Kids

I don't have the time today to go into all the detail I wanted to...but I just HAVE to post these pictures.

So suffice to say, of all my 45 cousins (seriously), Abby is a dear one! And she has the most beautiful, sweet, and just plain pleasant little girl! Abby's in town, and since she's busy working (and cooking up the world's next most fabulous baby) I had the chance to "watch" Marisol for a day.

Now, technically I think I was fulfilling a lifelong obligation of mine. See, Abby watched me when I was little, and my mother promised my future services to her. I really only have one memory of being watched by Abby...she was making cookies, and was sure to leave a nice amount of the cookie dough (with chocolate chips) in the bowl for me! I don't know what I was like as a kid, but I think I got the good end of the deal!

Anyway, on to the good stuff!



This is the reason I said "watch" in quotations. It turned out to be fairly easy...

We did play in the sprinkler!

And every little girl needs to feed her grandma some stone soup!

Thanks, Abby, for letting me spend time with your wonderful baby girl! Can I come back? :)

Better Homes and Gardens

As I previously documented, we had a wonderful time at our Mexican themed BBQ this past weekend. But as popular as the food was, I think that the greatest attraction was the beautiful venue! My in-laws live on The Ranch...a beautiful place in the middle of nowhere! They bought the property almost 20 years ago and have literally built it from the ground up--we're talking they cleared the trees and laid the foundation and BUILT the place.

In true Evergreen State style, this place is surrounded by all kinds of tall trees and green undergrowth. And Beanball and her husband have made this wilderness into a beautiful home! Their personal touch is everywhere...


They set up many intimate conversation areas throughout the yards...most complete with fresh flowers from the garden!

I love the eclectic mix of furniture styles and finishes!

I think it gives the whole place a feeling of "home."

The fire pit and benches were built by my husband and his brother as a Father's Day gift a few years ago. They're nestled in a grove of vine maples--the perfect place to cook a smore!

The styling is great, but the plants are Beanball's signature! There are beautiful flowers and herbs spilling from every surface...

And guess what? I didn't even take pictures of the garden, hen house, or duck pond!

Thanks, Beanball and D, for sharing your beautiful place with the rest of us!

Summer Reading List

For some reason, this summer I'm totally lacking blog inspiration. So sorry about that! But with my little sis now living in Central America, she's freaking out that I'm not blogging. Something about wanting to know what's going on in my life while she's so far away...

I'll try, Em. I'll really try! Of course, you could also follow me on Twitter...
Ha. Ha Ha. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha.

Ahem. Aside from a personal narrative to my sister, I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite summer reads!

Garden Spells
By Sarah Addison Allen

I read this book last summer in the span of a day because I was so intrigued! It follows the reunification of two sisters from a family rumored to be almost magic--one who has embraced her family heritage and "gift," and another that learns to accept herself for who she is. Set in the beautiful south and full of lovely descriptions of flowers and food, this book had me hooked!

The School of Essential Ingredients
By Erica Bauermeister

This is another book with absolutely mouth watering descriptions of food! I've already passed the book to my mother-in-law, mother, aunt, sister, grandmother, and...who has it now? A delightful story that begins in a cooking class and follows the personal stories of all the students...I loved it!

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
By Beth Hoffman

I read this book on recommendation from Beanball, and she read it on the recommendation of her long time friend. It's another story that is set in the south, and it follows the story of a girl that has been taking care of her mentally ill mother. When her mother dies in an accident, CeeCee is taken in by her great-aunt, and is able to reclaim some part of her lost childhood.


What are your favorite summer reads?

Summer II

So far, my summer has consisted of...

A trip to Hawaii with the little sis...

LARGE nacho parties en mi casa....

Leisurely breakfasts...

Professional gift wrapping...(I wrapped that!)


Some sewing...quilting, to be exact....

And a beautiful new phone that has changed my life. Notice my sidebar where you'll be able to see my most recent thoughts, compliments of Twitter!

What have you been up to?

Summer

Schoooooool's out for the summer!

My classroom is packed and ready to be moved. I'm all checked out. I've turned in my keys.

Yay!

I'm preparing to go on a fabulous trip with my little sister...so my vacation so far has consisted mainly of laundry, cleaning, and laundry.

But I have checked off a few of the summer to-do's already!

Inspired by my sister-in-law, I got a cute hook to hand my basket and a lantern. When I get back from my trip I'll pot some flowers, and together those babies will surround my little patio set (which needs to be painted).

Now, honestly, which colors do you prefer?

Sky a la Smurf?

Or Sable and Sawdust?

New paint colors? Check!

I'm also working on some new bedding for the guest room! I'll do a sneak peek next week!

Get Set...

Today is my last day to prepare for the upcoming school year! This evening I'll be in my classroom greeting students and parents as they come find our room and drop off school supplies. Then tomorrow, bright and early, we'll start our exciting year!

I can't even begin to tell you how much fun I had this weekend with my family! Very nearly everyone was in town! (And that's saying a lot when you're talking a few of my great aunts and uncles, 5 sets of aunts/uncles, 16 cousins, their husbands/wives, and six great grandkids!) Until I can sort through the 500 pictures we took this weekend, I'll just give you a glimpse into my family. This is my grandma, who is 80 years old, about to whack her birthday pinata...

We sure know how to party.

On Your Mark...

We've been getting ready for school and trying to squeeze in a few last summer activities this week. Last night was Grandma's 80th birthday party and tomorrow is a cousin's wedding.

Inspired by the cool weather I spent the afternoon/evening at the ranch to make Nancy's prize of personalized greeting cards!

And now I'm off again to enjoy the last day of summer. Monday and Tuesday we'll be working overtime to get ready for the school year!

Sew much fun!

You may remember that this year I resolved to learn how to sew! My Grandma passed down her sewing machine to me, and I've been dutifully using it this summer. Sewing has come pretty easy to me...I love it!

My first project (after my sewing machine cover) was an apron. Not just any old apron, but my dream apron! I picked the fabrics and pattern that struck my fancy to a Tee!

Wanna glimpse?

I love the vintage looking velvet rick-rack along the hem!

And the pockets!

Oooh, and did I mention the matching oven mitt?

More projects to come...

The faces of camping

Camping!

We're back from a camping trip that was full of family, food, smoke, dirt, and sticky hands/faces.

It was a great time to spend with my husband's family, getting to know his aunt, uncle, and cousins better! Plus--I had a few more photography subjects! And these were much more cooperative than my husband.

More pictures to come....