Happy Friday!

I can't believe we're at the end of July already. Where does the time go?
This photo was from my walk last night, another gorgeous evening. Then woke to fog horns this morning and couldn't even see the water it was so thick.

Blooming in the garden.

Phlox, dahlia, lavender, black eyed susans and roses to name a few. And the yard is getting back to normal after having the new septic tanks installed. Although there's a lot of dirt to fill. I think I'll spend the next month planning because nothing would survive if I planted it now.

Nest.

Beautiful piece of architecture found while clearing out some blackberry bushes.

Too many projects.

What's that saying? Something about a messy desk being the sign of a brilliant mind. I hope it's true!

Hangman.

I have an eight year old friend that likes to play hangman when she's over at my house. We both hate it when it has to end and she has to go home. So I made her a game to take with her.
I think of the word and put it at the bottom of the puzzle and then fold it up and seal it to be cut off later by her mom or dad.

She sent this one back to me so I could see that she got "heart" without any missed letters!

Quilt block.

I took a fabulous class at Esther's today..."Stash Avengers" taught by the fabulous Marybeth of White Lotus Quilting. The pattern is from the no. 75 issue of Quilt Mania magazine. For this class the idea was to use what you already have....your stash. Above is the first block of nine. It's going to take me awhile to complete, but I'm loving it already!

Ahh, summertime.

Wishes.

On a tree. A very generous someone has started something wonderful at Battle Point Park. She has left tags and pens at this "wish tree" and anyone can go a make a wish, for anything! I think it's been there about three weeks and it is becoming quite magical.

Last night on the beach...

another lovely evening walk.

photos taken with iphone.

Birthday picnic.

I did have time for a picnic at the beach to celebrate Stuart's birthday with good friends and good food. What a nice escape at the end of a long week! Happy Birthday Stuart!

Septic.

It's been absolute chaos around here this week as our new septic system goes in. This is the downside of Country Living. The old one was about 40 years old so although we weren't having trouble, it was time to replace it. We have a great team, JP Landworks, doing the job. They couldn't be nicer, more courteous or efficient. They should be finishing up mid-week and then we get to work on landscaping, which I'm super excited about except that there's no money left. Time to get creative! I have lots of books checked out from the library and a million ideas.
Sorry to bore you with these not-so-charming pictures, but this is what's happening in my life this week.

Yes!

Not too hot, not too cold....just perfect!

We pay our dues up here in the Pacific NW,

but when summer finally does roll around, we hit the jackpot.

Hydrangeas.

Another summer favorite.

Not from my garden...wish it was,

but these are just down the road and I get to see them everyday.

Flipped.

Last week I read a movie review for Rob Reiner's new film, "Flipped." Sounded good so I thought I'd find the book at the library and read it. I was slightly embarrassed when I went to adult fiction to find it and didn't, then to YA, no luck. So I went to the librarian and she told me I would find it downstairs in juvenile fiction. I hadn't been downstairs for probably six years. Well, without making any excuses for reading below my grade level I checked it out, and devoured it. I loved this book. Hope the movie does it proud. Comes out on August 6th.

Juggling.

Not only does this man run through my neighborhood regularly, he does it while juggling too! And I've never seen him drop a ball. This has gotta be good for the brain, and the heart.

Dahlia.

In springtime my favorite flower is the tulip, but in summertime it is definitely the dahlia. And if they bloomed at the same time I think the dahlia would win! They are just starting to pop all over the garden.

pink and blue.

iphone flower pics from my walk

Toast.

Toast at Blackbird Bakery here on the Island. In between my daughter coxing at 5:00 a.m. and rowing at 7:30 a.m. we meet for breakfast.

collection #10: favorite magazine covers

Just a few from a much larger collection.

I know, I know I save much too much stuff.

Porch envy.

I want this porch! I can so picture myself here.

Found on Stacy Kunstel's blog via Elements of Style.

Back to work...

...after a relaxing holiday weekend.

There is more to life than increasing its speed.

~Mohandas Gandhi

(image + text from an older Country Living magazine)

Absolute Absolut.

Okay, here's the last of the 'vintage' ad collection.....