Tuesday, June 29, 2010

this morning ~

morning

We're enjoying some time outside this morning! We hope you are too!!

Monday, June 28, 2010

summer moments ~

summer moments

summer moments

Last week, while Jonmichael was away at camp, we stole away some girl time on the couch one afternoon waiting for a friend. A newly arranged room, a nice new place to knit and read, a quiet house with the baby sleeping, that's my kind of summer afternoon!!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

back from camp ~

Our oldest came back home yesterday from a 7 day stay at camp three states away.

back from camp

back from camp

As quickly as most mothers would, I started washing all the clothes today that was brought back from camp, finding most still neatly folded as if never worn (ahem). Then I started to chuckle to myself in a sheepish way, imagining the many things I will never know that went on last week, but I am truly excited for our growing boy who is yet again experiencing another new chapter of independence in a whole new way . . . and then I realized that I am too!

So good to have the whole family back together again!!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

leaf rubbing

leaf rubbing

Leaf rubbing is something I usually associate with fall of the year, but this summer, it occurred to me that there are many textures we could collect and capture as well.

leaf rubbing

On this particular day last week, me and the girls walked around our back yard and collected leaves from a strawberry plant, hydrandgea, sage, clover, and 4 leaf clovers, then went back inside, got out our block crayons (they work really well on a project like this) and began to make rubbings.

leaf rubbing

Some other projects sprang up too (some cards were made . . .) {wink}.

cards were made

I am always amazed at how beautiful and remarkable leaf rubbings are and how easily they can be captured on paper and kept (and given) long after they've dried up.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Lavender in bloom

lavandula augustifolia

For years, Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia) has been my very favorite herb. I love the color and all but worship the fragrance. I’ve had a bush in the ground at every house we’ve lived in and before that, always had a pot of it sitting in the kitchens of our previous apartments. Even when the bush is not in bloom, I love to rub the stems and inhale the oil off my hands as I walk by, so they have typically been planted by steps and entrances.

fresh picked lavender blooms

lavendar blooms

I found out this year that the blooms are edible so we’ve been enjoying this recipe and wanted to share it. If you have any lavender nearby that is in bloom, enjoy some time harvesting the blooms while inhaling the amazing fragrance. These cookies will be a delight to your senses. Enjoy! ~


Lavender cookies

Recipe:

5/8 cup butter (1 stick + 1 tbsp)
½ cup white sugar
1 egg
1 Tbsp lavender flowers
1 ½ cup all-purpose flour

Cream butter and sugar
Add egg and lavender flowers
Mix in flour a little at a time

Bake 350 degrees for approx 15 minutes or until the edges start to brown. You can also top the cookies with some extra flowers.
lavender cookies
So, so good!

Monday, June 7, 2010

In stages ~

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I realize that looking back through my blog this year, I seem to be taking it, or coming back in stages. I’ve recently been finding the camera in my hands more often and excited about posted some pics, but the writing . . . hasn’t really been coming much lately. A sentence or two is about all I can manage. But today, I’m finding that the writing is starting to come back, having more ideas and more things to say, which is a comforting feeling. I really need to know that my life will be getting more back to the normal that I am used to. It is good to have all the kids under one roof for the whole day again. Today, we’re officially starting our summer of homeschooling. Having three different age groups will be challenging, but hopefully inspiring to each of them.

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Sunday, June 6, 2010

Sunday afternoon ~

I'm enjoying a little knitting time this afternoon . . .

new knitting

new knitting

I hope you too are enjoying your Sunday afternoon!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

my weekend

This weekend I found myself capturing all the beauty and goodness around me.

diapers on the line

fresh kale

Sourdough starter

Sourdough starter