Thursday 13: Daybook musings

or today:

1. I am thinking that I'm so glad that laughter exists. I did a bit of that yesterday--at a meeting where I'm pretty sure I wasn't supposed to laugh *quite* so much. But I wasn't too giggly... I swear. But I love laughter.

2. I am thankful for good friends, always. I had a lovely Google chat with my heirloom friend Corinne yesterday afternoon. Yes, heirloom friend. That's our new word. No more BFF, that's so last week. We've been friends for 26 years, so we definitely feel very heirloomy... we covered all the good topics, solved a few of the world's problems, and even got a little girly and shallow too. All the important stuff.

3. In the kitchen I am feeling off my game. Not sure why, maybe just a little uninspired. Need to get a little inspiration and motivation. Feeling the need to get a little healthier around here too... my tastebuds have been leaning toward fat and salt lately, with a little sugar thrown in for good measure. So, to retrain toward a bit more health, less processed... wish me/us luck.

4. I am wearing jeans and a T and cardy. Comfortable, but dressed. Bonus.

5. I am creating some fun stuff with crochet right now, and having quite a bit of fun with it too (well, other than the whole project I had to throw out on Sunday, as the result of a bad, quick decision with a pair of scissors. Horrors!). I think, though, I need to pick a craft and stick with it for a month or two, doing ONLY that craft and not even trying to fit in the others. I am not doing a good job of multitasking right now, so it's kind of that way by default, but maybe being a bit more intentional about it will alleviate the guilt. I know, what's that? Craft guilt? Who knew? I just look over at my calligraphy table and sigh...

6. I am going to support our local Humane Society this weekend at the annual gala--the Furr Ball. Yes, it is indeed called THAT. Meow! Woof! And today I encouraged the use of Furr-bulous and Bow-wow and that kind of silliness in sponsor levels as I was proofreading the program. Just couldn't resist. Of course, the men are going with me. And some good friends and their son too, so hopefully everyone will be happily entertained. (But we'll keep an eye on the boys at the silent auction tables for sure. Don't want to be coming home with some oopsie items because somebody was kept bidding it up!)

7. I am wondering why it seems at times that tackling things head on is harder work than avoiding them? If you take the long view, avoidance seems to be a heck of a lot more work, with all the ducking and dodging. And by "head on" I don't mean bulldozing, I just mean being clear, straight, honest. I went to a class/lecture on conflict management yesterday, can you tell?

8. I am reading a lot of blog posts/web sites about blogging, how to start blogging, what makes for good blogging. A friend of mine bought a local scrapbooking store this past summer and is offering some new kinds of classes... I am teaching a small class today on blogging basics for creatives. I already taught a general "technology for creatives" kind of class, and that went well, and this one I feel like I have an even better handle on. It's narrower in scope and doesn't run the risk of being as overwhelming as TECHNOLOGY. Just that word can be overwhelming... So anyway, wish me luck. I think it will be fun, and a very small class, so very hands on too... next up, a Pinterest class (I know, you're shocked).

9. I am hoping for some blue sky today. That might be a bit of a stretchy kind of hope, but at least we're not socked in with fog. We had that flip-flop earlier this week: one day of sunshine, gorgeous blue skies and high-ish temps, followed by a really foggy morning. It freaked out a few people that the inevitable Walla Walla fog had arrived and would stay all winter (we've had some pretty long stretches of fog here...), but by mid-afternoon it burned off beautifully. Now, it's just gray. Blah.

10. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving. Family time!

11. I am hearing a few music videos on my computer. I almost posted 13 videos today, but wasn't quite ready. So I'm taking the easy way out and just musing at you. Lucky you.

12. Around the house it's all pretty tidy at the moment. You'd better come visit right this moment, because that changes incredibly quickly. I have no idea HOW exactly, but we really know how to clutter up a space around here, between mail and odds-n-ends and who-knows-what... Also, I'm just two seconds away from having fall/Thanksgiving decorations up and going... the gourds have been purchased, the leaves brought out (I have some fun ideas of what to do with them this year), the appropriate glassybabies set out...

13. I am pondering what I have left to get ready for my class this morning. I gotta get moving.

Not sure what happened... I swear the daybook thing used to be 13 items long. Hmmm... Well. I have already written the next two tidbits, so you're getting bonus musings today...!

One of my favorite things right now are all the fall flavors and colors... minus Halloween. I am such a non-Halloween person, there's really not much about that whole "season" that I appreciate--I'm not into dressing up, not into the undead-ghosty stuff, not into decorating specific to spiderwebs and tombstones... OK, so what's the Halloween version of a Grinch? That's me (with a few mini Snickers thrown in, I'm not a complete nut job, really). Take me straight through to Thanksgiving, please and thank you.

A few plans for the rest of the week include lunch tomorrow with my childhood pastor and his family who are in town visiting, picking Seth up from school tomorrow and sliding on in to the weekend. Oh and making and canning applesauce, and maybe even finally blogging about some of the recipes I've made recently, as I've been just horrible about that...

Here is picture for thought I am sharing.

Remember that? That was my "word" this year... how's it going with that? Ha.

How are things in your world? Fall arrived in all it's glory? Tell me what you're up to!

For more Thursday 13 folk, go here.

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Thursday 13: Quotable

o, it's been awhile since I've done a quote-related post, hasn't it? I thought I would share 13 of my current quote "finds." I come across and save so many, but these are the ones that stood out, this month. Enjoy!

1. Don't ever take the fence down until you know the reason why it was put up. -G.K. Chesterton

2. Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I would like to see you living in better conditions. -Hafiz

3. Never look back unless you are planning on going that way. -Henry David Thoreau

4. Hear blessings dropping their blossoms around you. -Rumi

5. Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well but the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out. -Vaclav Havel

6. Life is curly. Don't try to straighten it out. -Susan Scott

7. True peace comes with the discovery that we can respect the seasons of life with a spacious and undefended heart. In it we learn to trust, to rest in the truth of the way things are, to willingly accept the measure of joy and sorrow we are given. -Jack Kornfield

8. Be not the slave of your own past--plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep, and swim far, so you shall come back with self-respect, with new power, with an advanced experience, that shall explain and overlook the old. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

9. The game of life is a game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deeds and words return to us sooner or later with astounding accuracy. -Florence Scovel Shinn

10. If I were dying my last words would be: Have faith and pursue the unknown end. -Oliver Wendell Holmes

11. The fact is that very few things have so much effect on the feeling inside a room as the sun shining into it. -Christopher Alexander

12. I dream of an art so transparent that you can look through and see the world. -Stanley Kunitz

And I saved my very favorite new, and seasonal!, quote for last:
13. Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. -George Eliot

Which one is your favorite? Do you have a quote to share with me? Please do!

Here are the other Thursday 13 participants. Play along if you like.

Thursday 13: 13 preserved items for this year

ight now it feels like my main task in life is figuring out how to preserve the river of produce flowing out of the garden. I know, a rough problem to have, eh? And, too, it's already slowing (46 degrees this morning, an overnight low of 42), and I'm sure soon enough I will be lamenting store-bought produce (especially tomatoes...). I have been rationing fresh blueberries for weeks, rather than eating them by the fistfuls as was my mid-summer habit...

But as I looked back over the summer, I made a list of everything I've put up for the family to consume over the winter. And wouldn't you know it, there are 12 things, one (maybe two) item left to go!

1. Blueberries (frozen). Yes, I did manage to freeze a few, which is an accomplishment as I enjoy eating them fresh so very much.
2. Blueberry lavender jam. Really subtle and lovely. I'm glad I experimented with this one.
3. Tomato sauce. These jars will probably end up in soups, mostly...
4. Tomatillo sauce. Fabulous for soups and enchilada casseroles. A little zipppy, a little sweet...
5. Corn (frozen). Good for enchiladas, and soups, and just eating. It was our best year of corn yet, which is so odd, given how late we planted it...
6. Green beans (frozen). Seth's favorite cooked vegetable.
7. Strawberry jam (well, more like sauce. Had a little issue with the setting up...). Great for ice cream and milkshakes. I think I might experiment with stirring a little into my unsweetened Greek yogurt over granola in the mornings...
8. Pumpkin (frozen). I learned that mashed pumpkin should not be canned, and so since I'd already roasted it, I put up a few bags in the freezer just today. Canned cubed pumpkin will be on the list for next summer... Not sure what I'll do with out bounty from this year, but I do like pumpkin soup, and of course there are always pumpkin breads and pumpkin muffins, in addition to the obvious pie!
9. Salmon (frozen). We indulge when it arrives fresh to Costco and enjoy grilled throughout the winter. I think we have Copper River, Coho and Sockeye... Didn't grow it, but I did preserve it!
10. Beets (roasted and frozen). Will be great for borscht in the winter months.
11. Kale (steamed and frozen). Though I read some debate online about just chucking it into bags and steaming on the other end, I decided that steamed = less bulky kale in my freezer and went with that.
12. Lavender simple syrup. This is really yummy for making lavender lemonade, maybe even lavender ice cream.
13. Still to go: Applesauce! I need to get out to the orchards and pick up a couple of boxes of fresh, crisp apples. (And get an extra box just for eating!). Yum.

In addition, I might break down and actually freeze some grated zucchini. I'm not a big zucchini bread fan, but I have seen a chocolate-chocolate chip zucchini bread floating around Pinterest, so I might just break down and preserve some zucchini... And I have been gleaning off my basil and eaten it fresh so far this year... I suppose before frost I will probably harvest the lot and freeze that either whizzed in olive oil, or as pesto. So, the preserving continues!

How about you? Any preserving in your world? Tell me about it!

For more Thursday 13s, go here. And play along if you like!

Thursday 13: Link sharing (13 of them)

've called this kind of post "reading roundup" in the past, which, frankly, as I think about it, is a somewhat annoying name. Sounds like a cross between kindergartener's reading circle and some sort of activity at the OK Corral... so I'm just calling it what it is: link sharing.

And since I have a handy pile tucked away, I thought I'd pull them out on this lovely Thursday and share them with you...

1. This blog: More Joy, Less Oy, has been in my reader for some time. I enjoy her writing style and thoughtfulness, and this post about staying pliable through tough times (Be the Bamboo), really resonated with me.

2. I thought this article from CNN seemed especially timely, what with the natural disaster uptick... even if the Pacific Northwest hasn't been in this round of wild weather, it *could* happen, and if you know our family, we like to be prepared. (Well, OK, husband is the prepared one. Seth and I are just happy to ride on his prepared coattails!) I especially found interesting the tips on storing your information online for easy access in an emergency, and an internal link to Lifehacker (an excellent resource for general info anyway) on preserving your cell phone battery life.

3. Brown-Eyed Baker is one of my favorite go-to food blogs, and in this post she chronicles her journey to full-time food blogging. Whew. What a great goal and how fabulous for her that she did it!

4. I enjoyed reading Timothy Keller's piece on Wisdom and Sabbath Rest, especially as I have not always been someone who has set a day aside in this manner. It reminded me of the days when I went full-bore seven days a week, and how much I enjoy the peace and separate-ness I feel in celebrating a Sabbath.

Also on this site (Q: ideas for the common good), I found a piece on Motherhood as Vocation. I've been on both sides of this particular topic--working mom and not--so I am always interested in what slant a writer will take... are all SAHMs just golden? Can there be balance between being a woman with passions, interests and (gasp, horror) ambition, and being there for your children? I thought the article did a good job of bridging the gap thoughtfully. I'd be curious if you do too...

5. Seth's breakfast has been a egg-muffin sandwich for a couple of years now. Sometimes two. Sometimes one and a bit of cereal. But he does love his egg muffins. I saw a take on one recently that made me think I could get into THAT; there's avocado and tzatziki in there! (Also, if you don't follow Joy Cho on Pinterest, you really should. Her style blog and her postings on Pinterest are especially hip and fashionable...)

6. If you don't get updates from this site daily, you MUST: Design Seeds. I really can't say it any more emphatically than that. Oh, it's helpful if you like color palettes and pretty pictures, but really, you MUST. It's the bomb. Or the boss, as Seth would say. See below.

7. At Mashable, I read an article on why browsing is an important aspect of information gathering, one that is lost in the more direct approach used online: searching. Something I had not really given a lot of thought to, but quite interesting when you consider how very much information exists online that you never ever know about (and truthfully, how good THAT fact is. Can you imagine? Yikes.). Not sure I really want to browse online, but I get the concept...

8. I couldn't decide who I was happier for, in this headline: Meryl Streep, Neil Diamond, Yo-Yo Ma Among 2011 Kennedy Center Honorees. Well, probably Yo-Yo Ma, but still, sounds like a lovely lineup to celebrate!

9. How did I miss this? I love Jimmy Fallon. Here he is as Charlie Sheen: Winning. Tell me you don't look twice a couple of times to see who it really is.



If that doesn't have you believing in his talent, take a look at this video below from America's Got Talent. Or better, put it on and then look away and see if he really is able to do the impressions. I did, and I think he's pretty good.



10. Toss Productivity Out, by Leo Babauta. Mr. Babauta is known for his zen schtick, and I can usually find a couple of nuggets in his posts that apply to what I'm trying to learn and grow towards. This post was no exception.

11. Mark Twain's love note to his wife. Precious, even if he did use the non-word gratefuler. (Click the link for the transcript).

12. Kindle books for under $4 from a blog called For the Love of Lit. Good to know!

13. On the always-interesting site The Browser: Writing worth reading, two recent articles caught my attention: cyber security and family history. I know, divergent interests have I!

OK, so we covered food, popular culture, religion, productivity, love, reading and online this-and-that. Whew. Hope there was a link or two there that piqued your interest!

What was your favorite link?

Happy Thursday. For more Thursday 13s, go here. And play along too, if you've got a blog. It's kinda fun.

Thursday 13: 13 quotes to play around with, calligraphy-wise

s autumn approaches (rather rapidly this week, judging by the crisp mornings we've enjoyed), I tend to focus less on the outdoors, and turn my attention back inside, to my more creative endeavors. This week I baked a bunch of cookies for a work event, and also took a quick sewing class that I've been wanting to take for awhile. (Zippers, I know them. Love them. Sort of.)

While fun and interesting, those activities have distracted me a bit from one thing I've been wanting to focus on, and that's calligraphy. I was at my drawing board this week for a bit and went through some old papers, looking at a time last spring where I was dedicated to sitting down with ink and paper for at least a half-hour each morning. The progress I made during the brief month or two I was committed to that plan was evident, and it energized and inspired me to get back at it.

Since I mostly work with quotes or sayings, I am in the habit of collecting them in an odd little system, by month. I have a Word file for each month and just tuck them away as I find them on various blogs, websites, or emails that come my way. I print out the month when it's done and use the ones that stand out to me as fodder for practice. I know it's a bit unorthodox, but it really feeds the part of me that says, "Pay attention." Meaning: I can put quotes in "boxes" and label them under headings, but that just lumps them all together and my eyes glaze over what I'm reading. I see the label of "Faith" or "Love" or "Friendship" and the quotes themselves don't stand out on their own. When I scan a month's worth of quotes, sometimes one quote will jump out at me; another time through, others will reveal themselves. (Cue the Twilight Zone music, but trust me, it works for me.)

Well, that's my little justification for why I do what I do. But most important, I find quotes that are meaningful to me, and enjoy working with them.

Here are 13 favorites I gathered just this August, with the caveat that these are short quotes that would make for lovely typographic layouts. I find many longer, more wordy quotes quite enjoyable, but for today's purposes, I've gleaned the pithy ones to share with you. It also helps, for me, if I'm able to envision the words with a simple image that I might then work toward making something arty...

1. All the windows of my heart I open to the day.
-John Greenleaf Whittler

2. I once had a thousand desires, but in my one desire to know you all else melted away.
-Rumi

3. Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth.
-Buddha

4. We are not at peace with others because we are not at peace with ourselves, and we are not at peace with ourselves because we are not at peace with God.
-Thomas Merton

5. I cannot make my days longer so I strive to make them better.
-Henry David Thoreau

6. Forever is composed of nows.
-Emily Dickinson

7. The bad news: there is no key to the universe. The good news: it was never locked.
-Swami Beyondananda

8. Any time that is not spent on love is wasted.
-Tasso

9. You must not blame me if I do talk to the clouds.
-Henry David Thoreau

10. Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace.
-May Sarton

11. Be not afraid of going slowly; be afraid only of standing still.
-Chinese Proverb

12. Spend more time walking, and less time looking at your maps.
-Colleen Wainwright, communicatrix

13. There is no safe investment. To love at all is to be vulnerable.
-C.S. Lewis

And because I just can't stop at 13, here's a bonus:

The obstacle is the path.
-Zen Proverb

Some of these quotes just fill me with an inner smile. I hope they do that for you as well. (And yes, I do like that Thoreau dude...)

Which one is your favorite? Which one should I first turn into something calligraphic and lovely? Tell me!

For more Thursday 13s, go here.

Thursday 13: Daybook musings...

have this fantasy about actually participating again in Thursday 13, you know, a real post with 13 things I found here or there, or 13 videos... where have my video posts gone?! Those kinds of posts take a little planning and effort, things that are in rather short supply in my blog world, as I'm using them up in my "other" life. You know, the life that involves actually getting something done!

But for today... I'm sticking with the tried and true 13 questions of the daybook, a little window into my life. (I know, you're thinking, really? More about the yard? Really, Sher? Sorry...)

Outside my window... (writing this Wednesday night) there is a massive lightening storm in the mountains. A while ago there were a few moments of wild wind that caused me to run around like a crazy woman and make sure I didn't have any garden implements lying about the yard. We have not had any big storms in ages, so I am very much enjoying watching this. Wish there was a little thunder and rain to go with it--it's very still and hot out there... I'm sure a few pasture fires will pop up tonight; I bet the fire guys are on high alert!

I am thinking... that I love life. Such a sap, I know. But I do. With all of it's ups and downs and sideways turns, it is so good to feel this appreciation for my life and the people in it. Bo-nus.

I am thankful... that our rototiller is working really well. I caused mild consternation when I reported some fits and starts (and little puffs of oil smoke) to husband a couple of weeks back and he asked if I'd added oil recently. "Um, I need to do that?" was my sweet little response. Well, NOW I know. (Actually I'm pretty sure I've been told that before, but my memory... sigh.) Anyway, he added oil last weekend and it's working like a dream. Whew.

In the kitchen... the countertops are overflowing with zucchini, summer squash, red onions, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers and one beautiful eggplant. I made a really cheesy batch of pesto at lunchtime and thoroughly enjoyed it with some orzo and tomatoes. Summer heaven!

I am wearing... running gear. (It's now Thursday morning. Keep up, would you?) Had a pretty so-so little run this morning, one of those one-foot-in-front-of-the-other trots... but at least I did it, so there's something to that!

I am creating... plans for next-ups on the crochet list. And the embroidery list. And the calligraphy list. And most of all, creating some structure to my daily schedule to get some things accomplished! Chop chop!

I am going... nowhere? That sounds kinda lame... there's no real plan for a trip coming up (until October, then November). I would really like to go and see my Grandma in Canada, but Seth is tied up sixteen ways (so to speak) with band stuff in the foreseeable future, so it may have to wait until closer to Christmas.

I am wondering... why people include their photo with a resume (I'm helping with hiring at one of my volunteer gigs). Well, actually, I know (they're pretty people). I just wonder where they got the idea that that is a good thing? It's kind of odd, I think. Most people can be Googled, anyway, especially if they are on Linkedin or Facebook. But sending a picture along says, to me, "Look at me! Aren't I attractive?" Oh, and the other thing I really find odd--when people refer to themselves (either in person or on their resume) in the third person. I can't tell you how much that just makes my eyes roll.

I am reading... Born to Run. Finally. My parents gave it to me at least two years ago. I'm cracking it, guys, finally! And getting the old 5-fingers out again too... still can't run in them (for more than a minute or two), but I'm working toward it... I also just finished Women, Food and God--listening in audio--and I'm actually going to go through it again. My attention span with the nonfiction and listening... not the best. And the content is good enough that I know hearing it again will be helpful. I really appreciated that book much more than I thought I would. Lots of things applicable to life, not just our relationships with food and God. I wish, though, that it didn't have the "Women" in the title; I think everyone should read it, not just women... but, she probably thought guys wouldn't pick the book up anyway, so why target them?

I am hoping... that this fall is everything I want it to be. I have high expectations for what I want to get done, and in general I look forward to this season more than any other, though I suppose spring is a close second...

I am looking forward to... doing my own Shellac nails today. I have done a couple of experiments with this system, but used other nail polish (Gellish) and wasn't wild about the results (probably user error, mostly). Tomorrow it will be the real deal, with a friend. A very girly thing, I know... 

I am hearing... tractors in a field somewhere nearby. The sliding doors are open for the morning breeze, and it's a lovely morning out there.

Around the house... I keep tromping in dirt from the garden. Go figure.

I am pondering... how this question is different from wondering? Feels similar to me. But in terms of pondering, I'm pondering an approach I want to take with a new fabric project, and how to get it to look like I want... It will take a bit of fiddling around, but I think I'll get it eventually... hence, the pondering.

One of my favorite things... is sleep. When I am shy on sleep I am not a happy camper.

A few plans for the rest of the week... more yard stuff, more house stuff, some volunteer stuff, a very happy pick up of the boy from school on Friday, and then family stuff. You know, the usual stuff. The stuff that makes me smile so big.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Can you believe that color? I just adore that floor. Shocked, aren't you?!

I hope your Thursday is off to a great start, or middle, or finish... well, wherever you are in your day, make it a great one, OK? And if you have some great plans for the rest of the week, I'd love to hear about them in the comments--somebody out there certainly MUST have more going on than I do, right?! Tell me!

To see other Thursday 13 participants, go here!

To participate in the daybook concept, go here.

Thursday 13: Daybook musings...

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... the sun is shining and that makes me so happy. I got a little too much sun yesterday, I was so eager to get the garden back into shape. What a nut. But I'm feeling fine this morning and ready for round 2.

I am thinking... that I can't quite believe our summer time with Seth is drawing to a close. One more week before school starts, he's with his dad for that, and poof, there you have it, summer gonzo. We are eeking out the last of our walks and talks, for which I am so grateful.

I am thankful... well, besides the walks and talks, I'm especially grateful for people this week. I learn so much from watching and listening to people. And I appreciate so much having real connections with people too. The lesser connections... well, those I am happy to do without.

In the kitchen... the tomatoes are starting to come on gangbusters! So far just the orange cherry toms and the yellow pears. But I've had two big bowls of tomato-basil-parmesan-pine nut goodness, and boy is it goooooood.

I am wearing... clothes for going walking... exercise gear, if you will.

I am creating... some crafty gifty things. Don't you like how I add a "y" on to something and it just "makes it." Ha. I have a deadline, so I need to get cracking on a couple of them that need to hit the post next week. Thank goodness there's a weekend between now and then!

I am going... to go for a walk-n-talk with Seth this morning, then coffee with a friend and making lunch--I'm thinking homemade pizza sounds about right today. My men will cheer!

I am wondering... what to do with my plethora of cabbage from the garden. I had some thoughts of making sauerkraut, and still may, but am also looking for other options. I'm open--if you have one, send it my way, please! We will make soups and stews and coleslaw and salsa, so maybe that's enough? I just seem to want something new, different...

I am reading... another Donald Miller book. This one is A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. Very DM, quite meander-y, but I know there will be a number of a-ha moments along the way. The book is about his life and how film makers wanted to make a movie about it, and when they came to "work on the story," they ended up essentially telling him his life was boring and the story needed to be juiced up. Ha. Seth and I were talking about that last night when we were done reading; he asked me whether I would allow my life to be represented differently than I believed it to have taken place. It's a pretty easy answer for me (now, with no movie crew banging down my door) to say "No," but I can see how intoxicating it might be for someone to tell you: "We like your story, we think you  have something to say, so let's just tweak this and this and this," until it's unrecognizable as YOU. I mean, how much do we all do that every day any way, tweak ourselves for various reasons... See! Donald does have a point!

I am hoping... that we have a glorious fall. Long and warm. Is that too much to hope for?

I am looking forward to... the weekend, with husband. Planting some of our fall garden--kale, greens, etc. (See, already planning on the long and warm fall!)

I am hearing... the dogs barking. They are quite the pack. I think the wheat is going to be harvested today, which will throw them into quite the tizzy, I'm sure. Machines! In the fields! Quick! Run this way! No, that way! Bunnies!

Around the house... we're in the unpack-from-vacation mode. It's getting some semblance of order, but it takes a minute or two... laundry fairies would be helpful, don't you think? They come along and do your laundry while you sleep--kind of like those cobbler's fairies in the old story where the shoes would be all fixed in the morning. Brilliant. Now to find some fairies...

I am pondering... how very much I admire a friend of mine who has stepped up to a monumental task of caring for a loved one for the long haul. Not one of those assumed, "well of course you would" kinds of things--as in, not a parent or a child--and something that I know countless people would back away from with very well rationalized excuses. I'm just very impressed and heartened by her conduct, and inspired too.

One of my favorite things... basil. Can't help it. Just love it to the moon and back. I'm thinking I should do a 30-day basil challenge, but then I worry that maybe I'd get sick of it?

A few plans for the rest of the week... not much of the week left to go, but there's coffee with a friend this morning, then more yard-ness, a bit of chill time with the boy, maybe watch a movie (and nap)? A few errands tomorrow and then the blissful, happy, weekend!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Isn't that the truth? This is from one of my newer Etsy finds, love this shop!


Thanks for reading, hope you have a fabulous Thursday!

For more Thursday 13s, go here.

To play with the daybook concept, go here.

Thursday 13: Daybook musings

Outside my window... well, the sun was shining a bit ago, but now it seems to have clouded up and it's quite breezy. Great for yard work, not so great for other planned afternoon activities (see below). Clouds, begone! (OK, 15 minutes later, it appears the sun may be back. What nutty weather.)

I am thinking... that the week has gone by awfully quickly, which is fine in one way, but a bummer in others. Still working on my "pause time" machine...

I am thankful... that it's been such a great week for working outside, as Seth and Jake have been so helpful. It wasn't unbearably hot, and in fact a couple of the days were rather cool, which makes for much more energetic workers!

In the kitchen... I made baked zucchini sticks last night, and have decided I don't like them (right now, anyway). I don't know, they just didn't do it for me. So that leaves me with the ever-present "What do I do with all this zucchini?" question...

I am wearing... yard work clothes; nothing too snazzy, for sure.

I am creating... a couple of presents that cannot be spoken of... yet. Birthdays are coming for a couple of near-and-dear-to-me folk. Well, more than a couple. Yikes. Better get hustlin'.

I am going... to take Seth and Jake to the pool this afternoon. Well... hopefully. There has been rumor of a "murky pool" that had to be drained... I hope it's up and going again, as I'm supposed to meet a friend for lunch while the children romp and splash. Anyway, I don't get to see this friend very often, so I'd really rather not reschedule! Come on, kids, don't pee in the pool. Nobody actually says anything about WHY the pool is murky, but I have my theories.

I am wondering... why certain crazes just take off at certain times... I'm sure there's a Crafting Tipping Point in there somewhere, but I doubt that Malcolm Gladwell wants to take that on any time soon. Ha. Here's my biggest wonder at the moment: chevron. What's with that pattern and why would I want it on EVERYTHING? Makes me think of Charlie Brown's T-shirt, which is cute enough, but on repeat? No thanks. Oh and the other thing I'm not so fond of: when crafters do embroidery in a hoop, and then just hang the piece IN. THE. HOOP. Don't they know that the hoop is a tool used to help make the embroidery smooth and easy? Not a frame? Why didn't anyone ask me about this? That one simply drives me nuts.

I am reading... Zip. Zero. Zilch. (Well, besides ye olde internet feeds...) Finished my latest audiobook last week and as I've had company in the yard this week, I haven't jumped into anything else. I did read the People magazine with the pretty Duchess on the cover while I was at the hair stylist yesterday, but I don't suppose that actually counts as reading...

I am hoping... next week goes as quickly as this one did.

I am looking forward to... a little getaway time with my men in a couple of weeks. That will be swell.

I am hearing... the sounds of my old dying computer coming back to life? Oh that it would be so. I am cleaning it off (again) and reloading Windows. We'll see. I like blank books, so blank computers rank pretty highly up there as well (as long as my precious pictures and documents are stored properly on an external hard drive...).

Around the house... we do track in a fair bit of dirt while working in the yard. And shutting the doors behind us when we go back out to the yard? Yeah, working on that. Sigh.

I am pondering... if I'll ever really make the leap to Google+. Maybe. Right now it just seems like a lot of work. I need to get that dang tutorial Seth promised me...

One of my favorite things... continues to be cheese. And figs. And black Aussie licorice. Did I mention that I found the closest thing to authentic Aussie black licorice at Walgreens of all places? Totally by accident while with Jen in Portland, and thankfully these generic-ish stores pretty much stock the same stuff, so voila! It's here in Walla Walla too. Oh happy day.

A few plans for the rest of the week... yard work with the boys today... then pool... then weekend. Whoosh.


Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

My yard cherubs--that cheeky one hiding behind the trailer is mine.

They have loved driving that little mower around, very much. (But safely, always safely.)

I hope your week has been lovely too.

To see other Thursday 13 participants, go here.

To play along with the daybook concept, go here.

Thursday 13: Favorite kitchen objects

inally! I unpacked a couple of boxes yesterday... yes, we moved "back" into the kitchen a few months ago, but apparently I am a little slow at some things and if they aren't right in front of me, I don't miss them. These boxes were tucked away in the shop and when Seth and I were doing our reorg out there a couple of weeks back, I was happy to rediscover them!

So, I got my Hipstamatic on, and took a few shots of some of my favorite kitchen tchotchkes... 13, to be exact!

This little guy usually comes out just at Easter... the rest of the time he sits on my cookbook shelf and waits to be filled with jelly bellies. But I love him!

This birdhouse from my Ma has my name written all over it!

Dear friend Laura gave me this glorious red peppermill for my birthday last year. I love it!

This is such a fun gurgle pot, again from my mom. It really does gurgle when you pour liquid out!

What, Ma again? Ha. This lovely biscotti jar has never held biscotti... but it does hold candy, which I rediscovered today... had a few Werthers to get me through the afternoon yardwork...

We get great gifts from husband's work mates each Christmas; this was one from a couple of years ago. A real handmade fave.

Hello, little individual pots I never use. You are super cute, though!

A definite fave from Aunt Bobbi. This is the best spoon rest EVER.

This wasn't necessarily meant to be a kitchen "thing," but that's where it's ended up... something about the fork and spoon nonsense seemed to make it about food, right?

Those little wax figs have often been mistaken for the real thing... well, not to the point of there being teeth marks on them. But they do closely resemble figs, so of course I adore them. (Ma again.)

I'm kind of convinced this plate must be from Ma again, but if you know otherwise, please do speak up! (Do you see the artfully placed candy wrapper in the picture... yes, from the biscotti jar...)

 

That green plate is one I got at Crate and Barrel, just because. I love the color and shape, naturally.

 

I've mentioned these before... these colorful crocheted cloths from my Grandma Kandt. They might just be my favorite thing in my kitchen! The color, what they evoke.

 

What's your favorite thing in your kitchen?! Please tell me!

For other Thursday 13 participants, go here. And have a fabulous Thursday.

Thursday 13: Daybook musings with a few scattered clouds

or today:

Outside my window... the birds stripped the cherry tree while we were away last weekend. I was happy enough giving them the top half of the tree, but I was pretty peeved to come home and find the whole thing pretty much bare. I got a half gallon or so... I bet the tree total would have been more than 100 pounds, for sure. May the birds die a gassy, fat death, that's all I have to say about that.

I am thinking... that people can be pretty tacky. And thoughtless. And needlessly cruel. I know, such a revelation. Ha. Sometimes I startle myself with these amazing a-ha moments.

I am thankful... for so very many things. Oddly enough, right now I'm really thankful for our yard. I feel like I learn a lot from the yard and the experience of caring for it. That might not make sense to anyone else, but for me, it's been a work in progress, and I'm in a good place. I shall hold onto this moment, for I'm pretty sure it will pass.

In the kitchen... I am tickled that a food blog is featuring one of my favorite asparagus salads in their summer menu series. I sent them a couple to chose from, and they picked the asparagus salad with deconstructed pesto. Makes me hungry for it! Go check it out over at Where Women Cook, if you're in the mood.

I am wearing... clothes for working in the yard. 'Nuff said.

I am creating... a weed-free existence. Ha. I think that's a pipe dream. Today I am cutting back wild and wiley junipers that have encroached on specific sprinklers... I am not especially a juniper fan, and some of these must be 20 years old, and probably need to be pulled out. But that concept alone feels quite daunting... so I shall snip and hack and trim...

I am going... to have sushi lunch with a couple of dear friends today and am looking forward to it. I ponder my options in advance. For sure seaweed salad and edamame... but for the roll... we'll see what mood I'm in when I get there...

I am wondering... how long is too long on the hair? Getting that itch to chop chop chop... but it's a breeze to put up. But hot hot hot in the summer...

I am reading... Not much actual turning the pages of a book, but listening to a bunch. Highly highly recommend the Freakonomics podcast for generally interesting information. And Timothy Keller, if you're in a God mood. I love his sermons, very much. Finished a couple of audiobooks already this summer: By Nightfall, by Michael Cunningham (good, a bit melencholy and ended too soon), and I Remember Nothing, by Nora Ephron, which it took me a while to warm up to, but I got there, and ended up enjoying pretty well. Her reading voice isn't my favorite and I really need someone's voice to be pleasant to think about listening to them for hours on end. Picky, I know! Next up, I'm going to try and get back into Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen, and What the Dead Know, by Laura Lippman. I've started both of them a couple of times and just not been compelled, but there can be a lot of reasons for that. When I'm listening and working at the same time, my mind can go off to la-la land and get distracted, so I need to give them each another go and PAY ATTENTION. Then, if I don't like them, I'll just bag it.

I am hoping... that it doesn't top 100 degrees any time soon. I promised not to complain about the weather until it hits 100... and I will keep that promise. Love feeling warm and toasty, very much.

I am looking forward to... the weekend with husband. We have all kinds of productive plans!

I am hearing... those dang birds, out my office window. Grrr.

Around the house... it's feeling better organized. Husband went through his closet like I did mine this spring, and I have some further organization/put-things-back to do with items I'd packed up from our spontaneous remodel (ie, the flood) last winter. I found a few forgotten boxes from the kitchen... I'd wondered where my fabulous fig spoon rest from Aunt Bobbi had gone (it's been found!) as well as the potato ricer (not needed until Thanksgiving, but it's here!).

I am pondering... "Wisdom comes only when you stop looking for it and start living the life the Creator intended for you." -Hopi Proverb

This runs counter to a lot of things I assume about the acquisition of wisdom, so I will chew on it for a while.

One of my favorite things... is the sight of my son's face, especially when it's an unexpected/surprise kind of thing. Happy. And another huge favorite thing is having friends who love my son too and welcome him into their home. Huge.

A few plans for the rest of the week... um, the yard. And then, more of that yard. And a bit of pool time. And more yard.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Daisies from Joseph a la Hipstamatic on the iPhone. Love the simplicity of that flower.

I hope your Thursday is splendid!

To see other Thursday 13 participants, go here.

To play along with the daybook concept, go here.

Thursday 13: Oh, Canada!

omorrow, July 1, is Canada Day. As you may (or may not) know, I was raised in Canada by wonderful Canadian parents--! wasn't born there (that was Northern California), but happily reared in Beautiful British Columbia. Super, Natural British Columbia. It was lovely, and I still (very much) enjoy going to B.C. to visit family.

In honor of Dominion Day (which is what I remember calling the holiday as a child...), I thought I would post 13 images of Canadian "things" for my Thursday 13. It's a pretty random collection, but I found all of them on two of my favorite internet places--Etsy and Pinterest, and they're all items, frankly, I wouldn't mind having! (Well, except for the last one... not sure *anyone* needs that! But I had to include just for the humor factor. Or, I should say, humour factor!)

Enjoy these images, and happy Canada Day to you!

Canada pillow

Maple leaf pendant

Maple leaf vintage belt

Acorns

Maple marshmallows

Canada boots (Roots, eh?)

Maple leaf map

Canada geese

Maple leaf beanie

Mountie flask

Tartan high-tops (RCAF plaid)

Canada land poster

Beiber revenge

Well, if you didn't know much about Canada, you would now think it's all about maple leaves, geese, mounties... there is of course much more to it than that... much, much more!

When you think of Canada, what do you think of?

To play along with other Thursday 13s, go here. And have a great Thursday!

Thursday 13: Daybook musings, or would that be fumings?

Is fumings a word? Fuming is, so what's the plural of that? Hmmm.

Breathe.

For today:

Outside my window... Let's see, spin the dial... what will the weather be today... apparently it will be sunny-ish. Last night we had a brief rainstorm, with some wind, capping off a mixed, cool day... but when I checked the forecast for the next five days it is supposed to be all sunny and 70s. I'll take it, if that really happens. Lately the weather forecast seems more guesswork than actual prediction based on anything, but maybe that's just my fuming, cynical self! (Made me laugh just to type that, so...)

As for out my window specifically, the cherries are starting to ripen. I am really looking forward to the cherry crop this year, as there is not a single apricot or plum to be found on their respective trees. The cherries seem to be dropping a lot, don't know why other than maybe the cold? I don't know if that even makes sense, but I do like to blame things on the cold!

I am thinking... that I am not going to get cranked about a sporting event for a long time. (Fume. Fume.) It's just not worth it. I got all worked up about the Stanley Cup (NHL, just in case you're not a hockey fan...) the past couple of weeks, and really was somehow invested in the Vancouver Canucks having a glory moment (Canadian childhood memory moment). And... they were a depressing team, for sure. Even though they got to seven games, which they didn't deserve... I still wanted them to WIN. Sigh.

I am also thinking that I have a lot swirling around my brain about humans and choices and how we treat each other. I'm going to let it marinate for a bit rather than spew forth my opinions, but I did somehow feel the need to mention, since that's definitely what I'm thinking. Which then leads me to...

I am thankful for... second chances, opportunities to grow and learn and make better choices. I am thankful that people I know going through personal difficulties have good support. Good support is something I have been thankful for during my rough patches, and I know it will make the difference for them, as well.
From the kitchen... I am still in asparagus mode, so there's lots of that. And I'm making lunch for a couple of girlfriends tomorrow, so I'm dreaming of things that I know they'll like... Strawberries too, those are proliferating... yum.

In the immediate sense, I have two boys who woke up early and are already working away at designing a logo for their new spy business... is this real or is this still a dream?... hard to say until I get a bit more of my coffee in me. Regardless, they'll be hungry soon and needing pancakes and eggs and such... so THAT will be going on in my kitchen too, aside from the regular oatmeal grown-up breakfast...

I am wearing... clothes for the yard--shorts and a T-shirt, ratty cardigan and flip flops. Later I'll dress like a real person when we go to town--Seth and I both have appointments so we'll act like town people. That takes work in the summer!

I am creating... Finally, I'm putting together the super-colorful granny squares into a hexagonal lap blanket. I like it, and though it's a little slow going getting them all joined, it's fun to see it all come together.

I am going... to enjoy a peaceful weekend with my husband. He was supposed to be gone for work and stuck over the weekend, so this is an unexpected treat, definitely.

I am reading... Seth and I went to the library today, and I was the one who walked away with a small stack of books... It was lovely to renew our cards and look around to see what's new at the library--quite a bit! I got a cookbook: Earth to Table, which looks like a lot of fun and one that I might actually add to my collection; 20 under 40, a collection of New Yorker stories by youngish authors; The Rational Optimist, which looks interesting (if you've ever been called an optimist, and not in a positive tone, you can relate to my interest); and Everything I Know About Marketing I Learned From Google... I'm a big Google fan, so thinking this might be a goodie (I have a feeling if I looked on husband's bookshelf I would see this one already... just a hunch). We'll see. I have too many books on my shelf already, I can't believe I really picked up any more... and I'm listening to By Nightfall by Michael Cunningham on my iPod, so I've got a little fiction going on too, really. By Nightfall is a little melencholy (this is the same author as The Hours, need I say more?), so I'll probably need to do a little palate-cleansing humor (David Sedaris, naturally) afterward before diving into another new audio read. Our library now has audio downloads available on loan, and I'm looking forward to figuring that out. Anything to bring down the monthly Audible bills, eh?

I am hoping... that we have nice weather for some work-related events next week. Nothing like trying to hold a company-wide picnic and everyone stands around with teeth chattering!
I am hearing... the really super-terrific great news that my friend Jen's six-month cancer check found her free free free of cancer! That was especially lovely to hear yesterday.

Around the house... We have had a nice mixture of play and work this week. Seth upgraded his phone, so he is super-incentivized to work for some coin to pay for the data plan. We've worked together on filling in some doggy-digging holes in the yard and reseeding the lawn, some edging of beds, some weeding, a little recycling. And on the play side, a bit of hanging with friends, watching a little Battlestar Galactica, a little strawberry picking (well, Seth probably considers that work, but I think of that as play...), chilling and computing... the usual. Very peaceful. I'm a lucky mom.

One of my favorite things... is sunshine. Have I mentioned that lately? Ha. Longest. Spring. Ever.

A few plans for the rest of the week... well, given that it's Thursday, I'm living for the weekend at this point. Some good stuff on tap for next week, more yard work, a couple of work events and maybe a bit of extended girl time too... good stuff, all around.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

This image has been floating around Pinterest quite a bit and I thought it sounded like a good idea to try... so I did. Yikes. You should have seen me coming down the stairs yesterday... I guess it's a good thing I could actually walk... but it does remind me that maybe I shouldn't go so long between workouts? Maybe try to stay a little more active ALL the time? Hmmm. Wonder when I'll really learn *that* lesson...

Hope you have a lovely Thursday all lined up... what's on tap for YOUR weekend?

To participate in Thursday 13, go here.

To play along with The Simple Woman's Daybook, go here.

Thursday 13: 13 wishes for my son on the occasion of his 8th grade graduation

was writing in my online journal yesterday morning, reflecting on the evening that would see my one and only child graduate (well, be "recognized") from 8th grade. (I see the celebration mostly as one of, "Wow, you survived middle school!" I think the real work lies in the 4 to 8--or more--years ahead...)

Serendipitously, I just happened to write 13 wishes for him as he moves from middle school to high school, and I thought I would share them as my Thursday 13 this week.

So, Seth. For you, dear boy, I have a few wishes...

1. I wish you a summer of fun, relaxation and chill time.

2. I wish you the drive to achieve even more than you initially believe you can; to set your goals high and persevere to reach them. (This comes after the chill-and-relax summer!)

1. I wish you curiosity to know and learn and grow, and to never lose that desire to know more about the world (and especially about the people) around you. Curious people are interesting people.

2. I wish you the strength to stand for what you believe to be right when everyone around you is sitting down in apathy. This takes effort and a willingness to be alone at times; not easy, but definitely worthwhile.

3. I wish you the courage to speak your mind, and to admit when you're wrong and change your mind, as well. Always try to see others' opinions as valuable, even if you don't agree; you might learn something.

4. I wish you peace in knowing that you are a child of God, and that His love for you can and will sustain you, wherever you are, through good times and bad (and especially the bad).

5. I wish you comfort in the love that surrounds you from so many people. You are doubly blessed in this way, even though some days it may not feel like such a blessing.

6. I wish you grace to know when to forgive a friend for a hurt or slight, and when to move on. This can be tricky, especially with an open heart such as yours; but, you'll learn as you go, I know.

7. I wish you joy in the little things, and a lot of laughter to see you through the long nights of studying and projects and labs and trumpet practice. Your laughter is the kind that lights rooms up; don't ever let yourself go too long between good, deep, belly laughs.

8. I wish for you to retain the kindness in your heart, to remember to reach a hand out to help a stranger; and to be aware that your smile can (and many times does) improve the day of another person.

9. I wish you patience as you approach the unknowns that lie ahead. The questions will all get answered, in time. It may just not be on your schedule...

11. I wish for you the ability to adjust your attitude when you realize your current approach isn't helping your situation. You have shown an understanding that life is, in large part, a mental game, and I know if you can hang onto that understanding, it will get you through some particularly troublesome spots.

13. I wish you wisdom, to discern between truth and untruth. You have a natural desire to believe the best in people, but you've also already been disappointed by untruth. Keep honing your discernment, and hopefully your disappointments will be few.

As I reread the list it sounds a little heavy... Does it sound like he's off to war, or college, or something more substantial than just high school? Perhaps... but thanks for indulging a mom. 

As I reflect on Seth's three years in middle school, I am reminded once again of all the people who reached a hand out to him a long the way, especially one dear teacher who went above and beyond in many ways. Mrs. Clearman made learning fun, challenged Seth to do his best work, and provided the safe haven of a classroom many times when he needed it. My words of thanks will never be enough to convey my gratitude. He had other, marvelous teachers, don't misunderstand... but sometimes one does stand out above the crowd.

The 8th grade recognition last night was an exuberant and celebratory event, and not even as long as we'd been led to believe it might be. Still, so glad it's four years until the next cap-and-gown affair!

I would love to hear from you: What wish would you give to your kid (or mine) going into high school? And what do you wish you had known going into high school that no one bothered to tell you. I want to know!

For other Thursday 13 participants, go here!

Thursday 13: Daybook musings...

or today...

Outside my window... it is raining. That's a big shock! (Sorry for the sarcasm. I'm bitter about the rain, can you tell?)

I am thinking... that at least I'll work on some office clean up and such, with this weather. I am also thinking, longer-term, of getting some of my more write-y friends to do guests posts on my blog... those who don't already blog, maybe even a couple that do. What think you? I kinda like it... not to get me off the hook, of course, but to get a bit of diversity and maybe have everyone write on a particular topic or something fun like that.

I am thankful... for so many things, but mostly today I'm thankful for time. Time to grow. Time to heal. Time to accomplish things. Just time to breathe. I really really feel for those who feel like time has run out, or time is short, or that they are pushed for time. That sucks.

From the kitchen... I have been making a lot of soup, lately, still... I keep meaning to post the recipe... maybe I will later today. It's a cabbagey kind of vegetable soup, with a little heat, so I've named it Mexican Cabbage Soup in my mind. I should probably look up and see if there is already such a thing...

I am wearing... khakis and a little sweater that my mom gave me over the weekend. She actually gave me FOUR little sweaters. All the same cut, just different colors... tan, white, brown and raspberry. I am wearing the raspberry one today. I know, that's stepping out, for me. Lately it's felt pretty black and tan.

I am creating... a little receipt keeper for my purse, to help me track little miscellaneous spending... yeah, I know, I could just buy one of those little file folder things at WalMart or something, but this will definitely be cuter! And I'll have one fewer receipt to file away!

I am going... to Scarborough Fair. See, now, I'm not, but that's the first thing I think of. Every. Time. I see that phrase... I need to take it seriously, don't I? OK, so the real answer is I'm hoping we go to Joseph this weekend. (That will depend on weather...) And next week I am supposed to meet up with a couple of girlfriends from high school for lunch in TriCities... one of them I haven't seen in probably 20 years. 20. That's a bit staggering to consider.

I am reading... just finished Blue Like Jazz with Seth last night. That took us awhile, eh? It rambled a bit sometimes, but he ended on a lovely note that was exactly what we both needed to hear: God wants to know you and is already taking care of you, and falling in love with Him will be the most significant thing that will happen in your life. I have a bunch of samples of "next books" in my Kindle app, so I will explore some of those today and see where we land next. I am just about done listening to that darn Oprah biography on my iPod, but I don't want to squander the juicy gossip on something non-yardwork related, so I'm waiting for more pleasant weather to finish it off while I weed. Weeding and Oprah gossip, yeah, that's about right. (Don't you like how I can go from God's love to scandalous Oprah conjecture in the same paragraph? I know, it's a gift.)

I am hoping... for pleasant weather this weekend. I would really really like it to be sunny and nice. Hope schmope. We'll see what we get. (How very Eeyore of me...)

I am hearing... rain on my window. I just remarked to husband this morning that I've never lived in a house that had rain on the windows so much, at least to my memory. Makes me glad, every time it rains, that I haven't washed the windows recently! It's from the rather shallow overhang, according to him, and I am sure that's part of it... I also think the angle that the rain seems to come at, out here in the "country," (sideways from the wind at times!) has something to do with it. All that is to say, I'm a very reluctant window washer, to be sure. I let nature do her thing!

Around the house... I'm working on my lists... I did do one of those "I'm not going to walk by that thing one more time without fixing it" items already this morning, so I'm feeling rather pleased with myself. Yes, little Miss Smug. I'm pretty sure that's it for the day, but you've gotta start small, right?!

One of my favorite things... is cheese. (That one's for you, Kim.) My sister-in-law pointed out to me this weekend that it's a rare Friday Night Grateful Moment that doesn't include cheese. And the problem with that is...? I had the best asparagus and tomato and blue cheese salad (with pinenuts) last night. So yummy. And it was definitely the blue cheese that put it into a whole 'nother category, salad-wise.

A few plans for the rest of the week... this week feels short, for sure. What with arriving back from our long weekend on Tuesday night... so Friday will come oh-to-quickly, and yet, right on time. As for plans, I'm afraid mine are awfully weather-related right now. If it's nice, I want to be out in the yard doing my thang. If it's not, I will do other, more inside, things. I pinned a bunch of fun crafty-sewing projects on Pinterest last weekend, and I think I promised to make Kim and I each at least a dozen skirts for summer, so someone had better get crackin'.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing... from my mom's blog, And the Livin' is Easy. Last weekend I gave her the applique pillow I made in that class in March--a late late Mother's Day gift... I think it looks like it belongs at her house, don't you think?

To play along with The Simple Woman's Daybook, go here.

To see other Thursday 13 participants, go here.

What do you have going on the rest of the week? Ready for the weekend already? Tell me!

And have a great Thursday.