Summer vibes on our farm. The pool is beautiful during the summer and it's relaxing for all the right reasons.

Scott, bless his heart, just reminded me as he moved toward the kitchen to check our dinner-in-progress, that I promised to write a post today bidding summer farewell, and ushering in autumn with the warmest welcome.

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It’s only because he is in there making my dinner (as I furiously lesson plan and type back “Dear Ms. G” notes to my students) that I will set down work and take just a moment to regale you – and our 60 year old selves – of our favorite summer we’ve ever had.

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You heard that correctly. The summer we moved home was momentous, but not the best. The next summer, the one where we married, was absolutely beautiful for all those sentimental reasons, but definitely not the best. And I’ll be painfully honest and tell you that the last two summers I would rather not remember.

Who knew that summer in the time of Covid could treat us so well? But it was the simple fact that it was the first time in 8 years that we actually breathed. And breathed deeply that glorious farm air that transports me instantly back to the simplicity of my youth. I don’t remember a summer together that wasn’t spent working ourselves to the bone, or splitting time between the farm and DC.

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There is so much I wish I could tell you about the conversations Scott and I have had now that we have had actual time together to talk. Not talk about Shirt Factory inventory, new menus, horse chores, house repairs – I’m exhausted just writing it. We talked about passions. Travels. Hopes. Regrets. The substance of life and relationships and all the things we used to stand for.

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This was the summer that we awakened to all that we want to be. God, Alix, that is so cliche. But it’s true. We spent hours lovin on our herd in the barn. Coaxing a beautiful and bountiful yield of cutting flowers from our garden. 

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As you watched it unfold on Facebook and Instagram, we had the epic pool renovation and what we think is the greatest transformation thus far on Fox Cross: The GERMAN SMEAR. 

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I still can’t look at the German smear without getting all warm and fuzzy inside. 

We spent more time with friends and our family than we have….ever? And though we limited our interactions and always thought about safety and social distancing, we still found ways to relish in time with our nearest and dearest. Pool movie nights at the pool?? Epic. 

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We spent every weekend working long hours at the Factory (hence, our MUCH NEEDED time away over the past few weeks) but the weeks were spent working on the house or getting back out and about in WNY. 

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Even though school has started and Scott continues to be 100% dedicated to his performance with his job, we haven’t let our “summer selves” slip into the comfortable workaholics we’ve always been. We have new priorities now – mainly, each other.

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To a summer that seemed too good to be true during a time of such incomparably bad, we only wish that this autumn brings as much insight and reflection, and of course, many relaxing moments together. 

And now, let our favorite season begin!