Sizzling summer joys

A backyard BBQ is a summertime joy!

I love it how the charcoal grill brings out the flavors. And count my blessings that my better half thinks it is one of the little things in life worth sweating over!

The kids *clink* their cups and drink to their dad's grilling! 

You bet I savor it when hubby, who ordinarily leaves the puttering around in the kitchen for me to do, will see to the cooking like that in the backyard :).

What a treat it was for us also to have just caught the special concert in the park, the last of its kind. It ended on a high note -- with a bang, literally! 

It was a beautiful summer night!

Other ways we tried to keep cool... 

We signed up to swim indoors at the Y. And we wait to play badminton in the cool of the evening, a newer sports to our children that even youngest enjoys!

These less structured summer days without school can be long though, we get into each other's way and boy have I better learn and pick my battles also. I had deliberately named my online album for the season as Summer Joys at the outset, even before filling it up with pictures from my phone. To remind ourselves about the simple joys in life and still more there is we have to be thankful for, as we spend time as a family and catch up with friends.

Fish on!

Hubby and our boys, along with other scouts, had a good fishing and camping trip in Montana!

We brought two trout

and a salad for dinner at a friend's home.

Another day, another catch... 

It's a tiger musky, a rare catch on the boys' dream list, before letting it go! 

Woohoo! 

Fish on, guys!

Meanwhile, this mom also needs to press on in the everyday things to try and "teach them to fish", and for the summer homework that's too much to leave till the end to do. Dear Lord, grant me patience.