come on over to my yard...

I love mid-summertime meals when most of the food and ingredients come from the backyard. Yum. We had what our family calls "meatball" hamburgers with fresh basil and oregano mixed in along with breadcrumbs and onions and parmesan cheese, grilled and topped with brandywine heirloom tomato slices. Red potatoes with olive oil and balsamic vinegar seasoned with crumbled applewood smoked bacon and rosemary. Steamed green beans picked only seconds before cooking. It was all so good and none of it complicated.

At lunchtime, while we were watching Barefoot Contessa, she made the most delicious looking recipe for Pesto Pea Salad. I definitely want to try it.
Oh, Ina Garten. She's so lovely! And reading the summary blurbs for her episodes makes me smile. "Blueprint Lunch...Ina throws a thank-you lunch for the architects who helped build her new kitchen." Awwh, if someone built me a new kitchen, I'd make them lunch too! haha. She made them lobster. And every time she says something like "let's have coffee and palmiers out in the garden" I take a deep breath because I know the outdoor shots of her yard and patio area are going to be fantabulous.

I've been a miner for a heart of gold...

This weekend we took a trip to Crystal Cave. It's a little over an hour from here. A quick little ride and lots of fun. I had actually never been before. I'm really glad we went because Eth had a really great time. I love the mid-century sort of nostalgic bend to the advertising and the postcards and the overall look. It was discovered in the late 1800's but they seem to be sort of stuck in that 1958 sort of summer cabin trip look. It's sweet.



The day was perfect outside. Low 80's and sunny and no humidity and a slight breeze. You can't ask for much more in the mid-Atlantic in July! A really nice day to walk the nature trail.







Then we cooled off and took a tour of the cave rooms which are naturally a constant 54 degrees F. The caves are filled with rock formations and stories and our tour guide was funny and into what she was talking about, which is always a plus.
After that we went to the store for souveniers of course. Eth bought a piece of amethyst and the requisite bag of "gemstone infused" dirt to use at the sluicing area.






We put the pan in the water and mined for gemstones and crystal points and stones. Eth has become quite a rock hound. He had a great time. The identification part is his favorite. They give you a little card with all the gemstones and things listed on it to help you identify what you've found. We always like to solve a mystery with facts.

I'd climb up on my eagle like a child...

I love straightening my fabric cupboard. I know that seems more like avoiding making things, but really it's not. It makes me fall in love with the fabric all over again. Separating it by colors and refolding and re-stacking. You may take the girl away from her fabric store job, but you never truly take away her fabric store habits. I always have a crush on felt though. Even in the middle of humid hot July. I love it's deep colors, it's texture, the body of the fabric. How it always stays neat and tidy!



I made some fun little hair clips. They are made from those tiny metal bendy clicky hair clips. Really, those are the tiniest buttons ever! Sifting through my button box for tiny button flower centers. Yesterday was a good day with my favorite things.

A lifetime walk to the same exact spot....

My favorite summer day.

Picking the first tomato of the season. There's bacon in the fridge waiting. Mmmmmm BLT. Isn't that the best simple taste of summer? Warm sunshiney tomatoes.

And a few other inspiring recipes I can't wait to make:

heirloom tomato salad

couscous and cherry tomatoes

tomato and greenbean salad

cheese topped grilled tomatoes

chicken and wild rice stuffed tomatoes

he hides his head inside a dream...

My first totebag

I cut up an old favorite dress. Repurposed, because I love the print and the weight of the fabric. However, I do not love the way the dress is fitting me any longer.

There are a few things I need to be a little more careful with next time, but everyone has to start somewhere.

waiting for the sound of thunder...

This little bird surprised me by hiding in the petunias. Don't tell anyone, but I may have even actually done the screamy-gasp-Eeek! They may take away my nature badge and start calling me Lisa Douglas!
The weather forecast called for severe thunderstorms and heavy rain all afternoon long. So far it's rained a total of fifteen minutes. That's summer for you.

co-ordination...

It's important to co-ordinate one's dessert to one's shirt...and one's surroundings. It helps if your favorite shirt and your favorite flavor are the same color! Lime popsicles during a summer heatwave. Possibley the best way to stay cool. Atleast one boy thinks so!



I furnished the deck last night at 7:30 when it finally cooled down to a human(e)ly bearable temperature. (because, yes, I furnish the outdoors, don't you?) I'm so crushing this outdoor space of lovely and the fact that it is actually there and it all came together so well. I owe big huge thanks and lots of popsicles and ice cream to the boys for their exceptional and timely execution of plans and major awesome construction abilities with my 'it's just boards and some nails' theory. My favorite quote of the weekend. "I have visions, okay!? Just call me Joan of Arc."



And notice how the 'conversation pit' does not even block entrance into the garage. That must earn me some extra points in backyard feng shui, right?

what feels like July...

on a very hot day.



Sweet, juicy watermelon in a blue spattered enamelware bowl.
I want to try this Watermelon and Feta salad from Martha.

eye candy...

Mmmmmmm floss! I think embroidery floss is kind of like crayons. There are so many colors that your eyes smile. So many colors to pick and choose from. There's nothing like a fresh box of crayons or a big pile of embroidery floss skeins. I'm spending some quiet time this hot summer afternoon, on the back porch, drinking iced tea with lemon and winding floss onto little cards.

everything is easy 'cause of you...

In which we take a very indirect and labor intensive route to getting rid of the old sandbox sand by building a 12 foot deck over it.


Saving the vintage inspired metal sand molds.



Saying goodbye to the sandbox that's been with us since we bought the house. So long old friend, you've served us well. Many a dream castle and race car track or highway has been built in your sand. Soon our garage will have a big front porch.


There are several pictures that have been taken through out the years that prove that these two are father and son. This is one of them! Catching them at the exact moment...being them and being so similar. It makes me smile.






Hard work all day long in the sun with lots of bottles of water consumed and hats and sunscreen.



As the sun was going behind the trees, the construction of the deck was complete. All that's left to do is apply the stain and move the furniture. I love it so much!

altered states...

Encouraged by last week's success with turning too short pants into cute capris, this morning I am altering and playing with more of my clothes. This time I made last years cuffed capris into long denim bermudas. I'm pleased with how they turned out. I also shortened the sleeves of a sweet little thin cotton shirt a tiny bit. I have crushed on the color of violet purple in this shirt fabric for ages. I'm not sure what I will do when it wears out! More blue than red is always best in my taste.
Just in time for another heatwave to arrive. I got used to this amazing 70 degree weather, this heatwave of true Julyishness and humidity is going to hit me hard! Onward with bohemiana hotness and some lemonade and a good book in the shade.

this bird had flown...

July 4th was kind of a wash out weatherwise. Though our picnic celebration plans weren't ruined because of the handy dandy back porch. Thank you covered back porch and big giant picnic table! What I found odd was that, despite rain for hours before and even during the scheduled time, they decided to have the fireworks anyway. There was even a listed Rain Date on the banner. So my question is, what is a rain date for then? Strange.

The best place to see the fireworks display is from the third floor bedroom window anyway. I quick jumped up from bed when I heard the boom boom sound and opened the curtains and tada! Pretty fireworks were my last night's lullabye.

I love stars and stripes, in general, and I'm not so anxious to take this holiday's decorations down or put them away quite yet.

celebrations with bunting...

Happy Fourth of July

very free and easy...

I am loving this summer. So free and easy and (mostly) unscheduled. It's flying by so quickly, like riding a bike down a tree lined street, and the memories flicker like sun peeking through the branches.
Ethan rides up and down the sidewalk practicing skills like "no hands, Mom!" and no feet and I have been sitting on the porch doing embroidery and enjoying this amazing weather we've been gifted from Mother Nature this past week. I had this memory of my mom and of her sitting in the beach chair watching out for me and doing needlework. I especially remember the summer she made the shades of orange and brown pillow. It was bargello and it looked like flames.
Yesterday Ethan said, " I spent the whole day outside today, except for meals and the early morning!" And I remembered when summer used to be like that. When I wouldn't see the inside of the house until after fireflies and the moon rose.