Cottage In The City
The pool practically looks after itself since we have a solar-powered robotic pool skimmer.
The garden lies fallow in the Arizona heat.
The compost is cooking.
The monsoon winds brought down a major limb of our mesquite tree so we trimmed and tidied the trees.
We have finally cleaned up the dirt from the big Haboob that enveloped the Valley of the Sun in July and the little Haboob from August.
So now we have more time to do the fun summer things but not enough time off to head out of town.
Having a backyard pool is like going to the Cottage after 5pm everyday and still being back at work the next morning.
It's a little toasty to hang out BY the pool, but it is perfect IN the pool.
Besides taking a dip a couple of times a day to cool down, we like to get some exercise in.
The public pools provide lap swims when you want to concentrate on form and cardio.
In our backyard pool we can do the resistance exercises.
Pulling empty plastic milk jugs underwater with your hands or strapped to your ankles is fantastic exercise.
Stretches standing on one leg are great because the consequences of falling over don't hurt at all.
Our son likes to pump a stone overhead while treading water.
That's a real workout!! As I mentioned, it's ridiculously hot out, but what would summer be like without reading a novel! I have a great 800-pager on the go.
When it's too stifling to be outside I retreat to the air-conditioning - within view of the pool.
It's the best of both worlds.
Wine-making is one of our hobbies.
Aside from the serious wines, we make some summer ones as well.
The Blackberry Merlot is ready to drink and the Raspberry Zinfandel is ready to bottle.
These fruity wines are best served with a little ice to get the full summer feel.
Of course, that's only my opinion.
I heard the Gasp! from the serious wine aficionados.
Most cottages are fairly remote.
Our Cottage in the City has a number of world-class museums within a short drive.
As summer winds down, this is the perfect time to visit one we haven't been to before.
That will make our summer in the city more like a vacation.
Cribbage and board games are the final ingredient to my Cottage in the City recipe.
Grab a partner and recapture the fun summer tradition of playing games as a family.
We brought out the Crokinole board for a party and I couldn't remember the rules so we looked it up on the 'net.
Amazing what you can find online.
The internet is another advantage of your Cottage in the City.
The garden lies fallow in the Arizona heat.
The compost is cooking.
The monsoon winds brought down a major limb of our mesquite tree so we trimmed and tidied the trees.
We have finally cleaned up the dirt from the big Haboob that enveloped the Valley of the Sun in July and the little Haboob from August.
So now we have more time to do the fun summer things but not enough time off to head out of town.
Having a backyard pool is like going to the Cottage after 5pm everyday and still being back at work the next morning.
It's a little toasty to hang out BY the pool, but it is perfect IN the pool.
Besides taking a dip a couple of times a day to cool down, we like to get some exercise in.
The public pools provide lap swims when you want to concentrate on form and cardio.
In our backyard pool we can do the resistance exercises.
Pulling empty plastic milk jugs underwater with your hands or strapped to your ankles is fantastic exercise.
Stretches standing on one leg are great because the consequences of falling over don't hurt at all.
Our son likes to pump a stone overhead while treading water.
That's a real workout!! As I mentioned, it's ridiculously hot out, but what would summer be like without reading a novel! I have a great 800-pager on the go.
When it's too stifling to be outside I retreat to the air-conditioning - within view of the pool.
It's the best of both worlds.
Wine-making is one of our hobbies.
Aside from the serious wines, we make some summer ones as well.
The Blackberry Merlot is ready to drink and the Raspberry Zinfandel is ready to bottle.
These fruity wines are best served with a little ice to get the full summer feel.
Of course, that's only my opinion.
I heard the Gasp! from the serious wine aficionados.
Most cottages are fairly remote.
Our Cottage in the City has a number of world-class museums within a short drive.
As summer winds down, this is the perfect time to visit one we haven't been to before.
That will make our summer in the city more like a vacation.
Cribbage and board games are the final ingredient to my Cottage in the City recipe.
Grab a partner and recapture the fun summer tradition of playing games as a family.
We brought out the Crokinole board for a party and I couldn't remember the rules so we looked it up on the 'net.
Amazing what you can find online.
The internet is another advantage of your Cottage in the City.
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