All in a row

We escaped to Lancaster, PA.



It really feels like a world away.




Enjoyed Central Market.

just 'cause

I love you red.



It is Friday and I am happy. happier.

Summer heat = Love

The 90 + degree weather is sticking around... for awhile. Rather than complain, I am rejoicing:
- In the morning, we eat our Cheerios and granola outside before it gets hot.
- Our plants - container and raised beds are content. We're watering at night. Peas are growing strong. Hoping to see cukes later this week.
- Speaking of grass, the new grass is a coming
- Although our car is in the shop, it is nice to be stuck and home where can make raspberry jam and fruit leather.
- Laundry on the line
 - Crock pot dinners

Family time

my family by viv
Originally uploaded by I am Old Lib

We are good.

Camera is broke. New one ordered for arrival this week. We've been taking 'imaginary' pictures.
Of:
- cherries in the trees we were picking
- whale at the Museum of natural History
- Daddy's breakfast in bed
- the neighborhood home & garden tour

Lots to love.

Iced coffee, please

Spotted in a Dunkin Donuts in Lancaster, PA. I loved the gingham-look by the sun hitting the awning.

I'm loving this color combo.

Our big boy

Today is a big day. Mr. O graduated from pre-K.



Lots of hugs and tears (mom's, of course).

O has had wonderful teachers this year. Our friend is the author of this beautiful and sweet story - Felicity Floo Visits the Zoo by E.S. Redmond. It's really darling.



She wrote his teacher a nice note, from O.



And one from her.



More tears (from mom).

Look out summer vacation! Here we come.

Summer knitting, please

Summer is here, not officially but with this humidity it is hot, hot, hot. My hope is to sew more lots and enjoy most minutes of it. We're working on re-doing on the cheap our office/sewing room to make it more inviting. We should be outside but rather, finding a project inside.

In the evenings, I find I am too tired to focus on sewing especially if it is starting a new project. So, I go to my knitting. I embarrassed to say that my current project has been on my needles for over a year. 1) it is wool and 2) fair isle technique. It is for my husband - that alone should be motivation enough. but, it's not.

I am craving some summery knitting. Since I'm on a craft buying freeze, I am off to the stash to see if I have some for: Que Sera from Knitty.

Remembering me

I'm reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and I LOVE it. Really love it. After a long day, sometimes it feels like a project to open this book, read and reflect. But it is helping, really helping.

As a working mom (inside and outside our lovely home) of two young, wild and innocent children, I sometimes lose sight of me. And it is scary. I crave the creative and am always dabbling in many half begun projects. I love sewing and knitting but sometimes find that I am in love with crafting than the 'doing'.

Blog-land has been great for inspiration and reference especially since I have a small number of friends who craft in town. As much as I love blogs, I find myself immersing myself in other blogs and getting completely lost and overwhelmed. The sum total of blogs I peek into intimidate me. It's almost like I've shown up to a contest and I am not qualified, just interested. Not always a positive experience. I since wonderful things people are creating and I get frustrated with myself for not figuring our how to balance, work, home, and craft. I have aspirations for creating pieces to sell on etsy. How do I act in confidence that I have good eye and I am full of passion? it's proving hard to verbalize. Maybe I should just start doing.

There are so many chapters to reference in the Happiness Project. I am starting with 'Being Elizabeth'. I need to be acceptable of who I am and my abilities. It is one thing to be inspired by others work, it is another thing to weigh me down and erase my confidence. I am finding that I am different and can't compare to anyone. I am trying, ever so hard, in every component of my life to be better and to be me.

*Be Elizabeth*

my colors

I love my color and depending on the day, it varies. I took the personality color test via How about Orange.

Based on my selections, I am: '49% extrovert and 51% introvert.' I cradle that line all the time. The top components of my personality: 'Well thought, Attuned to others, Decision-maker'.

I'll just hit pause for a bit.

Listening to food makes me happy

I love my podcasts. I listen in the car and at home, especially while I make and do in the kitchen.

Currently on my ipod:
KCRW's - Good Food
You Bet your Garden
Splendid Table