Life Lately 

Summer sure did seem to fly by this year!  

We enjoyed some great times and did a few projects around our home...

We had a great "theater summer".  We are blessed with several local theaters that do a great job.  This production of Hair was wonderful at the Mr. Gretna Playhouse.  Located in Mt. Gretna, PA, this open air summer theater is a great place to see a show.  Mt. Gretna is a short drive from our home and wonderful experience.

In the 1890’s, the Pennsylvania Chautauqua Society founded Mt. Gretna, attracted by the region’s natural beauty. The landscape is still just as inviting -- gently wooded mountains, a stream, and a lake. Throughout the Summer, the Chautauqua’s educational and cultural tradition is carried on with first-rate events in music, theater, and art.

At one time a grand resort, still a spot for swimming, boating, hiking - as well as an art festival each summer.

There are summer cottages and year round homes, and it is fun to stroll around the town.

Lectures and presentations are available, too.

We also were able to see productions of West Side Story, 1776, and A Beautiful Noise!

One of our projects was getting a new mattress - I don't even remember how old our last one was, and we were in the market for an adjustable bed.  Luckily the new frame fit right in our old bed frame so we could keep the same look.  But, the delivery guys told me that I could not have a bed skirt because the lumbar support that moves up and down in the middle of the bed would get tangled in the mechanism.  OK...but when all was said and done I hated the way the bed looked without a bed skirt.  Then I had an idea...

We took the mattress off of the frame, I put the bed skirt on, then used the remote to activate the lumbar support.  I used a marker to outline the area, cut it out, and then taped the edges down...

works perfectly and looks great !

Other summer fun included a visit from my sister and niece...

We had a great brunch and wonderful time catching up!

 Then a short getaway to Ocean City, Maryland.  We had not been to "the shore" in a few years and enjoyed the beach, the boardwalk, and riding bikes.

While having dinner at an Irish Pub on the Boardwalk we started chatting with our waitress...she said she was from Romania.  We said we had just been in Romania in the Spring...as she brought back our drinks I had my phone out with a photo of the city we visited...it was her hometown!!!  She was thrilled, and we we asked her to take our photo she said she wanted a selfie with someone who knew where she came from !  Small world!

Other summer highlights included John's 55th Class Reunion!

Hippie attire was optional and many people did go all out.  The committee did a great job with the entire even and favors.

Our community hosted a Route 66 progressive dinner to celebrate 100 years of the famous drive...the event started with drinks and snacks on the rooftop deck of our building.

We made our way to a Phillies game and even though they lost, we had a great time.

We remembered September 11th and our community did a great job making a walkway of luminaria - one for each victim - all around the pond in our grounds.  Evenly spaced, markers with information on the attacks, and just a beautiful tribute.  This is the view after dark from our rooftop. 

Do you love pizza ?  My favorite is Grotto Pizza...found in Delaware and Maryland but started years ago in the Wilkes Barre, PA area and a childhood favorite.  After always having to travel to enjoy this treat we are so excited to have Grotto in Lancaster !!!

What wonderful things you will remember from this summer?  Please leave a comment below - I love hearing from you!  

We will be traveling again, so I will be back on the blog in a few weeks...until then - enjoy the Fall !