~September Summed Up~

September. I blinked and it's gone. Another one for the history books- Another full month of living life. And here, a few captured moments to remember it by before we run full-speed-ahead into October.

There was lots and lots of sanding and staining- more baby steps toward a longed for dream . . . (more on that in another post)

There was a bit of antiquing and finding fall inspiration . . . don't you just LOVE these books turned pumpkins? I'm dying to make some, but how on earth did they cut books into that shape? If anyone out there knows, please tune me in!

There was lots of clothes shopping. More sweaters and layers for the coming cold weather. And new jeans to make way for my ever-expanding waist line. (there's no pictures, but that would be due to the baking I've also been doing)

A new, badly needed haircut. (and in case you were wondering, I'm not smiling in this picture because I've come to realize that no matter how hard I try, my left eye always ends up half shut when I smile causing me to look either intoxicated or mildly disfigured. I'm just accepting that some people are photogenic and I am not one of them!)

There have been daily drives to and from cross country practice for the Youngest- and to weekly meets as well. Last week he came in 2nd place for 7th grade boys and we were very excited for him- he pushed himself so hard, and he found success!

I've been stitching felties again. Makes me happy, happy, happy- and keeps me calm! (looks like 'franken-kitty' with all the pins, poor thing!)

And I've also done a little book-cover making for a birthday present.

And not to forget the kids, they've done lots of growing, growing, growing . . .

(and eating, eating, eating!!) This was the month that the Oldest surpassed me in height!!

I spent a day freshening up the laundry/mudroom with new shelf paper, art, and a rake hanger.

And I celebrated the first day of fall with my favorite fall coffee mug and some straw flowers. 

The 'fall' curtains also found their way into the kitchen . . .

September's weather was really warm and lovely nearly all month.We rambled just about everywhere-

from a graveyard . . .

To a waterfall. And everywhere in between. We took lots of walks in the neighborhood, along the river, in the arboretum and out into The Gorge . . .

And, of course, there were many, many more moments . . . lots of gardening, chats with friends, school papers to fill out a mile high, long and boring teacher presentations, doctor appts, ebay work, a week of miserable allergies, a couple dates with the Husband, soups simmering and new tires for my car (!!!!) As always, a patchwork of life being lived . . .
and, all in all, a lovely September.

~Garden Party~

Today my 'Thoughtful Spot' was turned into 'the Birthday Spot'! 
One of my dearest friends had a birthday this past Monday so we celebrated with a thai food picnic in the garden . . .

 Even the birdbath was dressed up for the occasion. :)

One of my favorite things to do is set a table . . . I had fun setting this one with a vintage tablecloth, Haviland china, homemade 'button' napkins and the last of my roses.

And for an extra special touch I added these great vintage place cards that my wonderful Mom bought me years ago  . . . since a table for two can be very confusing as to where one sits, right? ;)

The gift was wrapped in tissue with a vintage postcard to make it fun.

The food was excellent (since it was takeout . . . ;) )

And the guest of honor looked so lovely . . .

 But the best part of all was just getting to chat away with a kindred spirit . . . there's nothing like another soul's understanding to brighten the shadows we live in. What a gift friends are!

~It's That Time of Year Again~

 We had our last cookout of the season . . .

and finalized everything needed for back to school . . .

And then today the backpacks went on and new shoes were tied . . .

The boys were marched outside for their annual torture picture taking . . .
The Youngest went for silly.

The Oldest went for the modeling look. "Hey Ladies, check out this action . . ."

And then, because I'm really cruel, they had to pose with each other.
Don't they look thrilled?

Ah . . . much better. I think.

And off they went . . . and I am dancing jigs around the house!! ;)

The Youngest started seventh grade today . . . and his brother is now a ninth grader. Yes indeed, high school is upon us! Trying to soak it all in . . . wondering where time went and HOW DID I GET THIS OLD?! I remember my own freshmen year like yesterday (actually, better than yesterday. I really can't recall yesterday too well). Crazy stuff . . .

I would normally be way more emotional than I am on this first day of school, but it's also that time of year for the germs- and they seem to have gotten to me extra early this September! So I'm way too tired fighting some bug to make any more of it than it is. And that's probably a good thing. 

So lots of this today . . .

And tea, too . . .

And then it's early to bed for this mama.
Here's to hoping this is all the illness it's gonna be this month!

Happy September!

~Puttering in Port Orchard~

The Youngest and I spent last Tuesday/Wednesday 2 1/2 hours North in Port Orchard, WA visiting with old friends.

It was a lovely visit- not lasting nearly long enough of course, but isn't that how those kind of visits go? Never enough time to catch up with everything.

Tuesday evening was beautiful and warm. All six of us packed ourselves like sardines in my friend's car and off we went . . .

She took us to the prettiest little beach/park about 20 mins from Port Orchard. You could see downtown Seattle across the water, far off to the Northeast. And surprisingly enough, the water there was so clear that you could actually see to the bottom- unheard of in the Puget Sound! Not that you would want to swim in it mind you . . . as you can see there's all sorts of icky floaty things in there. Not to mention the huge drainpipe right next to the dock that had a sign announcing toxic runoff!

So as swimming was out of the question the boys took to digging for treasure . . .

and lo and behold, treasure was actually found! From that big 'ol hole above two salt-stained quarters emerged! Very exciting stuff to find buried treasure!

Once the sun went down we headed back to Port Orchard and cartons of icecream. :)
In the picture below you can just make out the Seattle skyline off to the left. The sun had it all light up in shades of orange and lavender and it was absolutely breathtaking! I tried to capture it all, but my camera phone just couldn't do it justice.

Early afternoon the next day, we said our good-byes and (missing them already) went on our way. I knew the Youngest was pretty down, so I decided that we'd venture into the little downtown area of Port Orchard before heading home. It's such a charming little spot, with antique stores all over, a cafe, various places to eat and a candy/toy shop.
Before setting off to explore, I insisted on a photo opp with the totem pole . . . that (below) is what I got.

But that frown turned upside down once we entered the antique mall. If there is one thing the Youngest loves to do, it's antiquing with mom. And he's actually a pleasure to go with . . . patient as I look at everything and realistic about our tiny budget. He even tries to affirm my delight over whatever I happen to be excited over at any given moment. I only hope that one day he finds a wife who will appreciate this amazing trait in a man! ;)

And as far as me getting excited, there were many many moments to do so in this antique mall! On sight I fell head over heels for this little skunk family. What is it about skunks that just make them so cute?! Or is it just me?

Loved all the blue and white china . . . 

                                and these vintage towels!! 
Oh, my- I could have happily taken every single one home!

A few close-ups of the embroidery . . .

love these pansies!

A pretty painting and some pewter . . .

and lovely old dresses!

I think this one (below) would be just right for a summer picnic on a rolling lawn, complete with a view :)

About this time I put away my camera phone after the many odd looks from the elderly men who were perusing alongside me. The Youngest also asked (politely) if I planned on taking pictures of every item in the antique store... Uh, no- maybe just most of them. ;)

So we moved on from there and then the Youngest found his 'treasure' . . .

Now I have to back up a tiny bit and just mention that this boy has (of late) two dreams in life . . . one is to be a famous violinist someday and the other is to have a taxidermy business on the side. 
Where he comes up with this stuff I don't know, but if you knew him you you'd shake your head and say, "yep- makes sense."

And so, it wasn't too surprising that he was able to spot way up on top of a dusty shelf a half decrepit stuffed badger . . . it was behind me when his eyes lit upon it, and once I turned around and actually saw it- (nasty barred teeth and all)- I admit I was startled enough to make a small yelping noise, which only made the critter all the more irresistible to him- (what is it with the boys out there who think freaking out their mothers is great sport?!)

And then, of all things, he begged me to reach up and get the filthy, shedding thing down for him to hold. I actually had to take deep breathes and avert my eyes to handle that thing. Ugh . . . I have never had a need to know what badger fur feels like. Especially when covered in an inch of dust.

But this just made that boy's day. He petted it and poked it and enjoyed seeing the area in it's belly where incisions had been made.
All I can say is Thank You God, that it was so far out of our price range that I didn't even have to say no to bringing him home.

And I am also grateful that the deer head he later found was in fact mounted to the wall. 

After the antique mall, we finished up our jaunt with a trip to the candy shop which proved to be a hardship in decision-making for him. I thought this 'seagull plop' was rather amusing, but he eventually decided on some fudge in the end. I chose coffee from the nearby cafe. And then we hit the freeway home.

Oh! And I did end up bringing home one little treasure to remember it all by . . . this little blue and white plate charmed me and was easy to say yes to for under 3 dollars.

I think it fits in perfectly with my other blue and whites, don't you think? :)

And now, ever since we've been home it's been full speed ahead into the back-to-school craziness. Schedule pick-ups, a mile-high stack of paperwork to fill out, new student orientation, cross country sign-ups, supply and shoe shopping, etc, etc. If you have (or had) school age kids you know all about it. And it wasn't any easier when I was homeschooling either . . . just a different kind of crazy! So if I'm not back for awhile, you'll know where I am . . . ;)

~On the Phone~

So, I've been MIA lately and the above is a big reason why. After 10+ years with my old flip phone, I am finally the owner of a smartphone. Though I'm still trying to decide if that was 'smart' on my part. After three weeks, I have already been through 2 phones (the first one stopped working after a week and had to be exchanged for a new one . . . and I lost all the data I had painstakingly put on my first) and I have had countless hours of frustration trying to a.) sync it to my computer, b.) download a ringtone and c.) remember I no longer have a landline to go to if I forget to charge it. 
But . . . I believe the kinks have finally been worked out and now that I'm starting to get the hang of it and of texting (my first ever text I ended up accidentally sending a stranger a rather suggestive message instead of my husband! . . . oops!) and I've even joined Instagram which I am loving!
So, all that to say, I will be in this space a little more often now (hopefully) and please do follow my on Instagram HERE! 

Hope y'all are having a wonderful end of the summer!
Thanks for stopping by!