sitting down?

Been too long. Life's a whirlwind here at my house, as I'm sure yours is too. 2 season's worth of clothing everywhere, moving toys inside from here, and the general juggling of home.
I think the last time I sat down with the boys was to do this button sorting project. Now nicley displayed in our living room. I was surprised at how many different shades of gray, black, white & off white there were. I'll have to do a color chart with buttons when I have a free week or so.
hope this seasonal transition is treating you well, best of intentions to get back here soon.
Lily

thirty

My little Oscar is a scratcher. Since I knew I couldn't be around him at the party I tagged him so all other parents would know. Pick up your kids when he's around.
Dancing in the shop after hours. Thanks T for putting in that new floor !
Todd on the guitar, Tim on fiddle, Karl on Base, Peter on banjo, and others made up the band for the evening.
After the potluck and a happy birthday song we started to dance. Jessie was the caller, a farmer & fine fiddler himself, he got everyone moving.
Flower prep the night before.

Thanks to everyone for coming and thanks to my family for helping me put on the party that I had in my mind. " wouldn't it be great if we could square-dance in the backyard!? " If this is what Thirty looks like I'm so in. Babies at our feet asking for another piece of watermelon. Friends picking up any child who needs help while maintaining a spirited conversation with a neighbor. Musicians who can grill chicken, and Family who will pick things up where you left off.
I think we'll do this again.

Orton Park Festival

it's hard to choose.
maybe a little of everything.
the hardworking bakers, taking a well deserved break.
(photo taken by my dad) Oscar & I rearranging the bakery on the table.


In my town, Madison, Wi, on the east side of that town there are 4 + festivals a summer. All held in a beautiful neighborhood park. Local restaurants provide food, the boy-scouts provide the games and the best lineup of music you can hear north of Chicago. The Waterfront festival, Le Fet de Marquette and The Orton Park Festival, to name a few.

I grew up next to Orton Park and have volunteered for these events since I was 5. The best, the best best best of these events ( in my bakerly opinion ) is the Jazz Brunch. Held Sunday morning, on the last day of the orton park fextival this little bake sale is the best one you have EVER been to. Neighborhood folks donate dozens of bakery, like red velvet cupcakes, feta & phylo torte, scones, muffins, grits, quiches, macaroons, I could go on & on. Everything is $1 each. All the money is donated to the neighborhood association for free summer camp for kids.

For me it's about being at home again, a good sleepover at Grandma's. Baking late into the night, the healthy competition between mother & daughter as to who will bake what. In the morning dragging the vintage tablecloths & fresh flowers down the tent. And transforming the bingo tent into a proper outdoor brunch spot. The ladies who have been doing this for years all deserve a break ( MOM! ) but I am sure they love it so much they never will.

back again

We made it ( barely). The boys explored every inch of mimi's farm, from the large stones to the sunflowers. While I had convinced myself that I would get a rest, I soon realized that it's the same amount of work, just in a different place. We did have a major breakthrough with Felix tho, in the potty department. So for all the running around & picking up after them it was worth it.
Now that we're back there's much to do, we're having a party here on friday night. My thirtieth to be exact, a perfect time to invite the whole town over for a potluck.
hope you have a good week & I'll have updates on the goings on over here soon. But I need a nap.

trying hard

I'm trying hard to be silly, present & kind with them.
To not pay attention to what's next, who's coming and what's expected.
But this one is hard.

I'm taking the boys to a friends house in the country for a few days in hopes of reconnecting with them ( and not yelling so much). Wish me luck.

squaredancing

What could be our last bit of summer spontaneity, we went to a square-dance up in the driftless area of Wisconsin last night. Like a new kid at school, our little family has started to meet folks who live & play music in this part of Wisconsin. We heard there was to be a dance & at 4 pm we took the 2 hour drive. We seem to be experts now at packing pj's, a bottle, potluck items and snacks for our little journeys. It was totally worth it.

More squaredances closer to home next time I think.

a new commitment to home

I have taken a hiatus from the computer not because I had to but because my attention needed to be on my house. I find the best reward of a vacation is to come home feeling refreshed and ready to be home again. Making little changes to make things work better & feel better. The kids love their toys again, mama loves her dirty kitchen again and papa yearns for his shop. Everyone gets what they want. So here are some of my favorite views recently. I illuminated some artwork and hung this old straw hat in our hallway. I really like this simple calm moment before we head downstairs for our day.
Our newly furnished guest room ( no more futons!) Since we have people staying quite often this room needed a good bed. Its a great space to read tin tin before nap time too. I hope to re-upholster that chair this summer too.
Felix's tussled bed. I made this new cork board for the beginning of his school year, in hopes of hanging up his artwork & photo's. We're in heavy "big boy" phase these days.
The start of tomato's tomato's tomato's. Roast, De-seed, cook, puree, can & freeze, repeat.
Here are our new girls, 5 hens giving us 5 egg's /day. I love to just watch them. Oscar & I have a good post nap routine where we feed them the kitchen scraps for the day and wake up slowly.
This is the best part about my house & why I want to commit to being here fully. These gardens are so unbelievable, every hour of the day people are coming & going, growing, harvesting, visiting etc. The energy that is alive across the street is immense, it wafts over into our house all day long. So we get up and do something good, everyday.