Friday Favorites: School's Out!

 We had a wonderful week with weather that was not too hot and not too cold-- the perfect way to kick off our summer vacation.  It seemed like everything was just right!  Alec finished up school on Tuesday and managed to get out early after his awards ceremony. We all slept in nice and late on Wednesday (well, not my husband since  he still had to go to work).  Ian started a new (second) job on Thursday and will be working 3 days a week at this job and 2 days a week at his current job!  The week just flew by.




The weather was beautiful on Friday and we met up with our friends to hike around Bigelow pond.  





I made this asparagus and strawberry salad to go with our steak one night and I just LOVED it! I was the only one that seemed to enjoy it.  I knew the boys wouldn't even try it since they won't eat asparagus and my husband told me he prefers his asparagus hot but seriously I could have eaten the whole bowl.  It was so simple to make too; just cut & blanche the asparagus, cool it with some ice water, mix with strawberry chunks and pour dressing over. 




I re-painted our dock and front stoop.  It was one of those chores I've been putting off forever but it really only took me a little bit of time and looks so good!  





My husband and I decided to head out from home and try to hike to the tri-state marker on Sunday.  It's nearly 10 miles round trip and we made it there and back in just over  3 1/2 hours.  







Later that same day my husband and I headed out kayaking for about an hour with his mother.  It was beautiful out!  I was completely wiped out the next day though.  




Alec's last days of school were filled with awards.  In culinary he got a trophy for best overall performance in his class and a honorable mention for highest GPA (there were 4 in the class with the same/ similar GPA!).  He got a certificate for JV track. We laughed over his most improved award for social studies; when he kept a straight 100 average for the whole year.  But all in all I am so incredibly proud of how well he adapted from homeschooling to public schooling during a pandemic with hybrid learning.  He ended his year with straight A's all 4 marking periods! 





While this isn't necessarily my favorite of the week my husband's new RZR came in.  He and my oldest son have been waiting a good 5 or  6 weeks for this new toy to come in and they were like two kids in a candy store zipping all around our woods the very night they picked it up... it's already all muddy and filthy! 


  


Alec cooked dinner on the grill for us one night; not having to cook is definitely a favorite!



Evan and I went on a hike around Pulaski just before lunch. It was beautiful out.






I spent lots of time outside on the patio and the deck reading and relaxing. 







Misty mornings on the lake are always a favorite. 



Thursday afternoon my mom, Alec, Evan, and I went hiking at the dam for nearly an hour and a half.  It was wonderful talking and getting all caught up with one another while enjoying lots of fresh air and exercise. 



How was your week?

Linking up with: On the Edge, 










Comments

  1. Can’t wait to get kayaking. Yay schools out for the summa!!!!! Have a great weekend.

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  2. Congrats Alec on all the achievements!!

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  3. What a wonderful week! Your hikes sound so nice. Although 10 miles sounds exhausting! And congrats to your boys on their good grades and jobs!

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    Replies
    1. It was very tiring but I was pretty proud of how well we did.

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  4. Congrats to Alec! The hikes sound great.

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    1. Thank you! We're trying to squeeze in as many hikes as we can before the heat and humidity settles in.

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  5. Looks like you're off to a great start to the summer!

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  6. Asparagus strawberry salad looks interesting, but really good! I've never had cold asparagus, but I think I'd like it! Nobody else in my family would eat it, but it would be great for me to have for lunch! And congrats to the boys for a great end to the school year! Y'all enjoy your summer!

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    1. I had never had cold asparagus before either but I know I'll be making the salad again.

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  7. What a wonderfull week! I think I would be the only one eating that salad, but I may have to try it. Hubby will be grilling this weekend which I enjoy since it is less work for me and we may go rafting down the river tomorrow.
    www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

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    1. Oh river rafting sounds amazing! We'll definitely be grilling this weekend and if I had to guess we'll probably end up kayaking down the river so my husband can go fishing on father's day.

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  8. That pond is just so beautiful lined by the flowers. I love asparagus and my family enjoys it as well. I so want to make the asparagus and strawberry salad. I hope the boys have the best Summer! I can't believe school is out!

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    1. Thank you! I can't believe it either. It's funny how the school year felt like it went by pretty fast and yet also seemed to drag at the same time.

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  9. Congratulations on all those awards! I'm so glad he transitioned easily, even with all the craziness of this year. The salad looks intersting, I don't know that I'd have ever thought to pair those two things.

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    1. Thanks! I was really impressed with how flexible he was and it was noticed by ALL his teachers.

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  10. Looks like a fab week. A huge well done to Alec on his achievements, you must be so proud.
    I would also spend lots of time on the deck with that beautiful view, just perfect.
    Have a lovely weekend Joanne.

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  11. How fantastic to live at such amazing lake. And that kayaking is fabulous, always good to spent time on the water.

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    1. It is; I'm hoping to get out on the water again this weekend.

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  12. Yay for school being out! That lake looks like heaven. And omg...that asparagus and strawberry salad! I would never have guessed that combo would be good, but it sounds awesome!

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    1. I was really pleasantly surprised with how well that combo worked together.

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  13. Your hikes are always so beautiful! 10 miles...wow. And then kayaking too. Congratulations on all the academic awards. Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Yep, I was pretty useless the next day! LOL.

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  14. That strawberry and asparagus salad look SO GOOD!!! I might have to try this!! <3
    http://www.domesticgeekgirl

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  15. I'm a fan of asparagus anyway - hot or cold...but not tinned and um flaccid. So much activity, I was exhausted reading about it. As always loved your out in nature pics & thanks for introducing me to the RZR...I've never heard of one before. Have a great weekend.

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    1. I like my asparagus on the crunchy side for sure and definitely fresh.

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  16. Your strawberry and asparagus salad looks good and interesting, and I love the colors of the flowers on your steps.

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    1. Thank you! I found all those flowers at Lowe's one day and decided I liked how they looked together (usually I pick just one or two colors to mix).

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  17. Yay for school being out. That first photo of the flowers is pretty. I've never seen anything like those.

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    1. Those are mountain laurels and are in bloom in the woods all around us this time of year.. but I had never seen ones with pink tips on them before.

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  18. What a lovely area you live in. Your week sounds like bliss. Regards Christina

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  19. The places where you go hiking look absolutely stunning! Maybe I've said that before but it's still valid 😃 Your strawberry & aspargus salad seems very intriguing, I've always seen strawberries solely as a dessert or snack.

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    1. Thank you! I've started using strawberries in more dishes lately and love that little pop of sweetness when paired with things like balsamic chicken or even mixed into a pasta salad with vinaigrette.

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  20. Wow! A 10 mile hike. That's impressive. My husband wants to do a 10 mile hike this fall and I'm not sure I'm up for it. The most we've ever done was 6 or 7 miles but he says this one is not uphill like all the other ones we've done, so we should be able to do it.

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    1. Ours wasn't much uphill either and I was surprised at how easy it felt. I thought for sure I was going to be so exhausted by the time we finished.

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  21. Looks like your having a great time. So many great photos :) Enjoy the holidays.


    Thanks so much for linking up to The Weekend Link Up. #TheWeekendLinkUp

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  22. About that RZR remark, "it's already all muddy and filthy! "
    I must not understand. You said this like it was a bad thing? ? ?
    ;-)

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  23. Hooray! Congratulations on finishing the school year.
    I don't even like asparagus but that salad looks amazing. x

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  24. Congrats to Alec on his achievements! I'm glad you had a lovely week. Hurrah to summer. I'm going to try the asparagus and strawberry salad recipe. Thank you for linking with #weekendcoffeeshare.

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  25. Happy summer - the best season! And your lake view is gorgeous!

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  26. And the summer fun officially begins! Have a safe and healthy break!

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  27. I don't think I'll ever get tired of that view from your deck!

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    1. I never seem to; though it's definitely a favorite in summer and not so much in winter.

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  28. I love it all, Joanne! You always look so peaceful reading your books by the lake! That asparagus strawberry salad looks amazing! Everyone in my house enjoys asparagus, so I am going to give this recipe a try very soon. Thanks for sharing and linking, my friend. Happy summer!

    Shelbee
    www.shelbeeontheedge.com

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