Dang, people, it’s August 3rd already! Back-to-school is all the buzz! Time to say good-bye to July by posting my July favorites. People I am thankful for are a big part of my favorites this month.
Favorite #1
I really liked this product before I did RAGBRAI, and now I like it even more.
It’s Mary Kay Indulge Soothing Eye Gel. It’s great relief for the skin around tired, puffy eyes. I already purchased one jar. Then I won this jar playing Bingo. What is it about the cute pink mesh bag that makes it a more special prize? I don’t know, but it works for me!
Favorite #2
I can’t save the best for last this month, because I love these two SO MUCH, and I’m eager to talk about them.
THEY’RE HERE! My favorite granddaughters arrived on July 1st to get my month off to a PERFECT start! Here they are with Sharky the Shark at Pirate’s Cove Water Park.
They LOVE going to Pirate’s Cove. This is Edie, the 6-year-old.
And Helen, the 9-year-old.
Favorite #3
Their momma is here, too, of course.
Having her here is a BIG favorite for July! Here she and Helen are playing Guitar Hero at the arcade.
Favorite #4
I’ve said before that tomatoes in June are the essence of summer for me. Now I’m saying that peaches in July also shout SUMMER in my world. I usually buy a couple of baskets every July at the Weatherford Peach Pedal, but this year they were sold out by the time I finished the ride. However, I did enjoy the juicy flavorful cut peaches at every rest stop along the bike route.
Although I didn’t get the amount of peaches I usually do, I did buy some at the HEB that were pretty good. And Chick-fil-a had these yummy refreshing peach shakes all through July, so I indulged in one of those a few times during the month. They even have chunks of peaches in them. So good!
Favorite #5
Another favorite this month is my favorite bike shop. It’s where I bought my bike several years ago. I’m so thankful to them for doing a primo job of tuning up my bike prior to taking it to RAGBRAI. I could tell a huge difference in how easily the gears shifted, how much better the brakes worked, and how nice and clean it was.
Favorite #6
This fella right here is an important July favorite, too.
Mike was our support driver during RAGBRAI. He had coffee brewing for us every morning. He checked our bike tires and made sure they were pumped up to specifications before each day’s ride. Ice was always in the ice chest. He had to find a place to park the motor home every day. And he chained up our bikes each night. I’m sure there are many other things he did to help us that I’m not including. A big THANK YOU to you, Mike!
Favorite #7
This couple was also extremely helpful in accomplishing the RAGBRAI week.
This is my riding buddy Lynn’s brother Grason and his wife Jeanne. The two of them opened up their home to us and gave us a place to sleep and shower. Even ME…a complete stranger! They fed us really well. They gave us the use of their motor home! Thank God we didn’t have to sleep in a tent! The plan was for them to meet us in southern Iowa on the Sunday after RAGBRAI with Lynn’s car, and we would exchange vehicles and head home. We were going to spend Saturday night in the motor home in Keokuk. It all changed last minute, when there was no camping available in Keokuk. Again they offered their hospitality without a second thought when we arrived at their house late Saturday night. Jeanne even sent us home the next morning with fresh zucchini from her garden and farm-fresh Iowa sweet corn. Thank you so much, Grason and Jeanne! I’m glad we’re no longer strangers.
Favorite #8
This may be a weird thing to miss, but while I was away from home for RAGBRAI, I really did miss my electric toothbrush.
We have another trip coming up in August, so I ordered this travel toothbrush from Amazon to take with me. It’s battery-operated.
Hopefully it will keep me and my mouth happy!
Favorite #9
And lastly…it’s some more people. We have a BIG event coming up in August. My son Danny is marrying his love Erin. These two are helping us put together the Groom’s Dinner that Big Eagle and I will be hosting the night before the wedding.
Thanks so much, Ryan and Danina! They run Raevyn’s Cafe in Haines, Alaska which is where the wedding will take place. And that sweet bundle of cuteness between them in the picture is Raevyn herself!
Here Ryan is filleting the 50-pound halibut caught fresh by a local fisherman. It will be served at the dinner. He has some amazing skills!
Has your July flown by for you as quickly as mine has? What are some of YOUR July favorites? Please comment with whatever is on your mind.