Cherry Pie!

I made cherry pie and it was summery and super-delicious. The crust was crisp-flaky and perfect. The cherries were fresh and tart and amazing. I'm way proud of myself, but honestly, I'm more surprised that it came out so well - I was expecting undercooked pastry and overly sweet cherry soup, but it turns out that pie is not rocket science. And it makes a fantastic breakfast....

My official declaration of Summer.

It's Memorial Day, and it's 52 degrees and overcast. Summer doesn't officially begin until June 21. School doesn't even get out for another 2 weeks. But I don't care. I declare Summer on all y'all.

This is what I'm going to do:

1. Remember to put on sunscreen.

2. Swim like no-one can see my thighs (in sort of a dance-like-no-one-is-watching sort of way).

3. Ride bicycles with 2 children and 0 training wheels. (You can do it, Fin!)

4. Thrive. Eat well, rest well, work well, play well, feel good.

5. Make pie. Make really really good pie. Become an expert at making pie. (also, Eat pie.)

What are you going to do this summer?

So good, must copy.

This is Rikkianne's idea. Seen here.

A Buster Posey of my own.

Nicole has pointed out that Buster Posey is already married. And my handsome husband is suggesting that Buster might object to my adopting him because he is almost certainly allowed to play as much xbox as he likes in his current situation. It's a good thing I already have a little Buster Posey of my own. No diving slides into home plate, please.

Friday, I'm in love....

I would marry Buster Posey if I wasn't old enough to adopt him.

Feel better, honey!

Sew like me!

My kooky little Lavender Strawberries are in the June issue of Country Living magazine. Fabulous right? I know! You can make your own or get a kit in my shop (or you can just get the Strawberries and pretend you made them, I won't tell).

And since it never rains, but it pours: I will be exhibiting in the American Craft Council show in San Francisco in August. Good news and gooder news! I'm probably supposed to be all casual and whatever about this stuff, but I can't. I'm jubilant!

Totally not complaining.

Really, I can't complain about the weather, because I don't live in Missouri. And because there's no sense in complaining about the weather, in general. But. Summer Mom is due to arrive in two short weeks and it's 60 degrees and raining. And I think She might be disappointed.

Photo by LaBokoff. Isn't it lovely?

So.

I'm trying to figure out how to make Time.

Out of nothing.

Or - out of some other plentiful resource, like pencil shavings. Or insecurity.

Technically, Einstein's theory dealt more with the comparative passage of time due to personal velocity and less with additional hours in my day. But a similar level of scientific inquiry would be appreciated. I know I can count on you.

So. Ideas?

I love breakfast.

BSS | Breakfast Interrupted from Bruton Stroube Studios on Vimeo.

Friday, I'm in love....

The sun came out today. Beautiful photo of exactly how I feel about it from Violet Bella Photography.

Bike race!

The fourth stage of the Tour of California started in gorgeously gorgeous Livermore today. There was a lot of this:

And a whole lot of this:

Three thrilling seconds of this:

And five minutes of this:

Was that it?

Raindrops on roses.

Monday!

O, monday morning.... you're a bird of paradise, a cherry ice cream smile, you know you're something special and you look like you're the best. I've seen you on the beach and I've seen you on TV. You mean so much to me, like a birthday or a pretty view, but then I'm sure that you know it's just for you.

ahem, Sorry - that was all from a Duran Duran song. Rainbows do that to me sometimes.

Minor league misfire.

Sure, the weather looked slightly inclement....

But, we're here and what's a few sprinkles to fans like us?

We were snuggly and warm,

and for a minute, it looked like the sun might come out.

And then, it hailed.

What happened to Wednesday?

Blogger went down for a while and now my post from Wednesday is gone. Let me assure you, it was the most hilarious thing I have ever written. It was at once daring and poignant and I displayed wisdom far beyond my years. A blog post for all time. There were also several very flattering photos of me, taken by renowned photographer, Mario Testino. Did you miss it? That's too bad.

Damn, it's back. Nevermind.

Trouble sleeping.

Awake at 4.

Up at 5.

Went for a run at 6.

Breakfast, showers, packed lunches til 8.

Walked to school.

Kindergarten til 11:30, except when I ducked out to teach drawing in 2nd grade.

Lunch.

2 loads of laundry.

Allergy attack.

Random housework, none of which seems to have been finished.

Assisted completion of report on Stag Beetles.

Located all components of baseball uniform and equipment, dressed player and went to the ballfield at 4:45.

Received phone call from handsome husband reporting some sort of car key "snafu." Located neighbor at ballfield and rearranged her life to cover own ass by 6.

Prepared gourmet frozen pizza for family by 6:30.

Left for PTA meeting by 6:45. Quorum. Voting.

Now, glass of wine and couch. Fingers crossed for sleeping tonight.

Collage by The Archaic Frame.

Is it windy?

This is Seamus, showing me how windy it is. He's funny.

Wind swept hair.

I wear the wind swept hair everyday. I rock it. It's my signature look.

(Forehead-smackingly beautiful photo from here, via here.)

Is it over yet?

I don't care for Mother's Day. For reasons I shan't go into. Really - is there any reason I could give you that wouldn't make me sound like an epic bitch? I thought not. Moving on.

I do love and adore these kids of mine and totally dig this amazing drawing that Seamus made of me. The best part is: my hair really does look like that! I have kid-drawing-of-a-mom hair. Enjoy!

Friday, I'm in love....

Enough said. From The Wedding Chicks.

Sun salutation.

Good morning, darlings. You look especially fetching and it's going to be a beautiful day. Unless, of course, your allergies kick in and your eyes swell up to the size of baseballs. That wouldn't be so good. Let's keep our fingers crossed, shall we?

photo by Sixth&Main.

Upholstery!

Okay, so I'm super inspired re-upholster a tired old chair in my living room. And, this is what super inspired looks like around here.....

Spend a day looking at pictures online.

Write a blog post about it.

In about six months, get tired of looking at the old chair and trying to cover the ripped parts with decorative pillows. Start trying to convince handsome husband that, in spite of lacking knowledge or experience, am perfectly capable of re-upholstering a simple chair.

Move the chair to the garage and spend a day taking it apart. Feel rather satisfied with work for about 24 hours.

Choose fabric. It will be expensive. This could take weeks.

This is the point at which I am most likely realize that this task is far from simple and that I am woefully under-qualified to be performing it.

A few more months will pass, during which I have nowhere to park my car and nowhere to sit.

Bring chair to a professional.

Super inspiring photos from Anthropologie, enhabiten (x3), Vintage is for Lovers, Nightwood, and Crate & Barrel.

The very best part is: I'll probably attempt it anyway!

Good morning, glorious day - I could just kiss you!