The 25th Hour ~karenjcardoza.com~

My "Disney World"

Patriots Training Camp is in full swing and I’ve attended all but one of the sessions thus far. Training Camp reports are here and have been keeping me super busy. Tonight is a ticketed practice inside Gillette Stadium and I could have gone but I’ve got way too much to catch up on here so I bowed out.

Garden tomatoes are ripening at once so I see some canning on the agenda.  Also, the laundry pile is growing and I’ve had a few appointments to attend as well. Up until camp, I was reading like crazy but that has taken a back seat for the time being. (Pats news is on my radar now…)

We’ve been watching Pillars of the Earth on Starz and it’s been excellent. It was one of my favorite books, written by Ken Follett, and they are doing a great job with the adaptation.

So, I’ve got the rest of this afternoon and this evening to get some things done before heading back to camp tomorrow.  Hope that it’s productive!

Last night, I dusted of the mic and did a Patriotworld Podcast in anticipation of Patriots training camp which is opening tomorrow. YIPPEE!!!

You can head over to the podcast site to either listen there or to subscribe if interested. I should be updating regularly now that it’s camp time and with the season right around the corner. Go Pats!!

I also did a Muse with Me Podcast while I was at it.  It’s my non-Pats related cast, covering real life things such as what’s going on in my world and about what I’m up to in my garden, and about the books I’m reading. I almost forgot how to do it but it all came back…lol.  It was a productive night!

Your best bet is to subscribe via RSS or iTunes so you don’t miss any updates (if you are so inclined. )

I love waking up early in the morning with the dew on the grass and the sun breaking through the fog.. The birds are busy singing their good mornings while the squirrels are raiding the feeders.   I’m usually the first one up and I cherish my favorite time of day…

Most of June and all of July thus far has been hot and steamy.  We’ve gotten some much needed rain over the past couple of days though,  and my organic garden is very happy!  I’ve been able to harvest eggplant, peppers, green beans, cukes and herbs. I’m awaiting the tomatoes and it looks to be a bumper crop this year. Al’s been using a lot of charcoal this summer as opposed to the gas grill and with it being so hot out, we’ve sparked it up more nights than not. One of my favorite things to do is just load up the grill with garden veges and eat them just like that.  Roasted eggplant, peppers and zucchini… YUM!

My flowers are also doing well but admittedly, it’s necessary to stay on top of the watering and dead heading because of the massive heat and sunshine. Thank goodness for my rain barrels!  I’m loving this summer and have been outside most of my waking hours.

Lots of peppers!

Taking advantage of space: tomatoes, zucchini, cukes, green beans, eggplant

Gorgeous deep purple hydrangea

Asiatic Lilies beginning to bloom

Some Yum!

The entire summer flickr set is here.

Omg… I’ve been so bad about blogging. I’ve been so very busy enjoying the summer life and the summer weather.  We had 3 hot beautiful weeks and I’ve been in the pool more this summer so far than I had over the last 3 summers combined!

Pool Time

We had graduation parties for both kids (one from high school, the other from college)….

Jake's Party

Kelsea's Party

…. combined with our annual 4th of July bash:

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th!

I’ve been exercising  a lot and enjoying nature:

Love the Bike Path!

In the paddle boat with Sam on The Blackstone

Going for boat rides and relaxing too:

Out in the bay

Beautiful Boat Day!

Mahalo!

Reading a book a day

Firepit Friday

The girls after a dip

You can see the entire  summer set here.

July also brings annual Catarina Family Picnic. Although there was rain, it was still a great time. Here’s most of the crew.

2010 Catarina Picnic

I’ve also been keeping busy working around the yard and in my garden.. things are taking off and I’m already enjoying the fruits of my labor.. but that’s for another post.

I <3 SUMMER!!!

My baby graduated from high school on Monday night and we’re having a small party for him tomorrow. Life has been quite busy for me and I’m taking one day at a time. The weather for the weekend is expected to be gorgeous and is fitting for the first week of summer for the school kids. Every weekend is booked with parties and activities and I’m thankful to be home during the weekdays. Here’s a bit of what’s been going on in my life.

Things are progressing in the garden. The strawberries have pretty much come and gone, the seedlings are growing and my seeds have sprouted.

My garden space

Eggplant, bush beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, radishes, couves, peas, lettuce

Bush beans, tomatoes, basil, peppers

Peppers, basil, tomatoes, beans

I am very blessed to have two wonderful children. I am so proud of them as people and the young adults they have become. Here’s to good choices and hard work.

Jake’s Senior Reception was last night and he looked handsome as ever. I am so proud of this responsible young man. <3

Kelsea graduated today and is the first of the Cardoza kids to walk across a stage and complete a program after high school. She worked very hard and is living her dream. She’s on her way to turning her passion into a  lifelong career.  <3