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Our days have been filled with so much yummy food (this Paleo thing is a piece of cake! ha! just a note, the last photo is the little one's lunch, not mine),
a "pretend plant sale" where the little one's imagination had me in awe,
more gardening and eating fresh strawberries and peas,
and hanging with the chickens who were are so excited to finally have back!
What have your days been like this week?!
It was hot today. Really hot. We set up a sweet little lemonade stand in front of the house and the little one walked away with quite a bit of money! Everyone wanted a drink to cool down. It was the perfect day.
We made fresh squeezed lemonade, lavender syrup, optional free face or hand painting, and sun tea with fresh mint sprigs and slices of lemon. It was all delicious!
After almost four hours, two runs to the store for more lemons and ice, we were officially SOLD OUT! Who wouldn't want to buy a cup of yummy lemonade from such a cute little one, eh?!
Hope your Tuesday was great too!!
Today I woke up late, went for a run, made sun tea, ate a delicious lunch Paleo style (it's working and I feel great!), mowed the lawn, weeded the garden, started sorting through the 3,500+ photos from a beautiful wedding, did four loads of laundry, threw open the windows to let in that (finally) summer air, cleaned the kitchen, and took the dogs for a walk.
It's a quiet day here, and I'm trying to settle into that and appreciate its gift to me. The little one is off with her Papa and I have the whole day to devote to me; whatever I want to do. I've been taking care of myself, moving slowly and honoring my body's needs, and letting myself finish up those tasks that require a little extra effort and concentration. It's been a good day.
Now I'm headed to the farmer's market for some fresh veggies and meat, then it's off to a bbq.
Happy Monday! xoxo
in the midst of
running around getting six bags of camera gear ready,
rounding up directions, phone numbers, last minute details, and making lists,
searching for the two cords that will actually make my lighting work (kind of important!),
emptying camera cards, charging batteries, checking and double checking lenses,
and trying to find enough dressy yet "i can still bend over reeaally far or lay upside down on the ground" clothes for two nights...
i am here to say hello! and goodbye! headed three states over for a wedding until Sunday night. until then, admire our inspirational sidewalk art, the little one's super sweet grown-up looking face, and hope for June weather that doesn't have us wearing long pants and fleece jackets!
oh, and thanks for all the coop love! can't wait to find the time to check out yours! xoxo
(Photo taken by Elisabeth with her camera!)
Well, I never did tell you that our chickens had to go on a little vacation mid-winter. We had some issues with our barn and needed to find a better space for them for awhile. Now the barn is under construction and we decided we needed a better coop to bring our gals back! Luckily, we were so fortunate to have neighbors who gladly "chickensat" for us. They have a few birds of their own, and soon the two flocks were making friends!
But with summer upon us, we needed to get a coop together. So I found a beautiful one on Craigslist. I've been checking daily for months and never really found one that suited us, but last weekend I came across this one. A couple is making them and even delivered it to our doorstep this morning.
Yesterday I spent 10 hours digging 12 holes for the fence, actually went to a lumber yard and bought fencing and lumber, made a gate, used a power saw, and by the end of the day was sweaty, dirty, and had a chicken run finished and a space for the coop! And I didn't even know I could do any of it!
So now the chickens are home and settled into their new digs for the first night. It's so great having them back. I've missed them so! And I love their new little yard and I hope they do too!!
Do you have chickens? I'd love to see your set up!
Hope your first day of summer was fabulous!
Why hello there, Monday. It's been a while since you've had your spotlight here in this space. Sorry about that. I blame it on the garden and the weather and a fabulous little one and just having so many fun things to do. But this evening I find myself with a few spare minutes, and I thought I'd put in some quality time with you. So Monday, here we go!
I found this dress for about $4 at a local shop. It's comfy, lightweight jersey and makes a perfect everyday dress. However, I think the black color deceives people because everyone asked me why I was so dressed up, or where I was going tonight. I just chuckled, told them the dress cost me $4 and I gardened in it today, and walked away feeling pretty fancy in my $4 dress. Just as Sasa was taking this picture, two beautiful birds flew right overhead and I glanced up at them right as the shutter clicked.
Okay, here are my favorite links at the moment!
Okay all...what are YOU loving this Monday?!
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Last night we experienced a crazy thundestorm. It was so wonderful. We loved every minute of it. I've always told the little one that thunder is just the cloud's talking to one another, and the lightning is the flash from their camera. Ha!
So she's not scared a bit. We played board games and ate chocolate chip cookies.
Then the sun came out and we just had to go puddle stomping! (An after-storm tradition.) So on went the rain boots and off we went!
We discovered a giant puddle down the street at our friend's house and we ran back to get our boat to do some sailing. What a fun sweet night.
We came back home to the power returning, some snuggling in bed with a good book, and some sweet dream-filled sleep.
Happy weekend to you! xoxo
On Wednesday...
she twirled in her new mama made skirt! (This one was her favorite, with pockets big enough for all the crystals she's been finding everywhere!)
we made a delicious lunch.
we found a real horse saddle at the thrift shop. It, of course, came home with us and entertained a certain someone for the rest of the day. Now we need to make a horse! No problem...
I made sun tea. I can't wait for my morning iced tea tomorrow!
we found a bird's egg on the sidewalk on our walk. We both spotted it at the same time and squealed with delight!
we enjoyed the blooming clematis on the porch.
I checked on the garden, did a little weeding, wondered just how late the spring peas were going to be.
I did the third load of dishes under my summer window. I love how it shifts so organically with the seasons.
We are enjoying some relaxed days lately. I am loving just being home, gardening, sitting in the sun with my girl and a good book. It's oh so needed right now. Pretty soon I'll be in full swing with the wedding season, so I'm soaking all this relaxing in while I can!
What did you do this Wednesday?
Wow...you all loved Seed and Sky! Yay! A big thanks to Kelcey for the giveaway! Random.org chose #49 ::
Ooh, I just had a look at it all, it's gorgeous. Thanks for the giveaway, Erin.
So Jules, send me an e-mail (ewallacephoto@gmail.com) and we'll get your earrings out to you!
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On Monday I...
went out wearing my ripped up, covered in paint jeans paired with a gauzy shirt and my favorite shoes. I felt comfortable.
stopped for a quick thrift and found some treasures.
admired our new artwork by this amazing artist.
did a little sewing for the little one's summer wardrobe.
admired all the plants on the doorstep waiting to go into the ground once this rain stops.
What did you do on your Monday?
When I first stumbled upon Seed and Sky on Etsy I immediately fell in love with the unique designs. Kelcey sent me two of her designs and I was just giddy when they came in the mail! I have to say, I wear them all the time and I have never received so many compliments! People notice them immediately. I love the fact that they are so versitile...they look great with jeans and a t-shirt or a fancy dress! Kelcey has graciously offered a giveaway here on Bluebirdbaby! Read on...
1) Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Seed and Sky Jewelry is located in the mountains of NC and was created by artist and designer Kelcey Loomer. The images in her handcrafted jewelry are inspired by flora and fauna, patterns, and archetypal symbols. Each piece begins as an illustration or painting that is then scaled down and made into a miniature, high quality print. She set these tiny prints into silver picture frames and varnishes them so they are durable and water resistant. Seed and Sky's jewelry is unique, lightweight, and pretty!
2) How did Seed and Sky get started?
Seed and Sky got started as an offshoot of my art business: Sweet Mess Art. A few years ago I started making jewelry with tiny paintings on them. This evolved into making jewelry with prints of my original artwork. After a year of fiddling with my designs to make them cohesive, I opened my Etsy shop a few months ago!
3) Was making jewelry always a dream of yours?
No, I never pictured being a jeweler. I have always thought of myself as a painter at heart~ or a bookmaker, or illustrator... but never a jeweler. It is exciting to be designing and exploring a new identity for myself. I have found that I love making jewelry!
4) How do you choose your designs?
I like to design jewelry that I (or somebody close to me) would have fun wearing. Jewelry is something that should make you feel radiant when you put it on ~ and I try my best to capture that feeling in the design.
5) Do you design the image itself?
Yes, all of the designs with the exception of the maps (which I alter from vintage road maps) are created by me.
6) What inspires you?
I find inspiration in flora and fauna. Nature has an endless beauty and fascination for me~ and I feel like my artwork often reflects this love.
7) Where do you hope Seed and Sky takes you in the future?
I hope that Seed & Sky takes off in a wonderful way!
Right now I am mostly a stay at home mom. I squeeze in my Seed & Sky work at night and on the weekends. The goal for the future is that my husband and I each get to stay home with the kids 3 days a week, and each get to work 3 days (the 7th day being a fun family day). And it is a dream come true to have our "work" be something we love.
8) And just for fun, what is your favorite movie and book?
So hard!
"The Brothers K" by David James Duncan... or any book by Barbara Kingsolver. And I have always held a special place in my heart for the movie "Amelie".
Kelcy is offering a pair of earrings to one lucky reader! Just leave a comment by Monday at 7 p.m. EST.
Also, receive 25% off any purchase until June 19th with coupon code "bluebirdbaby". Yay!!
Good luck!
it was hot today.
so hot that it made everyone (especially the wee folk) a bit cranky.
we cooled off in the lake (heavenly) and went for ice cream after with friends.
we returned home to find the sky darken, the wind start blowing, and the thunder rumbling in the distance.
a marathon sprint was made to collect the odds and ends left outside from a morning of play; blankets, toys, towels, laundry on the line, and remnants of today's breakfast on the outside table.
the thunder and rain came and went. it was perfect timing really; the garden needed it so very much. as the threat of lightening passed, we put on our rainboots and coats and went out dancing in the rain and stomping through puddles. the perfect way to end the day.
First off, thank you thank you thank you for the super sweet comments about the little one's concert. I read to her every single one. She blushed, was a bit speechless, and then said, "Wow. Thank you!" It's so neat to think that she does have fans all over the world! What a lucky girl! And yes, we are very very proud. She is an amazing little being!
One day. Three meals. Snacks inbetween (watermelon, carrots, apples, bananas, lettuce from the garden...yum).
Today the sun was shining, the heat was wonderful, and we had some cooling off to do! The sprinkler came out, the mini pool was filled up, there was iced tea and popsicles, and we tried our best to find some relief from the heat!
What did you do today?!
Her violin concert was fabulous, magnificant, exciting, and so much fun! She has been incredibly excited about it for so long. She got all dressed up and chose to play a fiddle tune called "Boil Them Cabbages" which she was super comfortable with and had been playing a long time. She had quite the fan club come too! What a lucky girl.
I snapped some photos before since I was playing piano for the kids. I also set up my camera on a tripod to record a video of her playing. It's so so sweet!
Enjoy, my friends!
This weekend was so full of everything! Playdates with wee friends, gardening, three more raised beds (!!) and three more to go, practicing for a violin concert tomorrow night, stories, ice cream trips, Sunday morning pancakes, bike ride after bike ride, long walks with the dogs, fishing, watching sunsets, barbecues, first smores of the season (we found yummy organic marshmallows! ha!), reading on the porch, sitting in the sun, adoring my new Lisa Leonard magnets, pizza parties with family, and late night viewings of this (which had Sasa and I feeling so nostalgic for the 80's and all it's fashion no-no's!).
What did you do this weekend?! Happy start of the week to you!
We're putting in more raised beds for winter crops and watermelons (!!).
Peace and sunshine be with you this lovely weekend!
On Thursday,
We hung loads of laundry outside in the breeze.
We went for so many bike rides I lost count.
We discovered just how important our daily rhythm is, and how thankful we all are for it.
We had eight people stop by.
We put 4 tomato plants in the ground and a bunch of basil.
We went on a late night ice cream walk.
We made our sidewalk pretty.
We checked on the growing pie pumpkins and wondered where to put the watermelon.
We found some beautiful light close to bedtime in the little one's room.
And we are settling in for a quiet evening.
Hope your Thursday was fabulous too!
We often go out walking in the evenings.
With the warmer weather it has been even more lovely. We've been fighting off a thunderstorm all day. The winds were whipping through the trees and tall grasses, so much so that the bugs were not out.
The little one has been riding her bike everywhere these days. Such a big, independent girl she is.
These are my favorite moments. The ones where we are all together, all laughing and giggling, racing down the fields and breathing the fresh air. There is just so much love here. So much gratitude, respect, kindness, and peace. It's lucky if you find that in your life, and to be surrounded by it day after day with the ones you love is so very special.
