon digital camera, most days do not carry it when outdoors.
Summer salads are the best and lately we have been enjoying an evening meal with eggs, tuna, avocado and some cottage cheese served over greens, tomatoes and cukes. Even with the increasing cost of many food items, it's still not too costly overall.
Gooooooooooood morning, D!
ReplyDelete"I do enjoy seeing the beautiful flowers and when the weather is not TOO hot outdoor walking is the best. My favorite seasons are all the rest, especially autumn."
Agree! Isn't autumn the BEST of all? Not only is the weather cooler then, but I also love fall clothes, food, and all the gorgeous colors that the season brings.
"I no longer have a digital SLR, and even though I have a smaller and very good Canon digital camera, most days do not carry it when outdoors."
You too? And I feel bad because I'm not using my SLR camera skills anymore, relying totally on my cell phone. But it's so much easier than carrying around my camera.
"lately we have been enjoying an evening meal with eggs, tuna, avocado and some cottage cheese served over greens, tomatoes and cukes. Even with the increasing cost of many food items, it's still not too costly overall."
Sounds so delicious! And I agree, even with the insane price increases of many food items, veggies are still reasonably priced.
Thanks so much for stopping by, D! Wishing you and faaaaaaaaabulous July 4th holiday! We just got hit with the intense heat and humidity of summer. I finally had to put my AC on.
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Ron, these photos are (in your favorite word) faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaabulous! No lie, you photography skills just keep getting more and more impressive to me.
ReplyDeleteThe color and clarity of each of these images is amazing!
Did you take these with your camera or phone? Either way, they are excellent!
My girlfriend had a laugh at your closing line and photograph. She wanted me to tell you that see too is a leg-man. LOL!
Hiya, Matt!
ReplyDeleteThanks ever so much for your encouraging and kind words, buddy! And yes, I do use that word a lot, don't I?
I took ALL of these with my cell phone, not my camera. I've gotten a bit lazy with the camera, I'm sorry to say. But I am going to start MAKING myself use my camera more in the future. I feel that if I don't continue using my camera skill, I'll lose them :(
Thanks so much for stopping by, Matt! And tell you girlfriend I said, "A-MEN to men's legs!!!'
Hope you both had a great July 4th!
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LOVE all the photos! Beautiful! Not really enjoying summer too much myself this year. Well, I never love it, but some years are better than others. The few flowers I bought are mostly dead. A bunch of houseplants I took out back to fix up the patio area need to all be re-potted because the bugs and ants are just relentless. And don't even get me started on mosquitoes, they are evil! Because I love sunflowers, we went to a small festival featuring them where you got to cut your own for $1 a stem but it was soooo HOT that I had to clip them fast because we were all suffering from the heat and headed right back to the a/c in the car.
ReplyDeleteThe good things about summer are certainly the veggies! Ron didn't do a garden this year but our daughter/sil are growing tomatoes and have been sharing! And there was another wonderful event this summer that made everything ok! But I need something to blog about so will post eventually...
I know, Mary! You and I pretty much feel the same about summer --- NOT fans. LOL! For me, like you, it's the HEAT and HUMIDITY I find so hard to handle. Plus, I live in a crowded city, which makes everything I don't like about summer intensify (the heat, the noise, and the smells). And Philly, right now, is in a very sad state.
ReplyDelete" Ron didn't do a garden this year but our daughter/sil are growing tomatoes and have been sharing!"
OMG, there is nothing better than JERSEY-grown tomatoes! That's one of the things my family missed when we moved to Florida. The tomatoes in Florida are tasteless and rock hard. They taste like you're eating a tennis ball. UGH!
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