Friday, September 26, 2014

this moment

taking time
to appreciate
the simple sweetness
of life

Grandma Jenny & Kierstin

walking happily
hand-in-hand
under sunny skies
along a flowered path
while eating oranges

life just doesn't get any sweeter
than that!

Happy Friday, friends.
:)

Monday, September 22, 2014

hippie chick :: summer revival

summer's close


ah
but what a
summer we had

instead of looking back
today
 we take a good
hard look
at our skin

skin that may need 
a bit of attention
after 
sun, swim, surf

let's address that issue
naturally


not without a big
"thank you"
to Stephanie Tourles
whose little recipe book
has proven
invaluable
during this process

and did i mention
fun?


concocting
right in my kitchen
within minutes at times

lotions and potions

that are immediately
enjoyed

her cornmeal and honey
 facial scrub

amazing

left my skin feeling
velvety 
soft

pineapple
with tropical enzymes
that lighten and brighten
the complexion

who knew?!

this morning
turning my attention
to the rest of my body
with the
salt of the earth scrub


simple ingredients
that come together
in a surprising
 way


like whipping up
a slushy for the body
sea salt
olive oil
essential oils


peppermint and spearmint

to awaken
and
enliven
and cool 
the senses


an invigorating
start
to this last day
of 
summer.

bonus!
after spooning into your jar
swipe the bowl
for any remaining trace of the scrub
and give yourself
an instant
hand smoothing treatment.
believe me
you'll notice an immediate
difference.
(all recipes mentioned are on-line)

peace
to you
on this summer's day.
xo

Thursday, September 18, 2014

my late-summer, front-yard garden

Welcome!


won't you take
a stroll with
me?


as I show what the
garden still has to offer
this mid-September
day

glorious zinnias

that are heartily blooming
due to the late
planting 

I ask you...
is there a more cheerful
blossom?


the tolerant
marigold
that other than
a spritz here
or 
a dead-heading there
thrives in the 
challenging conditions i put it
through


pole beans
that have been so prolific
for me


red cabbage
begging to be used
in a salad
or
whatever Isa has to suggest
over at PPK


a few eggplants
hang in waiting


as do tomatoes
san marzano variety
has proven to be
a great producer for me

perfect for cooking


parsley
for chimichurri sauce
maybe for tomorrows
dinner


beans
beans
and more beans


and plenty 
of busy
bees


still looking
pretty
thanks to those zinnias
and cosmos


this one
craning its neck
to have a good look
at you
as you walk by.

Thanks for joining me.
I know a garden isn't a thrilling post
but
it will give me something to 
look back on next year
to compare
seasonal growth
and will give me a smile
on a cold
winter's day.

Already planning 
next years 
garden.

Always planning.
:)

Monday, September 15, 2014

hippie chick :: summer revival

Final weeks :: Capturing memories







and so it goes
the days begin to shorten
dew heavy on the blades of grass
 cool northerly winds do blow
and 
the apple replaces the peach


and i look to the sky


with its low hanging clouds
colorful changes
a shifting has occurred
once again
sneaking its way into my heart
but not without
melancholy







not without noticing
the few reminders
that linger

and inspiration takes hold
as i attempt 



to hold on



inspiration
drawn from nature
 textures around me
hand crocheted doilies
passed on to me
(thanks, mom)


handiwork
that beckons to get
noticed
macrame hammock


like tripping on a stone
catching my attention
purl bee
provides a way
for me to
capture 
hold onto a little longer
preserve
a memory


inspired by Margaret Oomen's
little sea urchin
crochet covered sea stones
or in this case
Lake Michigan
where the waves touched my toes
and the stones
called to be gathered

and came to rest
in my garden

until this day
when I took pearl cotton
and a hook
to create a wee holding basket


a little nesting spot
to house
the memory


and create a new one
as I chain along

enhancing beauty
giving it a second look
as it sits upon my desk
as a paper weight perhaps
in the middle of winter
and
remembering
a day at the 
beach


holding on loosely
for it is
the ebb and flow
of the seasons
and i will find 
joy
within each day ahead


but until then
i will revel in these
last days of
summer.

Friday, September 12, 2014

this moment


new bike

Wishing you
a weekend filled with
fearless moments.

;)

Sunday, September 7, 2014

my today

facing east


first coffee
blog rolling
planning
worship
landscaping
car show outing
 pesto
...
interruptions
(where the good stuff happens)
...
facing west.

yea...
something like that.


Friday, September 5, 2014

picnic at the park

late summer
sunny
breezy

Babysitting.

hmm
what to do...what to do?


I know...

gather a small group
together
for a picnic lunch


the real deal
with peanut butter and jelly
chocolate chip cookies from the oven
fresh fruit
lemonade


but as good as those
cookies are

 fun beckons


swings to be swung

walls to be climbed



upside-downs
 to get hung


smiles to start 
smiling


peek-a-booing
doing


the 
"watch me"
yelling



dangerous trick
teaching


as a community
of children
come together 
to show us all
how to get it done


ahhh...
these
late summer lovin' 
days.

:)