Friday Round-up

I haven't written a Friday Round-up in awhile so I thought I would share some of my favorites of late.

First up: (since it is Earth Week) is the multitude of Method products. I am a changed person when it comes to laundry detergent. For years I was a consumer of Tide, swearing that it was the only thing that could get my boys' clothes clean and bright. But I have now discovered Method Laundry detergent. This stuff gets my whites super clean. Try it...you just need a little bit too!

I love Joslyn's style and so she helps me spend lots of money when I visit her site. The other day she posted this shirt that she was coveting. So am I! I loved all three items that she posted...but this is the one I think I shall buy!

Two sites that I have enjoyed reading lately are the Housemartin and The Hostess with the Mostess. Housemartin creates beautiful arrangements which makes me think outside of the box when ordering flower arrangements for gifts or for dinner parties at our home.

Photos from the Housemartin site

Hostess with the Mostess just makes me want to have a party every time I stop by her blog. Everything is just so festive!

Picture form Hostess with the Mostess site via Martha Stewart.

Lastly, every year at Seaside we paint pottery. Usually, I don't create anything. But this year the boys persuaded everyone to create some personnel memento of their trip. I painted this vase. The idea for the paint color came from some fabric that I purchased a while back. Daffodils are from my garden. Here's to a great weekend!

Happy Earth Day!

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."

Native American Proverb

Re-entry!

Well another vacation is in the books! I'm always astonished at how quickly ten days can fly by. This year's weather cooperated for us. Not too hot and not too cold. We had just one day of chilly, overcast weather which we needed due to not applying enough sunscreen on the first day. Other than that day, the sky was the most beautiful robin's egg blue that I have ever seen. Match that with the aqua color of the Gulf and you have heaven.

We would play at the beach in the morning...but after seeing the shark the boys decided they wanted to swim in the pool. So the afternoons were spent poolside.

Our early mornings consisted of bike rides,

tennis,

or basketball.

We traveled with my brother and sister-in-law and good friends from Dallas. Many laughs were shared together while consuming good libations!

Seaside is a magical place and I'm thankful that we can give our boys these special memories.

Relaxed!

Having a great time! Wish you were here!

Off to Play In the Sand

Looking forward to unplugging...somewhat...not totally. You might still find my comments here or there. Ten days with my children AND husband...I may need an escape. See ya!

Simply Still Day 6 and 7

Simply Still Day 6

Not sure where these animals came from, but we've had them since Matt was a baby. I love how they sit on our bookshelf. Don't mind the dust...the cleaning lady has been busy blogging and flickring.

Simply Still Day 7

My grandmother's clock hung in her tiny Connecticut kitchen. Every summer we would spend two weeks at my grandparents home. I loved to lay in bed in the morning and listen to it chime. My husband had it refurbished after I acquired it. He doesn't like the chimes as much as I do.

When we travel to Seaside, one of the activities that's always on the list is sandcastle building. We prepare what we are going to make and then my brother assigns (orders) everyone a task. I'm the official photographer since the day I couldn't make the dragon claws to specification. (not harboring a grudge or anything...) It's quite a production and many stop to comment on the day's work.. Personally, I think it's an excuse by all the men in our house to have young, bikini clad girls stop and talk to them. Gives the the guys quite a thrill!

Simply Still Day 5

Simply Still

Day 5

As I ran into Old Navy yesterday to find a whole new wardrobe of shorts for my youngest, I couldn't resist stopping just to look at the women's clothing. A half hour later my arms were full and we were set for our trip. I got this little t-shirt to go with the jazzy skirt that I made earlier in the week.

The I spied this breezy number....

and then this one.

While my friend Joslyn has been good about buying for her trip, I think all of you should be proud to know that I helped to jump start the economy this week. Happy weekend!

Simply Still Day 4

Simply Still

Day 4

We are anything but simply still around here these days. Spring cleaning has taken on a new meaning as drawers are rid of too small clothing, flower beds cleaned of the winter leaves and cupboards rearranged from winter's nesting. Many of these things can be tackled later than sooner, but when I'm on a roll I better stick with it.

Ry with his uncle

2003

Oh and by the way...no one can walk through the house without mentioning the beach.

The first year we made our grand excursion to Florida, Ryan was three.

Audrey, Uncle Tim and Ryan

2007

Six years later, we have added another very special family and share wonderful times. Oh... I can't wait...can't ya tell?

Simply Still Day 3

Simply Still Day 3

And speaking of sock yarn (and Melena can back me up on this)... Get on over to sKNITches at 12:30 pm today and stock up. I simply adore their yarn! Unfortunately I will miss it today because I have to volunteer in my son's classroom. It's probably a good thing since I can't keep up with what I have in my stash!

Dreaming of the vacation to come...

Simply Still Day 2

Okay, I know my refrigerator is a stretch for Simply Still Week. Not quite a study in still life photography. But, it was awfully still this morning in our house while I was making the boys' lunches so I thought "what the heck!" Please don't fault me for the food choices I make. We try very hard and the boys are good about eating veggies and fruits.

This material has been calling me to sew it up into another skirt. I'm thinking I might shorten it a bit. When I was trying it on I had my athletic socks on and it just wasn't creating the look I was going for! The color combination is one of my favorites at the moment. I love the look of teal and brown together.

Since it is almost noon and I have procrastinated all of the morning away I better get to some household chores. Spring cleaning is calling me!