Give. Me. a. Spoon.

"Everything you can imagine is real. "

~Picasso

Today's Special:

Whippy Dream Frosting

Stop over at The Yarn Bakery for a yummy yarn treat.

Sunday Mornings

"The ordinary arts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest."

~Thomas More

Yesterday I savored every single mili-second of my last day of summer vacation. The sun danced upon the umbrella table and I was surrounded by soft yarns, pretty flowers, and my little family. It was quite wonderful.

Little Peep, however, displayed her dismay at my returning to work. I don't know who is going to miss our summer days more; me or her?

Best Presents

"To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children, to earn the approbation of honest critics; to appreciate beauty; to give of one's self, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived--that is to have succeeded."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Dear Miss Brittany,

Remember how we talked about our favorite flowers and realized that we both loved Morning Glories? Do you remember that in late May you painted this lovely flowerpot for me and filled it with dirt and seeds?

You told me that you planted them every year, and I told you the story of how my Mama always planted them when I was little. I said that she would wake me up extra early because they only bloomed in the morning. You smiled.

I'm happy to report that your little seeds have taken off! As a matter of fact, they have grown and grown and are now beautiful vines and bursting buds.

My little herb garden is busy making friends with the morning glories. I like to think that they have little chats and whisper secrets to each other. You know, just like you and the other kiddos do.

It cracks me up when I look at how the tiny vines are wrapping themselves around the parsley.

Or, when I see a new bud ready to interrupt the quiet calm of my dill plants.

Hopefully, they are all getting along and being kind to each other.

Before long, they may overtake my house! Already they are tap-tap-tapping on my window panes!

So, my dear Brittany, thank you. Thank you a million times over. I love my special flower pot and the beautiful flowers that continue to bloom and remind me of you.

Love,

Mrs. W

Pursuit

"Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it. You must make a mighty effort to keep swimming upward into that happiness forever, to stay afloat on top of it."
~ Elizabeth Gilbert

Last year I read the book Eat, Pray, Love. In my opinion, the book (and movie) presented a beautiful depiction of one woman's pursuit of happiness. Isn't that what we all want~ to be sincerely happy and emotionally fulfilled?

Lately I've heard many people comment and critique the movie, and regardless of their opinions, I happen to admire Liz's internal struggle. Perhaps, it is because I also battle the same demon.

It's probably no big secret that I'm a pretty independent person. I enjoy being alone and I much prefer to work through my issues on my own. I like that about myself. I like the fact that I can "be alright" without anyone else helping me out. It gives me a sense of calm.

On the other hand, I openly acknowledge the need to lean on others. I'm not too swell at it, though. Actually I earned a failing grade in Share Your Feelings 101. I'm honestly trying to improve, but I think I might need some major accommodations in this department. Thankfully, Chad-o is amazing. He understands me and gently pries things out of me. He allows me to work though things at my own pace. I really appreciate that about him. He's tops.

However, in the book/movie, I was constantly identifying with Liz and her desire for independence, yet her longing to be loved. Quite the harsh battle, if you ask me.

Luckily, I hit it big. Jackpot, actually.

xo

It's In the Air

"Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow."

~Anthony J. D'Angelo

Listen. shh..... Listen.

Can you hear it? Listen again.

Do you register the gentle sound of crickets chirping in the early evening? The whistles of football practice and the cracking of helmets? Do you hear the high school band playing off in the distance?

It's no secret that autumn exists as my most favorite time of year. Right now, I'm beyond excited that September looms on the horizon. I'm already planning for an ultra cozy and comforting fall, full of soups, breads, hearty salads, fluffy yarns, intoxicating novels, and cinnamon/vanilla candles.

Oh the lovely, delicious scents of my dear autumn. Would it be wrong to admit that I've already been dipping into my stash of vanilla perfumes and lotions. Usually, I wait until the start of school to indulge in my most favorite perfume, but this year I started a bit early. Forgive me?

Is it just me, or do you notice the unique scent of orange and red and brown and yellow leaves? mmm...How about that damp, crisp smell as the sun sets? And, not to be forgotten, there's the smell of freshly waxed school floors?

Speaking of schools, I'm obsessed with the smells of school and school supplies and smooth text book pages. I always loved opening my new text books each year and taking in that indescribable scent. It must be a combination of the glue and paper and milky ink. Whatever it is, I love it. I also adore the scent of brand new Crayola crayons. Oddly enough, I vividly remember my second grade teacher giving me my very own box containing 24 colors. Oh, how I loved those crayons. I treasured those marvelous colors and cared for them as if they were my very best friends. sigh

It's here~ for sure. Slowly but surely, autumn and "back-to-school" are whispering of their upcoming arrival.

Do you hear it? ...shhh...

My Etsy Shop

"They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night."

~Edgar Allan Poe

I've dreamed of opening a quaint, little shop ever since I was but a small fry. We'll call this step one.

May I present to you The Yarn Bakery, where yummy yarns and creative sprinkles combine to help you accessorize deliciously.

Stop on over and grab a little yarn treat.

Severe Storm Warning Soup

"To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter ... to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring—these are some of the rewards of the simple life."

~John Burroughs

Figures. I just spent about 40 minutes watering and tending to the posies. I had no sooner returned indoors than the skies turned a dreary shade of gray and the television beeped of a weather warning. Lovely. Just lovely.

Don't get me wrong, I do love the rain and the thunder and the sudden flashes of lightening. I don't, however, love wasting 40 minutes. Oh well, I suppose my little flowers will enjoy a rather large gulp today.

As I rushed outside to lower the umbrella on the patio a few large rumbles of thunder proudly announced the approaching storm. CT ran upstairs to seek comfort and shelter under the bed, and I found myself getting excited for an evening of coziness.

Tonight, Hubbo is participating in an intense roll-ball tournament; therefore I'm all alone in this hacienda. I'll be fine though. Actually, I'm a sucker for nights like this.

And, since it's going to be a dark eve, full of stormy sounds and rain tapping on windows, I did what any 80 year old woman would do-- I made a huge kettle of potato soup.

I'm going to be perfectly honest-- the rest of my night will consist of fuzzy afghans, cups of tea, and time with my knitting needles.

Oh gosh was that soup ever good. I think I'll have another bowl in an hour or so. Call me cozy and content. Bring it on, Thunderstorm.

School Shoes

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go.”
~Dr. Seuss

Admit it- you've started getting that "back-to-school" feeling.

You have, haven't you?

It's alright- I won't tell a single soul. Pinky swear.

For the past few days I've been researching my new autumn bag for escuela. It's practically embarrassing, but I plan and research a school bag in much the same way that a bridezilla tackles wedding details.

Bags and shoes- two necessary and very personal style choices. They also happen to make it easier and more fun for me to slip into another year of academia.

Oh my goodness, how did it become August already?