high seas adventure

Last weekend we were able to sneak away for a couple of hours for some relaxing time on the lake with friends.  After the hectic pace we'd been keeping, it was nice to float for a bit. 

We headed out to a sandbar where the water is only about five feet deep.  It's a hang out spot of sorts and has two floating hot dog stands.  Fierce competition on the high seas. 

The thing I love about boats is that no matter how hot it is outside, the air is bearable when you're racing through it over the water.  Not that we were racing.  We were driving at a very sensible speed, I'm sure. 

Although we did get pulled over by the lake police.  If you look closely, you can see the flashing blue light on top of their boat.  It was all very exciting, as I've never been pulled over in a boat before.  It was just a routine check, but still.  I've never even seen boat police. 

Our fearless captain and his trusty skipper had everything in order, so we were soon on our way again.

Afterwards, we spent a quiet evening at home, resting and being thankful for our generous friends.  Sun and water were just the things to start our week off on the right foot. 

I'm back at home this week and couldn't be happier to be here.  In between working on my list of relaxing things and getting the house back in order, I am stitching up a large order of cupcake flags that is going all the way to France!  Oooo la la!  I love international orders!  I am hoping to get some pictures before I mail them all off, although I do not plan on baking 60 cupcakes this week, so these won't be "action" shots.  Also, on Friday I will be sharing some of the recipes from Mom's birthday bash, because I've been dreaming of recreating that delicious meal.  Maybe this weekend!

a little bit famous

Back in the dead of winter, I was contacted by the editor of "Simply Handmade" magazine about featuring some of my projects in their June/July issue.  Obviously, I was super flattered.  I even braved the snow to take the items to the UPS store. 

As the year wore on, I almost forgot about the whole thing.  You know how it is. 

But last week, a huge box appeared on my doorstep and I hadn't even ordered anything!  Inside, I found the two projects I'd sent (this and this), plus copies of the magazines (they featured my items in two different ones by the same parent company) and a bunch of bonus scrapbooking paper and stickers. 

At first, frantic glance, I didn't see either of my items and thought that they didn't make the final cut.  But then I found them!  Right there in glossy magazine print! 

It feels super official, having something published, like I am making real stuff.  That probably sounds  silly, but if you see something day after day and you made it in your own living room all barefoot and ponytailed and you know how many times you ripped that one seam out, it just doesn't seem super professional.  It seems like regular old you, sewing regular old items.  Certainly not magazine worthy. 

So I find it especially gratifying when I get to see that other people appreciate my work.  The lack of coworkers and performance reviews makes it hard to know how I'm doing sometimes.  And I don't think I could actually get fired, although I might put myself on probation if production slows down too much.

I don't think that people are going to start recognizing me and asking for autographs in Target or anything, but it is fun to be a little famous. 

This is my last day at the front desk and I am greatly looking forward to some time at home.  I've been dreaming about a lattice-topped peach pie all week and can't wait to actually make one.  And eat it, of course.  

on location

I have some dark, fairly blurry pictures to show of where I've been all week.  I am filling in for a friend and answering phones at the church I used to work at.  This actually used to be my job, answering the phones here, and thankfully I still remember what most of the buttons do.  And I think I've only hung up on one person.  Not too shabby. 

The receptionist's desk is right next to the front door, so I get to see a bit of daylight.  The desk is also located conveniently close to the ladies room, the coffee maker, and the fireplace.  It's not a bad "office" at all.  One of my favorite things about working at this desk in the winter was that I could turn on the fireplace with a remote.  One of my least favorite things was the proximity to the front door.  The two things did not necessarily cancel each other out, because I was still always cold. 

I worked at the church for several years, so I have a history with most things here.  I remember when the new carpet was put in and the bathroom was remodeled. 

I remember helping pick the fabric for the chairs, stuffing candles by the fireplace for the Christmas Eve service, and often finding goodies set out on the coffee station.  This lobby is where we held most staff events too, so we'd move out the furniture, bring in tables and chairs, and cover the front desk with desserts.  I've attended baby showers and going away parties in this room.  I know that you can't leave the door propped open or the chipmunk will come in and that the bird singing loudly is not actually stuck in the chimney, but sitting on top of it.  I helped choose the color and brightness of the light bulbs in the overhead fixtures. 

It's been good to be back, but I have missed my sewing machine and look forward to next week when we will be reunited.  We have a busy weekend ahead and I feel like renaming the dog days of summer the "dog-tired days" because I am plumb wore out from all this activity.  When I find myself in a frantic scramble of days like this, I like to make lists of the relaxing things I will do when the busyness subsides.  Things like: bake bread, wash all the glasses by hand, start a new quilt. 

I hope you find something relaxing to get into this weekend. 

butterfly afternoon

Every time we're here, I waver between being delighted that a yard could be so lovely and being disappointed that mine doesn't look like this. 

But it's always good to have something to strive for. 

The nice thing about a long weekend is the opportunity to do a bit more visiting than usual.  We spent a pleasant afternoon on the deck at my best friend's childhood home.  The kids splashed in the pool and we lounged in the chairs and the day slid by quicker than I wanted it to. 

We munched on blueberries right off the bush.  I can't wait to be eating my very own pink blueberries next year! 

This kid just gets more lovable every time I see her.  What an angel.  And I can't believe she's almost one- I can remember so clearly when she was born. 

All in all, the afternoon was much like the double butterflies that Steve caught in this picture: rare, fleeting, beautiful.  I can't wait to go back. 

and many more

My favorite mom had a pretty significant birthday last week, so we headed up for the weekend to celebrate with her.  We started the party around dusk when the air was cool and it was such a beautiful evening. 

We planned a menu of all her favorite things and then my siblings and husband and I chopped vegetables until our hands almost fell off. 

My mom is so sweet because it doesn't take much to make her happy.  All she wanted was a few friends, her kids, and some ice cream.  We were so glad to be able to give her all that, plus dinner and a gift or two. 

We managed to pull off a group gift that she was genuinely surprised by.  No small feat.  And it fit perfectly. 

After the party was over, we had the rest of the weekend to relax and hang out.  One of the things I love about being back in my hometown is eating at local restaurants.  Especially ones with patio seating.  Everyone always seems to want to linger more over dinner when we're eating outside. 

We took a post dinner walk around downtown and stopped for some pictures in front of the tree where Steve proposed. 

And Steve and Mom tried some lamppost acrobatics.  Don't you love how Mom is smiling directly at the camera like this is a regular picture and she's not holding my husband horizontally in mid air?  I sure do. 

We did so much that I'm not sure I can condense it all into one blog post, so there will probably be more later this week.  Today I am trying to get back into the swing of regular life again and being thankful that my neighbors will not be setting off fireworks this evening.  It's the little things. 

summer fun

Last night was the first real cookout our yard has seen this summer.  Complete with citronella candles and baked beans. 

I love these beans.  The only picture I have is this one as I was just starting to mix everything together.  I wasn't really able to get any pictures of the food all ready to serve, what with the 30ish hungry people milling about. 

Here is the recipe for the beans so that you can make them for your very own summer cookout:

1 large can baked beans (I used 2- 24 oz. cans)
1 15 oz. can kidney beans
2 15 oz. cans lima beans (drained)
2 15 oz. cans green beans (drained)
1 lb. bacon, cut in pieces and browned
1-2 cups chopped onion

After browning bacon, save half of the grease and saute the onions in it.  Pour all the beans in a large roasting pan and add onions, bacon, and the following mixture:
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. dry mustard
salt to taste
1 cup ketchup

Mix well.  Bake uncovered at 275 for 4-5 hours. 

Now I know what you're thinking: "FOUR TO FIVE HOURS!?!?!"  And I guess this would be the appropriate time for me to admit that I really like things that slowly cook for most of the day.  Something I can mix up in the morning, and then forget about while I go about the rest of the days work, smelling delicious food in the background.

Don't judge until you've tried it at least once. 

We had lots of food other than beans, plus drinks in our big metal tub.  This tub is really getting a workout this summer.  Best $13 we've spent this year. 

The evening was lovely and, thankfully, not too hot.  It's been darn hot around here lately. 

In a rare moment, I caught just one child in the hammock.  There were usually at least four. 

True to the "when it rains, it pours" theory, today I am simultaneously cleaning up from last night's fun, preparing for two house guests to arrive by dinner time, and packing our things to travel north for the weekend, where we will be throwing another party.  No one will be able to blame me if I sleep through the fireworks this year.

Don't you just love the fourth of July?  It feels like the peak of summer to me and makes me want to buy lots of watermelon and decorate with this.  Or spiff up my bike and ride in a parade. 

Have a lovely long weekend!  I'll be back next week to share pictures of all the festivities!  

S + L

This past weekend, we did a million little house projects and felt super productive.  One of the projects was to fill in the "mystery hole" in our patio with fresh cement.  (No, we did not know about the mystery hole when we bought the house and yes, next time we buy a house we will check underneath every door mat first.)

Steve let me carve our initials in the wet cement. 

Romantic.  

I love that this is a permanent part of our home now.   I love that the next person to buy this house will probably spend time wondering about "S" and "L", just as we wonder about the mystery hole.  I love that Steve let me scratch up his perfectly smooth cement square.  

Other than completing household projects, we are gearing up for a couple big events this week and eating berries on absolutely everything.  I'll share some event pictures and recipes later in the week!