Getting Started

 We hosted last day of school party for my school.  Since we are lucky enough to have a pool, this was obviously going to be a pool party.  Our outdoor furniture was definitely not party ready.

The two adirondack sets were a deal from the Christmas Tree Store in 2008 (see more here).  And I still loved them, but I've always wanted them to match and the paint was badly peeling.

       

 
 These metal tables were left by the pervious owners.

I spent a couple days sanding and painting.  FIY- the chairs were a pain to paint- so many nooks and crannies. Next time I would use spray paint.

Chester provided the entertainment. 

Both chairs and foot rests became a high gloss white. 

All 4 tables (2 round metal and 2 square wood) turned green.

Ready to party!

What summer gatherings have you enjoyed?

Hello? Are you there?

Hi There!  I can't believe it's been close to 2 months since I blogged. I hope some one is still there???

Summer is flying by!  In one month from today I have to go back to work- bummer.  My summer has been great- and busy.  Doesn't it always seem when you have the most blogging material is when you have the least time to blog?  I hope to stockpile some posts over the weekend.

In the meantime, this was the delicious summer lunch I enjoyed today.  Caprese salad with avocado, using tomatoes and basil fresh picked from my garden.

Hope you're having a great summer!

H-O-T-T

It is only early June but we've had a streak of 90+ days, where the heat index has reached over 100.

This candle has been sitting on our front stoop since last summer....but even it finally couldn't take the heat.

Is it hot in your neck of the woods?

Summer Juicy-Juicy

While lounging around the pool over Memorial Day weekend, my friend introduced me to a new sangria.  I've always enjoyed a glass of sangria, but this one is so light and with just the right amount of sweetness, it is easy to drink (over and over again).  Not to mention, it has a few simple and easy to find ingredients.

opps forgot to a take a photo before putting it out for book club 

1 large bottle sauvignon blanc 

2/3 c. peach schnapps 

1/4 c. honey

1 small bottle of tonic water

1 granny smith apple (important that it be granny smith)

1 orange

1 lemon 

Enjoy!

Do you have any summery drinks you enjoy?

Summer TV

It drives me nuts when John channel surfs, I don't understand the point and find it highly annoying.  However, one night in June he stumbled upon something great-

source 

Yes, it is a reality show. Dr. Brent Ridge (left) and Josh Kilmer-Purcell (right), bought The Beekman Estate (circa 1802); the Beekman is a farm in Sharon Springs NY, however neither of the guys are a farmer.  Brent is a doctor who worked for Martha Stewart (yes she was on the show), heading up her well-living division and Josh is in advertising and a NY Times best selling author.   

Their dream is to make Beekman a working farm- Josh grows a garden, there are goats (their milk is used to make cheese and soap), pigs (until they were harvest for winter meat), and a llama. Brent lives on the farm full time working on the farm, and producing/selling their cheese (Blaak) and handmade soaps. And for this first year of turning the Beekman into a profitable business,  Josh works in the city each week and returns to the farm on weekends.  

They are hysterical!  Brent is a perfectionist, control freak (I know, sounds a bit like me, I get it) who doesn't "want the barnyard to look like a barnyard" and ties ribbons to goats. Josh, a former drag queen (of which one of his books is about), has great reactions to Brent's antics.  In addition to cracking me up by farming in argyle sweater vests , they do have an underlying message about local, sustainable farming and taking chances (and the sacrifices necessary to make it work).

Go check out the Beekman Boys, Wednesday @ 9 on Planet Green.  Reruns are shown often, as in nightly, and leading up to the new episodes on Wednesday.  

Those are live goldfish- fyi

Weekend Concert

Saturday we braved the heat to attend a concert at Wolftrap National Park for the Preforming Arts (I've told you about it before).  I have never seen it so crowded, we arrived 45 minutes early and still had trouble finding a spot on the lawn.

Idina Menzel was singing with the National Symphony Orchestra.  It was fantastic!  She is an amazing singer, and talked a lot between songs. Her random conversation, personal stories, forgetful/awkward manner and colorful language made it feel very intimate (and she's funny).  She sang a wide range of songs- standards (Embraceable You), original songs, Defying Gravity (Wicked), One Day (Rent), and Pokerface (ala Glee).

While it was hot and crowded, it was still totally worth! (and a good time with friends, and a yummy picnic)


Yes, I looked for her husband but didn't see him. darn 

Signs of Summer

One way I know it's summer?  I was up to 2am last night/this morning finishing a book I started yesterday and balling my eyes out.  I love summer break!

Cheeseburger in Paradise (without Heinz 57)

                          

source 

This dress, while odd and something I would never (ever, ever) wear, makes me excited for summer and for one of my favorite events of the whole year- Buffett Day!

Chels- I hope you are studying up!

So Long Summer

Well, summer is officially over. But luckily, I have it all documented in my free Shutterfly Photo Book. Take a look!

Click here to view this photo book larger

In the past week there have been three big signals that the season is changing.

First,I went back to work. I know I’m very lucky to have 2 months off in the summer (although I, like most decent teachers, take part in professional development over the summer- without compensation of course), but the transition back is always rough. Not only is there a great deal of stress and long hours (12 hr+ four days this week), but I have to see this each morning as a I pull out of the driveway.

Secondly, we have enjoyed great fall weather this week. It has been in the 70’s-80’s all week and 60’s at night. I love having the AC off, and being able to hear the crickets at night.

Lastly, we celebrated Buffett Day over the weekend. As always, it was a fun day- how could it not be?! Even my mom flew 500 miles to join the party (oh and work in my classroom). And a good party it was!

The first day with kids is tomorrow- holding my breath and crossing my fingers.

Chicagoland

We had a terrific time in Chicago! It was a perfect mix of chilling and hanging out with my sister and my niece puppy Darbi, and activity (lots of walking) to explore new things. I took about 200 photos. So, in hopes of keeping the 2 followers and handful of some what faithful reader that I have, rather than posting detailed information about our adventures and an overwhelming number of photos, I’m going to show photo highlights with brief captions. You’re welcome. :)

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore- Mt. Baldy

It was lovely, and we had great weather!

Darbi enjoying the beach.

We attended the Cubs vs. Cardinals game, Cubbies won.

John loved Wrigley!

Sarah and I after the game.

We took a historical and architectural boat tour. Again, we enjoyed lovely weather and had a great time! It was really fun, and interesting.

The Chicago Skyline as seen from the lake

The ferris wheel at Navy Pier.

The super cool “Cloud Gate” sculpture, otherwise known as the Bean of Chicago, in Millennium Park.

Standing in front of Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. I was kind of bummed that we missed the evening light show. Still it was really nice sitting next to the fountain, with boats docked in the lake on the other side.

The Field Museum

John, with Sue, one of the 2 most complete T-Rex skeletons in existence.

They had a special exhibit about pirates, based on the recovered pirate ship, Whydah. It was a really cool exhibit; they did a nice job weaving the sailors stories and included great artifacts.

4th of July

To celebrate July 4^th, we took an extended long weekend to the Roanoke area of southwestern Virginia to visit John's family. While there we spent a day on the warm waters of Smith Mountain Lake. We rented a little motorboat; it was Chester's first boating experience. He loved it! After all it is a combination of his two favorite activities- swimming and riding in the car with windows down and sunroof open! Even with sunburn, it was a wonderful day!

Summertime Classics

Last night we took part in summertime classic, a (Red Soxs) baseball game. Even though, it was a bit warm, it was a really nice time. And for the 1st time (in two years) the Nationals (huh, what DC has a baseball team?) played in a sold out stadium. They put in a decent effort, but of course the Soxs won.

*** Notice our conflicting hats! ;)

“Schools Out for the Summer!” (Now my real life can begin)

I know I’ve been a bad blogger (again); it’s been over a month- yikes! In fact, I hope there is still someone around to read this. But in my defense, it has been a busy month: wrapping up the end of the school year, a couple of plays, a few baby showers, a batch of out-of-town guests, a weekend trip, and a two concerts. I’ll be doing a couple “flash-back” posts to review all those fun happenings.

But the real time-consuming reason I haven’t blogged much is, that we’ve been house hunting. We’ve been looking for about 2 months (although it feels like three times that); and contrary to media reports, it isn’t a great buyers’ market. Most of the reasonable priced houses are crapholes, which need more work than they’re worth. The nice houses are overpriced, and the seller’s won’t negotiate because they bought when the market was inflated, so now they don’t want to lose money. And the ones in-between (well priced, and needing just the right amount of updating) are few and miles between. Clearly, none of the 5 offers we’ve submitted have been accepted. While, it is frustrating and time consuming we are fortunate enough to be working with a great agent!

Anyway, on to fun topics…..today was the last day of school! Actually, the kids finished Wednesday, and then we had 2 teacher workdays.

How have I celebrated so far?

The summer table runner and centerpiece have been pulled out.

Summer berries have been baked into breads and muffins.

We enjoyed a “Huey Lewis and The News” concert last night at the beautiful Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, with a picnic prior to the show.

I’ve painted my toes a bright shade. (Yes, I have stars tattooed on my foot). Chester is excited to have me home (I didn’t have pose him that way).

And look at the awesome end-of-school “gift” someone left for me in their large item trash pile! (Yes, I totally looked like an idiot pulling over on a busy road and single handily tossing it in the back of car.)

I’m so excited about it!!! I don’t have any plans for it yet (where it will go, how I’ll refinish it), but I’m pumped to have the set!

Now, I think I’ll take a nap before going out for an end-of -school date tonight!

Happy summer to all!

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

The ribbon belts I handmade and shipped to my mom for Mother's Day.

Doggoneit!

It is doggone hot!  90 degrees in April- craziness.  I despise being hot, but it is only supposed till last until Wed, so we aren’t turning the AC on. 

I’m sure poor Chester is miserable too- although he has been chasing soccer balls all evening.  Chester is scared of anything- laundry basket, shopping bags, vacuum, mop (shockingly not the lawn mower), but he is fully embracing his big, loud box fan. 

Stay cool ya’all.

By the end of the week it’ll be in the 60’s, how is that fair?!