5 things...

Still quiet, but I have picked up my camera this past week.

Please visit Habit this month to see so many wonderful photographers.

There is some good stuff over there.

...

I seem to have lost my voice.

It's as if I go one step forward and at least three back.

I don't want to come here and complain about everything, yet I know if I do people will understand.

Instead, I'm quiet.

I'm knitting.

and reading.

and starting to think about making the holidays a special time.

The mornings have been cold but the days warmer than usual for this time of year.

I'm in the car....a lot, but not as much as I use to be since Ryan gave up hockey.

Which was a good decision.

I don't pick up my camera as near as often as I should.

But, I'm looking forward to photographing a young mom's twin boys.

They are two and they make me yearn for the time my guys were two.

So that's it for tonight.

I'm listening to a viola and a trumpet as I write this. 

So I guess things are good, if they are at least practicing.

Just popping in....

I'll be back soon. I will. I promise!

But for now, go check out Matt's photography over at Flickr. He's taking a photography class at school. It's great to see the world from the perspective of a sixteen year old young man.

5 things...

Yet again I've stayed away from this space for too long.  It's just that I thought with having teens I would have so much more time to do things for me, yet I find myself busier than ever. Along with that busyness, come the mother's worry of helping them along to good choices.  Some days it can be exhilarating and some days it's just plain exhausting. So what have we been up to:

 1. Second year of AP global social studies.  College level course given to sophomores and freshmen.  We are in round two of this hell.  We all hate this course for what it does to our family dynamics.  Matt's stuck with it because it's this or the water down version of the course.  No honors course to choose from.  

 2. Ryan gave up hockey this year. There are various reasons, but the main one is that he is just burned out at the age of thirteen.  I could get into the whole politics of the hockey program...but I won't, I want my Monday to be free of stress.

 3.  I'm struggling with time management.  It's been difficult as of late.  I think I have it all figured out and then something pops up and changes everything.  Having a hard time going with the flow.

 4.  I've started running again.  There is a young man on Matt's team that consistently comes in last every. single. cross country race.  Yet, when he crosses the finish line, he always has a smile on his face and he raises his hands in a salute.  It's inspiring to watch and gives me the motivation to plod on.

5. This is what I live with.

Enjoy your week everyone!

Links I Love...

It's beginning to look like Fall around these parts.  The trees aren't as colorful this year as the lack of water has taken a toll on the them. It seems as if the leaves are just turning an ugly shade of brown and then dropping. In fact, I noticed the leaves dropping in August.  Unheard of around here!

The interwebs are slowly changing seasons too.  Halloween and comfort foods are starting to pop up all over the place.  The feel of hibernation is starting to set in.  It feels good to sleep under a couple of blankets and the early darkness helps to settle us into a good school routine.

Enjoy my favorites of the week and I hope you all have a great weekend.

 Hoping to find some late season sweet corn to make this yummy soup this weekend.

If I can find time, I'm making some of these.  How simple! I can picture wearing it with a jet black turtleneck.

Awesome idea!

Love this baby sweater.  On my list of go-to baby knits...for gifts...not for me!

Fashion week fever has hit yet again. I would have to say of all the designers that I've seen, Marc Jacobs was my favorite.  Loved everything I saw from him.

5 things...

Well, hello!

I didn't think I would be away that long and I'm still not sure how often I will be back.  Life has been busy and we've all been settling into a routine now that school has started again.  I think the change in the weather, going to bed at a reasonable time and exercising for all has made for happier people in our home.

 1. We finished our summer in the Adirondacks.  This was our fourteenth summer at the same place and I would have to say our best.  The boys brought a friend along which kept the fighting at a minimum.  We all had a ton of fun and even I,had time to relax!

 2.  Both boys are in the high school now.  Yes, our eighth grade is included with the twelfth graders.  It  seems to work out okay.  Ryan is happy to be back in the same school as his brother.

 3.  I've been reading a lot more.  I need to update my sidebar.  If you are a member of Goodreads, you can find me over there.  

 4. Sports are back in our house.  Matt is running cross country and Ryan is just starting up hockey.  The cross country I enjoy-the hockey makes me break out in panic attacks.  It's not my favorite pastime anymore. 

5.  If you are still reading....thanks for sticking with me.  Hopefully, I will be here more times than not.  

Enjoy the week!

Link Love

My pictures just sing summer this week!  It's been a fast paced, action packed start to vacation.  I'm looking forward to settling into a summer routine filled with a few camps, a job for the oldest and lots of time spent with friends.  Hope you are all staying cool and enjoying this beautiful weather. I'm off to the farmer's market.  Blueberries and raspberries are on my list!

 These are going to be made this week!  But first, I need to buy the molds.  

 I'm in love with this site.  This post did not disappoint.  Shrinky dinks for adult jewelry!

 Yes please!  

I'm not on the wedding circuit of late.  But this would be  a great wedding present or shower gift.  

We are thinking about installing a rain barrel.  We  are on a well and in the dry years need to preserve our water.  This might be an option for us!

enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Happy Birthday America!

We are off celebrating the birthday of our Nation!

136 years young!

5 things....

Saturday, Andy took the boys and their friends out tubing on the lake.  I decided not to go as I tend to get a bit nauseous when they have the boat spinning in circles in order to get bigger waves.

As I was sitting, waiting for them to come back I discovered that I didn't know any of the parents sitting at the beach.  I've officially become one of the older moms.  The mom that sits out of the fray of the toddlers and elementary school kids.  The one that can actually relax while sitting near a body of water. The one that doesn't turn her head when she hears "Mom" being screamed at the top of someone's lungs and the mom that doesn't  go running when she hears a piercing scream and crying.

It was a bittersweet feeling.  I'm sad that our days of summer are not spent on that sandy beach anymore.  Days of digging holes and swimming for hours until their fingers were wrinkled from the water.  Gone are the many days of grilled cheese sandwiches and snacks from the beach bag.

But as I watched this new generation of parents and their little ones I was happy that we were part of the long tradition of families on that beach.  I can only hope that my boys decided to find a place just as special, maybe even the one they grew up on, to raise their families when it's time.

1.  Loving caprese salads right now.  It will be even better when the tomatoes ripen.

2.  Looking for a good television show for summer.  Suggestions welcomed.

3.  Just finished reading The History of Love.  It started out slow, but in the end I really enjoyed it.

4. Do you like sweet tea or unsweetened?

5. Matt and I have started a summer blog.  We took the idea from Sarah and Anna ( can't find the link Sarah...could you send it to me?) Matt and I need something this summer.  Hopefully, this might be it.
  
Enjoy the week everyone!  

Question....

Hey everyone! I'm here, but really busy.  As you can see I've been making a few adjustments with the blog.  I do want my header to spread across the top which probably means I need to go in and adjust the HTML. Right? Anyone know a simple way to do that, or can point me in the right direction on-line to show me how.

In the meantime, enjoy the pictures below.  I donated my photography skills to a local silent auction. The high bidder has a beautiful garden.  It's been fun to walk along the flowers.  I need to go back to get the morning light...enjoy!

links, links, links...

Thank goodness it's Friday.  It's been a long one people.  A funeral, a death in the community, and epic meltdowns over schoolwork.  As much as the weather is getting nicer, the stress is amping up here at Upper Pond.  June 21st cannot come soon enough. 

So, I went for a walk in my yard to lift my spirits. I'm always amazed at the hidden treasures I find within my gardens.  I think Ryan is the culprit; hiding things to make me smile when I discover them.

I did try to navigate the blog world this week to see what I have been missing.  Here are a few of my favorites!

 These are adorable.  Perfect for little trinkets.

I'm constantly amazed at what people think up.   This is thinking way outside the box!

 Ryan has friends sleeping over tonight.  It's a common occurrence on the weekend.  These will be on the menu in the morning.

 I'm going to attempt a zippered pillow.   But first I need to find my zipper foot for the sewing machine.

Wish me luck.

This is just perfect.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Link love...

You know that feeling when you think your day is just going along wonderfully yet you have that nagging feeling that something is about to happen that might not set you in a good mood?  You know what I'm talking about don't you?  Well, that was my evening yesterday.  I was sitting watching Matt play baseball in the bright, yet freezing late afternoon sun.  Ryan was at the pier fishing with his friends and all was good.  

Later, when I got home I received the phone call...."mom, can you come get me?  I fell in the lake!"

At first I thought it was some sort of April Fool's joke.  He's a kidder like that! But, then I realized that this was no joke.  

Long story short.  He was able to get a temporary cast on until Monday, where he will then have to go back and get a new one for one more week.

His friend jumped in to help him get out.

No, he wasn't over his head.

Yes, he said the water took his breath away.

The phone he NEVER carries, got wet...because yesterday was the day he decided to bring it with him.

I've lost count with how many phones he has gone through.

I'm thankful there was no ice in the lake.

Today was calmer.

Onward to the links....

 Not sure I could ever pull this outfit off, but I do like it!

 These look yummy and fun to make!

 I'm always on the lookout for quick and easy crafts to make with older kids.  This one looks like it might fit the bill.

 I can't remember if I've shared this blog with you yet.  If so, I apologize. The author writes about the everyday stuff and makes us laugh in the process. It's worth reading.

And lastly, for all of you with insomnia (and I know there are plenty because I see you when I'm up in the middle of the night)  a fun online photobooth to take silly pictures of yourself in your pj's!

enjoy the rest of your weekend!

5 things....

We were dealt with a few more weeks in the cast today.  The bone is healed but not quite strong enough to put weight on it yet.  Disappointment was apparent but this way is better than the very expensive brace that he would have had to wear.  

The countdown has been put back up on the kitchen blackboard and we will remain optimistic.

 The weather has changed-sunny but cold.  Heads are back in their studies.

 We found a wonderful wicker couch at a local barn sale this weekend.  A fresh coat of paint and new cushions will make it as good as new!

 Have you looked up at night these past few weeks?  The moon, planets and stars have been giving us a beautiful show.  Last night was outstanding!

I have one looking for work for the summer and another thinking of camp.  It hardly seems possible that we are here in our lives.  They have been good.  It's been a good week...and as I type that out, it's guaranteed to go downhill from here on in!