Photo Friday

Briar Bush Nature Center with Lily and Aidan:

{Slighted.}

{Better!}

{Nature hike.}

{Climbing.}

{Floating.}

And yesterday, a playdate with a new friend:

{Malayna and Brenna.}

Now, imagine a picture of a house sparrow here. We had TWO of them in our house yesterday. I suspect they are getting in through the chimney and ending up in the cellar. Then, they're flying up to our mudroom and banging against the windows, trying to get out. Our mudroom is attached to our kitchen, and yesterday I stupidly left that door open. So, guess what? We had a bird in our kitchen! Fun! I'll admit that I was a total sissy and called my next-door neighbor to come help me get it out. Malayna was smart and went up to her room and closed the door. It eventually flew out the back door, but then a little while later I saw another one in the mudroom. Jimmy looked for it when he got home and couldn't find it. I know it's in there, though - there's no way for them to get out unless the door is open. So guess what I was thinking about all night? A stinkin' bird flying around in our house.

We have a guy coming today to point our chimney and check to see if there's a screen up there. He's also going to poke around and see if there's a nest up there. I'm really hoping that the chimney is the problem. Otherwise, how the heck are they getting in?!

It's not the first time we've had a bird in the house. In fact, it's probably the second or third time. Yuck, yuck, yuck. I love birds and all, but not in my house!!

Re-worked and new work

{Reworked card design.}

Thanks for your opinions last week on my card design. I really appreciate your input! I reworked it a little, taking out the cloud shape and replacing it with a less whimsical design. What do you think - does this work better?

Since you were so helpful last week, I need your opinions again! I've been working on some new clock ideas. These would be desk clock size - 4.5" square. Most of my desk clocks at this point are patterned, so I wanted to offer something a little different. Both of these are drawings I had worked on a while ago. I put words on them, but I could always do them without. What do you think? {Seeing them on here makes me think that I need to make the numbers stand out a little more.}

{Bloom}

{Trees}

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My Scoutie Girl post is up!

School and rain dates

I've been happy with Malayna's school experience so far. She seems happy at the end of the day and is starting to share stories about school with us. She talks about her new friends and thinks one of her teachers is silly "like daddy". {There really isn't a better compliment.} She seems different somehow, though I can't exactly put my finger on it. She's been acting sillier, and is so excited about learning new things. She seems more mature and more sure of herself.

When we go in to her classroom in the morning she makes herself right at home. She says hello to her teachers and a few of her classmates, puts her bag in her cubby and hangs up her jacket. She gives this funny little wave, with her arm above her head and her fingers splayed. All with a big smile on her face.

Yesterday she came home and told me that they played in the bike room instead of going outside. Then she said, "I rode a blue boy's bike." I asked her why it was a boy's bike and she told me "because it was blue." She said the other kids told her it was a boy's bike.

Whoever told her that was probably trying to convince her not to ride it. Blue is her favorite color, and she sometimes fancies herself a boy, so I'm sure she hopped right on it. I picture the scene in my head and see her telling the other kid that she IS a boy and that her name is Leo. {Speaking of Leo, he's the reason she wears her hair in a ponytail - she thinks that she looks like a boy when her hair is pulled back.}

She seems to prefer playing with boys in school - at least that's what she talks about when she comes home. I'm not sure what that's about. Is it because she knows most of the boys don't want to play with baby dolls and then she won't have to share them? Is she intimidated by the girls? Is she just used to playing with boys because of Aidan?

I've been meaning to ask her teachers about her friends in school. Does she play with the girls? Does she play with anyone? Does she seem happy to be there? I'm pretty sure about the answer to that last question. If she weren't happy, we'd know about it!

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All day Saturday I was wishing I had gone to the Yardley Harvest Fest. I hated making a decision like that - I wish there had been a rain date. At the end of the day I received an email from one of the organizers. She said there were about 15 crafters missing because of the weather and that I had made the right decision. She said it was humid and wet all day and that one of the vendors' labels were peeling off her candles. That's what I was afraid of - that my work would be ruined - so I'm glad that I decided not to go. I did miss being there, since a few people emailed me to tell me they missed me. There's always next year!

Rainy forecast

Because of the wet weather forecast for today, I won't be attending the Yardley Harvest Fest. Sorry if you were going to be visiting today! I just can't take the chance of ruining my work. Paper doesn't hold up well under water!

Photo Friday

It's official - summer is over and I want it back! Seems that as soon as the temperature dips below 70 degrees I have to bundle up in socks, long pants and a sweater. Blah. I am always cold - yesterday my hands were freezing all day long. Like my daughter, I don't like change very much. Or maybe I should say it takes me a long time to accept change. So, by the time March rolls around I should be used to the cold weather.

Malayna and I went to the zoo this week with Aidan and Wendy. Despite having to wear a sweater, it was a perfect day to be at the zoo. Malayna and Aidan are so cute together.

Show on Saturday

The Yardley Harvest Fest is scheduled for this Saturday from 9-4. As of today, weather forcasters are calling for rain and gusty winds. Of course, they could be wrong. But do I risk ruining my work {not to mention my tent that covers my work}? But if I don't go and it turns out to be mostly sunny or at least not rainy, I would regret it.

This was a good show for me last year. I don't know what to do!

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Malayna did great at preschool yesterday. She helped N again, putting her arm around him when his mom left, giving him a puzzle and trying to make him laugh. It was so cute to watch. At one point she said to me, "You're staying a long time!" I took that as my cue to leave. Could the crying days be over? If so, they didn't last as long as I thought they would. Next, I hope to convince her to stay for lunch bunch - which is over around 2:30. That would be five hours of uninterrupted studio time!

I love Mondays

Monday is my favorite day now. I drop Malayna at preschool {more on that later}, come home and enjoy two whole hours of free time. Yahoo! Yesterday I spent that time in the studio and got two orders out the door. I even made a list Sunday night so I wouldn't waste any time wondering what to do. It felt great to be able to check multiple items off my to-do list. I'm hoping that I can keep up the pace and that Mondays stay a productive day.

Yesterday was also a good day for Malayna - the first day she didn't cry when I dropped her off at preschool! On Friday she came home with an award for "being brave". We talked about it over the weekend and Jimmy and I told her how proud of her we are. There's another little boy in her class who cries when his mom leaves {I'll call him N}. Malayna and I talk about him and I often ask her who cried longer. She always says he did.

N's mom kind of snuck out yesterday when he wasn't looking. When he realized she was gone, he kind of wandered around the classroom blinking his eyes and tried not to cry. I heard him say, "I didn't know that was going to happen!" Poor little guy! He came over to where Malayna was doing a puzzle on the floor, and stood watching her. She looked up at him and said, "You miss your mommy." He said, "Yes, I do." I said something to him about how he was being brave, he agreed and we gave each other a high five. Then Malayna got up, went over to the toy shelf and picked out a puzzle for him. When she gave it to him he got a big smile on his face and said, "I LOVE puzzles!" He and Malayna took their puzzles to the table, sat next to each other, and laughed at N being silly.

I crouched down behind them and said, "N, did you get an award for being brave?" {Malayna told me he got one on Friday, too.} He said yes, and I said, "You're both going to be brave again today!" They both said yes, I said goodbye and gave Malayna a kiss. She waved her little hand and said, "bye!"

Keep your fingers crossed for another tear-free day on Wednesday!

Opinions needed!

My first show of the season is next weekend. It seems that no matter what type of show I do - big, small, outdoors, indoors - customers buy cards. When I do shows, my cards are $3 each or three for $8. Almost everyone buys three.

So, since I'm a little worried about what the economy is going to do to craft shows this year, it makes sense to make more of what sells.

The card below is a little different that what I've offered in the past. I tend to believe in the "less is more" philosophy - at least in terms of design. What do you think?

Day 4

Today is the Malayna's fourth day in preschool. She hasn't told me that she has a bellyache yet, so I'm hopeful that drop-off will not be too horrible. She's excited that mom-mom will be picking her up and that she'll see her friend Lily. When I talk other parents about her crying when I drop her off, a few of them have told me to "just wait until she doesn't even notice you leaving!" Implying that somehow it's better that she's upset that I'm leaving and that the opposite is worse. Really? Do they think they're making me feel better? As a matter of fact, I can't wait for that day!

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Go check out my Scoutie Girl post!

Freedom

Oh, how I love the taste of it. That's what I got yesterday - a little, teeny taste. But it was enough. For now.

I dropped Malayna off at preschool on Monday morning. {She cries when I leave, but I think it was a little less yesterday. Friday was not good. Her teachers tell me she's okay the rest of the day. And she's happy at the end of the day when I pick her up.}

Anyway, after I dropped her off I came home to an empty house, which felt really strange. Her toys were still lying around where she had left them, and that made me a bit sad for a minute. Then I looked at the clock and realized that I had two whole hours until I had to pick her up again. It almost made me freeze and not do anything, for fear that I'd chose the wrong thing. {You know - like when you have too much to do so you just do nothing? No? It's just me?}

I got a cup of coffee and headed up to my {super messy} studio. I suddenly had a great idea for a 20" clock and actually sat down and worked on it. What a great feeling - to act on an idea immediately! I didn't finish, but I did get a lot done. For me, that's 3/4 of the battle - sometimes it's hard to make myself go to my studio and create something.

I can't show you anything yet, but I will tell you the idea came to me while I was thinking of this new stage in mine and Malayna's life. I'll be sure to post a photo when it's finished.

Awesome.

Photo Friday

Today is day two of preschool. I'm expecting Malayna to cry again, but this time I'm getting out of there sooner. She's sitting next to me right now and just said to me, "Some days I'm just a little worried about school."

In happier news, we went to the Academy of Natural Sciences this past Tuesday with Aidan and Wendy. Malayna and Aidan had a great time, but she wasn't thrilled with the sound from the dinosaur room. Afterwards, we crossed the street to see the "water feature" {that's what Aidan calls fountains, waterfalls, etc.} - aka Swann Fountain at Logan Circle. Then we made a quick stop in the Art Shop at Moore College of Art and Design {my alma mater}. Malayna and Aidan were making their wet shoes squeak on the tile floor in there and the two young women working the shop gave us a few eyerolls. Yeah, yeah, I know - kids are annoying. But maybe one day you will grow up, have a child and bring her back to show her where you went to college. Then some young art student will roll her eyes at you.





Enlarge that last photo so you can see the face my lovely daughter gives me just about every day.

Have a great weekend!

First day of preschool

Boy, am I glad that's over. It went pretty much as I expected it would. She was very excited to go, packing her backpack with a pencil, a book she had made, her water bottle and a snack. In fact, she was happy in the classroom until we told her we were leaving. Then the waterworks started. She CRIED and CRIED, and sat on my lap and told me that she wanted to go home. "No, mommy, don't leave me!"

The teachers tried to help distract her, but being the persistent girl that she is, it didn't work. One of her teachers told us we could stay - that it might be a good idea since this was her first experience being away from us. We really didn't want to do that. So I told Malayna that we would hang out in the hallway. That seemed to work. Little by little we made our way closer to the exit. Malayna would periodically peek out her classroom door to see if we were still there. Her teacher suggested that we leave when they changed classrooms. She said she'd close the door to the classroom so she would stop peeking out.

We waited downstairs for a few minutes {the teacher said she'd come down and let us know if Malayna was okay}. After a little while, I said to Jimmy, "I can't be here anymore. If I hear her crying up there, I won't be able to leave." Before I even finished, he said, "Okay, let's go." We were both pretty anxious to get out of there.

By the time we left, it was around 10:15. We went the market to get her a balloon and her new favorite snack, Kashi Heart to Heart cereal. As I was walking down the aisle, I suddenly thought about how she would feel when she realized we had left. I kept hoping that our cell phones would not ring and that she would finish the morning at school. Jimmy must've been thinking the same thing, because he said to me, "Did you give them my cell phone number?"

When we went to pick her up, she was excited to see us, but even more excited that it was time for "recess." Recess to her is when they go outside to the playground. Our neighbor and friend, Lily, was out there, too, and the two girls were very excited to see each other. {Lily is a year younger than Malayna, so they're not in the same class.} When it was time to go, Malayna said, "But I don't want to go home!"

One of her teachers told me that she had another meltdown after we left. She was in the bathroom and called to me to help her. The teacher told her I was downstairs talking to another teacher, and Malayna told her to get me. She said she couldn't and I guess that's when the waterworks started again. She was so loud that a teacher from another class came in and asked if she was okay. That lasted for about 10 minutes, and then the teacher asked if she wanted to sit on her lap for circle time. She did, for about a minute or so and then was fine. So fine, in fact, that she told the class she wanted to sing a song. She sang the theme song to The Little Einsteins - all by herself.

We took her out to lunch and then the plan was to go to the playground. But she just wanted to go home after lunch. She didn't mention the fact that we had left her until it was time for bed. It was just the two of us in her room, and she said, "I didn't know you left." And then, "I had my first day of school."

She wrote this in her journal tonight:
"I feel tired today. And cold. Because I ate ice cream.
School was fun because you leaved me there. And I am coming back the next day."

Photos here.

Butterflies

Today is Malayna's first day of preschool. As I write this, I'm trying to quiet the butterflies in my stomach. No luck, though.

{The cover of Malayna's journal - colors chosen by her.}

Malayna and I made a journal yesterday for her to write in {okay, so I'm really writing and she's telling me what to put down}. I really wanted to start this so I could remember what she felt like on her first day of school.

Here's what we wrote in her journal last night:

"I feel sad because you're going to leave me there. A little excited. Can't wait to see my classroom. I'm going to look for letters. I love you."

That sound you hear is my heart breaking into a million little pieces.

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My Scoutie Girl guest post will be up after 10am today.

Introductions

Here's a typical conversation between Malayna and new friends:

M: "Hi! What's your name?"

New friend: "{Insert name here}. What's your name?"

M: "My name is Malayna but I like to be called Leo."

New friend now has a confused look on her/his face. New friend's mom looks at me.

Me: "She said her name is Malayna but she likes to be called Leo."

New friend and mom: "Oh!"

She has told us that she wants to tell her teachers at school that she likes to be called Leo. She wants to write "My name is Malayna but I like to be called Leo" on her backpack.

I love my strange little girl.

New ideas

{New sketch.}

I was able to spend some time in the studio yesterday, working on some new ideas. I didn't spend much time up there this summer - I was too busy enjoying the gorgeous weather in August. It's a big mess up there. Could someone come over and straighten it up for me?! Actually, we're having a neighborhood yard sale in a few weeks and I could get rid of some stuff then. What I'd rather do is donate some of the art supplies I don't use to a school or art organization for kids. Anyone know of someplace I could donate stuff? {Besides thrift shops.}

I've also recently set up a page on Facebook. Yet another thing to distract me from work…

Photo Friday

Last weekend we hosted two barbecues - one was our annual end-of-summer party and the other was for my mom's birthday {happy birthday, mom!}. Jimmy's birthday was also last week {happy birthday, Jimmy!}.

This was our 13th end-of-summer party - we've been having them since we got married. They've changed a LOT since those first few parties. No more partying until the wee hours of the morning, with people sleeping wherever there's room. In fact, each year the party ends earlier and earlier. There are more kids than grown-ups at this point, and the yard is filled with stuff to keep them entertained - swing set, sandbox, little pool, big pool, even a borrowed moonbounce {thanks, D'Arcy and Art!}.

All in all, it was still a fun party!

PS: I also added some more photos to Flickr.

Changes

Malayna and I were drawing together yesterday afternoon. She wanted to draw "space", so she got a piece of paper and markers for each of us. I was drawing some stars and could see her out of the corner of my eye, watching me. She took a yellow marker (same color I was using) and attempted to draw a star. Of course, being four, hers didn't quite look like mine. She looked at her star and said, "that's a funny-looking star," and my heart broke a little.

Of course, I wanted to immediately tell her that it was the best star I ever saw, but that wouldn't be fair to her. Instead, I told her that it's really hard to draw stars and that I've have a lot of practice drawing them. I then showed her, step by step, how to do it. She followed along and did a pretty good job.

I love when my daughter looks up to me. I love when she wants to be like me. But… I don't want her to not do something because she thinks she can't do it as good as I can. I know we were just drawing stars, but the way her little face fell when she looked at her star and then compared it to mine was painful to see. It's not the first time I've noticed it, and I wonder if it's because of her age and the fact that she's really just figuring out what she can and cannot do.

Malayna and Jimmy were at the playground one day recently. Two girls a little older than Malayna were playing nearby and asked her if she wanted to play with them. She told them no. When Jimmy asked her later why she didn't play with them she said, "because they were doing things I can't do." Oh, geez. I don't even know what to say about that except that my heart broke a little again when I heard that.

I would very much like to freeze time right now. {Preferably on one of her happy days.} She has such energy and curiosity and confidence {usually}. She's so innocent and protected and trusting.

One week from today she will start preschool and I have such mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, I think she'll love meeting new friends and doing new things. On the other hand, she'll be spending time with people I don't even know! I have to trust that they will treat her kindly, appreciate her quirks, and be patient with her. I have to trust that they will build her confidence and encourage her.

When we talk about school she says, "I'm a little bit scared, but I'm a lot excited!" Me, too, Malayna.

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My guest post for Scoutie Girl is up today.

Photo Friday

Luco got a much-needed bath last weekend. He wasn't very happy. On Tuesday we visited Churchville Nature Center with Aidan and Wendy. Beautiful place {and free}!

{Poor guy.}

{"I'll make you feel better."}

{Performance art - they are the trees beside them.}

{Spiderweb.}

{Path in the woods.}

Have a great holiday weekend! This is NOT the last weekend of the summer. I am in denial. Winter is not on its way.

Sale ending soon!

{tweet desk clock in orange}

Just a quick reminder that my summer sale ends on Sunday, August 31st. Enter code "summer08" during checkout to get 15% off your order. I just finished adding one new 8" clock: tweet in orange, and three new desk clocks: tweet in orange, tweet in blue and summer . These would be great additions to college dorm rooms!

It's Wednesday, so that means my guest post for Scoutie Girl is up. I featured some photos of one of my favorite things: the beach!

Yummy recipe

Happy Monday! We had a fun and productive weekend {those two things don't always go together, ya know}. On Saturday we played in the yard and then my mom watched Malayna on Sunday so Jimmy and I could finish up some home projects. He cut the baseboards and trim for our new kitchen floor and I weeded, painted and moved some plants around. It felt so good to be outside ALL DAY and not have to worry about Malayna. Thank you, mom!

Here's a yummy summer recipe for you to enjoy. Remember when I tried to be a vegetarian for about six months? I asked around for some vegetarian recipes, and my friend Kerry sent me some great ones. This recipe involves a lot of chopping, but no cooking. Enjoy!


Texas Black-Eyed Pea Salad
Makes 6 servings (yield 6 cups)

1(15-ounce) can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
6 scallions, chopped
3 plum tomatoes, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon grated lime zest
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

Combine ingredients in a large bowl; mix well.

Photo Friday

We were pretty busy this past week - trying to cram in the last of our summer activities. It started on Saturday with a pirate-themed party for two-year-old Lucy {sitting in the chair}.

{Malayna, Lucy, Sedona and Molly.}

{Ice cream.}

{Cape May beach on Sunday - trying to fly the
pirate kite she got a the party. No luck.}

{Picking tomatoes with Aidan, who is trying
to get Malayna to stop hugging him so much!}

{Yummy tomatoes.}

{Heading off to Sprinkles, the ice cream shop around the corner.}

{Am I a mess or what?}

{Belmar beach with Lily on Thursday.
They spent lots of time rolling around in the sand.}

{"Beach!"}

{Ahhhh.}

{Ending the trip with ice cream. Lily likes to wear hers.}

Hmmm. I think we like ice cream.

Food

I've recently started doing some research about dyes in foods and the way they affect children's behavior. Malayna has been having meltdowns at least three times a week lately, and though it could be her age (4 1/2), I suspect that's not the entire cause. Most of the food she eats has no dye in it, but I realized the other day that the toothpaste she uses does. We went to the market on Monday and I let her choose a new toothbrush to go along with the new toothpaste we'll all be using. I was an interesting trip - most of the toothpaste out there is colored or sparkly. Even the so-called "grown-up" stuff. I found a natural toothpaste that looked like it might work, until I realized that even the natural stuff isn't so natural! After checking the labels of at least 5 different packages, we got Colgate original. Why do toothpastes have to be colored? Was your toothpaste colored when you were a kid? Mine wasn't, and I still brushed my teeth!

She and I had a very brief talk the other day about food that is good for your body and food that is not so good {and sometimes makes your behavior not so good, too}. I've been wanting to change the way she eats for a while now, but this gives me the push I needed. Today is the third day without the dyed toothpaste and with me checking the ingredients of what she eats. I don't want to get crazy, but I do want to be aware of what's going into her body {and my own, too!}.

On the one hand, I think this kind of thing sounds a little wacky, but on the other hand, it makes perfect sense to me. One of the articles I read {that I can't find now} talked about how in the past, kid's school lunches contained things like homemade meatloaf, mashed potatoes and a made-from-scratch cupcake. If they wanted a drink, they'd have a little carton of milk or get a drink from the water fountain. Today, instead of homemade food, kids have Lunchables, a juice box and a packaged cookie. The article stated that this was one of the reasons we are seeing so many behavior problems, like ADD. Makes sense to me!

I'm getting a lot of information from this site, but, like I said, I'm not going crazy with it. I just want to be more aware of what we're eating and how it affects us.

Photo Friday

I was trying to get a good picture of Luco this morning. I LOVE this one!

{What's left of our tree.}

{Black-eyed susans never fail to put on a good show.}

{Lots of tomatoes this year.}

{Basil. Yum!}

Speaking of basil, here's my favorite recipe for pesto. I could eat this every day.

Pesto

2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup pine nuts
1 large garlic clove
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Finely chop the basil, pine nuts, garlic and salt in a food processor (I use a blender). Gradually add the olive oil until mixture is thoroughly blended. Transfer to a bowl; fold in the cheese.

Remove 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid before draining pasta. Toss past immediately with the pesto sauce and the reserved cooking liquid. Serve at once with additional cheese, if desired.

New feminist blog

I am loving this newish blog, The Dawn Chorus. From their site: The Dawn Chorus exists to provide a platform for young (and not so young!) Australian women to comment on and analyse the issues that affect us - sex, pop culture, health care, politics, relationships, publishing, sport, the media and beyond - from a feminist perspective, however we may choose to define it.

Their lastest post, Pink Pastel Princesses: Gender Conditioning and Girlhood talks about an issue I think about often. I'm sure once Malayna goes to preschool in September, the whole princess thing will rear its ugly head. Right now, she talks about them a little, but I purposely limit her exposure to everything Disney and princess-y. Someone recently asked her who her favorite princess was. Really? She's FOUR. How about asking what her favorite color is or what she likes to play with! Her favorite things to do right now are drawing, coloring, pretending she's a boy named Leo, learning about sharks, and wrestling with daddy. Not a princess in sight.

Cuteness

{Davyn and Malayna}

We spent Saturday morning at my brother's and sister-in-law's house for my SIL's birthday. My niece, Davyn, gets cuter every time I see her. She really seemed to like Malayna, and of course, Malayna loves her. Malayna would talk to her in a really high-pitched voice and Davyn would "talk" back. I see these two cousins loving each other's company for a long time to come.

I won't even go into detail about the horrible tantrum Malayna had when we got there. Seriously, I won't. Just know that it was awful and lasted a really long time. The girl is persistent. I guess it's a trait that will serve her well later in life, but now? Now it's just HARD.

{Maria's birthday present.}

Maria has wanted one of my clocks for a while now, but couldn't decide which one to choose. Since it was her birthday, I chose for her! I made my tweet clock in colors that will go perfectly in her living room. She also got a matching birthday card. I'm pretty sure she loved the clock! {Right, Maria?}

How was your weekend?

Almost perfect day

I had a near-perfect day yesterday. My mom had Malayna, so I spent some time in my studio {haven't been there most of the summer}, dropped off some work at Artista Gallery in Mount Airy, then drove to pick up our new kitchen floor. We have a Pergo floor in the kitchen now, and while I like how easy it is to clean, I hate the color. Ever since we moved in here almost 10 years ago, we've wanted a black and white checkered floor. It will look so much better than the current floor and will match the style of our house. I'll post some photos after Jimmy installs it. {It WILL be finished after this weekend. Nothing will go wrong!}

When I got home, I did some gardening. Digging in the dirt always makes me feel so good! The weather was perfect for gardening yesterday, and I planted everything that had been sitting around waiting.

I'll leave you with a recipe for a yummy summer corn salad. This tastes so good with home-grown basil and tomatoes!

• 6 ears corn, husked and cleaned {I use frozen corn}
• 3 large tomatoes, diced
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• salt and pepper to taste

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook corn in boiling water for 7 to 10 minutes, or until desired tenderness. Drain, cool, and cut kernels off the cob with a sharp knife.

In a large bowl, toss together the corn, tomatoes, onion, basil, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Chill until serving.

Reconnecting

{Splash park at Marsh Creek Lake}

Things are much better over here than they were last week. Nothing was going right - Malayna's behavior was awful, she was sad and contrary and seemed anxious about everything. She hasn't been sleeping very well which is really unusual for her. The thunderstorm fear is still going strong, and she's been tossing and turning and waking up during the night. She's not calling out for us, but I can hear her in there and can tell that she's awake. A few mornings she's woken up around 4:00 and stayed awake until 8:00 when I go in to get her. Needless to say, less sleep means more crankiness.

These past few days, however, have been better. She's sleeping better, after many assurances from me and Jimmy that there will be no thunderstorms. Malayna and I did a little research on thunderstorms (on the computer) and even created our own thunder with a brown paper bag - we blew in it and then popped it with our hands. When thunderstorms are a possibility, we turn on her extra battery-powered lights and I tell her that if the power goes out I will come get her right away.

Yesterday she and I went to Marsh Creek Lake. It's about an hour from here, so we packed a change of clothes, a cooler with lunch and snacks and a few pool toys. They have a big pool and a kid's play area with fountains. I knew that we needed a fun day with just the two of us, and since yesterday was sunny and not too humid, it seemed like the perfect chance. We had a great time. She's usually ready to go after about two hours, but yesterday she lasted for three. We splashed in the pool, ran around the sprinklers and met lots of new friends. We had a picnic in the shade of a big tree, with ice cream for dessert.

It was just what we needed.

Wish I were there…

This week has been so awful {mostly Malayna-wise} that I wish I could get away. A lone trip to the beach would be nice right about now.