Link Love and a Break

I've decided to take a short break to enjoy the last week of summer vacation.  I can't believe I'm about to write this, but we had a great summer.  I was a bit worried with the lack of activities that were planned for the boys, but, instead, we.did. a. lot.!  I think the best part of the break was spending time with my boys and their friends.  They are not "too cool" yet to still want to laugh with the parents.  So fun to listen to their conversations.  I did a ton of driving, and we did have our share of disagreements, but it turned out to be a summer to remember.

That being said, I still want to enjoy my time with all three of my guys.  I want to knit a sweater for my husband and read a few more books.  My movie queue dates back to 2007, so I would like to catch up by a year or so.

To those of you who are back to school, enjoy your quiet time.  To those of you who still have the gremlins at home, good luck.  The last week is always the hardest!

Enjoy the links and I will see you soon!

These are on my to-do list for the Fall.  Simple and easy and oh so nice for a hostess gift.

I apologize if I've posted this before...but it's chocolate, so it's worth repeating.

This is hysterical! Andy I are are turning 50 soon.  I so want to do this. 

More lantern love.

This guy is incredible.  His new t-shirt is available.  He takes certain wedding photos and creates cool t-shirts out of them.  I want every single one!

A Year In Review

I had a birthday yesterday!  It was perfect!  Here's what I've been up to this past year!

Knitted...With Love

Friends of ours finally received the present that they have long been waiting for. The gift of a baby girl. As our whole community waited for this sweet, sweet gift to arrive, I knit. Taking my time on each and every stitch. Sending good thoughts to our friends and to the birth mother that all would go well. Stitch by stitch, I sat and knitted thinking and hoping for our friends.

As the baby was traveling to its new home, I was finishing up on the last few stitches of Fiona, a sweet little pattern that will be made again and again.

I chose to knit with Spud and Chloe Fine, in the shade Lipstick. Just perfect for a fashionable little one.

Some dainty flower buttons pulled it all together.

To top things off, two little hats from Last Minute Knitted Gifts.

I found some soft cotton in my stash and finished my knitting just as they arrived home.

Welcome baby!

You've got a whole town that loves you more than you'll ever know!

Mom's Fun and Games

Did you think I forgot how to knit? Mornings are my salvation. Coffee, quiet and my needles.

More on Monday!

5 things...

1. I only have one picture for today. It's been rather hectic around here as of late.

2. My brother came to visit, and then my sister came to visit and then my sister-in law ended up at my house. All wonderful! All fun!

3. My sister-in-law was a surprise! She came on an emergency and everything ended up working out just right!

4. We are in our final last three weeks of summer. Around this space, I will continue to be hit or miss, so we can finish off the summer in grand fashion.

5. I said "yes" to becoming the new PTA president for our middle school. I have different feelings about all of this. But for the time being, I'm going to stay mum on the whole topic.

Have a great week everyone!

5 things...

It was a beautiful weekend here in the Northeast! We continue to have an exciting summer. The boys' social calendars are full and I'm never sure who will be sleeping where on any given night! As much as I complain in June about still being in school, I secretly love being out while everyone is heading back. Good luck to all who are starting back this week!

1. The boys donated their time at a March of Dimes event this past weekend. Over 900 bikers rallied and rode to help prevent premature births. So many interesting people gathered together to help make the event a success.

2. My friend asked me to take photos at the event. I had a blast. I used my telephoto lens to photograph everyone. I'm not brave enough to get up close and personal with everyone yet.

3. Matt was able to internalize the whole event and spoke about how it made him feel really good to be helping a cause. What fun it was to watch the clean cut, Hollister clad, boys interact with dudes like the one above.

4. We are doing bedtime battles for the first time ever. Seems as if my middle schoolers think they can stay up until the break of day! What time do your kids go to bed in the summertime?

5. Lastly, another day, another lake. Traveled to Inlet, NY yesterday to spend the day. The day was perfect! We're getting excited for our week's adventure at the end of the summer!

Hope your week is off to a great start!

August...

I've been feeling a bit melancholy this past week. August always does this to me. It's my birthday month and I spend a lot of time reflecting on what I liked and disliked about the past year and what I hope to achieve in the coming year. I've two more years in the fabulous forties and it has caused me to reflect a bit more on how I might want to spend them.

What made matters worse this week, was news of college friends that have passed away in the last year. One of Lou Gehrig's disease and one with a brain tumor. Both 48, both with children at home. And then yesterday, another college friend was admitted into a long care facility with MS. It has not been a good week.

So, as I am not one to dwell in the gloom and doom, I've been spending time with the boys. Trying hard not to lose my patience at their fighting and whining and fighting and whining. Hugging them when they don't want it and sitting and just being. Because you never know.



Enjoy your weekend everyone. I have my boys donating their time to the March of Dimes this weekend. I plan on having awesome shots to show you on Monday. It should be a fun day!

5 things...macro style

I popped on my macro lens today to see what I could see. I forgot how much I enjoy this lens!
enjoy!