Bluebirdbaby

Enjoying

It amazes me how fast this summer has flown by. The garden is winding down (we did just plant our fall crops of beets, carrots, and lettuce though), the beach days are coming to an end, the feeling of having forever is slowly disappearing and we're left thinking about school, wool sweaters, and the slowing down of a busy wedding season.

I find that most days, we are just content with enjoying it all in a very easy way. Staying home, curling up on the back porch in the sun with a pile of books, taking long walks to look for wildflowers, and finding creative ways to devour all the goodies from the garden.

Today was one of those days. We gardened, we practiced the violin, we went for walks, we read many of our favorite summer books, we had a visit from Belina (our chicken who loves the kitchen), and snuggled on the couch.

What are you doing to enjoy the last bits of summer?!

the storm

I drove the 5 hours back from the Vermont wedding this morning in the middle of Hurricane Irene's worst winds and rain. It was scary, but I made it back safely.

Now we are settling in with a pot of soup, some games, and friends later. We brought in all the outside plants and I'm loving the way our home became an instant greenhouse. The front door is open to feel the amazing breeze and we are watching the trees dance across the street. The wind is just amazing. Luckily, the pouring rain seems to have subsided for now and even the sun seems to be poking through.

Hope you are all safe at home today!

i'm off!

Well, I definitely had grander intentions than this, but oh well. These are my new favorite shoes. You will find me in them a lot these days. My second pair of Aurora's and I am one happy customer!

I'm off to Vermont! Be back on Monday. Have a great weekend!

The Fair

Her first fair with rides. We spent 7 hours (!!) and the joy was just priceless. We spent the day with friends looking at the animals, watching acrobats, and riding the ferris wheel until we could see the "mountains and a grassy field!"

The little one is already asking when next August is so we can do it again...

I hope to pop in tomorrow night one more time before I take off to Vermont for another wedding this weekend! Enjoy your Friday!

thoughts

I am sitting here at 10 p.m. after a day full of fun and a night filled with work. I am reviewing the three photos of the day (the ones you see above) after designing cards for an upcoming wedding and editing a bazillion photos.

My cup of tea is warming my hands and I'm reminded just how fast things are moving...the summer is disappearing before our eyes, the little one is growing up and will be off to school soon (three half days a week, but still...), and my business is thankfully taking off but requires so much more time than I actually have.

But photos like these remind me to slow down, breathe a little more deeply, and know there are those quiet moments in our day which ground us and bring comfort knowing that these things will always be.

What helps to ground you?

just had to share...

I finished the preview for the California wedding tonight. I am so excited about it. I just had to share...

today

today we rode our bikes all over town.

today we ran through a field, skipped rocks in a river, and picked wildflowers.

today we baked bread, picked blackberries, made a pie, baked kale chips, and roasted beets and garlic.

today we felt the cooler breeze that came through the open doors and windows. a reminder that fall is slowly creeping in.

today we made exciting plans for tomorrow.

today we talked about school starting.

today we marveled at just how gigantic our sunflowers are. nearly 14 feet high at this point...

tonight we used the leftover 4th of July sparklers.

tonight we are snuggled in, with the cool air outside, and a warm cup of tea in our hands.

 

what did you do today?!

at the lake

where you will find us most hot days. the echo here is amazing...

tonight.

tonight i made yet another torte (my own version).

i brought it to a family get together that is held every year. we sat around chatting, drinking cold beer, and wondering how all the kids grow so fast.

now we're home, settling in with some popcorn and a good movie. the crickets are chirping away outside and it's another perfect summer night. the cooler air is a reminder that there aren't many left. we are appreciating them while they last.

happy weekend!

over at tend today

amy and friends asked me to write a guest post for tend...so wander on over and take a peek!

fresh california plums

out of a neighbor's backyard. it was delicious. and there were hundreds. yum!

amy...i now know why you take these shots. it's the only way to capture a half eaten piece of fruit with a camera in your hand in the middle of a garden!

more california pics to come! now i'm off to bed...

We're Home

We're finally home, unpacking, checking e-mails (all 220 of them), pulling weeds in the garden, planting more fall crops, and really, really, really missing California. We loved it out there. I've decided that even after all the bad rap Oakland gets, the north end near Berkeley is the absolute best. It was actually hard coming home to Maine, which is saying a lot because I love Maine so. We're thinking a second home in California?!!

I have loads of photos to upload. The wedding was breathtaking...couldn't have asked for a better location or better models! We loved every minute of our trip, from the day long drive up the coast through Big Sur (oh my...beautiful!), to taking the Bart to SF, to Chinatown, to hanging out at our favorite coffee bar in the mornings, and to totally cheating on my Paleo diet. (I did pay for it however...I walked around with a tummy ache the whole time, but boy...it was worth it!!)

We seriously can't wait to go back. Sasa's brother and wife were such wonderful hostesses. I hope they don't mind frequent visitors....

Here are some pics I captured with my iPhone...more "real" photos to follow!

so long!

It's been quite a week. Both cars kicked the bucket and we're left right before our trip without any way to get around! It's been intense, but oddly freeing too! We leave for California tomorrow night. Trying to finalize plans, get packed, get the house in order for the house sitter, and make sure all the animals are happy is a tough job! Especially with a wee one underfoot. But she's been such a good helper. Oh, and thank goodness for our awesome friends. They've been carting us around for a few days now...!

So we're off tomorrow! I probably won't get a chance to check in here, but you can follow our trip updates (and fun iPhone photos!) on my Twitter account here!

So long everyone!! I'll miss you! Until next Wednesday....xoxo

raspberries in the rain

two mamas. three girls. a rainy afternoon. a beautiful patch. a whole lot of berries.

what have you been picking lately? happy weekend!

it's an iphone day

I did pick up my actual camera today, honest. But really...these iphone photos were so much better. And way easier to upload here after a long day and much work to do tonight. We made strawberry scones this morning for a special friend's birthday, then delivered the rest all over town. I got a new scarf (love!) from here, we had a ukulele and violin concert for friends, and ended the evening playing tag in a field until the sun set. So much fun!

I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row for this California trip...finishing up last minute "to-do" lists and trying to figure out how to bring two camera bags, a bag full of lighting equipment, a bag full of tripods, a carry on, and a suitcase (not to mention Sasa's stuff) on the plane. Considering that they will not be liable for any damage to photographic equipment, and the price for 4 suitcases is an astounding $300. Yea. Ideas?!

Hope you have a good Thursday! xo

monday thoughts

my usual monday link list will have to be saved for another monday.

i worked most of the day today, with a brief break to go to the farmer's market. it's now 8 p.m. and i still have hours to go.

we've been enjoying some beans from the garden lately. enough for us and friends too.

tomorrow will be a day at the beach, weather permitting.

have you noticed the new sponsors in the sidebar? so many talented artists!

i'm kind of sitting here hoping for a thunderstorm. so many days of hot temperatures. a break would be nice.

what are you doing this monday evening?