The Last Few Lazy Days of Summer....

The school year is drawing nearer and the last few lazy days of summer are upon us.  

I've had such a wonderful time living as a lady of leisure this summer..but I am so ready to for back to work, back to school and I'm especially ready to head into fall.  I wish I could have perpetual fall.

There is a certain energy during the back to school weeks and a crisp excitement in the air when fall arrives.  I'm ready for it...and I want it to last.

Dress Barn ankle length dress, Lia Sophia necklace.
All I need is a little umbrella and some rain..."Singing (and dancing)  in the  Rain"!

The town I grew up in is close to the town I live in now.  It's a lovely town with a vintage feel to it.  The buildings are primarily brick with lovely architectural details.  In the last several years, the sidewalks and street corners have been refurbished and resorted to resemble its 'old world' charm.

There are many exciting events in the summers and falls here.  The streets are alive in the summertime and year round, bursting with family activities.  Weekly farmer's markets and car shows take place, concerts on the old courthouse lawn, festivals and corn roasts and craft fairs and carriage rides on occasion.  There are unique restaurants and charming little shops. Antique shops line the streets and draw many vintage and antique enthusiasts.  Every year, a huge county fair takes place and that's everything a county fair should be.  The county fairground is a wonderful place to walk your dog or have a picnic.  I have fallen in love again with my hometown.

My little man and I decided to play on the town square today.  As we window shopped, I saw this necklace...and had to walk out with the new purchase.  It this is going to be a well loved and well used piece.

Purchase in one of the little shops...not branded, but I LOVE  it.

The flora and fauna...ok just the flora, is well cared for and thoughtfully landscaped.  This beautiful flower had to be at least 6 ft. tall or more.  

This is the old courthouse.  It was restored and repainted recently...its really a breathtaking building.  20 years ago, there was some talk about taking down the building to put in a parking lot but a tenacious group of people saved it partially by posing the question "For what; if we don't have this building, why would people want to come here?  Why would we need a parking lot?" In addition to all of the cool shops, there is a night court, a little museum and a grand banquet hall.    The inside of the building is as incredible as the outside, with wide wood moldings and huge wood doors topped by transom windows.  It looks looks like something you might see in the movie Citizen Kane.  Another building in town which was restored is the old jailhouse.  It is also used as a banquet hall and restaurant.  The jail is notoriously know as the jail that John Dillinger escaped from using a 'gun' that was carved from either soap or wood.  Johnny Depp caused a stir when he was here to film the John Dillinger biopic a few years ago.

The mister and the little guy.  They are look-alikes!

This covered bridge at the fairgrounds was also restored.

A view of some of the shops.

I turned the camera on the photographer....what a ham for the camera.

There is a short concrete wall surrounding the courthouse that kids large and small love to walk on like a balance beam....this is my little guy doing what I used to do as a child.

The lazy days of summer are numbered.  Its been fun.....but fall....I can't wait to greet you!