Oh Boy

Our boy, with his smiling eyes, turns 6 today.

His sweetness is a gift for this world of ours.

There was a tease in the air

Temp-wise we were in the 90's today. Last week was such a tease - sleeping with windows open, sun warming us during the day,and smelling fall. There was no question. It was the real deal. Until a couple days ago.

I look out my kitchen window and, with all the stuff that has accumulated, this is the best sign of fall, from inside looking out.

• heirloom tomatoes from the garden changing colors
• a gift pumpkin from friends
• mini gourds resting from the vine
• thyme drying
• corn we grew and can't wait to pop for a movie night in our future
•  a homemade pinwheel - a reminder of summer.

I know it is right around the corner.

I (HEART) Cath Kidston

Cath Kidston rocks.

The colors, ideas, style. Simply grand. My sort of thing. Always inspiring. And, did I mention it makes me happy?

So, when I checked out her book, MAKE, I fell in love all over.

I took the ordinary tank I find myself wearing constantly in the summer and made it more, me. It was a great beach cover-up too.

A new dance

I am new to the magazine - Whole Living. I don't really need a new magazine; I'm actually trying so hard to cut back. When magazines feel like homework, there's something wrong. That being said, I am finding lots of good nuggets in this one.

In the July/August 2010 issue, there is an article/list by Terri Trespicio - "10 Thoughts on Whole Living". I've posted so I can see it when I am working in the craft room. All good reminders but the one that resonates the most, especially during these crazy first weeks of school/fall, is this:

Daily chaos will never cease. Rather than struggling against it, find your own rhythm.

Working on it...daily, hourly. all good.

Harvest Moon

I've learned a lot about growing in our yard this past season. Weather is unpredictable and I need to roll with what comes our way. Many successes including growing tomatoes from last year's saved seed.

Harvest Moon by Neil Young was a contender for our wedding song.

Wall art

With both kids at school, we were finding a lot of art all over the house. I like my order. We made the following display in our family room. I like the idea of featuring different works throughout the year.

Oh sweet summer

The weather is teasing us. Morning and evening are cool. With windows open, we sleep so soundly. And then, the day, is warm and sunny. Although confused, it makes me happy and hopeful for fall.

It is Day 1 of the KCWC. I am ready and excited.

Here I come

I did it.



After much thought (too much thought) I signed up for my first craft show. This is HUGE for me. Baby steps of confidence. Looking forward to creating and learning from the experience. I will never be super ready but I am looking forward to this goal.

Wed. December 1 from 11am -3 pm. McGuire Hall - Loyola University Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21210

Friday, I am in love.

It is Friday. The sun is shining after the welcome rain last night. I feel (and smell) fall in the air. We have a busy weekend ahead - celebrating with friends and being. With our recent travels, we're excited to sleep in our own beds.

I am thankful for...

• days when things seem in balance - work, play, craft, well-being
• my mad dash to work and smelling the air
• lobster for lunch
• pedicures with mom
• healthy and happy kids
• a husband who listens without fixing and keeps me safe and cozy
• new routinues
• eating in season

Oh Dolly!

While at my parent's home today, I caught a look at these beauties. All in a row.



A collection from when I was a little girl. They've aged so nicely.

Fall is in the house

After our fab-u time at the beach, I am really ready for fall. Had a few kinks to work out with preschool and Miss V. All is in motion and I am breathing again.

After lots of running around, I craved a soup and who better to look to than my beau - Jamie Oliver. From The Naked Chef Takes Off.  Soup and dumplings mid-week.

I was able to use coriander and onions from our garden.

Doesn't it look like fall goodness? yum. And, it tasted even better if you can believe it.



It is nice to be home.

Bye, bye summer

It's official. Our summer is over. It was really lovely. A bit of a rocky start but, looking back, it was jam-packed with goodness.

We are home from a family vacation to Fenwick Island. The weather, pace and company were wonderful. I was able to get my sick lungs full of the ocean air. All was made better.

Although I'm sitting on tons of laundry, I wanted to get some pictures uploaded. To make it more real.





I love this picture. Their faces. And holding hands. Wanting to capture this moment FOREVER.

I think I can, I think I can...

Home from a busy but fun weekend with Uncle Andy in Brooklyn. US. Open on Sunday. So fun.

Love these kinds of blues




I could use a little TLC.



To kick off fall, I've signed on for the Elsie Marley's Kids Clothes Week Challenge. Yeah to Fall.