I know I live right across from ST. Louis and have been keeping both bird baths full and they all hit early morning and late evening, don't see any birds from noon to 5p.m. I just love to watch them bath and keep cool great picture.:)

I'm glad all of you enjoyed the pictures and felt like you sort of got to come along with us. Trust me, you are always along on any shopping excursions--find myself constantly saying "Oh,so and so would really like this" or "Isn't this like what so and so collects?", etc. I do have to exercise restraint when I go on these shopping excursions. I see so darn many things that I like, but my little house is nearly bursting at the seams already and no matter how cute, I just really don't need much more! Also, my neighbor/friend and I had hit her favorite TS in a nearby town this week too. Here's pics of my finds that day, along with the little Campbell's soup mugs I got while with OA yesterday. My newest neighbor/friend has MS and just recently had to get leg braces. She is redoing her kitchen and has been looking for Campbell's soup kids items, so I was excited to find these things to gift to her and hopefully brighten her day. ;o) Punk, my gift from OA is wonderful--it is used in the top of a candle to cut out the hole so you can sit a votive inside. Can't wait to use it on my Fall and Christmas candles this year. Magpie, Upland used to be a fantastic place to find unique stores and antique/collectibles shops. Unfortunately, the economy hasn't been too good to those types of stores and many have gone out--only five or six left there now. Janet, I've visited the mountains of N.C., and loved it there as well as the outer banks too. We have family in the Raleigh area so will most likely head the motor home that way again one of these years. Both OA and I said we hate having our pictures taken, but we agreed to do it in spite of knowing we looked hot and wind blown, just for all you gals here. Jeanne, you're a sweetie, but trust me, we're NOT too young to be retired! LOL Here's my "treasures" for this week: These are for my neighbor/friend. There are two of the mugs. This little wooden bread box will get a coat of white paint and be used on my kitchen counter to hide some of the vitamins and medicine bottles. I hate having them in site. The spice bottles revolve and will be great for glitters, buttons, or whatever in my craft room. This little snowman plate was just too cute to leave on the shelf. I love snowmen, but I actually thought of Miss Karen when I saw this because of the cardinals.

Bumblebeez- "I will admit that I hate the heat. 4 more months of this, yuck." You took the words right out of my mouth! It's a relief to know someone else feels that way! It seems almost unbelievable to most that there are people who don't really care for summer. I find summer to be neither lazy nor crazy, just kind of hazy! I like to go out early too--to do yard work, and run errands. Was out at 6:30 A.M. today to rake, water and tidy up. (Went out yesterday afternoon around 5:00 for an hour and almost passed out!) Got a solid hour of work done and really enjoyed being outside as the temp & humidity was fairly mild and low. Then all the "worms" came out...people walking (and talking!) I do enjoy talking to these people, and enjoy visiting with their dogs as well, but then I didn't get much done the remaining hour I was out. After 9:00, certainly 10:00, I can't work in the direct sun. I may try to go out again after 5:00. There's a finite period during which I can get things done outdoors during summer. Your idea of a trip to the beach in November sounds nice! People are expecting me at the neighborhood picnic this weekend. Eating outside in the noon-day sun when it's in the 90's is not my idea of a good time. I told one neighbor, "If they'd just have this thing in December, I'd love to go." She looked at me like I'd turned green and sprouted horns. I'm such a grouch. The "Grinch who stole summer!"

Moroccan couscous salad based on the one Trader Joe's used to sell: Whole wheat couscous, chopped parsley, red peppers (sweet, not hot) black olives, chives or green onion, a few other chopped raw veggies (whatever I have on hand - usually some summer squash or carrot) pine nuts and raisins (I rehydrate the raisins when I cook the couscous) dressed with a bit of garlic, lemon juice and olive oil. I can make it ahead in minutes, then chill in the fridge until I want it. I'm fond of cold soups and ceviche also.