Keeping Cool

It is HOT here.  The kind of heat that dries things instantly...which is good, because the idea of running a dryer on a day like today is ridiculous!  We're staying nice and cool though.  You may notice a theme in the pictures- Violet with water.  I don't think the girl will be dry again until September.  She is loving it!

A New Corner

The second trimester has finally kicked in.  For me, that means more energy...for Matt, it means more heavy lifting as I seek to "optimize" our home.  Today's project- the messy area next to our back patio.  We all put in a few hours of effort (some worked for the cause, others not so much...).

I'm thrilled with the results...a shady place for our bench, place for two new (to us) chairs, space on the patio for the kids to ride their bikes, and a patch of rocks for them to dig in.  Here it is:

BEFORE

AFTER

A Shower!

This weekend I had the joy of throwing a bridal shower for my little sister, Hannah.  With her July wedding fast-approaching, this was her last trip home before the big event.  We went with a JAZZ theme, as Hannah is not only a trumpet player herself, but marrying a musician as well. 

A new use for old sheet music- that belonged to our Great Grandma

A jazz combo from the high school

Everyone wrote some advice for Hannah- even Violet

Cousins, Aunt, Grandma, Sister, Mother-in-Law-to-be...lots of family!

The chefs of the afternoon

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Yarn Along

Joining Ginny at Small Things...

Ravelry notes here- this is my favorite bootie pattern- it really stays on!

A few bloggers knit these recently, so I had to give the pattern a try!

I have been on a baby bootie kick lately.  With Baby Handley #3 expected in October, I have a great excuse to make some, and as I am just (almost) coming out of 20 weeks of morning sickness, small, quick projects are what I need to keep my motivation up.  Besides, what could be cuter than booties with pom pons?!


I have been reading the Hunger Games Trilogy recently...stayed up way too late last night getting into the third book.  The books seem to defy description, but they are certainly worth a read.  I can't seem to put them down!

Sewing for Summer

I am finally beginning to come out of my first-trimester (and a half) fog of exhaustion and return to the sewing room.  Matt was kind enough to give me an entire day to myself on Saturday, and wow, it is amazing what you can get done in an un-interrupted day!

I made a few surprises for birthdays and milestones coming up in the next few months, but also a few summer dresses for Miss Violet.

For one, I cut down an old tank-top of mine...looks much cuter on her than it ever did on me!

For two others, I used my favorite baby-dress pattern, the same one I used to make her 1st Birthday Dress...but this time in the 2/3T size.

In typical Violet fashion, the best pictures I could get of her in these dresses were of her standing happily outside in a puddle.  She is our nature girl! Also, please notice the snow boots in the first picture- her brother's winter boots are her current footwear of choice.  Why?  Because she can DO IT HERSELF, of course.

Let's Roll!

This weekend we had the chance to attend a Roller Skating Party with our local Mom and Tot group.  They had all sorts of balls and cars and toys to roll around on, as well as the good old Fisher Price toddler skates.  We had the place to ourselves, with no big kids to run over our little guys.  Even Daddy donned a pair of skates for some super-speedy Cozy Coupe rides.  It was a blast!