Transition

The sunny skies and warm temperatures say summer is still here, but the school calendar tells a different story. Public schools are back in session, and for the first time ever I wasn't taking a first-day-of-school portrait of my kids.

Tomorrow is a big day for our daughter as we take her off to college to begin her new life as a freshman. Our son--a college senior!--is settled into his new apartment and ready for a big year, too.

There's nothing like seeing your kids grow up to make you realize how quickly time passes. The house is going to seem very quiet for a while as we adjust to this "new normal." I'll shed some tears for sure, but I know it's all good. We are indeed blessed.

Scattered

I'm feeling scattered as a series of changes is looming. It begins today with our son moving from one apartment to another, and culminates in just three short weeks as our daughter moves to the dorm and away from home for the first time.
For me, the lazy days of summer are not so lazy right now. There's so much to do, yet a lot of waiting involved, too (which is not my forte) as events must happen in a particular order. My to-do list is filled with things to buy, things to remember and things to figure out.
Wish me luck as I try to find a little calm in the midst of this whirlwind.

Savor

Today I waved good-bye as I watched my daughter drive off to high school for the very last time. Tomorrow morning we all go to the school for a special assembly, where the soon-to-be grads will wear their caps and gowns and will feel--maybe for the first time--that it's all really ending. Tomorrow evening family and friends will gather to celebrate her accomplishments with a party, and Saturday she will officially graduate. It's happy, it's sad, it's all going too fast. We are blessed. Time to savor each moment.

Crunch time

We enjoyed a lovely Easter, and now we're coming into the home stretch of the school year, with graduation just four short weeks away. Announcements are in the mail, the open house invitation will go out later this week...but there is still much to do! I feel I've abandoned all my online contacts recently but it's crunch time and I have to stay focused on the to-do list. It's exciting and a little sad, too, as I think of all the big changes looming ahead. Soon the days will slow down, and I'm looking forward to the chance to try some new things: * This summertime salad looks delicious. *I'd like to try my hand at making some of these bracelets *This "scrap" book would be a fun way to work with color P.S. Our graduation open house is going to feature a dessert buffet of sorts. Any good recipes or links you'd like to share?

Blink

It feels like February just began a couple of days ago, and now we welcome March. Though winter seems long in some ways, at other times the days speed by. My daughter turned 18 over the weekend, a big occasion! And my son will be 21 in just two days. Two milestone birthdays in such a short span of time...it makes my head spin just a bit. Can you believe these two little ones are now adults?

For me, the birthday celebrations each year signal a shift in the seasons, too. I can begin to imagine warmer days, sunny skies, green grass. But with graduation looming and more changes afoot, I think I'll be happy to let time move along at a slower pace...for now.

Making plans

It's a frigid January morning--about six degrees, I think--and another snow day here. I've had one cup of coffee and I'm waiting for a little daylight before I venture outdoors to clear off the patio another time. The house is peaceful and quiet, only the hum of the furnace breaking the silence. It's wonderful!

So we're solidly into the new year and I'm pondering what creative creative projects I should tackle. I have thoughts swirling in my head but nothing has firmed up yet. One project on my plate is to create a photo scrapbook for my girl who's graduating in just four months! I've slowly started gathering photos, but since she grew up in a (mostly) pre-digital age, there are lots of prints to be scanned. I made one for her brother on Shutterfly but I'm wondering if there are better options now. Any thoughts?

I keep looking at all the cozy handknits online and need to get something back onto my needles. This is especially lovely, don't you think? I like this one, too.

I also hope to just spend more time with my camera this year, maybe trying out some film cameras we have acquired and perhaps even building a contraption so I can try my hand at TtV. Have any of you done this? If so, please share any tips or tricks that might be helpful.

So how about you? What's on your creative to-do list this year?

Flying by

I am shocked at how quickly October has come and (almost) gone. How can today be Halloween? As all Moms know, the end of October brings the looming holidays that much closer. And as much as I've thought about gifts to buy or make, I haven't put any of my plans into action. Ack! I have yarn and knitting needles patiently waiting for me, and an Amazon list full of ideas. I always love to bake gifts, too, but that usually happens at the last minute.

On top of all this, I'm seriously thinking of opening an etsy shop with prints of my photos for sale. I have a Polaroid calendar in the works as well that I'm really excited about. And possibly notecards, too! It's all the little details of getting a shop open that are slowing me down now.

How about you? What's on your "to-do" list for the upcoming holidays? I'd love to hear your ideas and plans. We're all in this together, aren't we?

August adventures

It's been hot, hot, hot here...and incredibly humid, too. The daily heat index for nearly two weeks has been between 105 and 110 degrees. The grass is crunchy underfoot and the flower bed in front of the house has huge cracks in it. I always forget that this is what August in the Midwest looks like.

Though our AC works just fine, we've had some major construction going on here that's been bringing the outdoors in. We're having all the windows in our home replaced--long overdue--and blasts of heat have been pouring through those openings on a daily basis. All the windows are now in place so things are looking up!

Aside from the repairs going on, we're getting ready for the start of school again. Every year I'm surprised by how quickly the summer has flown by. We'll be moving our son back to college this weekend and our daughter will be starting her senior year...gulp! It's a busy time for all of us. What are you doing to wrap up the summer? Is it all work, or some fun stuff, too?

P.S. The blueberry scones were a recent Saturday baking adventure. So delicious and easy to make! The recipe is here.

Back to real life

I can't believe it's the end of July and summer is coming to a close! (It makes me sad just to write that down.) We are back from our vacation, tired and happy, getting back into the work routine this week. Things still feel a bit disjointed as more changes will be coming with the start of school in just three weeks. That doesn't seem possible. Neither does the fact that my daughter will be a senior this year. It hit me as I was filling out the paperwork for her diploma just a couple of days ago...this is really it!

As for me, I'm feeling like now is the time to be thinking about the second half of the year (I know, we're already into it!) and what I want to accomplish. Daily life seems to get in the way to the loftier goals. I need to find the discipline to keep my focus and make some things happen, in spite of the distractions. Do you feel that way, too? How do you work your dreams into everyday life?

P.S. I have managed to keep up with my "one a day" in July photo challenge. Just a couple more days to go. The set is here.

Here and there

I seem to be all over the place these days--literally and figuratively. A couple of trips already, vacation just days away, and a to-do list that's much too long. I am a summer-loving girl, but one thing I miss in the summertime is my routine. One difference this year is that I'm working again part-time, which adds another level of responsibility into the mix. My head is just a little too full right now. It's all good, though. I need to do a better job of remembering that.

P.S. I've been reconnecting with my camera this month and loving it. I'm posting a photo a day for this month here. I'm also enjoying the photos (and words) in this flickr group, some of which end up here.

Rain, rain, go away!

Summer is in full swing but it's one of the soggiest ever! We've had some major "gully-washers" in the past couple of weeks and I'm not sure when we'll ever dry out. We do have moments of sun in between the storms, but not enough to really make a difference. It seems the rain makes some people (and plants) happy, though, so I guess your fun is where you make it!

P.S. Rainy days are good days for cooking and baking! I recently made these cinnamon rolls (delicious!) and the cowboy calzones from The Pioneer Woman's cook book. And if you don't own that cook book...you need to run straight out and get it. Seriously.

It's official

Summer is here! Well, not technically, but it's the last day of school for my daughter, and that marks a big change for our family. No more homework, tests,or projects for several months. Now we can focus on the fun stuff!

As for me, I'm working fewer hours and more of those from home, so I think the new routine will fit the summer mode. The job has definitely cut into my blogging and photography time, but I'm hoping to get a better balance in the next few months.

Right now, I'm looking forward to:
*Picking blueberries
*Visiting family
*Vacationing here
*Drinking lots of sweet tea
*Enjoying the fresh goodies from my garden

What are your plans for the warm months ahead?

Wordless Wednesday

Anything but normal

The view outside my window these days is white. Very white. The snow that gave us a lovely Christmas refuses to leave, and has been topped every few days by new powder. Normally the snow lasts only a few days around here, melting quickly a day or two after the storm. Things are definitely not normal right now!

In addition to the mounds of snow, we have sub-zero wind chills, and public schools have been canceled three days running. I've been busy making warm, comforting meals, shoveling the driveway and patio, and spending lots of time with the family. We're still in holiday mode it seems, at least until next week. I guess those plans for organizing and starting new projects will have to wait just a little longer. Any ideas for keeping cabin fever at bay?

Goodies

The gifts are wrapped and under the tree. The errands are done. We'll be packing today for travel tomorrow. It's so nice to be relaxed and just enjoying time at home! The last few days have been spent baking treats to enjoy over the next few days. No new recipes this year, just a few old favorites. If you're looking for some goodies for your family, give one of these a try.

No matter where you are or how you celebrate, I hope you have a relaxed and blessed Christmas! I'll be back after the celebrating to wrap up my 365 project, so check back for the big finish...

Counting down

Oh, my. One look at the calendar and my heart starts to beat a little faster. How can it be that Christmas is just eight days away? I've made tons of progress yet I never feel completely ready. Does that happen to you?

Starting this weekend it will be time to wrap all the gifts, do some serious baking, and prepare to travel. It will all come together--it always does--but time just seems to speed up during the holiday season. My biggest regret is not making more time for crafting. Sigh. Maybe after Christmas I'll choose a project and devote some time to it.

By the way, I have just 15 days left in my 365 project. Woo-hoo! I'm thinking hard about how to wrap it up. Any ideas for a big finish photo?

P.S. If you're looking for a new cookie recipe, try this one. You won't be sorry.

Preparing

Just popping in to share some images from the week. I've been hauling out the holly (so to speak) and I think I'm about finished with the decorating. Time to move on to gifts! I need to order prints of some photos, do a little online shopping, and generally organize my plan for gift-giving. We're trying to scale back a bit but still give something meaningful to our family members. Can you relate? I'm also on the hunt for cookie recipes. I'd love to try some new ones this year, along with the family favorites. Send me your ideas!

Eyes wide open

Just popping in to say "hi" today and to share some images of what I'm seeing these days. Life is moving along at its normal fast pace, a few ups and downs but mostly good right now. I'm in the mood to do some closet cleaning and fall decorating, but allergies and an ongoing sinus headache have kept my motivation low. Every time I think about starting a project, I just feel too tired to even begin. Oh, and add to that a broken toe (I missed a few stairs over the weekend) and I'm really moving slowly at the moment. I'm starting to feel a little shut in and I'm reminded that winter will soon be here. Time to get outside and enjoy these perfect days before it's too late! What are you seeing and doing right now?

Caramel and apples and cake, oh, my!

Things are feeling different around here since we turned the calendar to September. We've had lots of cool, cloudy days, and I believe summer is letting go more quickly than usual.

When the seasons change, my food cravings seem to change, too. I'm starting to long for hot soup and cozy comfort foods. And I've been baking a lot, too--not that I restrict that activity to particular times of the year!

Last week I tried a new recipe (two, actually) that are worth sharing. Since it's apple season, it seemed the right time to pull out a recipe I've had tucked away for some time.



Credit for the cinnamon apple cake recipe goes to Leslie Friend, who posted it on her blog a couple of years ago. I have no idea why I waited so long to bake this. It was easy to make and absolutely delicious! You probably have the ingredients in your kitchen right now. If not, it's worth traveling to the store so you can have this tonight.

My addition was the caramel sauce. Caramel and apples make a good pair, right? I found a recipe online and whipped up a batch as the cake was baking. We drizzled it over each slice as it was served, and it was heavenly! Leftovers--if you have any--would be great on ice cream or as a dip for some fresh apples.

Are you hungry yet? I am! Let me know if you give this a try.

Wordless Wednesday