Bagpipes (and drums) are our life

We've spent most of the last nine summers.

involved in the pipe band community.

That's half of the time we have been parents as our oldest

is now 18 and heading to college.

That's him, third from left, playing snare for Oran Mor,

one of only a few Grade One bands from the United States.

My piper just turned 14 and has been playing for about 4 years.

He's the tall one in the back.

And our newest competitior, is the 10yo tenor drummer.

He's the one with the wild hair in the center.

And here is the youngest who is six.

He has time to decide which instrument he wants to play,

but for now he is a banner carrier.

What a real beauty!

Every time we go out of town, particularly for parades,

I'm on the lookout for fixer-uppers for sale.

This one caught my eye the minute I saw

the three levels of porches through the trees.

Most definitely a fixer-upper, that's for sure.

But what potential it has!

The porches wrap around all four sides,

including the one that faces the lake.

Sadly it is way out of my price range,

unless I win the lottery or get adopted by someone very wealthy.

Recent photography

It has been a wonderful summer here so far. 

So much time spent out of doors,

at Scottish festivals, parades, the lake

and just generally enjoying nature.

Here are my favorite shots from the past month.

(Click each image for a larger view.)

Dream car

I've shared with you some of my dream houses,

but I have now come across my dream car. 

It shall have the license plate "R3D H3N"

and will be for transporting more than just children.

This  gorgeous VW truck was at a car show in NJ.

Its more "rustic" counterpart is for sale here locally.

Every time we drive by it the kids and I talk

about how cool it would be all fixed up.

And now we have something to aspire to.

This was such a beauty!

 

Classic cars

I love classic cars. 

Who doesn't?

 

I especially love when I have my camera

when we come across them.

(Be sure to click the images for a larger view.)

This beauty was in a Memorial Day parade.

Check out the flags reflecting in the hub cap.

We see these cute little cars every year

at the Bonnie Brae Scottish Festival in New Jersey.

When we were leaving our hotel on Sunday morning,

we noticed classic cars were pulling into the parking lot.

Our favorite was this VW truck, but the rest were pretty cool too.