Back-to-School isn't always Cool

My little niece started all day kindergarten this week. After two cheerful days, "hump day" was a bust.

I think Wednesday's remind us of how much longer we've got to go, whether it is work or school. I guess part of finally becoming a contented adult is realizing you have to find a way to enjoy whatever little parts of the day you can.

Since I'm thinking of back-to-school and finding a contented place in life this video seems especially appropriate. I love it! Colored pencils have always made me feel better.


Hudson - Against The Grain from Dropbear on Vimeo.

What about you? Where do you find little pieces of enjoyment?

Happy Birthday Julia Child!

When I was a kid, my mom, sister and I used to watch Julia Child most Saturday's on PBS. Back then cartoons ended by 10:30 or 11 am and we only had five to ten channels anyway. No need for a remote!

PBS had the Victory Garden and the Frugal Gourmet after cartoons but my sister and I tended to drift away to play during those shows. Not so with Julia! We always had some giggles when she cooked and something about her voice made you take notice.

Our favorite Julia episode had to be when she lined up the raw chicken bodies like a parade of beauty queens. Oh how we rolled with laughter!

While I was in college, I saw a biography/interview show with Julia on the Food Network. I was fascinated with the diverse life she led and how she persued making complex french cooking into something anybody felt they might try. This interest in Julia came in handy when I started interviewing for jobs. I was frequently asked, if I could meet or dine with (however that standard interview question was posed) three people, dead or alive, who would I choose. I'd always say Jesus takes up one of those places and then give the other two spots to Abraham Lincoln and Julia Child. I know this probably seems an unlikely combination but it definitely keep the interview interesting.

I just always thought she would be entertaining company. Of course I'd have a bazillion questions for Jesus and Abraham Lincoln seems such a wise man. But Julia seemed like she'd have a lot to add to the conversation. She traveled and when she was younger, she worked in the secret itelligence division of the Office of Strategic Services during WWII. She went where no one had gone before and had a cooking show on what would eventually be PBS. Julia also seemed to genuinely love and enjoy her husband.

So in honor of the date of Julia's 100th birthday, I'll set four places at the table and hope that Julia's bringing the cake!

Google even had a header for today.

(Images via chow.com, google and vanityfair.com)

Summer Evening

One of the best parts of summer is undeniably the long evenings. Here's a recap of how we spent the longest evening of the year.

T made meatloaf {his own recipe} and we had corn on the cob. Delish!

After dinner, we decided an evening drive was in order. We took off to the North into the most gorgeous light. Not too far past where we live there are big open rolling fields, still green despite the hot wind that keeps blowing. Between the high places, thick stands of trees line rocky creeks. We were winding along on two lane blacktop, watching the sun alternately go hazy behind a bank of full storm clouds or shoot piercing gold rays as it peeked around. I was too caught up in the light to actually take any pictures of course!

By the time I thought to pull out my iphone the light had changed again and we were looking directlly at a boiling barrier of storm clouds hiding the sun. Our longest evening seemed like it might not go the distance. I still managed to take a few shots near Smithville Lake. We stopped for ice cream and sweet tea on the ride home.

It has been windy {and hot} here for many days. When we arrived home, I went immediately to the backyard and started watering the tomatoes and the flowers in pots on my deck. Both are doing ok so far but require near daily water due to the heat and wind and lack of shade. While I was out in the yard I discovered that about a handful of my red raspberries were ripe. No photos of those either because I ate them straight away!

As I write this thunder and lightning are putting on a rain show. We needed it soooo much. I hope it is enough to soak into the ground and make a difference.

Well that's my Wednesday summer evening. How was yours?

Easy Does It on the Walls

A few days ago, I showed you my version of easy wall art. To me the best part of this is how easy it is to change and personalize. I found a lot more examples for when I'm ready for a change.

Source: walkslowlylivewildly.com via So Many Little Things on Pinterest

Source: shelterness.com via So Many Little Things on Pinterest

Source: shelterness.com via So Many Little Things on Pinterest

Source: lifemadelovely-blog.com via So Many Little Things on Pinterest

For one post with 55 images click here for inspiration.

Or you can peruse my collection of wall images here.

Easy Wall Art

{Some of the items in the photo: a few scrabooking accents, a photo of my grandma and a lifelong friend dressed up during the 1920's, a glass bead bracelet I bought in Venice, another photo of my grandma with her dog from approx 1919, and a Christmas ornament I bought in Germany}

A couple of months ago I ran across this post from Lauren at From Our Hiding Place. I've seen other ideas like this before but her post stuck with me. It was so simple but so cute!

When I re-arranged my craft room recently, I ended up with a totally blank wall where two large cabinets had been. I thought of Lauren, grabbed some twine, tiny clothes pins and random stuff to use. It was done! I originally only meant for it to be temporary but I like it so much, I stopped looking for anything else. The best part is how easy it is to change!


Take a look at Lauren's blog. I'm soooo jealous of her factory cart coffee table and that her husband seems be as much of a junk enthusiast as she is! I also had to laugh because her last two posts are exactly what I've been thinking about as well. She posted about her love of instagram and how she'd tried making her own laundry detergent. I wrote a post about how much I was using instagram lately and was going to publish it right after I showed off my wall in this post. So now you know what's coming up next! Thanks for the inspiration!

Around Here

Source: etsy.com via So Many Little Things on Pinterest

The image above is from SignFail on Etsy. They have several others that I find very funny.

This image is very much what I think is going on in our yard right now. The grass is so green, it almost seems to be glowing. The same is true for my little garden. Maybe I can share some images of that tomorrow. I have been doing a lot of yard work, splitting and moving perennials and rose bushes and mulching all the landscaping. I am sore in places I don't think muscles existed. But garden work is good work. It always makes me feel like I've done something with my day.

Besides the outside stuff, I've been doing a lot of thrifting and antiquing. More on that to come.

Last but not least I am getting ready for a visit from my little G and E (nieces) and their parents. I haven't seen them since February. Much, much too long! Here the are in February enjoying mini cupcakes. Can you tell who liked her's the best?

Gallivanting

gallivant (\ˈga-lə-ˌvant\) : to travel, roam, or move about for pleasure

                                                       via

Apologies for the minimal posting. I've been gallivanting near and far.