Interview #3 - Sebastian.

Two interviews in one day!??!? I know... I couldn't help it. Too much cute.

Interview #2 - Sebastian.

Experience a tiny bit of the wild, after-nap energy we get to enjoy daily.

Something old... Something new.

Ahhhh... How I love a completed project!

Within the last few weeks, we put the finishing touches on Sebastian's little bedroom: a new-to-him bookshelf salvaged from a yard sale ($7!) and painted a sunny orange & a sweeeeeeet ceiling fan that makes his room the most coveted in the house. I actually look forward to being awakened for nursing in the middle of the night and find myself sleeping out the remainder of the morning under that cool cool fan.

Onto the next project? Naturally. A wild hair spurred me to randomly begin ripping out the nasty old wallpaper in the mama and papa bedroom. Now I just need to muster up the energy and willpower to scrape the wallpaper backing off of the wall and get it all primed for painting. Lavender, here we come!

It's a bit premature, but I just couldn't pass up the awesome vintage pillowcases and pillow at the flea market this weekend. We enjoy Ben's Grandmother's bedroom set, so we may as well add to the theme.

And speaking of gifts... Our neighbors treated us to some currants from their yard; a treat indeed. This was my first experience with fresh currants. We will be ordering some bushes for the yard by next Spring.

But the best gift of all...

Something new to me, yet charmingly aged and ageless. Benjamin made me the keeper of his Grandmother's pearl ring. We aren't sure of its history, but it was in her collection. I have always been enchanted with pearls and secretly hoped to find a pearl ring to go with my wedding band. It looks like this was meant to be.

At home vacation.

So this is what an at home vacation might look like:

Ahhhhh... Sleeping in.

Time for art. Finally got around to making some meal blessing cards (from Amanda Blake Soule's first book: The Creative Family. New book coming out in August!).

I even had time to paint the front door the color of the new growth on the front yard bushes... A super simple and much needed refresh.

Family feasting in the driveway. Togetherness. Awesome.

Fireworks! Above our house, even! We also hiked down toward the park for a professional show... and ended up avoiding the crowds by parking our tushies on a corner a few blocks from the park. The folks living there were gracious enough to share their lovely view and lawn.

Sebastian was much more excited about the fireworks than he looks in the picture. He was completely engaged and would not be interrupted.

& then there is the lettuce. GLORIOUS, crisp, sunshine filled, home grown lettuce. There are at least 5 varieties planted in our lettuce box. This is the first harvest.

There is something seriously magical about picking your own lettuce and eating it 15 minutes later. Tonight's dinner: Salmon, cranberry, cashew, tomato & fresh corn salad with a slice of seeded bread from the local German bakery. Heaven or something like it.

A little break seems to be just what our little family needed. We've been working our tails off around the house and that awesome California trip took more out of me than I thought. My birthday got a little sneaky on me and brought up a whole bunch of strange emotions I am still working through.

It's all good. Our sleep cycles are finally realigning (thanks to lots of lazy midday naps)... Our bellies are enjoying super delicious food (despite the slow death of our fridge)... We are filling to the brim with the delights of Summer (after a truly sweet June & beginning of July). This vacation doesn't end here, however. I'm off to enjoy a movie and cuddle up with the man. ;)

Longing for the Sea...

It's no secret how much I love living in Salt Lake City. The beauty, the dynamic weather, the house. If only I could have it all *&* live near the Ocean. Ah, well... Someday, perhaps. Each summer past, we would find ourselves trippin' on over to Goat Rock Beach for a bit of combing action. We would wander over to Shell Beach for a little tide pooling and lazing around. Salt air. Sandy feet. Sun bleached hair. Moist breezes. Bliss.

All of this longing for Mama Ocean lured me into last years photo files for a brief visual recharge...

and I stumbled upon Sebastian's first trip to the coast. A completely lovely day, indeed.

The only thing I am missing more than the destination is the smallness of him.

Happy July! I hope this finds you in a place that refreshes; a place you truly desire to dwell in (if only in your heart).