I swallow it every Tuesday or Money Can't buy knives

Cherished: Everett waking up early, but coming to cuddle all warm and baby-smelling with me (and even sleeping) for an HOUR!!!

Baked: Chunky-Monkey chocolate chip cookies, 4 dozen. Shared with Chris, Nicole, and Victoria--last night in the backyard before the sun went down--such a good summer evening.

Reading: Inamorata by Joseph Gangemi; A fictionalized history of the Scientific American investigations of spiritualism in the 1920's. So far I am enjoying it--pretty well written, would recommend as a summer read--for those who need a little mystery and magic.

Made: One "fleur" barrette (for Nicole) with gorgeous yellow poppy and pale pink rosebud millinery flowers.

Folded: 6 loads of laundry

PS this was on Monday--today, I want to make a few pieces of jewelry, finish my book, finish cleaning the house, organize my sewing, and make myself a men's button-down dress.

Coming Attractions

For the sole reader (or perhaps two readers?) Here are somethings to look forward to--yes I am all about stroking my ego!

This is my mini-vacation before I spend torturous weeks working on my thesis project in hopes of completing my MA. So I am planning big, small, crafty, creative,tasty fun for the week.

I will be posting (or attempting to post) daily this week.

Topics of current interest: A few mini-book reviews, pictures, pictures, and more pictures, sewing--something fool proof and EASY, baking chunky-monkey cookies, vintage millinery flowers to barrettes-sounds kinda dorky but have some faith, back-yard hangout sessions, movie watching, laundry folding, organizing (yes I actually really like those things) and who knows what else I might get into.

Till then I am going to cuddle my little E and get serious about making my cottage-y house cozy and clean.

Like a sucker punch

Every semester I have one week that makes me feel like the worst-mom-in-the-world-ever. Yesterday was the beginning of that week. My family--immediate, extended, biological, chosen--is the most important thing in my life. Without them, I would be the most useless, boring, pedantic fool that ever tied her shoes. But for one week, every semester, I am forced to become the worst wife, worst mom, worst friend, most party-poopering, tired hag that lives in this corner of the state. There are few things I hate more than whining, but, as this is my little corner of the interweb, I can whine for a few more lines. My precious Evie doesn't like me very much right now (I know he loves me, just like I know my husband loves me unconditionally) but it still hurts when he definitely, assuredly likes my neighbor Nicole better because she is fun and his mommy (me) is mean and says "no, No, NO..." all day long. But, for about 36 more hours (my final paper is due by noon on Thursday)I have to be the worst-mommy-in-the-world-ever, and there is nothing that makes me feel worse.

Okay, now that I have confessed and accepted it I guess I have to move forward. One happy note is that it is only about 36 more hours before I can become Wonder-Mommy who bakes cookies with her favorite baby boy, and fingerpaints with pudding, and makes mud in the back yard just to squish fingers in, and wakes up early to go for runs on bumpy roads (weird I know but he really loves it) and never says "no" unless it is dangerous. That is what I am pushing through for, that is why I am going to finish because both my sweet Evie, and my most adored Husband, deserve some reward for being the loves of my life who put up with me (even when I am a horrible, study-addled, exhausted wreck--who makes left-over soup and calls it dinner!)

So until then, I will return to the books, and one last paper about a book written by a woman who died over two-hundred years ago. But come Thursday afternoon--Watch Out, because that girl with the outlandish smile on her face and the air of complete happiness--that is gonna be me!

My two biggest Loves

Things to wonder, wonderful things

Today is so lovely that it almost makes your teeth ache when you look at the blue, blue, blue sky and the acid green leaves through the window. When I stand on my porch I smell lilacs and hear the wind rustling through the baby leaves on the silver maple in the front yard. With all those things in mind, I thought the blog could use a spring cleaning. Not sure if I am completely satisfied yet, but I think it is almost the way I want it.

Life is so busy right now with school and family. I really, really miss seeing my sweet friend Anne. But hopefully in the next couple of weeks after school is done, we can plan a sunny-day picnic. In which we will eat delicious cucumber sandwiches, while wearing lovely sundresses, and play artfully with blades of grass while we solve all the problems in the world, or at least decide what our first summer adventure will be.

I explained to my little Evie about adventures the other day. At almost nineteen months, I am not sure he quite understands, but he responds enthusiastically regardless. He brings me so much joy that sometimes I feel overwhelmed with this love I have for him! I never knew that parenting, that being a mommy, was going to change me like it has. I am so amazed every day at how he is becoming more and more of a little person!