A Place to Laugh, Chat and Follow Along As We Restore Our Old Home While Juggling Business and Family Fun
Yes, what is this? Maybe I should do a little research to make sure I know. Remember how last Saturday went? 
Last night the boys wanted ice cream...homemade ice cream.
Now that is my confession for today (never having purchased a 10# bag of sugar). But you just gotta LLUUVVV a teenage boy/son/man?!
I know that the sensation of fall is in the air. I feel it. Don't you?
I think Winnie~the~Pooh calls this feeling "hot chocolatey mornings and roasted marshmallowey evenings".
Though the birds are gone, and the nest is empty, I see warm weather and blue skies. I'm still enjoying summer!
Have a great summer day!
Love, Rachel
Oh yum! We've been enjoying fresh homemade salsa and chips! 
We were driving on the interstate when my husband laughed and said, "Where's your camera when you need it!" "Oh, it's right here in my purse! I have it right here, I do!" I said, breathlessly scrambling for it in the floor by my feet. 
"Did you get it?" 
I know what this is! Do you? Let me know what you think. I'll be back to tell you soon! I said I knew what this little insect is! Well after the responses suggested a cicada, I figured I better not be so sure of myself and do a little research. You see where I grew up in the Southern USA, (well it's south if you live in the north, but it's Midwest if you live in the east and it's east if you live in the west!!!) Did you get all of that? Anyway, in Arkansas, we called these little bugs "locusts", and they have always fascinated me. But when I googled a locust, I found a picture and description of a grasshopper! Imagine my astonishment. But when I googled cicada, I saw a photo of you guessed it................this amazing little bug! In my defense though, the nickname for cicada IS locust!
{smiling smugly ;p}
Last Saturday when I snapped this picture, the bug had just emerged from its' shell to dry and begin an adult life. What amazes me is that we had just parked this car in the driveway a mere 3 hours earlier, and I see no way the "nymph" could have been hanging onto the tire while we drove 65 miles an hour on the interstate. Could it possibly have emerged in 3 hours or less?
So well now, the joke is on me!!! I was going to tell you it is a locust, but instead, I'm now "highly educated" (said as a joke) in this species of insect, and I will tell you it is in fact a cicada! As we'd say in Arkansas, "Y'all were right!"
See it still sitting on the shell? Aren't these wings beautiful?
Love, Rachel
" Momma, you know what?"
" Uh, you know. It's when you lay a blanket on the grass in the back yard. Then you lay down on it and look up at the clouds and say what they look like." 
"Oh, this is fun isn't it? I really like that big green fluffy one!"
"This one sorta looks like a big chocolate chip cookie!" 
"I've had so much fun cloud watching!"
" Now it's time to go in and eat!"
Isn't this house adorable? Look at the gently sweeping arches above the porch. I don't know who it belongs to, but I couldn't pass the chance to show it to you.
Thank you for giving me your opinions in the previous posting. The resounding choice among those of you that commented, is to leave the sign red! How neat! It has been fun to see what you "think about pink"!.JPG)
One of my brothers took this photo when he was at our house recently. I love the perspective of this basket in relation to the background. A while ago, I told you I'd tell you about this old cotton candy sign. I haven't forgotten. I keep thinking I will repaint it pink...then I don't know. What do you think?
This corn silk was fresh and shiny. Each cob had rows of neat and crisp kernels. There was one kernel for every piece of silk...weeeelllll, I didn't count them, but that's what the experts say! Isn't the color beautiful? Look at the light reflecting off of the ear.
Oh my, this sweet corn is so delicious. It is the best I've eaten in a long time! On these ears we didn't need butter or salt for this be an unbelievable meal time favorite. Do you love fresh corn on the cob?
We call this bug Praying Mantis. Or is it Preying Mantis? And who knows what the technical Latin term for it is? I've seen them in several sizes from very tiny (a portion of an inch) to very large (several inches). I showed you a little green one a few days ago, perched on a plant and then he hopped to the porch floor. Can you see this ones green legs and brown body? Doesn't he look fragile? A swat and flick of my wrist would have sent him sailing into oblivion, never to be seen again by man or bird who would probably enjoy this crunchy delicacy. Does he creep you out?
He was perched on the bow that adorns the rocking chair. He would slowly flex his legs which in turn caused him to gently sway from side to side. He meticulously rotated his triangular head back and forth, back and forth. Since he was sitting on the chair in a favorite spot here at "A Romantic Porch", I tried to ask him what he was praying about! Somehow our lines of communication were blocked! All creatures...so amazing! And another sight of summer. Linger long summer! 
We don't have five children. We have three. I'm so thankful that we have been allowed these years to raise them in our home. I think they are special guests, passing through, precious ones worthy of my best hospitality while they entertain us with their wiles and whims, comedy and yes, many times wisdom. I want them to feel loved and safe. I want them to feel treasured and special. Sometimes life can deal us blows that knock the wind out of our sails, but we still have love. Sometimes our best, is far below our expectations! All I can do is my best today. 
Each summer when we drive along the county roads which trace their way through fields of tall stalks of ripening corn, I enjoy the wild flowers along the road. My favorite every year are these beautiful morning glory flowering vines. 
Using the cornstalks for support they lift themselves skyward and show their pretty faces. For me, it's a simple joy and sight of summer.
Summer sighs. So do I. School begins. Already? Yes, ready or not.
Have I done everything I could with the circumstances I've had to make this summer memorable and fun? I've tried, oh yes I've tried. Today is a new day. A day to celebrate and make more memories. I won't look back and feel the pull of regret. I've done my best. I won't look to tomorrow and feel the fear of uncertainty. I will embrace today. I will find today's joy!
My parents had 10 children who went to college. When I as the youngest was ready to leave and go to college, of course finances were part of the discussion. My mother told me when my first brother was ready to leave, and go to college, she was so overwhelmed with having to pay the bill. She said they had just purchased this chest freezer in the photo above, and she thought, "Well, if we need to, we can always sell the freezer to help with the bill." That was in the late 50's and the freezer is still in our family. Of course, it wasn't old and rusty then. I think it looks pretty good to be so old. They never had to sell it. 
Isn't life interesting...the ups and downs and highs and lows. "Stuffed bunny" says, "Come on, let's go make today be a great day." Many times it's all in how we look at it, isn't it?
Love, Rachel
P.S. Yes, we do wash our stuffed animals around here...but we use the washing machine instead! Petite princess took this photo, and it made me laugh! I hope it makes you laugh too!
I think an earthquake is such an amazing phenomenon! Yes scary, but still amazing! As far as I know we were not having one when this photo above was taken!
Does this make you think of a lazy summer day?
This hot air balloon floated over our home yesterday.
I've never ridden in one. Have you?
Today we had an early morning thunderstorm. In the darkness of an infant morning I heard the majestic sounds of thunder rumbling, lightning flashing and rain hitting the roof in a soft and persistent patter. I wanted to curl up like Ivory, our son's little white ferret, and nestle back to let nature lull me to a drowsy slumber.
But alas, morning has spoken, peaking over the horizon, calling me to embrace a new day!
So here I am! I will try my best to listen with more intensity, laugh with more joy, and love more deeply! 
You know how much I love romantic porches. As the sweltering heat of August and beautiful rays of intense summer sunshine begin their ascent toward fall, I have a perfectly refreshing and cozy place of relaxation and repose to share with you.
The photo above shows what Kathryn Bechen calls her Tea Balcony by the sea, which overlooks the beautiful Hyatt resort in the center of sunny San Diego, CA. For the 28th anniversary of her marriage to her husband Steve, she prepared this delightful private dinner and served it here on her "tea balcony." I ask you, "How could anything be more romantic?"
Kathryn's blog inspires me in many ways. I have learned she is a professional organizer and I'm inspired to glean tidbits of organizational skills from her. She is also a published writer who inspires me to be a better writer and more "in touch" with those who read what I write. 
I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
Morning light.
The dawn of a new day.
A fresh start.
The day awaits.
